UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

or

For the transition period from                       to                     

Commission File Number: 001-37708

 

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

(781) 419-1400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ☐    No  ☒

As of May 6, 2020, there were 36,094,929 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “would,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “intend,” “project” or “continue,” or the negative or plural of these terms or other comparable terminology.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

These statements are only current predictions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks in this report in greater detail in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.

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Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, we are under no duty to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

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SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(unaudited)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(unaudited)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(unaudited)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(unaudited)

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Nature of Business

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies. We were incorporated in Delaware in 2005. We base our operations in Waltham, Massachusetts and we operate in one segment.

2. Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The interim unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual audited financial statements and in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2020, and the results of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020, any other interim periods, or any future year or period. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the notes thereto, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 5, 2020.

In 2011, the Company established a wholly owned subsidiary in the United Kingdom. There have been no activities for this entity to date. In 2014, the Company established a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Syndax Securities Corporation. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies, which are disclosed in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the notes thereto are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020. Since the date of that filing, there have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies except as noted below.

Significant Risks and Uncertainties

With the global spread of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the first and second quarters of 2020, we have implemented business continuity plans designed to address and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.  We anticipate that the COVID-19 pandemic could have an impact on the clinical development timelines for one or more of our clinical programs.  The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, our clinical development, manufacturing of clinical and commercial drug substance and drug product, and regulatory efforts, our corporate development objectives and the value of and market for our common stock, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time, such as the ultimate duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions, quarantines, social distancing and business closure requirements in the U.S., Europe and other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken globally to contain and treat the disease.  The global economic slowdown, the overall disruption of global healthcare systems and the other risks and uncertainties associated with the pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

In addition, we are subject to other challenges and risks specific to our business and our ability to execute on our strategy, as well as risks and uncertainties common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry with development and commercial operations, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: obtaining regulatory approval of our late-stage product candidate; delays or problems in the supply of our products, loss of single source suppliers or failure to comply with manufacturing regulations; identifying, acquiring or in-licensing additional products or product candidates; pharmaceutical product development and the inherent uncertainty of clinical success; and the challenges of protecting and enhancing our intellectual property rights; complying with applicable regulatory requirements.  In addition, to the extent the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and results of operations, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks and uncertainties discussed above.

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Debt Issuance Cost

Debt issuance costs consist of payments made to secure commitments under certain debt financing arrangements. These amounts are recognized as interest expense over the period of the financing arrangement using the effective interest method. If the financing arrangement is canceled or forfeited, or if the utility of the arrangement to the Company is otherwise compromised, these costs are recognized as interest expense immediately. The Company’s consolidated financial statements present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments as either equity or liabilities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, based on the characteristics and provisions of each instrument. Embedded derivatives are required to be bifurcated from the host instruments and recorded at fair value if the derivatives are not clearly and closely related to the host instruments on issuance date. The Company did not have any material embedded derivatives that required bifurcation upon issuance or as of March 31, 2020.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of costs and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases estimates and assumptions on historical experience when available and on various factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. The Company’s actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We anticipate that the COVID-19 pandemic will have an impact on the clinical and pre-clinical development timelines for our clinical and pre-clinical programs. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty and therefore require the exercise of judgment. As of the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require the Company to update its estimates, assumptions and judgments or revise the carrying value of its assets or liabilities. These estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained and are recognized in the consolidated financial statements as soon as they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates and any such differences may be material to the Company’s financial statements.

4. Revenue from Contracts with Customers

On December 19, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into a license agreement with Kyowa Kirin, Co., Ltd. (the KKC License Agreement), under which the Company granted KKC an exclusive license to develop and commercialize entinostat in Japan and Korea. Under the terms of the KKC License Agreement, the Company will be responsible for the manufacture and supply of the products during the development activities. In addition to the license and manufacturing obligations, the Company is obligated to provide KKC access to know-how and regulatory information the Company may develop over the life of the entinostat patent. Lastly, to the extent additional intellectual property is developed during the term of the agreement, KKC will receive the right to the intellectual property when and if available. KKC will conduct the development, regulatory approval filings, and commercialization activities of entinostat in Japan and Korea. KKC paid the Company $25.0 million upfront, which included a $7.5 million equity investment and a $17.5 million non-refundable cash payment. In addition, to the extent certain development and commercial milestones are achieved, KKC will be required to pay the Company up to $75.0 million in milestone payments over the term of the license agreement. The term of the agreement commenced on the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement, will continue on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis, until the later of: (i) the date all valid claims of the last effective patent among the Company’s patents expires or is abandoned, withheld, or is otherwise invalidated in such country; and (ii) 15 years from the date of the first commercial sale of a product in the Japan or Korea.

The equity purchase and the up-front payment of the license fee were accounted for separately. The Company allocated the amount of consideration equal to the fair value of the shares on the Effective Date, which resulted in $7.7 million of proceeds allocated to the equity purchase and the remaining consideration of $17.3 million allocated to the up-front license fee.

In October 2017, the Company announced that KKC enrolled the first Japanese patient into a local pivotal study of entinostat for the treatment of hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative breast cancer. In accordance with the terms of the license agreement, KKC paid the Company a $5.0 million milestone payment which the Company received in December 2017.

The Company determined that the performance obligations associated with the KKC License Agreement include (i) the combined license, rights to access and use materials and data, and rights to additional intellectual property, and (ii) the clinical supply obligation. All other goods or services promised to KHK are immaterial in the context of the agreement. Under ASC 606, the

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identification of the clinical supply obligation as a distinct performance obligation separate and apart from the license performance obligation resulted in a change in the performance period. The start of the performance period under ASC 606 was determined to be the contract inception date, December 19, 2014. The clinical supply was identified as a separate performance obligation under ASC 606 as (i) the Company is not providing a significant service of integration whereby the clinical supply and other promises are inputs into a combined output, (ii) the clinical supply does not significantly modify or customize the other promises nor is it significantly modified or customized by them, and (iii) the clinical supply is not highly interdependent or highly interrelated with the other promises in the agreement as KKC could choose not to purchase the clinical supply from the Company without significantly affecting the other promised goods or services. The Company further concluded that the clinical supply represented an immaterial performance obligation and therefore the entire $17.3 million allocated to the upfront payment was allocated to the combined license and will be recognized ratably over the performance period, representing contract inception though 2029. In 2017, KKC achieved a development milestone, and was required to pay the Company $5.0 million. The Company is recognizing the development milestone consideration over the performance period coinciding with the license to intellectual property. As the Company determined that its performance obligations associated with the KKC Agreement at contract inception were not distinct and represented a single performance obligation, and that the obligations for goods and services provided would be completed over the performance period of the agreement, any payments received by the Company from KKC, including the upfront payment and progress-dependent development and regulatory milestone payments, are recognized as revenue using a time-based proportional performance model over the contract term (December 2014 through 2029) of the collaboration, within license fees. To date no commercial milestone payments or royalties have been achieved.

Contract liabilities consisted of deferred revenue, as presented on the consolidated balance sheet, as of March 31, 2020. Deferred revenue related to the KHK License Agreement was $14.3 million as of March 31, 2020 and will be recognized over the remainder of the contract term.

5. Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Because the Company has reported a net loss for all periods presented, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for those periods. The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of the Company:

 

 

The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because such securities have an antidilutive impact due to losses reported (in common stock equivalent shares):

 

 

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In June 2018, the Company signed an exchange agreement with an investor under which the investor exchanged 2,000,000 shares of common stock for 2,000,000 warrants. Further, as discussed in Note 13, in March 2019, the Company sold 2,095,039 shares of common stock as well as 2,500,000 pre-funded warrants and 4,595,039 Series 1 and Series 2 warrants. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable into shares of common stock for $0.0001 per share. In January 2020, the Company sold 3,036,719 shares of common stock as well as 1,338,287 pre-funded warrants. The warrants are exercisable into shares of common stock for $0.0001 per share. The shares of common stock into which the pre-funded warrants may be exercised are considered outstanding for the purposes of computing earnings per share.

6. Significant Agreements

Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

In October 2017, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “Allergan License Agreement”) with Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Allergan plc (“Allergan”), under which Allergan granted the Company an exclusive, sublicensable, worldwide license to a portfolio of preclinical, orally available, small molecule inhibitors of the interaction of Menin with the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (“MLL”) protein (the “Menin Assets”). The Company made a nonrefundable upfront payment of $5.0 million to Allergan in the fourth quarter of 2017. Additionally, subject to the achievement of certain milestone events, the Company may be required to pay Allergan up to $99.0 million in one-time development and regulatory milestone payments over the term of the Allergan License Agreement. In the event that the Company or any of its affiliates or sublicensees commercializes the Menin Assets, the Company will also be obligated to pay Allergan low single to low double-digit royalties on sales, subject to reduction in certain circumstances, as well as up to an aggregate of $70.0 million in potential one-time, sales-based milestone payments based on achievement of certain annual sales thresholds. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to share a percentage of non-royalty income from sublicensees, subject to certain deductions, with Allergan. The Company is solely responsible for the development and commercialization of the Menin Assets. Each party may terminate the Allergan License Agreement for the other party’s uncured material breach or insolvency; and the Company may terminate the Allergan License Agreement at will at any time upon advance written notice to Allergan. Allergan may terminate the Allergan License Agreement if the Company or any of its affiliates or sublicensees institutes a legal challenge to the validity, enforceability, or patentability of the licensed patent rights. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, the Allergan License Agreement will continue on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until the later of: (i) the expiration of all of the licensed patent rights in such country; (ii) the expiration of all regulatory exclusivity applicable to the product in such country; and (iii) 10 years from the date of the first commercial sale of the product in such country. As of the date of the Allergan License Agreement, the asset acquired had no alternative future use nor had it reached a stage of technological feasibility. As the processes or activities that were acquired along with the license do not constitute a “business,” the transaction has been accounted for as an asset acquisition. In June 2019, the Company achieved certain development and regulatory milestones. As a result, in June 2019, the Company recorded $4.0 million as research and development expense. The $4.0 million payable has been recorded in accounts payable as of March 31, 2020.

UCB Biopharma Sprl

In 2016, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “UCB License Agreement”) with UCB Biopharma Sprl (“UCB”), under which UCB granted to the Company a worldwide, sublicenseable, exclusive license to UCB6352, which the Company refers to as axatilimab, an investigational new drug (“IND”) ready anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody. The Company made a nonrefundable upfront payment of $5.0 million to UCB in 2016. Additionally, subject to the achievement of certain milestone events, the Company may be required to pay UCB up to $119.5 million in one-time development and regulatory milestone payments over the term of the UCB License Agreement. In the event that the Company or any of its affiliates or sublicensees commercializes axatilimab, the Company will also be obligated to pay UCB low double-digit royalties on sales, subject to reduction in certain circumstances, as well as up to an aggregate of $250.0 million in potential one-time, sales-based milestone payments based on achievement of certain annual sales thresholds. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to share a percentage of non-royalty income from sublicensees, subject to certain deductions, with UCB. The Company is solely responsible for the development and commercialization of axatilimab, except that UCB is performing a limited set of transitional chemistry, manufacturing and control tasks related to axatilimab. Each party may terminate the UCB License Agreement for the other party’s uncured material breach or insolvency; and the Company may terminate the UCB License Agreement at will at any time upon advance written notice to UCB. UCB may terminate the UCB License Agreement if the Company or any of its affiliates or sublicensees institutes a legal challenge to the validity, enforceability, or patentability of the licensed patent rights. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, the UCB License Agreement will continue on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until the later of: (i) the expiration of all of the licensed patent rights in such country; (ii) the expiration of all regulatory exclusivity applicable to the product in such country; and (iii) 10 years from the date of the first commercial sale of the product in such country. As of the date of the UCB License Agreement, the asset acquired had no alternative future use nor had it reached a stage of technological feasibility. As the processes or activities that were acquired along with the license do not constitute a “business,” the transaction has been accounted for as an asset acquisition.

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Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group

In March 2014, the Company entered into the ECOG Agreement with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, a contracting entity for the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group—American College of Radiology Imaging Network Cancer Research Group (“ECOG-ACRIN”), that describes the parties’ obligations with respect to the NCI-sponsored pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat. Under the terms of the ECOG Agreement, ECOG-ACRIN will perform this clinical trial in accordance with the clinical trial protocol and a mutually agreed scope of work. The Company is providing a fixed level of financial support for the clinical trial through an upfront payment of $0.7 million and a series of payments of up to $1.0 million each that are comprised of milestone payments through the completion of enrollment and time-based payments through the completion of patient monitoring post-enrollment. In addition, the Company is obligated to supply entinostat and placebo to ECOG-ACRIN for use in the clinical trial. From the second quarter of 2016 through the fourth quarter of 2018, we have entered into a number of amendments to the agreement to provide for additional study activities resulting in an increase of the contractual obligation of $5.1 million. We have agreed to provide this additional financial support to fund the additional activities required to ensure that the E2112 clinical trial will satisfy FDA registration requirements. As of March 31, 2020, the Company’s aggregate payment obligations under this agreement are approximately $24.6 million; and its remaining payment obligations are approximately $5.8 million, which are estimated to be paid over a period of approximately two years.

Data and inventions from the Phase 3 clinical trial are owned by ECOG-ACRIN. The Company has access to the data generated in the clinical trial, both directly from ECOG-ACRIN under the ECOG Agreement as well as from the NCI. Additionally, ECOG-ACRIN has granted the Company a non-exclusive royalty-free license to any inventions or discoveries that are derived from entinostat as a result of its use during the clinical trial, along with a first right to negotiate an exclusive license to any of these inventions or discoveries. Either party may terminate the ECOG Agreement in the event of an uncured material breach by the other party or if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or National Cancer Institute (“NCI”) withdraws the authorization to perform the clinical trial in the United States. The parties may jointly terminate the ECOG Agreement if the parties agree that safety-related issues support termination of the clinical trial. The Company records the appropriate clinical trial expenses in its financial statements by matching those expenses with the period in which the services and efforts are expended. The Company accounts for these expenses according to the progress of the clinical trial as measured by patient enrollment and the timing of various aspects of the clinical trial. The Company determines accrual estimates through financial models, taking into account discussion with applicable personnel and ECOG-ACRIN as to the progress or state of consummation of the clinical trial or the services completed.

Bayer Pharma AG (formerly known as Bayer Schering Pharma AG)

In March 2007, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “Bayer Agreement”) with Bayer Schering Pharma AG (“Bayer”) for a worldwide, exclusive license to develop and commercialize entinostat and any other products containing the same active ingredient. Under the terms of the Bayer Agreement, the Company paid a nonrefundable upfront license fee of $2.0 million and is responsible for the development and marketing of entinostat. The Company recorded the $2.0 million license fee as research and development expense during the year ended December 31, 2007, as it had no alternative future use. The Company will pay Bayer royalties on a sliding scale based on net sales, if any, and make future milestone payments to Bayer of up to $150.0 million in the event that certain specified development and regulatory goals and sales levels are achieved.

7. Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximated their estimated fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value are performed in a manner to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The accounting standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value, which are the following:

 

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During the periods presented, the Company has not changed the manner in which it values assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers within the hierarchy for any of periods presented.

A summary of the assets and liabilities carried at fair value in accordance with the hierarchy defined above is as follows:

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents of $44.6 million and $23.4 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, consisted of overnight investments and money market funds and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices in active markets. Cash equivalents of $1.2 million as of December 31, 2019, consisted of highly rated corporate bonds and commercial paper and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

Short-term investments of $54.4 million and $35.2 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, consisted of commercial paper, highly rated corporate bonds and asset backed securities and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

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The short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale securities. As of March 31, 2020, the remaining contractual maturities of the available-for-sale securities were less than one year, and the balance in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income was comprised solely of activity related to the Company’s available-for-sale securities. There were no realized gains or losses recognized on the sale or maturity of available-for-sale securities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. As a result, the Company did not reclassify any amounts out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the same periods. The Company has a limited number of available-for-sale securities in insignificant loss positions as of March 31, 2020, which the Company does not intend to sell and has concluded it will not be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost for the investment at maturity. The following table summarizes the available-for-sale securities:

 

 

8. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

 

 

9. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

 

 

10. Stock-Based Compensation

In January 2020, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”), was increased by 1,085,619 shares due to the automatic annual provision to increase shares available under the 2015 Plan. As of March 31, 2020, the total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2015 Plan was 765,348. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to the issuance of stock option awards to employees and non-

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employees and related to the 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss as follows:

 

 

Compensation expense by type of award in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted 1,121,825 stock options to certain executives and employees having service-based vesting conditions. The grant date fair value of the options granted in the three months ended March 31, 2020, was $7.3 million, or $6.52 per share on a weighted-average basis and will be recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period of three to four years.

In 2019, the Company granted 583,000 stock options to certain employees to purchase shares of common stock that contain certain performance-based vesting criteria, primarily related to the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory development milestones related to product candidates. Recognition of stock-based compensation expense associated with these performance-based stock options commences when the performance condition is considered probable of achievement, using management’s best estimates, which consider the inherent risk and uncertainty regarding the future outcomes of the milestones.

The achievement of one of the performance milestones was considered to be probable and the Company recorded approximately $50,000 of stock compensation expense associated with these awards for the three months ended March 31, 2020. One performance milestone was not achieved by December 31, 2019, and therefore 194,338 stock options were cancelled on January 1, 2020. For the remaining award containing performance-based vesting criteria, the achievement of the milestone was considered not probable, nor met, and therefore no expense has been recognized related to this award for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, 51,034 options were exercised for cash proceeds of $338,000. No options were exercised in the three months ended March 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2020, there was $15.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to employee and non-employee unvested stock options granted under the 2015 and 2007 Plans, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining service period of 2.7 years. Stock compensation costs have not been capitalized by the Company.

Restricted stock units

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted 15,000 shares of the Company’s restricted stock units. The shares are scheduled to vest in equal annual tranches over a four-year period on the anniversary date of the related grant. The fair value of these shares totaled $142,000 at the grant date, representing a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $9.47.

11. Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In January 2020, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP, was increased by 271,404 shares as a result of the automatic increase provision of the ESPP. As of March 31, 2020, the total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP was 1,115,797. The Company issued 12,601 shares during the first three months of 2020.

The ESPP is considered a compensatory plan with the related compensation cost expensed over the six-month offering period starting on February 1 and on August 1. The compensation expense related to the ESPP for the three months ended March 31, 2020,

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was approximately $36,000. The compensation expense related to the ESPP recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2019, was approximately $33,000.

12. Loan Payable

In February 2020, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Hercules Capital, Inc. (“Hercules”), which provided for aggregate maximum borrowings of up to $30.0 million, consisting of (i) a term loan of up to $20.0 million, which was funded on February 7, 2020 (the “Initial Advance”), and (ii) subject to Hercules’ investment committee approval, an additional term loan of up to $10.0 million, available for borrowing from February 7, 2020 to December 15, 2020 (the “Tranche 2 Advance”). Borrowings under the Loan Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to the greater of (i) 9.85% or (ii) 5.10% plus the Wall Street Journal prime rate. As of March 31, 2020, the Company’s interest rate under the Loan Agreement was 9.85%.

Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are repayable in monthly interest-only payments through October 1, 2021, or April 1, 2022 if the Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat (E2112) in patients with advanced hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, breast cancer has achieved the primary efficacy endpoint sufficient to file an NDA as the next step in clinical development (“Performance Milestone”). After the interest-only payment period, borrowings under the Loan Agreement are repayable in equal monthly payments of principal and accrued interest until the maturity date of the loan, which is either (i) September 1, 2023, or (ii) March 1, 2024 upon achievement of the Performance Milestone (the “Maturity Date”). At the Company’s option, the Company may prepay all, but not less than all, of the outstanding borrowings, subject to a prepayment premium equal to (i) 2.0% of the principal amount outstanding if the prepayment occurs during the first year following the applicable loan being funded, (ii) 1.5% of the principal amount outstanding if the prepayment occurs during the second year following the applicable loan being funded, and (iii) 1.0% of the principal amount outstanding at any time thereafter but prior to the Maturity Date. In addition, the Company paid a $100,000 facility charge upon closing, which is being expensed over the term of the debt, and will pay a $50,000 facility charge in connection with the Tranche 2 Advance. The Loan Agreement also provides for a final payment, payable upon maturity or the repayment in full of all obligations under the agreement, of up to 4.99% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan Advances (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The final payment will be accrued over the term of the debt.

Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries personal property and other assets, other than its intellectual property. The Loan Agreement includes a minimum cash covenant of $12.5 million that applies commencing on October 1, 2020, subject to reduction upon satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth in the Loan Agreement. In addition, the Loan Agreement includes customary affirmative and restrictive covenants and representations and warranties, including a covenant against the occurrence of a “change in control,” financial reporting obligations, and certain limitations on indebtedness, liens (including a negative pledge on intellectual property and other assets), investments, distributions (including dividends), collateral, investments, distributions, transfers, mergers or acquisitions, taxes, corporate changes, and deposit accounts. The Loan Agreement also includes customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants following any applicable cure period, the occurrence of certain events that could reasonably be expected to have a “material adverse effect” as set forth in the Loan Agreement, cross acceleration to third-party indebtedness and certain events relating to bankruptcy or insolvency. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, a default interest rate of an additional 5.0% may be applied to the outstanding principal balance, and Hercules may declare all outstanding obligations immediately due and payable and take such other actions as set forth in the Loan Agreement.

In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company was required to enter into separate deposit account control agreements with the lender in order to perfect the lender’s security interest in the cash collateral in the Company’s operating accounts. In the event of a default under the Loan Agreement, the lender would have the right to take control of the operating accounts and restrict the Company’s access to the operating accounts and the funds therein.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Company recognized $0.4 million of interest expense related to the Initial Advance pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

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As of March 31, 2020, the Company’s maturities of principal obligations under its long-term debt are as follows:

 

13. Stockholders’ Equity

The following table presents the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020:

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The following table presents the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

In April 2017, the Company entered into a sales agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen”) under which the Company may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50.0 million from time to time through Cowen, acting as agent, in a series of one or more at-the-market (the “2017 ATM Program”) equity offerings. Cowen is not required to sell any specific amount, but acts as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. The Company pays Cowen up to 3% of the gross proceeds from any common stock sold through this sales agreement. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company sold 140,819 shares of common stock under the 2017 ATM Program for net proceeds of $0.8 million.

In August 2019, the Company entered into a new sales agreement with Cowen under which the Company may issue and sell shares of its common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50.0 million from time to time through Cowen, acting as agent, in a series of one or more ATM equity offerings (the “2019 ATM Program”). Cowen is not required to sell any specific amount, but acts as the Company’s sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. Shares sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-233564), which was declared effective on September 10, 2019. The Company’s common stock will be sold at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale; and as a result, prices may vary. In the first quarter of 2020, and through May 6, 2020, the Company sold no additional shares of common stock under the ATM program.

In March 2019, the Company issued 2,095,039 shares of its common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock to certain investors in a registered direct offering. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share and have a term of 20 years. The Company sold the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants together with two series of warrants, Series 1 Warrants and Series 2 Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 4,595,039 shares of the Company’s common stock (collectively, the “Series Warrants”). The offering price for the securities was $6.00 per share (or $5.9999 for each Pre-Funded Warrant). The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company from this offering were $27.6 million, excluding any proceeds the Company may receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants and Series Warrants and offering costs of $0.2 million. No underwriter or placement agent participated in the offering.

The Series Warrants are immediately exercisable. Each Series 1 Warrant has an initial exercise price of $12.00 per share of common stock and each Series 2 Warrant has an initial exercise price of $18.00 per share of common stock, in each case subject to certain adjustments. The Series Warrants expire on the earlier of (i) 90 days following the Company’s confirmation to holders of the Company’s release of positive data confirming the achievement of the specified primary endpoint of overall survival benefit in the E2112 clinical trial in breast cancer patients, or (ii) December 31, 2020.

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If, prior to the expiration date of the Series Warrant, the Company sells additional capital stock or derivative securities convertible into or exercisable for capital stock, as defined, in one or more related transactions primarily for the purpose of raising capital at a Weighted-Average Price (as described below) below $12.00 per share, then the initial exercise price of the Series Warrants will be automatically reset upon exercise to an exercise price (the “Adjusted Exercise Price”) that is the midpoint between the initial exercise price and the lowest Weighted-Average Price per share at which the Company sells capital stock or derivative securities convertible into or exercisable for capital stock in a subsequent offering prior to the exercise date; provided, however, that the Adjusted Exercise Price will not be reduced below $6.00 per share. The Weighted-Average Price shall be calculated as the weighted-average common stock equivalent price of the equity securities sold in such transaction(s) (excluding any derivative securities with an exercise or conversion price that is above the closing sale price as of the time of pricing such offering(s)). In no event will the exercise price for the Series Warrants be adjusted more than once pursuant to this adjustment mechanism.

The Pre-Funded Warrants and the Series Warrants may not be exercised by the holder to the extent that the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own, after such exercise more than 9.99% of the shares of the Company’s common stock then outstanding (subject to the right of the holder to increase or decrease such beneficial ownership limitation upon notice to the Company, provided that such limitation cannot exceed 19.99%) and provided that any increase in the beneficial ownership limitation shall not be effective until 61 days after such notice is delivered.

The Series Warrants were classified as a component of permanent equity and were recorded at the issuance date using a relative fair value allocation method. The Series Warrants are equity classified because they are freestanding financial instruments that are legally detachable and separately exercisable from the equity instruments, are immediately exercisable, do not embody an obligation for the Company to repurchase its shares, and permit the holders to receive a fixed number of shares of common stock upon exercise. In addition, such warrants do not provide any guarantee of value or return. The Company valued the Series Warrants at issuance in March 2019 using the Black Scholes option pricing model and determined the fair value of the 4,595,039 Series Warrants at $3.4 million. The key inputs to the valuation model included the weighted average volatility of 89.1% and the weighted-average expected term of 1.4 years.

In January 2020, the Company sold 3,036,719 shares of common stock, and pre-funded warrants to purchase 1,338,287 shares of common stock. The offering price for the securities was $8.00 per share of common stock or $7.9999 for each pre-funded warrant. As a result of this offering, the exercise price of Series 1 Warrants and Series 2 Warrants outstanding reset from $12.00 per share to $10.00 per share and from $18.00 per share to $13.00, respectively. The Company recorded $3.9 million as a deemed dividend which represents the value transferred to the warrant holders due to the Series Warrant adjustment mechanism being triggered. The deemed dividend was recorded as both an increase and a decrease in Additional Paid-in-Capital and reduced net income available to common stockholders by the same amount. The key inputs to the valuation model included the weighted average volatility of 96.74% and the weighted average expected term of 0.4 years.

The Company has reserved for future issuance the following shares of common stock related to the potential warrant exercise, exercise of stock options, and the employee stock purchase plan:

 

14. Related-Party Transactions

The Company’s chief executive officer and member of the board of directors is also an Executive Partner at MPM Asset Management, LLC, which holds an investment in the Company’s common stock.

15. Subsequent Event

In May 2020, the Company closed an underwritten public offering whereby the Company sold 5,555,556 shares of common stock at a price of $18.00 per share. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company were $93.7 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The offering allows for an additional 833,333 shares to be issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock.

 

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The following information should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial information and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial information and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 5, 2020.

Company Overview

We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies. We are developing our lead product candidate, entinostat, a once-weekly, oral, small molecule, Class I HDAC inhibitor, in combination with exemestane and several approved PD-1/PD-L1 antagonists. Our pipeline also includes SNDX-6352, or axatilimab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the colony stimulating factor 1, or CSF-1 receptor, as well as SNDX-5613, targeting the binding interaction of menin with the mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) protein for the treatment of MLL-rearranged, or MLLr, acute leukemias and nucleophosmin 1, or NPM1, mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We plan to continue to leverage the technical and business expertise of our management team and scientific collaborators to license, acquire and develop additional cancer therapies to expand our pipeline.

We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any product revenues from product sales to date. We continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our ongoing operations. As a result, we are not and have never been profitable and have incurred losses in each period since our inception in 2005. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we reported a net loss of $15.2 million and $14.3 million, respectively. We reported a net loss attributable to shareholders as of March 31, 2020, of $19.3 million. As of March 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $510.7 million, which included non-cash charges for stock-based compensation, preferred stock accretion and extinguishment charges. As of March 31, 2020, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $99.0 million.

We continue to monitor our daily operations and program timelines during the evolving coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The health and safety of our employees as well as the patients and people participating in and operating our clinical trials are of paramount importance.  COVID-19 has not impacted our financial guidance or changed our timelines for clinical data in 2020, to date.

Clinical Developments

Entinostat

We continue to anticipate that the E2112 trial will reach 410 death events this quarter, which will trigger the final overall survival (OS) analysis. E2112 is the NCI-sponsored, ECOG-ACRIN-led Phase 3 registration trial of entinostat, a Class I selective HDAC inhibitor, plus exemestane in advanced hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HR+, HER2-) breast cancer. A positive OS assessment would allow us to file for full regulatory approval in the U.S.

The E2112 trial design was informed by the Phase 2b ENCORE 301 trial, the results of which led to entinostat's Breakthrough Therapy designation in HR+ breast cancer, in which patients receiving the entinostat/exemestane combination demonstrated a clinically meaningful OS benefit over treatment with exemestane alone. In preparation for the potential launch of entinostat in the U.S. in 2021, we are actively engaged in the expansion of our commercial and medical affairs functions.

SNDX-5613

We recently announced initial clinical data from the Phase 1 portion of its ongoing open-label Phase 1/2 AUGMENT-101 trial of SNDX-5613, our potent, highly selective oral menin inhibitor. Data presented serve as the first clinical evidence that inhibition of the menin-MLL1 interaction can induce response in patients with mixed lineage leukemia rearranged (MLL-r) acute leukemias. The presentation, which was featured at the 2020 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting I, also highlighted preclinical findings, including data recently published in Cancer Cell and Science magazine, supporting the potential of single-agent menin-MLL inhibition to serve as an effective intervention for both MLL-r acute leukemias and nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A copy of the presentation is available on our website under Publications, Menin-MLLR Inhibitors.

The AUGMENT-101 trial is a Phase 1/2 open-label trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of orally administered SNDX-5613. The Phase 1 dose escalation portion of AUGMENT-101 was recently separated into two cohorts based on concomitant treatment with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. Arm A will enroll patients not receiving a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, while Arm B will enroll patients receiving a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. The Phase 1 dose escalation portion of AUGMENT-101 is currently enrolling adults with relapsed/refractory acute leukemias including MLL-r and NPM1 mutant acute leukemias and is expected to establish a recommended Phase 2 dose for both cohorts by the fourth quarter of 2020. The Phase 2 portion will evaluate efficacy, as defined by complete response rate (per International Working Group response criteria), across three expansion cohorts: MLL-r acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), MLL-r AML and NPM1 mutant AML. We expect to present additional results from AUGMENT-101 at a medical conference in the fourth quarter of 2020.

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We recently announced that SNDX-5613 was granted Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of adult and pediatric AML by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Axatilimab

Enrollment continues across the Phase 1/2 trial evaluating axatilimab, our anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD). The Phase 1 portion continues to explore alternate dose and schedules, while the Phase 2 expansion is evaluating the benefit of treatment at 1 mg/kg every two weeks. We expect to present additional results from the Phase 1/2 trial in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Data from the Phase 1 trials exploring axatilimab, both as a monotherapy and in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab) in patients with locally-advanced or metastatic solid tumors, were summarized in two oral presentations at the AACR Virtual Annual Meeting I. The data indicate that axatilimab is tolerated well in solid tumor patients, and provide evidence of its ability to deplete circulating pro-inflammatory monocytes. A recommended Phase 2 dose of axatilimab for the treatment of patients with solid tumors was determined as monotherapy and in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab). A copy of each presentation is available on our website under Publications, Axatilimab.

COVID-19 Business Update

With the global spread of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the first and second quarters of 2020, we have implemented business continuity plans designed to address and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our employees and our business.  While we are not experiencing financial impacts at this time, given the global economic slowdown, the overall disruption of global healthcare systems and the other risks and uncertainties associated with the pandemic, our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be materially adversely affected.  We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation as we evolve our business continuity plans and response strategy.  In March 2020, our workforce transitioned to working remotely.  We are currently considering plans to reopen our offices to allow employees to return to the office, which will be based on a approach that is principles-based and local in design, with a focus on patient continuity, employee safety and optimal work environment.

Supply Chain

We are working closely our third-party manufacturers, distributors and other partners to manage our supply chain activities and mitigate potential disruptions to our product supplies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We currently expect to have adequate supplies of entinostat, axatilimab and SNDX-5613 in 2020, as well as adequate commercial product availability for entinostat to support a planned U.S. launch if the E2112 trial is positive and the FDA approves entinostat in 2021.  If the COVID-19 pandemic persists for an extended period of time and begins to impact essential distribution systems such as FedEx and postal delivery or if it results in facility closures facility closures for cleaning and/or insufficient staff, we could experience disruptions to our supply chain and operations, and associated delays in the manufacturing and supply of our products, which would adversely impact our ability to generate sales of and revenues from entinostat, if approved, and to continue our clinical trial operations.

Clinical Development

With respect to clinical development, we have taken measures to implement remote and virtual approaches, including remote patient monitoring where possible, to maintain patient safety and trial continuity and to preserve study integrity.  We have not yet, but may experience a disruption or delay in our ability to initiate trial sites and enroll and assess patients.  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we anticipate a potential impact on our ability to maintain patient enrollment in the AUGMENT-101 and cGVHD trials.  We could also see an impact on the ability to supply study drug, report trial results, or interact with regulators, ethics committees or other important agencies due to limitations in regulatory authority employee resources or otherwise.  In addition, we rely on contract research organizations or other third parties to assist us with clinical trials, and we cannot guarantee that they will continue to perform their contractual duties in a timely and satisfactory manner as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  If the COVID-19 pandemic continues and persists for an extended period of time, we could experience significant disruptions to our clinical development timelines, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

Corporate Development

With our strong cash balance, including the proceeds of our recent registered direct offering and draw of the first tranche under our loan agreement, we anticipate having sufficient liquidity to make planned investments in our business this year in support of our long-term growth strategy.  We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of May 7, 2020 will fund our current operating plans through at least the next 12 months. However, our operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned, through public or private equity or debt financings, third-party funding, marketing and distribution arrangements, as well as other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements, or any combination of these approaches.  However, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve and has already resulted in a significant disruption of global financial markets.  If the disruption persists and deepens, we could experience an inability to access additional capital, which could in the future negatively affect our operations.

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Other Financial and Corporate Impacts

While we continue evaluation whether the COVID-19 pandemic will adversely affect our business operations and financial results, our clinical development and regulatory efforts, our corporate development objectives and the value of and market for our common stock, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time, such as the ultimate duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions, quarantines, social distancing and business closure requirements in the U.S., Europe and other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken globally to contain and treat the disease.  For example, if remote work policies for certain portions of our business, or that of our business partners, are extended longer than we currently expect, we may need to reassess our priorities and our corporate objectives for the year.

Financial Overview

Revenue

To date, we have not generated any product revenues. Our ability to generate revenue and become profitable depends upon our ability to obtain marketing approval of and successfully commercialize our product candidates. Our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 have been solely derived from our license, development and commercialization agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., or KKC, under which we granted KKC an exclusive license to develop and commercialize entinostat in Japan and Korea, or the KKC license agreement. In 2015, we received a $25.0 million upfront payment from KHK, inclusive of an equity investment. We allocated $17.3 million of the upfront payment to the license fee, and such fee is being recognized as revenue ratably over our expected performance period (currently expected to be through 2029). The balance of the upfront payment of $7.7 million was allocated to KKC’s purchase of shares of our convertible preferred stock.

In October 2017, KKC enrolled the first Japanese patient into a local pivotal study of entinostat for the treatment of hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor 2 negative breast cancer. In accordance with the terms of the KKC License Agreement, in December 2017 we received a $5.0 million milestone payment from KKC for achievement of the development milestone.

Research and Development

Since our inception, we have primarily focused on our clinical development programs. Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for the development of our product candidates and include:

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Internal and external research and development costs are expensed as they are incurred. Cost-sharing amounts received by us are recorded as reductions to research and development expense. Costs for certain development activities, such as clinical trials, are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using data such as patient enrollment, clinical site activations or other information provided to us by our vendors.

Research and development activities are central to our business model. Drug candidates in late stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of late-stage clinical trials. We plan to continue to spend a significant amount of our resources on research and development activities for the foreseeable future as we continue to advance the development of our product candidates. The amount of research and development expenses allocated to external spending will continue to grow, while we expect our internal spending to grow at a slower and more controlled pace. From inception through March 31, 2020, we have incurred $264.3 million in research and development expenses.

It is difficult to determine, with certainty, the duration and completion costs of our current or future preclinical programs, clinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates. The duration, costs and timing of clinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates will depend on a variety of factors that include, but are not limited to, the following:

In addition, the probability of success for each drug product candidate will depend on numerous factors, including competition, manufacturing capability and commercial viability. The successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the nature, timing or costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of our product candidates for the period, if any, in which material net cash inflows from these potential product candidates may commence. Clinical development timelines, the probability of success and development costs can differ materially from expectations.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, non-cash stock-based compensation and travel expenses, for our employees in executive, finance, business development and support functions. Other general and administrative expenses include facility-related costs not otherwise allocated to research and development expenses and accounting, tax, legal and consulting services. We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we increase our headcount to support our continued research and development and potential commercialization of our product candidates. Additionally, if and when we believe a regulatory approval of the first product candidate appears likely, we anticipate an increase in payroll and related expenses as a result of our preparation for commercial operations, especially as it relates to the sales and marketing of our product candidates.

Interest expense

Interest expense consists primarily of interest expense on our term loan, operational and capital leases.

Interest Income

Interest income consists of interest income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balances.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. In making estimates and judgments, management employs critical accounting policies.

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

 

License Fees

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized license fees of $0.4 million and $0.4 million respectively, derived from the KKC license agreement.

Research and Development

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, our total research and development expenses decreased $1.7 million, or 15%, to $9.6 million from $11.3 million for the comparable quarter in the prior year. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily due to decreases in clinical activities of $1.4 million, a decrease in employee related expenses of $0.6 million partially offset by increased professional fees of $0.3 million. The decrease in clinical activities was primarily due to reduced clinical activities in our ENCORE programs of $2.3 million partially offset by an increase in clinical activities for our SNDX-5613 program of $0.9 million. The decrease in employee-related expenses is primarily due to a decrease in headcount. We expect research and development expenses to fluctuate from quarter to quarter depending on the timing of clinical trial activities, clinical manufacturing and other development activities.

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Research and development expenses consisted of the following:

 

 

General and Administrative

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, our total general and administrative expenses increased $2.0 million, or 51%, to $5.9 million from $3.9 million for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased pre-commercialization activities of $1.2 million, increased employee expenses of $0.7 million and increased director’s and officer’s insurance of $0.1 million. The increase in employee expenses is primarily due to increased headcount of $0.5 million and increased stock compensation expense of $0.2 million.

Interest expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, interest expense, decreased from the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to the interest expense on the loan payable.

Interest income

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, interest income, decreased from the comparable period in the prior year primarily due interest income on a decrease average balance on cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

As of March 31, 2020, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $99.0 million. Our operations have been primarily financed by net proceeds from our initial public offering, our follow-on stock offerings and proceeds from our license agreements. We believe that our present cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will fund our projected operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. In addition to our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, we are eligible to receive research and development funding and to earn milestone and other contingent payments for the achievement of defined collaboration objectives and certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones and royalty payments under our collaboration agreements. Our ability to earn these milestone and contingent payments and the timing of achieving these milestones is primarily dependent upon the outcome of our collaborators’ research and development activities and is uncertain at this time.

In May 2020, we sold 5,555,556 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $18.00 for net proceeds of approximately $93.7 million.

In January 2020, we sold 3,036,719 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $8.00 and pre-funded warrants to purchase 1,338,287 shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $35.0 million. Upon the completion of the January 2020 offering, we had 5,838,287 pre-funded warrant shares outstanding. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable into shares of common stock for $0.0001 per share. The pre-funded warrants enable the holder to make a cash investment in our common stock without increasing their beneficial ownership in our common stock because the shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrant are not issued or issuable until the warrant is actually exercised or becomes exercisable without exceeding the ownership limitations set forth in the pre-funded warrant.

In March 2019, we issued to certain investors an aggregate of 2,095,039 shares of our common stock and 2,500,000 pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, at a price of $6.00 per share of common stock and $5.9999 for each pre-funded warrant. We sold the shares of common stock and prefunded warrants together with two series of warrants, Series 1 warrants and Series 2 warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 4,595,039 shares of our common stock. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable into shares of common stock for $0.0001 per share. Each Series 1 warrant has an initial exercise price of $12.00 per share of common stock and each Series 2 warrant has an initial exercise price of $18.00 per share of common stock, in each case subject to certain adjustments. The Series 1 warrants and Series 2 warrants contain a one-time exercise price adjustment. If we sell shares or share equivalents at less than $12.00 per share at a time when our Series 1 warrants and Series 2 warrants are outstanding, then an exercise price for those warrants would be adjusted downward, which will result in us receiving less proceeds than we otherwise would and

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could result in further dilution to our stockholders if such warrants were then exercised. As a result of the January 2020 offering, the initial exercise price of the Series 1 warrants was reduced to $10.00 per share and the initial exercise price of the Series 2 warrants was reduced to $13.00 per share.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve and has already resulted in a significant disruption of global financial markets.  If the disruption persists and deepens, we could experience an inability to access additional capital, which could in the future negatively affect our operations.

Loan and Security Agreement

On February 7, 2020, we entered into a loan and security agreement, or the Loan Agreement, with Hercules Capital, Inc., or Hercules, which provides for aggregate maximum borrowings of up to $30.0 million, consisting of (i) a term loan of up to $20.0 million, which was funded on February 7, 2020, and (ii) subject to Hercules’ investment committee approval, an additional term loan of up to $10.0 million, available for borrowing from February 7, 2020 to December 15, 2020, which we refer to as the Tranche 2 Advance. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are repayable in monthly interest-only payments through October 1, 2021, or April 1, 2022 if the Performance Milestone is achieved. After the interest-only payment period, borrowings under the Loan Agreement are repayable in equal monthly payments of principal and accrued interest until the maturity date of the loan, which is either (i) September 1, 2023, or (ii) March 1, 2024 upon achievement of the Performance Milestone. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to the greater of (i) 9.85% or (ii) 5.10% plus the Wall Street Journal prime rate. The Wall Street Journal prime rate as of March 31, 2020, was 3.45%. At our option, we may prepay all, but not less than all, of the outstanding borrowings, subject to a prepayment premium. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries personal property and other assets, other than our intellectual property. For additional information regarding the Loan Agreement with Hercules, see Note 12 to our condensed consolidated financial statements located elsewhere in this report.

At-the-Market Offering Program

In August 2019, we entered into a new sales agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC, or Cowen, under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50.0 million from time to time pursuant to the ATM program, or the 2019 ATM Program. Cowen is not required to sell any specific amount but acts as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices. This agreement replaced the sales agreement signed in April 2017. Shares sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-233564), which was declared effective on September 10, 2019. Our common stock will be sold at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale; and as a result, prices may vary. We will pay Cowen up to 3% of the gross proceeds from any common stock sold through the sales agreement. The proceeds from the offerings, if any, will be used to fund the research and development of our product candidates, acquire or invest in businesses, products or technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2020, $50.0 million of common stock remained available for sale under the 2019 ATM Program.

In April 2017, we entered into a sales agreement with Cowen, under which we issued and sold shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50.0 million from time to time, or the 2017 ATM Program. Shares sold pursuant to the sales agreement were sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-217172), which was declared effective on April 20, 2017. The proceeds from the offerings, if any, were used for general corporate purposes, including expenditures for research and development of our drug products. In 2019, prior to the effectiveness of the 2019 ATM Program, we sold 140,819 shares of common stock, with net proceeds of $0.9 million.

Future Funding Requirements

Our primary uses of capital are, and we expect will continue to be, compensation and related expenses, third-party clinical research and development services, clinical costs, legal and other regulatory expenses and general overhead costs. We have based our estimates on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Additionally, the process of testing drug candidates in clinical trials is costly, and the timing of progress in these trials is uncertain. We cannot estimate the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of our drug candidates or whether, or when, we may achieve profitability. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

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We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any product revenues from product sales to date. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings and additional funding from license and collaboration arrangements. Except for any obligations of our collaborators to reimburse us for research and development expenses or to make milestone payments under our agreements with them, we will not have any committed external source of liquidity.

We have incurred losses and cumulative negative cash flows from operations since our inception; and as of March 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $510.7 million. We anticipate that we will continue to incur significant losses for at least the next several years. We expect that our research and development and general and administrative expenses will continue to increase. As a result, we will need additional capital to fund our operations, which we may raise through a combination of the sale of equity, debt financings, or other sources, including potential collaborations. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve and has already resulted in a significant disruption of global financial markets.  If the disruption persists and deepens, we could experience an inability to access additional capital, which could in the future negatively affect our operations. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the future sale of equity or debt, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our existing common stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration arrangements in the future, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams or drug candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market drug candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

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Cash Flows

The following is a summary of cash flows:

 

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020, was $15.9 million and primarily consisted of  our net loss of $15.2 million adjusted for non-cash items, including stock-based compensation of $1.8 million, a net decrease in operating assets and liabilities of $2.9 million, an investment amortization of $0.1 million and non-cash interest expense associated with the term loan of $0.1 million. The increased net loss is primarily due to increased pre-commercialization expenses, offset by decreased clinical trial activities and CMC expenses. The net decrease in operating assets and liabilities primarily consisted of increased accounts payable of $2.8 million, offset by decreased prepayments and deposits of $2.5 million, decreased accrued expenses and other liabilities of $2.5 million and decreased deferred revenue of $0.4 million.

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was $16.8 million and primarily consisted of our net loss of $14.3 million adjusted for non-cash items, including stock-based compensation of $1.6 million, a net decrease in operating assets and liabilities of $3.9 million and a net decrease in investment amortization of $0.2 million. The increase in our net loss was primarily due to the increase in our clinical trial activities and CMC expenses. The significant items in the decrease in operating assets and liabilities included an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $2.5 million and a decrease in deferred revenue of $0.4 million and a decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $4.0 million partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of $2.9 million.

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020, was $19.1 million and was primarily due to the purchase of $34.9 million of available-for-sale marketable securities from the proceeds of the direct offering partially offset by $15.8 million of proceeds from the maturities of available-for-sale securities, which will primarily be used to fund the next period’s operating activities.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was $12.8 million and was primarily due to the $33.4 million of proceeds from the maturities of available-for-sale securities partially offset by the purchase of $20.6 million of available-for-sale marketable securities.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020, of $55.0 million was primarily due to the proceeds from our direct placement, net of fees, of $34.9 million, proceeds from our term loan of $19.7 million, proceeds from stock option exercises of $0.3 million and employee participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan of $0.1 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, of $28.4 million was primarily due to proceeds from sales of shares of our common stock and a pre-funded warrant, net of fees, of $27.4 million, our at-the-market offering, net of discounts and commissions of $0.8 million.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

On February 7, 2020, we entered into a Loan Agreement with Hercules, which provides for aggregate maximum borrowings of up to $30.0 million, consisting of (i) a term loan of up to $20.0 million, which was funded on February 7, 2020, and (ii) subject to Hercules’ investment committee approval, an additional term loan of up to $10.0 million, available for borrowing from February 7, 2020 to December 15, 2020, which we refer to as the Tranche 2 Advance. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are repayable in monthly interest-only payments through October 1, 2021, or April 1, 2022 if the Performance Milestone is achieved. After the interest-only payment period, borrowings under the Loan Agreement are repayable in equal monthly payments of principal and accrued interest until the maturity date of the loan, which is either (i) September 1, 2023, or (ii) March 1, 2024 upon achievement of

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the Performance Milestone. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to the greater of (i) 9.85% or (ii) 5.10% plus the Wall Street Journal prime rate. At our option, we may prepay all, but not less than all, of the outstanding borrowings, subject to a prepayment premium. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries personal property and other assets, other than our intellectual property. As of March 31, 2020, $20.0 million was outstanding under the Loan Agreement. For additional information regarding the Loan Agreement with Hercules, see Note 13 to our condensed consolidated financial statements located elsewhere in this report.

Other than the Loan Agreement, there have been no material changes to our contractual obligations from those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

JOBS Act

In April 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Thus, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies.

The market risk inherent in our financial instruments and in our financial position represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $44.6 million, consisting of overnight investments, interest-bearing money market funds, commercial papers and short-term corporate bonds, and short-term investments of $54.4 million, consisting of commercial paper, highly rated corporate bonds and credit card asset backed securities. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. The primary objectives of our investment activities are to ensure liquidity and to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our marketable securities without significantly increasing risk. We have established guidelines regarding approved investments and maturities of investments, which are designed to maintain safety and liquidity. Due to the short-term maturities of our cash equivalents and the low risk profile of our short-term investments, an immediate 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments.

We also have exposure to market risk on our Hercules Loan Agreement with Hercules. Our Loan Agreement accrues interest from its date of issue at a variable interest rate equal to greater of (i) 9.85% and (ii) 5.10% plus the Wall Street Journal prime rate. As of March 31, 2020, $20.0 million was outstanding under the Loan Agreement. The effect of a 100 basis points adverse change in market interest rates on our 2020 Loan Payable, in excess of applicable minimum floors, on our interest expense would be approximately $0.5 million.

We do not believe that inflation and changing prices had a significant impact on our results of operations for any periods presented herein.

Management’s Evaluation of Our Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of March 31, 2020, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934). Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have

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concluded based upon the evaluation described above that, as of March 31, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We have not experienced any material impact to our internal controls over financial reporting despite the fact that our employees are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually monitoring and assessing the COVID-19 situation on our internal controls to minimize the impact on their design and operating effectiveness.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

In the ordinary course of business, we are from time to time involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations, proceedings, and threats of litigation relating to intellectual property, commercial arrangements and other matters. While the outcome of these proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, as of March 31, 2020, we were not party to any material legal or arbitration proceedings. No governmental proceedings are pending or, to our knowledge, contemplated against us.

An investment in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including our financial statements and related notes hereto, before deciding to invest in our common stock. The occurrence of any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects or cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have made in this report and those we may make from time to time. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline; and you may lose all or part of your investment. We cannot assure you that any of the events discussed below will not occur.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

COVID-19 could adversely impact our business, including our clinical trials.  

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, causing COVID-19, was initially reported and has since been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in travel and other restrictions in order to reduce the spread of the disease, including state and local orders across the United States and other countries worldwide, which, among other things, direct individuals to shelter at their places of residence, direct businesses and governmental agencies to cease non-essential operations at physical locations, prohibit certain non-essential gatherings, and order cessation of non-essential travel. In response to these public health directives and orders, we have implemented work-from-home policies for our employees. The effects of the executive orders, the shelter-in-place (“SIP”) orders and our work-from-home policies may negatively impact productivity, disrupt our business and delay our clinical programs and timelines, the magnitude of which will depend, in part, on the length and severity of the restrictions and other limitations on our ability to conduct our business in the ordinary course. These and similar, and perhaps more severe, disruptions in our operations could negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

Quarantines, SIP and similar government orders related to COVID-19 may adversely impact our business operations and the business operations of our contract research organizations conducting our clinical trials and our third-party manufacturing facilities in the United States and other countries. In particular, if the COVID-19 pandemic persists for an extended period of time and begins to impact essential distribution systems such as FedEx and postal delivery or if it results in facility closures facility closures for cleaning and/or insufficient staff, we could experience disruptions to our supply chain and operations, and associated delays in the manufacturing and supply of our products, which would adversely impact our ability to generate sales of and revenues from entinostat, if approved, and to continue our clinical trial operations.

In addition, our clinical trials may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, clinical site initiation and patient enrollment may be delayed due to prioritization of hospital resources toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients may not be able to comply with clinical trial protocols if quarantines impede patient movement or interrupt healthcare services. Similarly, our ability to recruit and retain patients and principal investigators and site staff who, as healthcare providers, may have heightened exposure to COVID-19, could be limited, which in turn could adversely impact our clinical trial operations. As a result, we may face delays in meeting our anticipated timelines for our ongoing and planned clinical trials.

The spread of COVID-19, which has caused a broad impact globally, may materially affect us economically. While the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, COVID-19 may be difficult to assess or predict, a widespread pandemic could result in significant disruption of global financial markets, reducing our ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business and the value of our common stock.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, our clinical development and regulatory efforts will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions, quarantines, SIP orders, social distancing requirements, business closures in the United States and other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the disease.  Accordingly, we do not yet know the full extent of potential delays or impacts on our business, our clinical and regulatory activities, healthcare systems or the global economy as a whole.  However, these impacts could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

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In addition, to the extent the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and results of operations, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks and uncertainties described in this “Risk Factors” section.

If the Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat in combination with exemestane in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer patients fails to demonstrate safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of regulatory authorities or does not otherwise produce positive results, we may incur additional costs or experience delays in completing, or ultimately be unable to complete, the development and commercialization of entinostat.

Before obtaining marketing approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of entinostat, we or our collaborators must conduct extensive trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of entinostat in humans. We have entered into an arrangement with ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, or ECOG-ACRIN, to conduct the Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat in combination with exemestane in advanced hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, or (HR+, HER2-, breast cancer patients. The National Cancer Institute, or NCI, designed the trial to measure two primary endpoints, progression-free survival, or PFS, and overall survival, or OS. We received the final PFS analysis from ECOG-ACRIN in October 2018 and we expect to receive the final OS analysis no later than the second quarter of 2020. In October 2018, ECOG-ACRIN informed us that the trial did not achieve the first primary endpoint of improving PFS, which would have provided the earliest regulatory filing opportunity. In accordance with the trial protocol, ECOG-ACRIN is confidentially holding the findings from the PFS analysis until reporting final OS results.  We will not be able to submit an NDA unless and until we receive data demonstrating that the trial has achieved the primary endpoint for OS. In addition, based on scientific advice that we received from the European Medicines Agency, the current Phase 3 clinical trial may not be sufficient to receive regulatory approval in Europe for entinostat to treat advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer, and it is unclear whether we would be able to complete an alternate clinical trial that would be sufficient.

Despite the results reported in our Phase 2b clinical trial for entinostat in advanced estrogen receptor positive, or ER+, breast cancer, we do not know whether the Phase 3 clinical trial in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer will demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety to result in regulatory approval to market entinostat in any particular cancer indications or jurisdiction. Additionally, while we do not expect that there will be overlapping toxicities between entinostat and exemestane, we cannot be certain that we will not observe these toxicities or unexpected adverse drug reactions in the Phase 3 clinical trial.

Clinical testing is expensive and difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and is inherently uncertain as to the outcome. A failure of one or more trials can occur at any stage of testing. The outcome of preclinical studies and early clinical trials may not accurately predict the success of later trials, and interim results of a trial do not necessarily predict final results. For example, with the emergence of the new therapies such as Verzenio, Kisqali, Ibrance and Piqray patients enrolled in the Phase 3 clinical trial may be different than those enrolled in our previous Phase 2b clinical trial in that they may have received a CDK 4/6 inhibitor prior to our trial and therefore may respond differently to treatment with entinostat. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in advanced trials due to lack of efficacy or unacceptable safety profiles, notwithstanding promising results in earlier trials.

The failure of ECOG-ACRIN or the NCI to adequately perform its obligations and responsibilities in the conduct of the Phase 3 clinical trial or to meet expected deadlines could substantially harm our business because we may not obtain regulatory approval for entinostat in a timely manner, or at all.

We have entered into an arrangement with ECOG-ACRIN, pursuant to which it, with sponsorship and funding support by the NCI, is conducting the Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat in combination with exemestane in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer patients. While we provide operational and logistical support for the trial, we have limited control of their activities. We cannot control whether ECOG-ACRIN will devote sufficient time and resources to the trial, including as a result of any reduction or delay in government funding or sponsorship of the activities of ECOG-ACRIN or the NCI. If ECOG-ACRIN or the NCI does not successfully carry out its obligations and responsibilities or meet expected deadlines or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data that ECOG-ACRIN obtains is compromised due to the failure to adhere to Good Clinical Practices, or GCPs, clinical protocols, regulatory requirements or for other reasons, the Phase 3 clinical trial may be extended, delayed or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize, entinostat. As a result, our results of operations and the commercial prospects for entinostat would be harmed, our costs could increase and our ability to generate revenues could be delayed.

Although the Phase 3 clinical trial is being conducted by ECOG-ACRIN, we are responsible for ensuring that each of our trials is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol and legal, regulatory and scientific standards, and our reliance on ECOG-ACRIN does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities. We are required to comply with GCP, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, the Competent Authorities of the Member States of the European Economic Area and foreign regulatory authorities for any product in clinical development. Regulatory authorities enforce GCP through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, principal investigators and clinical trial sites. If we fail to comply with applicable GCP, the clinical data generated in our trials may be deemed unreliable and the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional trials before approving our marketing applications. We cannot assure that upon inspection by a given regulatory

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authority, such regulatory authority will determine that any of our trials comply with GCP requirements. In addition, we must conduct our trials with products produced under current Good Manufacturing Practices regulations, or cGMP requirements. Failure to comply with any of these regulations may require us to repeat preclinical and clinical trials, which would delay the regulatory development process.

If there are delays in completing the Phase 3 clinical trial for entinostat in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer, we will be delayed in commercializing entinostat, our development costs may increase and our business may be harmed.

The Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat in combination with exemestane in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer commenced in the second quarter of 2014, and we expect to receive the final OS analysis no later than the second quarter of 2020. Our product development costs could increase if we experience delays in the overall number of survival events. Significant trial delays also could shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize entinostat or allow our competitors to bring products to market before we do, which would impair our ability to successfully capitalize on entinostat and may harm our business, results of operations and prospects. Events that may result in a delay or unsuccessful completion of clinical development of entinostat include, among other things:

An inability by us to timely complete clinical development could result in additional costs to us or impair our ability to generate product revenues or development, regulatory, commercialization and sales milestone payments and royalties on product sales.

Although the NCI has entered into a Special Protocol Assessment, or SPA, agreement with the FDA relating to the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat for advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer, this agreement does not guarantee any particular outcome with respect to regulatory review of the trial or any associated NDA for entinostat.

The protocol for the pivotal Phase 3 trial of entinostat in combination with exemestane in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer was reviewed and agreed upon by the FDA under a SPA agreement with the NCI. The SPA agreement allows for FDA evaluation of whether a clinical trial protocol could form the primary basis of an efficacy claim in support of an NDA. The SPA is an agreement that a Phase 3 clinical trial’s design, clinical endpoints, patient population and statistical analyses are sufficient to support the efficacy claim. Agreement on the SPA is not a guarantee of approval; and there is no assurance that the design of, or data collected from, the trial will be adequate to obtain the requisite regulatory approval. In October 2018, ECOG-ACRIN informed us that the trial did not achieve the statistical hurdle for the first primary endpoint of improving PFS, which would have provided the earliest regulatory filing opportunity. Further, obtaining clinical trial data meeting the OS endpoint in satisfaction of the SPA does not guarantee approval. The

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SPA is not binding on the FDA if public health concerns unrecognized at the time the SPA was entered into become evident or other new scientific concerns regarding product safety or efficacy arise. In addition, upon written agreement of both the FDA and the NCI, the SPA may be changed, and the FDA retains significant latitude and discretion in interpreting the terms of the SPA and any resulting trial data. As a result, we do not know how the FDA will interpret the parties’ respective commitments under the SPA, how it will interpret the data and OS results from the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, whether the FDA will require that we conduct or complete one or more additional clinical trials to support potential approval or whether entinostat will receive any regulatory approvals. ECOG-ACRIN, with sponsorship and funding support from the NCI, is conducting the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, which began enrollment in the second quarter of 2014.

A breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for entinostat may not lead to a faster development or regulatory review or approval process, and it does not increase the likelihood that entinostat will receive marketing approval.

We received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for entinostat when used in combination with exemestane based on the OS results from our completed Phase 2b clinical trial in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer. A breakthrough therapy is defined as a drug that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other drugs, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints. The Phase 2b trial showed statistically significant improvements in PFS, the primary endpoint, and OS, an exploratory endpoint. Receipt of a breakthrough therapy designation for a drug candidate may not result in a faster development process or review compared to drugs considered for approval under conventional FDA procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the FDA. In addition, the FDA may later decide that entinostat no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review will not be shortened. For instance, our Phase 3 trial in HR+, HER2- breast cancer patients failed to achieve one of its primary endpoints of improving PFS. We expect to receive final analysis on the second primary endpoint, OS, no later than the second quarter of 2020. If the results do not confirm the improvement in OS observed in our Phase 2b clinical trial, the FDA may rescind our breakthrough therapy designation.

We do not currently have any sales, marketing or distribution experience or infrastructure.

In order to market any approved product candidate in the future, we must build our sales, marketing, managerial and other non-technical capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services, as we do not presently have all of these capabilities. To develop our internal sales, distribution and marketing capabilities, we would have to invest significant amounts of financial and management resources in the future. For drugs where we decide to perform sales, marketing and distribution functions ourselves, we could face a number of challenges, including that:

Alternatively, we may rely on third parties to launch and market our product candidates, if approved. We may have limited or no control over the sales, marketing and distribution activities of these third parties and our future revenue may depend on the success of these third parties. Additionally, if these third parties fail to comply with all applicable legal or regulatory requirements, the FDA or another governmental agency could take enforcement action that could jeopardize their ability and our ability to market our product candidates.

We are currently developing several product candidates. If we are unable to successfully complete clinical development of, obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize our product candidates, our business prospects will be significantly harmed.

Entinostat, SNDX-5613 and axatilimab are currently our only product candidates. Our financial success will depend substantially on our ability to effectively and profitably commercialize our product candidates. In order to commercialize our product candidates, we will be required to obtain regulatory approvals by establishing that each of them is sufficiently safe and effective. The clinical and commercial success of our product candidates will depend on a number of factors, including the following:

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If we fail to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we will not be able to generate product sales, which will have a material adverse effect on our business and our prospects.

Our strategy of combining entinostat with immune checkpoint inhibitors has undergone limited clinical testing and we may fail to show that the combination is well tolerated and demonstrates additional clinical benefit from the combination.

Preclinical studies conducted by us and others suggest a strong rationale for combining entinostat with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including PD-1 pathway antagonists, to enhance the immune system’s ability to detect and eliminate tumor cells. Our approach was to conduct Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in patients with tumors that are known to be responsive to PD-1 pathway antagonists and assess both the safety and efficacy of the combination of entinostat plus a PD-1 pathway antagonist. Our initial clinical data is supportive of our hypothesis as we have seen clinical benefit from the combination of entinostat plus pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. However, we have not yet sufficiently demonstrated a favorable risk-benefit of this combination in patients, and we may be unable to establish efficacy to warrant regulatory submission or approval. In the first quarter of 2019, we completed a full portfolio prioritization assessment and have determined to place the initiation of potential registration trials in non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma on hold until we receive final OS results from E2112.

Our strategy for developing SNDX-5613 has undergone limited clinical testing and we may fail to show that the drug is well tolerated and provides sufficient clinical benefit for patients.

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Research suggests that certain acute leukemias, such as mixed lineage leukemia-rearranged, or MLLr, leukemias and nucleophosmin 1, or  NPM1, mutant acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, are driven by the interaction of menin, a nuclear protein involved in transcription, with the N-terminus of MLL1 protein, a histone methyl transferase. In NMP1 mutant AML the interaction with Menin occurs via the wild type MLL1 protein, and in MLLr acute leukemias, the interaction occurs via a mutant form of MLL1, a fusion protein know as MLLr. MLLr results from a rare, spontaneous fusion between the N-terminus of the mixed lineage leukemia protein-1, or MLL1, and a host of signaling molecules and nuclear transcription factors. This fusion produces an aberrant transcription program that drives leukemic transformation. In pre-clinical animal models, small molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL-r interactionmolecules, such as SNDX-5613, which bind to, and block the interaction of menin with either MLLr or MLL1, have demonstrated deep and durable single agent treatment effects in multiple leukemic xenograft models harboring MLL fusions or NPM1 mutations. Our strategy for developing SNDX-5613 is to conduct a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with MLL-r leukemia and assess bothrelapsed/refractory acute leukemias. The Phase 1 portion of the trial is assessing the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of SNDX-5613, and seeks to establish a recommended Phase 2 dose. The Phase 1 portion of the trial is open label, and we have released and may in the future release results from time to time that reflect very small numbers of patients which may not accurately predictive of safety or efficacy results later in the trial or in subsequent trials. The Phase 2 portion will evaluate efficacy of SNDX-5613, as defined by Complete Remission rate, across three expansion cohorts enrolling adult patients with MLL-r acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, MLL-r acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, and NPM1 mutant AML. If our initial clinical data lend support for our hypothesis, we plan to continue developing SNDX-5613 in one or more of these indications. At this time however, we have not yet sufficiently demonstrated a favorable risk-benefit of SNDX-5613 in patients, and we may be unable to establish sufficient efficacy to warrant continued development in one or more of these indications.

Our strategy for developing axatilimab has undergone limited clinical testing and we may fail to show that this drug is well tolerated and provides a clinical benefit for patients.

Preclinical studies suggest that CSF-1/CSF-1R signaling may be the key regulatory pathway involved in the expansion and infiltration of donor derived macrophages that mediate the disease processes involved in Graft Versus Host Disease, or cGVHD. Nonclinical studies and analysis of patient samples indicates that the cGVHD inflammatory disease process is a result of a complex interaction between host and donor immune cells including B cells, and regulatory T cells with M2 differentiated macrophages in target tissue appearing to represent the common distal mediator of fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesize that a CSF-1R signal inhibitor such as axatilimab may play a meaningful role as a monotherapy agent in the treatment of cGVHD.  Our approach is to conduct Phase 1 clinical trial with axatilimab in subjects with active cGVHD who have failed at least two prior lines of therapy. If our initial clinical data lend support for our hypothesis, we plan to continue developing axatilimab in this indication. At this time however, we have not yet sufficiently demonstrated a favorable risk-benefit of axatilimab in patients and we may be unable to establish sufficient efficacy to warrant continued development in this indication.

Interim top-line and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.

From time to time, we may publish interim top-line or preliminary data from our clinical trials. For example, in April 2020, we announced interim data from our Phase 1/2 clinical trial of SNDX-5613. Interim data from clinical trials that we may complete are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and more patient data become available. Preliminary or top-line data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published. Preliminary or top-line data may include, for example, data regarding a small percentage of the patients enrolled in a clinical trial, and such preliminary data should not be viewed as an indication, belief or guarantee that other patients enrolled in such clinical trial will achieve similar results or that the preliminary results from such patients will be maintained. As a result, interim and preliminary data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available. Differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could significantly harm our business prospects and may cause the trading price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly.

We may be unable to transfer, qualify and validate an assay for determining peripheral monocyte levels to be used in conjunction with a future registration enabling non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, trial.

In October 2018, we announced that we are proceeding with a registration trial in NSCLC patients whose disease has progressed after both platinum-based combination chemotherapy and a PD-1 antagonist therapy. We designed the trial to both validate a classical monocyte biomarker and demonstrate that the combination therapy of entinostat plus Keytruda is superior to standard of care chemotherapy in a high monocyte population. This trial will require testing patients for levels of circulating classical monocytes prior to treatment before assigning them to the appropriate arm of the trial. The assay that our academic collaborators have used to determine circulating levels of classical monocytes has not been developed or validated to the qualifications that the FDA may require for patient selection. We are working to measure circulating levels of cells, including monocytes, but we may not be able to

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successfully transfer, qualify and validate an assay for determining peripheral monocyte levels that will be acceptable to the FDA. In the first quarter of 2019, we completed a full portfolio prioritization assessment and have determined to place the initiation of this trial on hold until we receive final OS results from E2112.

If we are or our collaborators are unable to enroll patients in clinical trials, these clinical trials may not be completed on a timely basis or at all.

The timely completion of clinical trials largely depends on patient enrollment. Many factors affect patient enrollment, including:

As a result of the above factors, there is a risk that our or our collaborators’ clinical trials may not be completed on a timely basis or at all.

The actions of Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., or KKC, Eddingpharm Investment Company Limited, or Eddingpharm, and any other current or future sublicensees could adversely affect our business.

We currently sublicense entinostat to third parties for development and commercialization in certain foreign jurisdictions. Specifically, we have a sublicense agreement with KKC under which we granted KKC an exclusive sublicense to develop and commercialize entinostat in Japan and Korea as well as a sublicense agreement with Eddingpharm under which we granted Eddingpharm an exclusive sublicense to develop and commercialize entinostat in China and select Asian countries. It is possible that any clinical trials conducted by KKC, Eddingpharm and other current or future sublicensees in their respective jurisdictions could have negative results, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on the development of entinostat for development and commercialization in the United States and the rest of the world.

We are dependent on UCB Biopharma Sprl, or UCB, to comply with the terms of our license agreement for axatilimab.

Our commercial success also depends upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell axatilimab. In July 2016, we entered into the UCB license agreement pursuant to which we obtained a worldwide, sublicenseable, exclusive license to axatilimab, an IND-ready anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody. Under the UCB license agreement, we are dependent on UCB’s performance of its responsibilities and its cooperation with us. UCB may not perform its obligations under the UCB license agreement or otherwise cooperate with us. We cannot control whether UCB will devote the necessary resources to its obligations under the UCB license agreement, nor can we control the timing of its performance. Additionally, certain of the rights licensed to us under the UCB license agreement are in-licensed by UCB from third parties. We are dependent on UCB maintaining the applicable third-party license agreements in full force and effect, which may include activities and performance obligations that are not within our control. If any of these third-party license agreements terminate, certain of our rights to develop, manufacture, commercialize or sell axatilimab may be terminated as well. The occurrence of any of these events could adversely affect the development and commercialization of axatilimab, and materially harm our business.

We may be required to relinquish important rights to and control over the development and commercialization of our product candidates to our current or future collaborators.

Our collaborations, including any future strategic collaborations we enter into, could subject us to a number of risks, including:

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We may explore strategic collaborations that may never materialize or may fail.

We may periodically explore a variety of possible strategic collaborations in an effort to gain access to additional product candidates or resources. At the current time, we cannot predict what form such a strategic collaboration might take. We are likely to face significant competition in seeking appropriate strategic collaborators, and strategic collaborations can be complicated and time consuming to negotiate and document. We may enter into strategic collaborations that we subsequently no longer wish to pursue, and we may not be able to negotiate strategic collaborations on acceptable terms, or at all. We are unable to predict when, if ever, we will enter into any additional strategic collaborations because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with establishing them.

The regulatory approval processes of the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities are lengthy, time-consuming and inherently unpredictable. Our inability to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates could harm our business.

The time required to obtain approval by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities is unpredictable, but typically takes many years following the commencement of preclinical studies and clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of the regulatory authorities. In addition, approval policies, regulations, or the type and amount of clinical data necessary to gain approval may change during the course of a product candidate’s clinical development and may vary among jurisdictions. We have not obtained regulatory approval for any of our product candidates, and it is possible that we will never obtain regulatory approval for our existing product candidates or any future product candidates.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible that we could experience delays in the timing of our interactions with regulatory authorities due to absenteeism by governmental employees, inability to conduct planned physical inspections related to regulatory approval, or the diversion of regulatory authority efforts and attention to approval of other therapeutics or other activities related to COVID-19, which could delay anticipated approval decisions and otherwise delay or limit our ability to make planned regulatory submissions or obtain new product approvals. In addition, our product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval from the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities for other reasons, including but not limited to:

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The FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may require more information, including additional preclinical or clinical data, to support approval, which may delay or prevent approval and our commercialization plans, or may cause us to decide to abandon our development program. Even if we were to obtain approval, regulatory authorities may approve one or more of our product candidates for a more limited patient population than we request, may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing trials, may impose a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, or foreign regulatory authorities may require the establishment or modification of a similar strategy that may, for instance, restrict distribution of entinostat and impose burdensome implementation requirements on us, or may approve it with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of entinostat, all of which could limit our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates.

We are not developing entinostat as a monotherapy. A shortage in the supply of exemestane or other drugs used in combination with entinostat or cessation of development efforts for investigational agents being studied with entinostat could increase our development costs and adversely affect our ability to commercialize entinostat, and any unexpected adverse events with any of the drugs used in combination with entinostat could halt or delay development of entinostat.

Cancer drugs have from time to time been in short supply and, because many or all of these cancer drugs are also widely used in cancer treatment currently, we will compete with a broad range of healthcare providers and other companies for availability of those drugs. Any shortage of exemestane or other drugs that we are testing in combination with entinostat could adversely affect our ability to timely conduct the Phase 3 clinical trial in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer, our future potential Phase 3 clinical trial in NSCLC, any future clinical trials in melanoma, and if entinostat receives regulatory approval, to commercialize entinostat for treatment of advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer, NSCLC, or melanoma. A shortage of supply may also result in an increase, which could be significant, in our costs of procuring exemestane.

Additionally, because entinostat is being developed for use in combination with other cancer treatments, the development of entinostat may be delayed or halted if unexpected adverse events occurring in patients are attributed to entinostat. Likewise, new adverse events emerging from commercialized or development stage drugs being administered with entinostat may limit or halt the potential of such combinations.

Our product candidates may not achieve adequate market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare payors and others in the medical community to be commercially successful.

Even if our product candidates receive regulatory approval, they may not gain sufficient market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare payors and others in the medical community. Our commercial success also depends on coverage and adequate reimbursement by third-party payors, including government payors, which may be difficult or time-consuming to obtain, may be limited in scope and may not be obtained in all jurisdictions in which we may seek to market our product candidates. The degree of market acceptance will depend on a number of factors, including:

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If our product candidates are approved but do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by physicians, hospitals, healthcare payors and patients, we may not generate sufficient revenue to become or remain profitable.

We rely on third-party suppliers to manufacture and distribute our clinical drug supplies for our product candidates, we intend to rely on third parties for commercial manufacturing and distribution of our product candidates and we expect to rely on third parties for manufacturing and distribution of preclinical, clinical and commercial supplies of any future product candidates.

We do not currently have, nor do we plan to acquire, the infrastructure or capability to manufacture or distribute preclinical, clinical or commercial quantities of drug substance or drug product, including our existing product candidates. While we expect to continue to depend on third-party manufacturers for the foreseeable future, we do not have direct control over the ability of these manufacturers to maintain adequate manufacturing capacity and capabilities to serve our needs, including quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. In additional, public health epidemics, such as the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, may impact the ability of our existing or future manufacturers to perform their obligations to us.

We are dependent on our third-party manufacturers for compliance with cGMPs and for manufacture of both active drug substances and finished drug products. Facilities used by our third-party manufacturers to manufacture drug substance and drug product for commercial sale must be approved by the FDA or other relevant foreign regulatory agencies pursuant to inspections that will be conducted after we submit our NDA or relevant foreign regulatory submission to the applicable regulatory agency. If our third-party manufacturers cannot successfully manufacture materials that conform to our specifications and/or the strict regulatory requirements of the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies, they will not be able to secure and/or maintain regulatory approval for their manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, these third-party manufacturers are engaged with other companies to supply and/or manufacture materials or products for such companies, which also exposes our third-party manufacturers to regulatory risks for the production of such materials and products. As a result, failure to meet the regulatory requirements for the production of those materials and products may also affect the regulatory clearance of a third-party manufacturers’ facility. If the FDA or a foreign regulatory agency does not approve these facilities for the manufacture of our product candidates, or if it withdraws its approval in the future, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would impede or delay our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market our product candidates, if approved.

Even if our product candidates receive regulatory approval, they may still face future development and regulatory difficulties.

Even if we obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, they would be subject to ongoing requirements by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities governing the manufacture, quality control, further development, labeling, packaging, storage, distribution, safety surveillance, import, export, advertising, promotion, recordkeeping and reporting of safety and other post-market information. The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities will continue to monitor closely the safety profile of any product even after approval. If the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities become aware of new safety information after approval of a product candidate, they may require labeling changes or establishment of a REMS or similar strategy, impose significant restrictions on its indicated uses or marketing, or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies or post-market surveillance.

In addition, manufacturers of drug products and their facilities are subject to continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities for compliance with cGMP regulations and standards. If we or a regulatory agency discover previously unknown problems with a product, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the

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facility where the product is manufactured, a regulatory agency may impose restrictions on that product, the manufacturing facility or us, including withdrawal of the product from the market or suspension of manufacturing, or we may recall the product from distribution. If we, or our third-party manufacturers, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, a regulatory agency may:

The occurrence of any event or penalty described above may inhibit our ability to commercialize and generate revenue from the sale of our product candidates.

Advertising and promotion of any product candidate that obtains approval in the United States will be heavily scrutinized by the FDA, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, state attorneys general, members of Congress, other government agencies and the public. Violations, including promotion of our products for unapproved (or off-label) uses, may be subject to enforcement letters, inquiries and investigations, and civil and criminal sanctions by the government. Additionally, foreign regulatory authorities will heavily scrutinize advertising and promotion of any product candidate that obtains approval in their respective jurisdictions.

In the United States, engaging in the impermissible promotion of our products for off-label uses can also subject us to false claims litigation under federal and state statutes, which can lead to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, damages, monetary fines, disgorgement, individual imprisonment, exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, curtailment or restructuring of our operations and agreements that materially restrict the manner in which a company promotes or distributes drug products. These false claims statutes include, but are not limited to, the federal civil False Claims Act, which allows any individual to bring a lawsuit against an individual or entity, including a pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical company on behalf of the federal government alleging the knowing submission of false or fraudulent claims, or causing to present such false or fraudulent claims, for payment or approval by a federal program such as Medicare or Medicaid. These False Claims Act lawsuits against pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies have increased significantly in number and breadth, leading to several substantial civil and criminal settlements regarding certain sales practices, including promoting off-label drug uses involving fines in excess of $1.0 billion. This growth in litigation has increased the risk that a pharmaceutical company will have to defend a false claim action, pay settlement fines or restitution, agree to comply with burdensome reporting and compliance obligations, and be excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal and state healthcare programs. If we, or any partner that we may engage, do not lawfully promote our approved products, we may become subject to such litigation, which have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval, limit the commercial scope of their approved use, or result in significant negative consequences following any marketing approval.

Undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could cause the interruption, delay or halting of the trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or other foreign regulatory authorities. In our Phase 2b clinical trial of entinostat in advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer, the most significant adverse events were fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances and hematologic toxicities, all of which occurred in higher numbers than in the placebo group. Results of the clinical trials may reveal a high and unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects or other unexpected characteristics. In such event, the trials could be suspended or terminated, or the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities could deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications. Drug-related side effects could affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled subjects to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects.

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Additionally, if our product candidates receive marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:

Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of our product candidates for use in targeted indications or otherwise materially harm its commercial prospects, if approved, and could harm our business, results of operations and prospects.

Our failure to obtain regulatory approval in international jurisdictions would prevent us from marketing our product candidates outside the United States.

In order to market and sell our product candidates in other jurisdictions, we must obtain separate marketing approvals for those jurisdictions and comply with their numerous and varying regulatory requirements. We may not obtain foreign regulatory approvals on a timely basis, or at all. The approval procedure varies among countries and can involve additional testing. The time required to obtain approval may differ substantially from that required to obtain FDA approval. The regulatory approval process outside the United States generally includes all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA approval. In addition, in many countries outside the United States, product reimbursement approvals must be secured before regulatory authorities will approve the product for sale in that country. Obtaining foreign regulatory approvals and compliance with foreign regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and could delay or prevent the introduction of our product candidates in certain countries. Further, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries and regulatory approval in one country does not ensure approval in any other country, while a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others. For example, based on scientific advice that we received from the European Medicines Agency in March 2014, the current Phase 3 clinical trial is likely to be insufficient to receive regulatory approval in Europe for entinostat to treat advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer. Our failure to obtain approval of our product candidates by foreign regulatory authorities may negatively impact the commercial prospects of such product candidates and our business prospects could decline. Also, if regulatory approval for our product candidates is granted, it may be later withdrawn. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements in international jurisdictions and receive applicable marketing approvals, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential for our product candidates will be harmed and our business may be adversely affected.

We face significant competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and our operating results will suffer if we fail to compete effectively.

Even if entinostat in combination with exemestane were approved for treatment of advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer, it would face competition from other therapies recently approved for use in combination with hormone therapy in this population, including Ibrance, Kisqali, Afinitor, Verzenio, Piqray and other therapies under FDA review or currently in Phase 3 clinical development.

The pharmacologic treatment of NSCLC and melanoma patients has included chemotherapies and therapies targeting specific gene mutations. Over the past few years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for NSCLC and melanoma. Currently there are few approved combination immuno-oncology therapies although numerous drugs are undergoing active clinical investigation. We believe that if entinostat in combination with Keytruda were approved for the treatment of NSCLC or melanoma it would face competition from standard-of-care approaches and other investigational drugs being tested in combination with any of these approaches.

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Chronic graft versus host disease has historically been managed by off-label treatments. However, in 2017 ibrutinib (Imbruvica®) became the first drug approved for use patients with cGVHD after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy. KD-025 and Ruxolitinib (Jakafi®), are currently in registration-directed studies to treat steroid refractory cGVHD patients and, if approved, may also compete with axatilimab.

SNDX-5613 is being developed for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with MLL-r ALL, AML and NPM1 mutant AML. At this time, there are no drugs approved for these defined populations and patients are managed using the standard of care treatment regimens developed for general AML and ALL populations. While there are other agents in early development for similar populations, SNDX-5613 has the potential to be the first defined therapy for patients with MLLr ALL, MLLr AML and/or NPM1 mutant AML.

Many of our existing or potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources than we do and significantly greater experience in the discovery and development of product candidates, obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of products and the commercialization of those products. Our competitors may be more successful than us in obtaining FDA approval for drugs and achieving widespread market acceptance. Our competitors’ drugs may be more effective or more effectively marketed and sold than any drug we may commercialize and may render our product candidates obsolete or non-competitive before we can recover the expenses of developing and commercializing any of our product candidates. Our competitors may also obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours. We anticipate that we will face intense and increasing competition as new drugs enter the market and advanced technologies become available.

We believe that our ability to successfully compete will depend on, among other things:

Even if we obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates, the availability and price of our competitors’ products could limit the demand and the price we are able to charge. We may not be able to implement our business plan if the acceptance of our product candidates is inhibited by price competition or the reluctance of physicians to switch from existing methods of treatment, or if physicians switch to other new drug or biologic products or choose to reserve our drugs for use in limited circumstances.

Adverse events in the field of immuno-oncology could damage public perception of our product candidates and negatively affect our business.

The commercial success of our product candidates will depend in part on public acceptance of the use of cancer immunotherapies. Adverse events in clinical trials of our product candidates or in clinical trials of others developing similar products and the resulting publicity, as well as any other adverse events in the field of immuno-oncology that may occur in the future, could result in a decrease in demand for any products that we may develop. If public perception is influenced by claims that the use of cancer immunotherapies is unsafe, our product candidates may not be accepted by the general public or the medical community.

Future adverse events in immuno-oncology or the biopharmaceutical industry could also result in greater governmental regulation, stricter labeling requirements and potential regulatory delays in the testing or approvals of our products. Any increased scrutiny could delay or increase the costs of obtaining regulatory approval for our product candidates.

Our employees, consultants and collaborators may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including insider trading and non-compliance with regulatory standards and requirements.

We are exposed to the risk that our employees, consultants, distributors, and collaborators may engage in fraudulent or illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless or negligent conduct or disclosure of unauthorized activities to us that violates the regulations of the FDA and non-U.S. regulators, including those laws requiring the reporting of true, complete and accurate information to such regulators, manufacturing standards, healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations in the United States

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and abroad or laws that require the true, complete and accurate reporting of financial information or data. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements in the healthcare industry, including the sale of pharmaceuticals, are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by our employees and other third parties, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could result in the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, disgorgement, individual imprisonment, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, additional reporting obligations and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or other agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings and curtailment of operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations. Whether or not we are successful in defending against such actions or investigations, we could incur substantial costs, including legal fees, and divert the attention of management in defending ourselves against any of these claims or investigations.

We must attract and retain additional highly skilled employees in order to succeed.

To succeed, we must recruit, retain, manage and motivate qualified clinical, scientific, technical and management personnel and we face significant competition for experienced personnel. If we do not succeed in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, particularly at the management level, it could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and harm our operating results. In particular, the loss of one or more of our executive officers could be detrimental to us if we cannot recruit suitable replacements in a timely manner. The competition for qualified personnel in the pharmaceutical industry is intense and as a result, we may be unable to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business or to recruit suitable replacement personnel.

Many of the other pharmaceutical companies that we compete against for qualified personnel have greater financial and other resources, different risk profiles and a longer history in the industry than we do. They also may provide more diverse opportunities and better chances for career advancement. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to high-quality candidates than what we have to offer. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain high-quality personnel, the rate and success at which we can discover and develop product candidates and our business will be limited.

Even if we commercialize our product candidates, they or any other product candidates that we develop, may become subject to unfavorable pricing regulations or third-party coverage or reimbursement practices, which could harm our business.

Our ability to successfully commercialize our existing product candidates, or any other product candidates that we develop, will depend in part on the extent to which coverage and adequate reimbursement for these products and related treatments will be available from third-party payors, including government healthcare programs, private health insurers, managed care plans and other organizations. Third-party payors determine which medications they will cover and establish reimbursement levels. Third-party payors have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of reimbursement for particular medications. Increasingly, third-party payors are requiring that drug companies provide them with predetermined discounts from list prices and are challenging the prices charged for medical products.

We cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement will be available for any product that we commercialize and, if reimbursement is available, what the level of reimbursement will be. Limitation on coverage and reimbursement may impact the demand for, or the price of, and our ability to successfully commercialize entinostat or any other product candidates that we develop.

There may be significant delays in obtaining coverage and reimbursement for newly approved drugs, and coverage may be more limited than the indications for which the drug is approved by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities. Moreover, eligibility for coverage and reimbursement does not imply that a drug will be paid for in all cases or at a rate that covers our costs, including research, development, manufacture, sale and distribution expenses. Interim reimbursement levels for new drugs, if applicable, may also not be sufficient to cover our costs and may only be temporary. Reimbursement rates may vary according to the use of the drug and the clinical setting in which it is used, may be based on reimbursement levels already set for lower cost drugs and may be incorporated into existing payments for other services. Net prices for drugs may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs or private payors and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of drugs from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States.

Private payors often follow decisions by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, regarding coverage and reimbursement to a substantial degree. However, one payor’s determination to provide coverage for a drug product does not assure that other payors will also provide coverage for the drug product. As a result, the coverage determination process is often a time-

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consuming and costly process that will require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our products to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance. Our inability to promptly obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement rates from both government-funded and private payors for any approved products that we develop could have an adverse effect on our operating results, our ability to raise capital needed to commercialize products and our overall financial condition.

The regulations that govern marketing approvals, coverage and reimbursement for new drug products vary widely from country to country. Current and future legislation may significantly change the approval requirements in ways that could involve additional costs and cause delays in obtaining approvals. Some countries require approval of the sale price of a drug before it can be marketed. In many countries, the pricing review period begins after marketing or product licensing approval is granted. In some foreign markets, prescription pharmaceutical pricing remains subject to continuing governmental control even after initial approval is granted. As a result, we may obtain marketing approval for our product candidates in a particular country, but be subject to price regulations that delay our commercial launch of the product, possibly for lengthy time periods, which could negatively impact the revenues we generate from the sale of the product in that particular country. Adverse pricing limitations may hinder our ability to recoup our investment even if our product candidates obtain marketing approval.

There can be no assurance that our product candidates, if they are approved for sale in the United States or in other countries, will be considered medically reasonable and necessary for a specific indication, that it will be considered cost effective by third-party payors, that coverage and an adequate level of reimbursement will be available, or that third-party payors’ reimbursement policies will not adversely affect our ability to sell our product candidates profitably.

Current and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to commercialize our product candidates and affect the prices we may obtain.

The United States and many foreign jurisdictions have enacted or proposed legislative and regulatory changes affecting the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of our product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to profitably sell any product candidate for which we obtain marketing approval. For example, then President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. Among other cost containment measures, the Affordable Care Act established an annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports branded prescription drugs and biologic agents, a Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, and a formula that increased the rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. There remain judicial and Congressional challenges, as well as recent efforts by the Trump administration to repeal or replace certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act. Since January 2017, President Trump has signed two Executive Orders designed to delay the implementation of certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act or otherwise circumvent some of the requirements for health insurance mandated by the Affordable Care Act. Concurrently, Congress has considered legislation that would repeal or repeal and replace all or part of the Affordable Care Act. While Congress has not passed comprehensive repeal legislation, several bills affecting the implementation of certain taxes under the Affordable Care Act have been signed into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 includes a provision repealing, effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the Affordable Care Act on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate.” Additionally, the 2020 federal spending package permanently eliminated, effective January 1, 2020, the Affordable Care Act’s mandated “Cadillac” tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage and medical device tax and, effective January 1, 2021, also eliminates the health insurer tax. Further, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, or the BBA, among other things, amended the Affordable Care Act, effective January 1, 2019, to increase from 50% to 70% the point-of-sale discount that is owed by pharmaceutical manufacturers who participate in Medicare Part D and to close the coverage gap in most Medicare drug plans, commonly referred to as the “donut hole.” In December 2018, CMS published a final rule permitting further collections and payments to and from certain Affordable Care Act qualified health plans and health insurance issuers under its risk adjustment program in response to the outcome of federal district court litigation regarding the method CMS uses to determine this risk adjustment. On December 14, 2018, a Texas U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional in its entirety because the “individual mandate” was repealed by the U.S. Congress as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Act. Additionally, on December 18, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld the District Court ruling that the individual mandate was unconstitutional and remanded the case back to the District Court to determine whether the remaining provisions of the Affordable Care Act are invalid as well. On March 2, 2020, the United States Supreme Court granted the petitions for writs of certiorari to review this case and has allotted one hour for oral arguments. It is unclear when such oral arguments are to be held and when a decision is expected to be made. It is also unclear how such litigation, and other efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act will impact the Affordable Care, and our business. In addition, Congress may consider other legislation to repeal and replace elements of the Affordable Care Act.

Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the Affordable Care Act was enacted. For example, in August 2011, then President Obama signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011, which, among other things, created the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to recommend to Congress proposals in spending reductions. The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction did not agree upon a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for fiscal years 2012 through 2021, triggering the

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Affordable Care Act’s automatic reduction to several government programs. This included aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of up to 2% per fiscal year, effective as of 2013. Further legislation, including the BBA, has extended the 2% reduction to 2029. In January 2013, then President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.

Further, there has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to specialty drug pricing practices. Specifically, there have been several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, reduce the cost of drugs under Medicare, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. At the federal level, the Trump administration’s budget proposal for fiscal years 2021 includes a $135 billion allowance to support legislative proposals seeking to reduce drug prices, increase competition, lower out-of-pocket drug costs for patients, and increase patient access to lower-cost generic and biosimilar drugs. The Trump administration also released a “Blueprint” to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs of drugs that contains additional proposals to increase manufacturer competition, increase the negotiating power of certain federal healthcare programs, incentivize manufacturers to lower the list price of their products and reduce the out of pocket costs of drug products paid by consumers. For example, May 2019, CMS issued a final rule to allow Medicare Advantage plans the option to use step therapy for part B drugs beginning January 1, 2020. This final rule codified CMS’s policy change that was effective January 1, 2019. While some of these and other measures may require additional authorization through additional legislation to become effective, Congress and the Trump administration have each indicated that it will continue to seek new legislative administrative and executive measures, including the President’s issuance of future executive orders, to control drug costs. At the state level, legislatures are increasingly passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing.

We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulations that may arise from future legislation, administrative or executive action. We expect that the Affordable Care Act, as well as other current or future healthcare reform measures may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product. This could seriously harm our future revenues. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability or commercialize our products.

Product liability lawsuits against us could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and to limit commercialization of our product candidates.

We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of our product candidates in human trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercially sell any products that we may develop. Product liability claims may be brought against us by subjects enrolled in our trials, patients, healthcare providers or others using, administering or selling our products. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that our product candidates or other products that we may develop caused injuries, we could incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

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While we currently hold trial liability insurance coverage consistent with industry standards, this may not adequately cover all liabilities that we may incur. We also may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in an amount adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise in the future. We intend to expand our insurance coverage for products to include the sale of commercial products if we obtain marketing approval for our product candidates, but we may be unable to obtain commercially reasonable product liability insurance. A successful product liability claim or series of claims brought against us, particularly if judgments exceed our insurance coverage, could decrease our cash and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our relationships with customers and third-party payors will be subject to applicable anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, transparency and other healthcare laws and regulations as well as privacy and data security laws and regulations, which could expose us to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, contractual damages, reputational harm, fines, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, curtailments or restrictions of our operations, administrative burdens and diminished profits and future earnings.

Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Our current and future arrangements with physicians, third-party payors and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct clinical research and market, sell and distribute our products for which we obtain marketing approval. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations, include, but are not limited to, the following:

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Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements with third parties and our business generally, will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law interpreting applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, contractual damages, reputational harm, additional reporting requirements and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. Defending against any such actions can be costly, time-consuming and may require significant financial and personnel resources. Therefore, even if we are successful in defending against any such actions that may be brought against us, our business may be impaired. Further, if any physician or other healthcare provider or entity with whom we expect to do business is found not to be in compliance with applicable laws, that person or entity may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government-funded healthcare programs.

Significant disruptions of our information technology systems or data security incidents could result in significant financial, legal, regulatory, business and reputational harm to us.

We are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure, including mobile technologies, to operate our business. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, store, process and transmit large amounts of sensitive information, including intellectual property, proprietary business information, personal information and other confidential information. It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of such sensitive information. We have also outsourced elements of our operations (including elements of our information technology infrastructure) to third parties, and as a result, we manage a number of third-party vendors who may or could have access to our computer networks, our confidential information or the confidential information of third parties that is in our possession. In addition, those third party vendors may in turn subcontract or outsource some of their responsibilities to other parties. While all information technology operations are inherently vulnerable to inadvertent or intentional security breaches, incidents, attacks and exposures, the accessibility and distributed nature of our information technology systems, and the sensitive information stored on those systems, make such systems potentially vulnerable to unintentional or malicious, internal and external attacks on our technology environment. In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have enabled substantially all of our employees to work remotely, which may make us more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Potential vulnerabilities can be exploited from inadvertent or intentional actions of our employees, third-party vendors, business partners, or by malicious third parties. Attacks of this nature are increasing in their frequency, levels of persistence, sophistication and intensity, and are being conducted by sophisticated and organized groups and individuals with a wide range of motives (including, but not limited to, industrial espionage) and expertise, including organized criminal groups, “hacktivists,” nation states and others. In addition to the extraction of sensitive information, such attacks could include the deployment of harmful malware, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering and other means to affect service reliability and threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. The prevalent use of mobile devices further increases the risk of data security incidents.

Significant disruptions of our, our third-party vendors’ and/or business partners’ information technology systems or other similar data security incidents could adversely affect our business operations and/or result in the loss, misappropriation and/or unauthorized access, use or disclosure of, or the prevention of access to, sensitive information, which could result in financial, legal, regulatory, business and reputational harm to us. In addition, information technology system disruptions, whether from attacks on our technology environment or from computer viruses, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures, could result in a material disruption of our development programs and our business operations. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future clinical trials could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data.

There is no way of knowing with certainty whether we have experienced any data security incidents that have not been discovered. While we have no reason to believe this to be the case, attackers have become very sophisticated in the ways that they conceal access to systems. Many companies that have been attacked are not aware that they have been attacked. Any event that leads to unauthorized access, use or disclosure of personal information, including but not limited to personal information regarding employees or clinical trial patients, could disrupt our business, harm our reputation, compel us to comply with applicable federal and/or state breach notification laws and foreign law equivalents, subject us to time consuming, distracting and expensive litigation, regulatory investigation and oversight, mandatory corrective action, require us to verify the correctness of database contents, or otherwise subject us to liability under laws, regulations and contractual obligations, including those that protect the privacy and security of personal information. This could result in increased costs to us, and result in significant legal and financial exposure and/or reputational harm. Any failure or perceived failure by us or our vendors or business partners to comply with our privacy, confidentiality or data security-related legal or other obligations to third parties, or any further security incidents or other inappropriate access events resulting in the unauthorized access, release or transfer of sensitive information, which could include personally identifiable information, may result in governmental investigations, enforcement actions, regulatory fines, litigation, or public statements against us by advocacy groups or others, and could cause third parties, including clinical sites, regulators or current and

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potential partners, to lose trust in us or we could be subject to claims by third parties that we have breached our privacy- or confidentiality-related obligations, which could materially and adversely affect our business and prospects. Moreover, data security incidents and other inappropriate access can be difficult to detect. Any delay in identifying them may lead to increased harm of the type described above. While we have implemented security measures to protect our information technology systems and infrastructure, there can be no assurance that such measures will successfully prevent service interruptions or security incidents. Further, because of the work-from-home policies we implemented due to COVID-19, information that is normally protected, including company confidential information, may be less secure.

Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Capital Needs

We have incurred net losses since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.

Investment in biopharmaceutical product development is highly speculative because it entails substantial upfront capital expenditures and significant risk that any potential product candidate will fail to demonstrate adequate efficacy or an acceptable safety profile, gain regulatory approval or be commercially viable. We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with limited operating history. We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any product revenues to date, and we continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our ongoing operations and clinical development of entinostat. As a result, we are not and have never been profitable and have incurred losses in each period since our inception in 2005.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we reported a net loss of $15.2 million. Net loss attributable to shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, was $19.3 million. As of March 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $510.7 million, which included non-cash charges for stock-based compensation, preferred stock accretion and extinguishment charges. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect these losses to increase as we continue our pre-commercialization activities for, and our research and development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, our product candidates. We may also encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business. The size of our future net losses will depend, in part, on the rate of future growth of our expenses and our ability to generate revenues, if any. Our prior losses and expected future losses have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital.

We currently have no source of product revenue and may never achieve or maintain profitability.

Our ability to generate product revenue and become profitable depends upon our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates. We do not anticipate generating revenue from the sale of our product candidates for the foreseeable future. Our ability to generate future product revenue also depends on a number of additional factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to:

In addition, because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with drug development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses, and if or when we will achieve or maintain profitability. In addition, our expenses could increase beyond expectations if we decide to or are required by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities to perform studies or trials in addition to those that we currently anticipate. Even if we complete the development and regulatory processes described above, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with launching and commercializing our current product candidates and any other product candidates we may develop.

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Even if we generate revenues from the sale of our product candidates, we may not become profitable and may need to obtain additional funding to continue operations or acquire additional products that will require additional funding to develop them. If we fail to become profitable or do not sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce our operations or even shut down.

We will require additional capital to finance our planned operations, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. As a result, we may not complete the development and commercialization of, or obtain regulatory approval for our existing product candidates or develop new product candidates.

Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since our inception, primarily due to our research and development efforts. We expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing and planned activities. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will fund our projected operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Unexpected circumstances may cause us to consume capital more rapidly than we currently anticipate, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, we may discover that we need to conduct additional activities that exceed our current budget to achieve appropriate rates of patient enrollment, which would increase our development costs.

In any event, we will require additional capital to continue the development of, obtain regulatory approval for, and to commercialize our existing product candidates and any future product candidates. Any efforts to secure additional financing may divert our management from our day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates. The COVID-19 pandemic has already resulted in a significant disruption of global financial markets.  If the disruption persists and deepens, we could experience an inability to access additional capital. We cannot guarantee that future financing will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we do not raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, we may need to:

If we need to conduct additional fundraising activities and we do not raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may be unable to pursue development and commercialization efforts, which will harm our business, operating results and prospects.

Our future funding requirements, both short- and long-term, will depend on many factors, including:

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If we cannot expand our operations or otherwise capitalize on our business opportunities because we cannot secure sufficient capital, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The terms of our loan and security agreements place restrictions on our operating and financial flexibility. If we raise additional capital through debt financing, the terms of any new debt could further restrict our ability to operate our business.

Our loan and security agreement, or the Loan Agreement, with Hercules Capital, Inc., or Hercules, for aggregate maximum borrowings of up to $30.0 million, or the Credit Facility, is collateralized by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries personal property and other assets, other than our intellectual property. As of March 1, 2020, the outstanding principal balance under the Credit Facility was $20.0 million, resulting from the closing of the first tranche of funding which occurred on February 7, 2020. The Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default applicable to us and our subsidiaries.

If we default under the Credit Facility, Hercules may accelerate all of our repayment obligations and exercise all of their rights and remedies under the Credit Facility and applicable law, potentially requiring us to renegotiate our agreement on terms less favorable to us. Further, if we are liquidated, the lenders’ right to repayment would be senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock to receive any proceeds from the liquidation. Hercules could declare a default upon the occurrence of any event, among others, that they interpret as a material adverse effect or a change of control as delineated under the Credit Facility, payment defaults, or breaches of covenants thereby requiring us to repay the loan immediately or to attempt to reverse the declaration of default through negotiation or litigation. Any declaration by the lender of an event of default could significantly harm our business and prospects and could cause the price of our common stock to decline. If we raise any additional debt financing, the terms of such additional debt could further restrict our operating and financial flexibility.

Changes in tax laws or regulations could materially adversely affect our company.

New tax laws or regulations could be enacted at any time, and existing tax laws or regulations could be interpreted, modified or applied in a manner that is adverse to us, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition. For example, legislation enacted in 2017, informally titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Tax Act, enacted many significant changes to the U.S. tax laws, including changes in corporate tax rates, the utilization of our NOLs and other deferred tax assets, the deductibility of expenses, and the taxation of foreign earnings. Future guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities with respect to the Tax Act may affect us, and certain aspects of the Tax Act could be repealed or modified in future legislation. For example, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, modified certain provisions of the Tax Act.  In addition, it is uncertain if and to what extent various states will conform to the Tax Act, the CARES Act, or any newly enacted federal tax legislation. The impact of changes under the Tax Act, the CARES Act, or future reform legislation could increase our future U.S. tax expense and could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial condition.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

We have incurred substantial losses during our history. We do not expect to become profitable in the near future, and we may never achieve profitability. Unused losses generally are available to be carried forward to offset future taxable income, if any. Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Code if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50% change (by value) in its equity ownership over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, and other pre-change tax attributes (such as research tax credits) to offset its post-change taxable income or taxes may be limited. We completed an analysis through March 31, 2020 and determined that on March 30, 2007 and August 21, 2015 ownership changes had occurred. We may have experienced an ownership change since March 31, 2020, and we may also experience ownership changes in the future as a result of shifts in our stock ownership, some of which may be outside of our control. As a result, our ability to use our pre-change NOLs to offset U.S. federal taxable income may be subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us. In addition, at the state level, there may be periods during which the use of NOLs is suspended or otherwise limited, which could accelerate or permanently increase state taxes owed.

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Risks Related to Intellectual Property

If we are unable to obtain or protect intellectual property rights, we may not be able to compete effectively in our market.

Our success depends in significant part on our and our licensors’ and licensees’ ability to establish, maintain and protect patents and other intellectual property rights and operate without infringing the intellectual property rights of others. We have filed patent applications both in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions to obtain patent rights to inventions we have discovered. We have also licensed from third parties rights to patent portfolios. Some of these licenses give us the right to prepare, file and prosecute patent applications and maintain and enforce patents we have licensed, and other licenses may not give us such rights.

The patent prosecution process is expensive and time-consuming, and we and our current or future licensors and licensees may not be able to prepare, file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It is also possible that we or our licensors or licensees will fail to identify patentable aspects of inventions made in the course of development and commercialization activities before it is too late to obtain patent protection on them. Moreover, in some circumstances, we may not have the right to control the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications, or to maintain the patents, covering technology that we license from or license to third parties and are reliant on our licensors or licensees. Therefore, these patents and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. If our current or future licensors or licensees fail to establish, maintain or protect such patents and other intellectual property rights, such rights may be reduced or eliminated. If our licensors or licensees are not fully cooperative or disagree with us as to the prosecution, maintenance or enforcement of any patent rights, such patent rights could be compromised.

The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions and has in recent years been the subject of much litigation. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our and our current or future licensors’ or licensees’ patent rights are highly uncertain. Our and our licensors’ or licensees’ pending and future patent applications may not result in patents being issued which protect our technology or products, in whole or in part, or which effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive technologies and products. The patent examination process may require us or our licensors or licensees to narrow the scope of the claims of our or our licensors’ or licensees’ pending and future patent applications, which may limit the scope of patent protection that may be obtained. It is possible that third parties with products that are very similar to ours will circumvent our or our licensors’ or licensees’ patents by means of alternate designs or processes. We cannot be certain that we are the first to invent the inventions covered by pending patent applications and, if we are not, we may be subject to priority disputes. We may be required to disclaim part or all of the term of certain patents or all of the term of certain patent applications. There may be prior art of which we are not aware that may affect the validity or enforceability of a patent claim. There also may be prior art of which we are aware, but which we do not believe affects the validity or enforceability of a claim, which may, nonetheless, ultimately be found to affect the validity or enforceability of a claim. No assurance can be given that if challenged, our patents would be declared by a court to be valid or enforceable or that even if found valid and enforceable, a competitor’s technology or product would be found by a court to infringe our patents. We may analyze patents or patent applications of our competitors that we believe are relevant to our activities, and consider that we are free to operate in relation to our product candidate, but our competitors may achieve issued claims, including in patents we consider to be unrelated, which block our efforts or may potentially result in our product candidate or our activities infringing such claims. The possibility exists that others will develop products which have the same effect as our products on an independent basis which do not infringe our patents or other intellectual property rights, or will design around the claims of patents that we have had issued that cover our products. Our and our licensors’ or licensees’ patent applications cannot be enforced against third parties practicing the technology claimed in such applications unless and until a patent issues from such applications, and then only to the extent the issued claims cover the technology.

Furthermore, given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, our owned and licensed patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours. Entinostat composition of matter U.S. Patent RE39,754, which we licensed from Bayer, covers the chemical entity of entinostat and any crystalline or non-crystalline form of entinostat and expired in September 2017.

The portfolio we licensed from Bayer also includes U.S. Patent 7,973,166, or the ‘166 patent, which covers a crystalline polymorph of entinostat which is referred to as crystalline polymorph B, the crystalline polymorph used in the clinical development of entinostat. Many compounds can exist in different crystalline forms. A compound which in the solid state may exhibit multiple different crystalline forms is called polymorphic, and each crystalline form of the same chemical compound is termed a polymorph. A new crystalline form of a compound may arise, for example, due to a change in the chemical process or the introduction of an impurity. Such new crystalline forms may be patented. The ‘166 patent expires in 2029. On March 7, 2014, our licensor Bayer applied for reissue of the ‘166 patent. The reissue application seeks to add three inventors not originally listed on the ‘166 patent. The reissue application does not seek to amend the claims issued in the ‘166 patent. On April 28, 2015, the USPTO re-issued the ‘166 patent as U.S. patent RE45,499. RE45,499 reissued with the same claims originally issued in the ‘166 patent and the list of inventors on RE45,499 now lists the additional three inventors that were not included on the ‘166 patent. The ‘166 patent has now been surrendered

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in favor of RE45,499. RE45,499 has the same term as the initial term of the ‘166 patent, which expires in August 2029. After expiry of RE39,754, which occurred in September 2017, a competitor may develop a competing polymorphic form other than based on polymorph B, which could compete with polymorph B.

In spite of our efforts and efforts of our licensor, we may not be successful in defending the validity of the claims of the RE45,499 reissue patent or any of its foreign counterparts. If the claims of the ‘166 patent or any of its counterparts are found to be invalid by a competent court, we may not be able to effectively block entry of generic versions of our entinostat crystalline polymorph B candidate products into markets where the crystalline polymorph B patent claims are found to be invalid. Additionally, even if we submit an NDA before the expiration of U.S. Patent RE45,499 and are successful in obtaining an extension of the term of U.S. Patent RE45,499 based on FDA regulatory delays, such extension will only extend the term of RE45,499 for a few additional years (up to a maximum of five additional years for patent claims covering a new chemical entity).

The portfolio that we licensed from UCB includes patent applications with pending claims directed to the composition of matter of axatilimab (a humanized, full-length IgG4 (kappa light chain) antibody with high affinity for the CSF-1R) as well as claims directed to methods of use of axatilimab. There is no guarantee that any patents will be granted based on the pending applications we licensed from UCB or even if one or more patents are granted that the claims issued in those patents would cover axatilimab or methods of using axatilimab. Based on the priority date and filing date of the applications in the portfolio we licensed from UCB, we expect that a patent, if any, granted based on the currently pending applications would expire in 2034. The actual term of any patents granted based on the pending applications we licensed from UCB can only be determined after such patents are actually granted.

The portfolio that we licensed from Vitae Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Allergan, includes patent applications with pending claims directed to inhibitors of the interaction of menin with MLL and MLL fusion proteins, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and their use in the treatment of cancer and other diseases mediated by the menin-MLL interaction. There is no guarantee that any patents will be granted based on the pending applications that we licensed from Allergan or even if one or more patents are granted that the claims issued in those patents would cover the desired lead compounds, compositions, and methods of use thereof. Based on the priority date and filing date of the applications in the portfolio that we licensed from Allergan, we expect that a patent, if any, granted based on the currently pending applications would expire in 2037. The actual term of any patents granted based on the pending applications that we licensed from Allergan can only be determined after such patents are actually granted.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

Filing, prosecuting, enforcing and defending patents on product candidates in all countries throughout the world is prohibitively expensive, and our or our licensors’ intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Consequently, we and our licensors may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our and our licensors’ inventions in countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our and our licensors’ inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our and our licensors’ technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we and our licensors have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with our product candidates and our and our licensors’ patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biopharmaceuticals, which could make it difficult for us and our licensors to stop the infringement of our and our licensors’ patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our and our licensors’ proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our and our licensors’ patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our attention from other aspects of our business, could put our and our licensors’ patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our and our licensors’ patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us or our licensors. We or our licensors may not prevail in any lawsuits that we or our licensors initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful.

The requirements for patentability may differ in certain countries, particularly developing countries. For example, unlike other countries, China has a heightened requirement for patentability, and specifically requires a detailed description of medical uses of a claimed drug. In India, unlike the United States, there is no link between regulatory approval of a drug and its patent status. Furthermore, generic drug manufacturers or other competitors may challenge the scope, validity or enforceability of our or our licensors’ patents, requiring us or our licensors to engage in complex, lengthy and costly litigation or other proceedings. Generic drug manufacturers may develop, seek approval for, and launch generic versions of our products. In addition to India, certain countries in Europe and developing countries, including China, have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In those countries, we and our licensors may have limited remedies if patents are infringed or if we or our licensors are compelled to grant a license to a third party, which could materially diminish the value of those patents. This could

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limit our potential revenue opportunities. Accordingly, our and our licensors’ efforts to enforce intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we own or license.

If we breach our license agreement with Bayer related to entinostat or if the license agreement is otherwise terminated, we could lose the ability to continue the development and commercialization of entinostat.

Our commercial success depends upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell entinostat. In March 2007, we entered into a license, development and commercialization agreement, or the Bayer license agreement, with Bayer pursuant to which we obtained a worldwide, exclusive license to develop and commercialize entinostat and any other products containing the same active ingredient. The Bayer license agreement, as amended, permits us to use entinostat or other licensed products under the Bayer license agreement for the treatment of any human disease, and we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, manufacture and commercialize licensed products for all commercially reasonable indications.

We are obligated to pay Bayer up to approximately $50 million in the aggregate upon obtaining certain milestones in the development and marketing approval of entinostat, assuming that we pursue at least two different indications for entinostat or any other licensed product under the Bayer license agreement. We are also obligated to pay Bayer up to $100 million in aggregate sales milestones, and a tiered, single-digit royalty on net sales by us, our affiliates and sublicensees of entinostat and any other licensed products under the Bayer license agreement. We are obligated to pay Bayer these royalties on a country-by-country basis for the life of the relevant licensed patents covering such product or 15 years after the first commercial sale of such product in such country, whichever is longer. We cannot determine the date on which our royalty payment obligations to Bayer would expire because no commercial sales of entinostat have occurred and the last-to-expire relevant patent covering entinostat in a given country may change in the future.

The Bayer license agreement will remain in effect until the expiration of our royalty obligations under the agreement in all countries. Either party may terminate the Bayer license agreement in its entirety or with respect to certain countries in the event of an uncured material breach by the other party. Either party may terminate the Bayer license agreement if voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceedings are instituted against the other party, if the other party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or upon the occurrence of other specific events relating to the insolvency or dissolution of the other party. Bayer may terminate the Bayer license agreement if we seek to revoke or challenge the validity of any patent licensed to us by Bayer under the Bayer license agreement or if we procure or assist a third party to take any such action.

If the Bayer license agreement is terminated, we would not be able to develop, manufacture, market or sell entinostat and would need to negotiate a new or reinstated agreement, which may not be available to us on equally favorable terms, or at all.

If we breach the UCB license agreement related to axatilimab or if the UCB license agreement is otherwise terminated, we could lose the ability to continue the development and commercialization of axatilimab.

Our commercial success depends upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell axatilimab. Subject to the achievement of certain milestone events, we may be required to pay UCB up to $119.5 million in one-time development and regulatory milestone payments over the term of the UCB license agreement. If we or any of our affiliates or sublicensees commercializes axatilimab, we will also be obligated to pay UCB low double-digit royalties on sales, subject to reduction in certain circumstances, as well as up to an aggregate of $250 million in potential one-time sales-based milestone payments based on achievement of certain annual sales thresholds. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to share a percentage of non-royalty income from sublicensees, subject to certain deductions, with UCB.

Either party may terminate the UCB license agreement in its entirety or with respect to certain countries in the event of an uncured material breach by the other party. Either party may terminate the UCB license agreement if voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceedings are instituted against the other party, if the other party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or upon the occurrence of other specific events relating to the insolvency or dissolution of the other party. UCB may terminate the UCB license agreement if we seek to revoke or challenge the validity of any patent licensed to us by UCB under the UCB license agreement or if we procure or assist a third party to take any such action.

Unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, the UCB license agreement will continue on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until the later of: (i) the expiration of all of the licensed patent rights in such country; (ii) the expiration of all regulatory exclusivity applicable to the product in such country; and (iii) 10 years from the date of the first commercial sale of the product in such country. We cannot determine the date on which our royalty payment obligations to UCB would expire because no commercial sales of axatilimab have occurred and the last-to-expire relevant patent covering axatilimab in a given country may change in the future.

If the UCB license agreement is terminated, we would not be able to develop, manufacture, market or sell axatilimab and would need to negotiate a new or reinstated agreement, which may not be available to us on equally favorable terms, or at all.

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If we breach the license agreement related to SNDX-5613 or if the license agreement is otherwise terminated, we could lose the ability to continue the development and commercialization of SNDX-5613.

Our commercial success depends upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell SNDX-5613. Subject to the achievement of certain milestone events, we may be required to pay Vitae, a subsidiary of Allergan, up to $99 million in one-time development and regulatory milestone payments over the term of the Allergan license agreement. In the event that we or any of our affiliates or sublicensees commercializes SNDX-5613, we will also be obligated to pay Allergan low single to low double-digit royalties on sales, subject to reduction in certain circumstances, as well as up to an aggregate of $70 million in potential one-time sales-based milestone payments based on achievement of certain annual sales thresholds. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to share a percentage of non-royalty income from sublicensees, subject to certain deductions, with Allergan.

Either party may terminate the license agreement in its entirety or with respect to certain countries in the event of an uncured material breach by the other party. Either party may terminate the license agreement if voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceedings are instituted against the other party, if the other party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or upon the occurrence of other specific events relating to the insolvency or dissolution of the other party. Allergan may terminate the license agreement if we seek to revoke or challenge the validity of any patent licensed to us by Allergan under the license agreement or if we procure or assist a third party to take any such action.

Unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, the license agreement will continue on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until the later of: (i) the expiration of all of the licensed patent rights in such country; (ii) the expiration of all regulatory exclusivity applicable to the product in such country; and (iii) 10 years from the date of the first commercial sale of the product in such country. We cannot determine the date on which our royalty payment obligations to Allergan would expire because no commercial sales of SNDX-5613 have occurred and the last-to-expire relevant patent covering SNDX-5613 in a given country may change in the future.

If the license agreement is terminated, we would not be able to develop, manufacture, market or sell SNDX-5613 and would need to negotiate a new or reinstated agreement, which may not be available to us on equally favorable terms, or at all.

Changes in patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our product candidates.

As is the case with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biopharmaceutical industry involve technological and legal complexity, and obtaining and enforcing biopharmaceutical patents is costly, time-consuming, and inherently uncertain. The Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our and our licensors’ ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by Congress, the federal courts, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that may weaken our and our licensors’ ability to obtain new patents or to enforce existing patents and patents we and our licensors or collaborators may obtain in the future. In view of recent developments in U.S. patent laws, in spite of our efforts and the efforts of our licensors, we may face difficulties in obtaining allowance of our biomarker based patient selection patent claims or if we are successful in obtaining allowance of our biomarker based patient selection claims, we or our licensor may be unsuccessful in defending the validity of such claims if challenged before a competent court.

Recent patent reform legislation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our and our licensors’ patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our or our licensors’ issued patents. On September 16, 2011, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the America Invents Act, was signed into law. The America Invents Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the way patent applications are prosecuted and may also affect patent litigation. The USPTO recently developed new regulations and procedures to govern administration of the American Invents Act, and many of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the America Invents Act and in particular, the first to file provisions, only became effective on March 16, 2013. Accordingly, it is not clear what, if any, impact the America Invents Act will have on the operation of our business. However, the America Invents Act and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our or our licensors’ patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our or our licensors’ issued patents, all of which could harm our business and financial condition.

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Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

Periodic maintenance and annuity fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO and foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If we or our licensors fail to maintain the patents and patent applications covering our product candidates, our competitors might be able to enter the market, which would harm our business.

We may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our intellectual property, which could be expensive, time-consuming and unsuccessful and have an adverse effect on the success of our business and on our stock price.

Third parties may infringe our or our licensors’ patents or misappropriate or otherwise violate our or our licensors’ intellectual property rights. In the future, we or our licensors may initiate legal proceedings to enforce or defend our or our licensors’ intellectual property rights, to protect our or our licensors’ trade secrets or to determine the validity or scope of intellectual property rights we own or control. Also, third parties may initiate legal proceedings against us or our licensors to challenge the validity or scope of intellectual property rights we own or control. The proceedings can be expensive and time-consuming and many of our or our licensors’ adversaries in these proceedings may have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to prosecuting these legal actions than we or our licensors can. Accordingly, despite our or our licensors’ efforts, we or our licensors may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating intellectual property rights we own or control, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect our rights as fully as in the United States. Litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of management resources, which could harm our business and financial results. In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent owned by or licensed to us is invalid or unenforceable, or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our or our licensors’ patents do not cover the technology in question. An adverse result in any litigation proceeding could put one or more of our or our licensors’ patents at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable or interpreted narrowly.

Third-party preissuance submission of prior art to the USPTO, or opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review or interference proceedings, or other preissuance or post-grant proceedings in the United States or other jurisdictions provoked by third parties or brought by us or our licensors or collaborators may be necessary to determine the priority of inventions with respect to our or our licensors’ patents or patent applications. An unfavorable outcome could require us or our licensors to cease using the related technology and commercializing our product candidates, or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us or our licensors a license on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even if we or our licensors obtain a license, it may be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us or our licensors. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by our or our licensors’ patents and patent applications is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to license, develop or commercialize current or future product candidates. Even if we successfully defend such litigation or proceeding, we may incur substantial costs and it may distract our management and other employees. We could be found liable for monetary damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees, if we are found to have willfully infringed a patent.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this process. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a downward effect on the price of shares of our common stock.

Third parties may initiate legal proceedings against us alleging that we infringe their intellectual property rights or we may initiate legal proceedings against third parties to challenge the validity or scope of intellectual property rights controlled by third parties, the outcome of which would be uncertain and could have an adverse effect on the success of our business.

Third parties may initiate legal proceedings against us or our licensors or collaborators alleging that we or our licensors or collaborators infringe their intellectual property rights or we or our licensors or collaborators may initiate legal proceedings against third parties to challenge the validity or scope of intellectual property rights controlled by third parties, including in oppositions, interferences, reexaminations, inter partes reviews or derivation proceedings before the United States or other jurisdictions. These proceedings can be expensive and time-consuming and many of our or our licensors’ adversaries in these proceedings may have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to prosecuting these legal actions than we or our licensors or collaborators can.

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An unfavorable outcome could require us or our licensors or collaborators to cease using the related technology or developing or commercializing our product candidates, or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us or our licensors or collaborators a license on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even if we or our licensors or collaborators obtain a license, it may be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us or our licensors or collaborators. In addition, we could be found liable for monetary damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees, if we are found to have willfully infringed a patent. A finding of infringement could prevent us from commercializing our product candidates or force us to cease some of our business operations, which could materially harm our business.

We may be subject to claims by third parties asserting that we or our employees have misappropriated their intellectual property, or claiming ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property.

Many of our employees, including our senior management, were previously employed at universities or at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Some of these employees executed proprietary rights, non-disclosure and non-competition agreements in connection with such previous employment. Although we try to ensure that our employees do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that we or these employees have used or disclosed confidential information or intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any such employee’s former employer. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims.

In addition, for some of our in-licensed patents and patent applications, we do not have access to every patent assignments or employee agreements demonstrating that all inventors have assigned their rights to the inventions or related patents. As a result, we may be subject to claims of ownership by such inventors.

If we fail in prosecuting or defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel or sustain damages. Such intellectual property rights could be awarded to a third party, and we could be required to obtain a license from such third party to commercialize our technology or products. Such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even if we successfully prosecute or defend against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and distract management.

Our inability to protect our confidential information and trade secrets would harm our business and competitive position.

In addition to seeking patents for some of our technology and products, we also rely on trade secrets, including unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary information, to maintain our competitive position. We seek to protect these trade secrets, in part, by entering into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to them, such as our employees, corporate collaborators, outside scientific collaborators, third-party manufacturers, consultants, advisors and other third parties. We also enter into confidentiality and invention or patent assignment agreements with our employees and consultants. Despite these efforts, any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts both within and outside the United States may be less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets. If a competitor lawfully obtained or independently developed any of our trade secrets, we would have no right to prevent such competitor from using that technology or information to compete with us, which could harm our competitive position.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The market price of our stock may be volatile and you could lose all or part of your investment.

The trading price of our common stock is highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which we cannot control. In addition to the factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this report, these factors include:

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In addition, the stock market in general, and the Nasdaq Global Select Market and biopharmaceutical companies in particular, frequently experiences extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of such companies, including very recently in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in decreased stock prices for many companies notwithstanding the lack of a fundamental change in their underlying business models or prospects. Broad market and industry factors, including potentially worsening economic conditions and other adverse effects or developments relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, may negatively affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. The realization of any of the above risks or any of a broad range of other risks, including those described in this “Risk Factors” section, could have a dramatic and negative impact on the market price of our common stock.

We may sell additional equity or debt securities or enter into other arrangements to fund our operations, which may result in dilution to our stockholders and impose restrictions or limitations on our business.

Until we can generate a sufficient amount of revenue from our products, if ever, we expect to finance future cash needs through public or private equity or debt offerings. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of additional equity or debt securities, it may result in dilution to our existing stockholders and/or increased fixed payment obligations. In August 2019, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-233564) that allows us to sell up to an aggregate of $300 million of our common stock, which includes up to $50.0 million designated for an at-the-market offering program. As of March 31, 2020, $50.0 million of common stock remained available for sale under the at-the-market offering program. Further, in May 2020, we sold 5,555,556 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $18.00 with net proceeds of approximately $93.7 million. In January 2020, we sold 3,036,719 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $8.00 and pre-funded warrants to purchase 1,338,287 shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $35.0 million. Upon the completion of the January 2020 offering, we had 5,838,287 pre-funded warrant shares outstanding. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable into shares of common stock for $0.0001 per share. The shares of common stock into which the warrants may be exercised are considered outstanding for the purposes of computing earnings per share. We also have two outstanding series of warrants, Series 1 warrants and Series 2 warrants.  As of March 31, 2020, there were 2,297,517 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of Series 1 warrants outstanding, at an exercise price of $10.00 per share, and there were 2,297,522 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of Series 2 warrants outstanding, at an exercise price of $13.00 per share. To the extent that these warrants have been or may be exercised, our stockholders may experience further dilution.

We may also seek additional funding through government or other third-party funding and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. These financing activities may have an adverse impact on our stockholders’ rights as well as on our operations, and such additional funding may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all. Furthermore, these securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock and could contain covenants that would restrict our operations and potentially impair our competitiveness, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. For example, on February 7, 2020, we entered into the Credit Facility with Hercules, which provided for aggregate maximum borrowings of up to $30.0 million, consisting of (i) a term loan of up to $20.0 million, which was funded on February 7, 2020, and (ii) subject to

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Hercules’ investment committee approval, an additional term loan of up to $10.0 million, available for borrowing from February 7, 2020 to December 15, 2020. Borrowings under the loan agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries personal property and other assets, other than our intellectual property. In addition, the loan agreement includes customary affirmative and restrictive covenants and representations and warranties, including a covenant against the occurrence of a “change in control,” financial reporting obligations, and certain limitations on indebtedness, liens (including a negative pledge on intellectual property and other assets), investments, distributions (including dividends), collateral, investments, distributions, transfers, mergers or acquisitions, taxes, corporate changes, and deposit accounts.

Additionally, if we seek funds through arrangements with collaborative partners, these arrangements may require us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies or product candidates or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us. Any of these events could significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding our stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If no or few securities or industry analysts continue coverage of us, the trading price for our stock could be negatively impacted. If any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding us, our business model, our intellectual property or our stock performance, or if our trials or operating results fail to meet the expectations of analysts, our stock price could decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

Our principal stockholders and management own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.

As of April 1, 2020, our executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates beneficially own approximately 54.4% of our outstanding voting stock and options. These stockholders may be able to determine all matters requiring stockholder approval. For example, these stockholders may be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets or other major corporate transaction. This may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our common stock that you may feel are in your best interest as one of our stockholders. The interests of this group of stockholders may not always coincide with your interests or the interests of other stockholders and they may act in a manner that advances their best interests and not necessarily those of other stockholders, including seeking a premium value for their common stock, and might affect the prevailing market price for our common stock.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act and a “smaller reporting company” and may avail ourselves of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to such companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

For so long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various requirements applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including:

We may take advantage of these exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” We would cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of: (i) December 31, 2021; (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-

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convertible debt securities; or (iv) as of the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year.

We currently take advantage of some, but not all, of the reduced regulatory and reporting requirements that are available to us so long as we qualify as an “emerging growth company.” For example, we have irrevocably elected not to take advantage of the extension of time to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards available under Section 102(b) of the JOBS Act. Our independent registered public accounting firm is not be required to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting so long as we qualify as an “emerging growth company,” which may increase the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting go undetected. Likewise, so long as we qualify as an “emerging growth company,” we may elect not to provide you with certain information, including certain financial information and certain information regarding compensation of our executive officers, that we would otherwise have been required to provide in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, which may make it more difficult for investors and securities analysts to evaluate our company. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock, and our stock price may be more volatile and may decline.

We are also a smaller reporting company as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as (i) our voting and non-voting common stock held by nonaffiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.

We will continue to incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will devote substantial time to compliance initiatives.

As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, and these expenses may increase even more after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act, as well as rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock. In August 2019, we entered into a sales agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC, or Cowen, under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50.0 million from time to time through Cowen, acting as agent, in a series of one or more ATM equity offerings, or the 2019 ATM Program. Cowen is not required to sell any specific amount but acts as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. To date no shares of common stock were sold under the 2019 ATM program.

We may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert management attention.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile, and in the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting in the future, we may not be able to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our common stock.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal controls for financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Commencing after the filing of our initial annual report on Form 10-K, we will be required, under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that results in more than a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or

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interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also generally requires an attestation from our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of the exemption permitting us not to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement. Our compliance with Section 404 will require that we incur substantial expense and expend significant management efforts. We currently do not have an internal audit group, and we will need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate public company experience and technical accounting knowledge, and compile the system and process documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404. We may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting once that firm begin its Section 404 reviews, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

Some provisions of our charter documents and Delaware law may have anti-takeover effects that could discourage an acquisition of us by others, even if an acquisition would benefit our stockholders and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or increase the cost of acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, or remove our current management. These provisions include a classified board of directors, a prohibition on actions by written consent of our stockholders and the ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, who are responsible for appointing the members of our management. Because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, which may discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring us or merging with us whether or not it is desired by or beneficial to our stockholders. Under the DGCL, a corporation may not, in general, engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other things, the board of directors has approved the transaction. Any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.

None.

None.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 7, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Version

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is made and dated as of February 7, 2020 and is entered into by and among SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and each of its Qualified Subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (collectively, referred to as the “Lenders”) and HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., a Maryland corporation, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent for itself and the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Agent”).

RECITALS

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, Borrower, Agent and the Lenders agree as follows:

Section 1.  DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

1.1Unless otherwise defined herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

“Account Control Agreement(s)” means any agreement entered into by and among the Agent, Borrower and a third party bank or other institution (including a Securities Intermediary) in which Borrower maintains a Deposit Account or an account holding Investment Property and which perfects Agent’s first priority security interest in the subject account or accounts.

“ACH Authorization” means the ACH Debit Authorization Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit G, which account numbers shall be redacted for security purposes if and when filed publicly by the Borrower.

“Advance(s)” means a Term Loan Advance.

“Advance Date” means the funding date of any Advance.

“Advance Request” means a request for an Advance submitted by Borrower to Agent in substantially the form of Exhibit A, which account numbers shall be redacted for security purposes if and when filed publicly by the Borrower.

“Affiliate” means (a) any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Person in question, (b) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote thirty percent (30%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of another Person, or (c) any Person thirty percent (30%) or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held by another Person with power to vote such securities.  As used in the definition of “Affiliate,” the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of

 

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the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Agreement” means this Loan and Security Agreement, as amended from time to time.

“Amortization Date” means October 1, 2021; provided however, if the Interest Only Extension Conditions are satisfied, then April 1, 2022.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to Borrower or any of its Affiliates from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including without limitation the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar legislation in any other jurisdictions.

“Anti‑Terrorism Laws” means any laws, rules, regulations or orders relating to terrorism or money laundering, including without limitation Executive Order No. 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), the USA PATRIOT Act, the laws comprising or implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, and the laws administered by OFAC.

“Blocked Person” means any Person:  (a) listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (b) a Person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any Person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (c) a Person with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law, (d) a Person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as defined in Executive Order No. 13224, or (e) a Person that is named a “specially designated national” or “blocked person” on the most current list published by OFAC or other similar list.

“Borrower Products” means all products, software, service offerings, technical data or technology currently being designed, manufactured or sold by Borrower or which Borrower intends to sell, license, or distribute in the future including any products or service offerings under development, collectively, together with all products, software, service offerings, technical data or technology that have been sold, licensed or distributed by Borrower since its incorporation.

“Borrower’s Books” means Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ books and records including ledgers, federal, state, local and foreign tax returns, records regarding Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets or liabilities, the Collateral, business operations or financial condition, and all computer programs or storage or any equipment containing such information.

“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which banking institutions in the State of California are closed for business.

“Cash” means all cash, cash equivalents and liquid funds.

“Change in Control” means (a) any reorganization, recapitalization, consolidation or merger (or similar transaction or series of related transactions) of Parent, or sale or exchange of outstanding shares (or similar transaction or series of related transactions) of Parent, in each case, in which the “beneficial owners” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of Parent’s outstanding shares immediately before consummation of such transaction or series of related transactions do not, immediately after consummation of such transaction or series of related transactions, continue to beneficially own shares representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the surviving entity of such transaction or series of related transactions (or the parent of such surviving entity if such surviving entity is wholly owned by such parent), in each case without regard to whether Parent is

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the surviving entity or (b) Parent ceases to own 100% of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the merger of any Borrower into any other Borrower shall not constitute a Change in Control.

“Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Borrower.

“Contingent Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to (i) any Indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of credit or other obligation of another, including any such obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made or discounted or sold with recourse by that Person, or in respect of which that Person is otherwise directly or indirectly liable; (ii) any obligations with respect to undrawn letters of credit, corporate credit cards or merchant services issued for the account of that Person; and (iii) all obligations arising under any Hedging Agreement; provided, however, that the term “Contingent Obligation” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determined amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith; provided, however, that such amount shall not in any event exceed the maximum amount of the obligations under the guarantee or other support arrangement.

“Copyright License” means any written agreement granting any right to use any Copyright or Copyright registration, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower or in which Borrower now holds or hereafter acquires any interest.

“Copyrights” means all copyrights, whether registered or unregistered, held pursuant to the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, or of any other country.

“Deposit Accounts” means any “deposit accounts,” as such term is defined in the UCC, and includes any checking account, savings account, or certificate of deposit.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States of America.

“Due Diligence Fee” means $25,000, which fee has been paid to the Lenders prior to the Closing Date, and shall be deemed fully earned on such date regardless of the early termination of this Agreement.

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, the capital stock, partnership or limited liability company interest, or other equity securities or equity ownership interests of such Person.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means (x) Syndax UK and (y) the MSC Subsidiary.

“FDA” means the United States Food and Drug Administration, or any successor thereto.

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“Excluded Accounts” means (i) any Deposit Account that is used solely as a payroll account for the employees of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the funds in which consist solely of funds held in trust for any director, officer or employee of such Borrower or Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan maintained by such Borrower or Subsidiary or funds representing deferred compensation for the directors and employees of such Borrower or Subsidiary, collectively not to exceed 150% of the amount to be paid in the ordinary course of business in the then-next payroll cycle (ii) escrow accounts, Deposit Accounts and trust accounts, in each case holding assets that are pledged or otherwise encumbered as set forth on Schedule 1C or pursuant to Section 7.5 and the definition of Permitted Liens (but only to the extent required to be excluded pursuant to the underlying documents entered into in connection with such Permitted Liens in the ordinary course of business) and (iii) foreign accounts held by Borrower not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate at any time.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary other than a Domestic Subsidiary.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time.

“Guaranty” means a guaranty in a form reasonably acceptable to Agent.

“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designated to protect Borrower or its Subsidiaries against fluctuation in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity price.

“Indebtedness” means indebtedness of any kind, including (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade credit entered into in the ordinary course of business), including reimbursement and other obligations with respect to surety bonds and letters of credit, (b) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all capital lease obligations, (d) equity securities of any Person subject to repurchase or redemption other than at the sole option of such Person, (e) “earnouts”, deferred purchase price and similar payment obligations or continuing obligations of any nature arising out of purchase and sale contracts, and (f) all Contingent Obligations.  

“Initial Facility Charge” means One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

“Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding by or against any Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code, or any other bankruptcy or insolvency law, including assignments for the benefit of creditors, compositions, extensions generally with its creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.

“Intellectual Property” means all of Borrower’s Copyrights; Trademarks; Patents; Licenses; trade secrets and inventions; mask works; Borrower’s applications therefor and reissues, extensions, or renewals thereof; and Borrower’s goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, together with Borrower’s rights to sue for past, present and future infringement of Intellectual Property and the goodwill associated therewith.

“Interest Only Extension Conditions” shall mean satisfaction of each of the following events:  (a) no default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (b) on or before October 1, 2021, Borrower achieves Performance Milestone I, subject to verification by Agent (including supporting documentation requested by Agent).

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“Investment” means any beneficial ownership (including stock, partnership, limited liability company interests, or other securities) of or in any Person or any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person or the acquisition of all, or substantially all, assets of another Person.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Joinder Agreements” means for each Subsidiary, a completed and executed Joinder Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.

“License” means any Copyright License, Patent License, Trademark License or other license of rights or interests.

“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment for security, security interest, encumbrance, levy, lien or charge of any kind, whether voluntarily incurred or arising by operation of law or otherwise, against any property, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature of a security interest.

“Loan” means the Advances made under this Agreement.

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the promissory notes (if any), the ACH Authorization, the Account Control Agreements, the Joinder Agreements, all UCC Financing Statements, the Pledge Agreement, and any other documents executed in connection with the Secured Obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated.

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect upon: (i) the business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (ii) the ability of Borrower to perform or pay the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, or the ability of Agent or the Lenders to enforce any of its rights or remedies with respect to the Secured Obligations; or (iii) the Collateral or Agent’s Liens on the Collateral or the priority of such Liens.

“Maximum Term Loan Amount” means Thirty Million and No/100 Dollars ($30,000,000.00).

“MSC Investment Conditions” means that Borrower maintains Qualified Cash in an amount equal to or greater than the lesser of (i) 110% of the aggregate outstanding Secured Obligations (inclusive of any Prepayment Charge and End of Term Charge that would be due and owing if the outstanding Loans were prepaid at the time of measurement) or (ii) 100% of the consolidated Cash of Borrower and its Subsidiaries unless compliance with the foregoing conditions are waived in writing from time to time by Agent with respect to specified periods, in Agent’s sole discretion.  

“MSC Subsidiary” means Syndax Securities Corporation, a wholly-owned Subsidiary incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purpose of holding Investments as a Massachusetts security corporation under 830 CMR 63.38B.1 of the Massachusetts tax code and applicable regulations (as the same may be amended, modified or replaced from time to time).

“NDA” means a new drug application, submitted to the FDA pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §355 for authorization to market a new drug.

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“Non-Disclosure Agreement” means that certain Non-Disclosure Agreement by and between Syndax Pharmaceuticals and Hercules Capital dated as of November 27, 2018.

“OFAC” is the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

“OFAC Lists” are, collectively, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by OFAC pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (Sept. 25, 2001) and/or any other list of terrorists or other restricted Persons maintained pursuant to any of the rules and regulations of OFAC or pursuant to any other applicable Executive Orders.

“Patent License” means any written agreement granting any right with respect to any invention on which a Patent is in existence or a Patent application is pending, in which agreement Borrower now holds or hereafter acquires any interest.

“Patents” means all letters patent of, or rights corresponding thereto, in the United States of America or in any other country, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications for letters patent of, or rights corresponding thereto, in the United States of America or any other country.

“Performance Milestone I” means satisfaction of each of the following events:

(a) no  Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(b) the Phase 3 clinical trial of entinostat (E2112) in patients with breast cancer, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02115282 (i) has achieved the protocol-specified primary efficacy endpoint of showing a statistically significant improvement in overall survival with an acceptable safety profile and supporting efficacy data (i.e., progression free survival and objective response rate are not statistically significantly worse in the combination arm), such that the totality of safety and efficacy data are sufficient to file an NDA as the next immediate step in clinical development, in each case subject to verification by Agent (including supporting documentation reasonably requested by Agent).  

“Performance Milestone II” means satisfaction of each of the following events:

(a) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(b) Borrower has achieved proof of concept in its Phase 1/2 clinical study of SNDX-5613, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04065399, that evidence regarding safety, tolerability and clinical measures of disease control in patients with MLL-r Leukemia that, within Lender’s reasonable discretion, would support the progression of SNDX-5613 into one or more Phase 2 clinical studies, in each case subject to verification by Agent (including supporting documentation reasonably requested by Agent).

“Permitted Indebtedness” means:

(i)Indebtedness of Borrower in favor of the Lenders or Agent arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(ii)Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date which is disclosed in Schedule 1A;

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(iii)Indebtedness of up to $500,000 outstanding at any time secured by a Lien described in clause (vii) of the defined term “Permitted Liens,” provided such Indebtedness does not exceed the cost of the Equipment financed with such Indebtedness;

(iv)Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business and Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business with corporate credit cards, merchant cards, purchase cards, debit cards and other similar instruments in an amount not to exceed $600,000 at any time outstanding;

(v)Indebtedness that also constitutes a Permitted Investment;

(vi)Subordinated Indebtedness;

(vii)reimbursement obligations in connection with letters of credit, including those provided for the benefit of a landlord in connection with real property leases for office spaces in the ordinary course of business, that are secured by Cash and issued on behalf of the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof in an amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time outstanding,

(viii)other unsecured Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $250,000 at any time outstanding,

(ix)intercompany Indebtedness as long as either (A) each of the Subsidiary obligor and the Subsidiary obligee under such Indebtedness is a Subsidiary that has executed a Joinder Agreement or (B) such indebtedness constituted a Permitted Investment pursuant to clause (x) of Permitted Investments;

(x)obligations under any Hedging Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 outstanding at any time;

(xi)licenses permitted pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Permitted Transfers or otherwise permitted hereunder, to the extent involving the incurrence of Indebtedness;

(xii)extensions, refinancings and renewals of any items of Permitted Indebtedness, provided that the principal amount is not increased or the terms modified to impose materially more burdensome terms upon Borrower or its Subsidiary, as the case may be; and

(xiii)without duplication to the extent constituting Indebtedness, obligations of the Borrower under each of: (a) that certain License Agreement by and between Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Parent, dated October 17, 2017, as amended as of March 8, 2017, and (b) that certain License Agreement by and between UCB Biopharma Sprl and Parent, dated as of July 1, 2016, as amended as of January 25, 2019.

“Permitted Investment” means:

(i)Investments existing on the Closing Date which are disclosed in Schedule 1B;

(ii)Investments described in Borrower’s investment policy as approved by Agent in writing (it being understood that the investment policy provided to Agent prior to the Closing Date shall be deemed approved in writing) from time to time;

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(iii)repurchases of stock from former employees, directors, or consultants of Borrower under the terms of applicable repurchase agreements at the original issuance price of such securities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year, provided that no Event of Default has occurred, is continuing or would exist immediately after giving effect to the repurchases;

(iv)Investments accepted in connection with Permitted Transfers;

(v)Investments (including debt obligations) (a) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent or doubtful obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business and (b) consisting of the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business;

(vi)Investments consisting of notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, to customers and suppliers who are not Affiliates, in the ordinary course of business, provided that this subparagraph (vi) shall not apply to Investments of Borrower in any Subsidiary;

(vii)Investments consisting of loans not involving the net transfer on a substantially contemporaneous basis of cash proceeds to employees, officers or directors relating to the purchase of capital stock of Borrower pursuant to employee stock purchase plans or other similar agreements approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors;

(viii)Investments consisting of travel advances in the ordinary course of business;

(ix)Investments in newly-formed Subsidiaries, provided that each such Subsidiary enters into a Joinder Agreement promptly after its formation by Borrower and execute such other documents as shall be reasonably requested by Agent;

(x)Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries that are not co-Borrowers or Guarantors, not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year;

(xi)joint ventures or strategic alliances in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business, provided that any cash Investments by Borrower do not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement;

(xii)Investments in the MSC Subsidiary, so long as an Event of Default does not exist at the time of such Investment and would not exist after giving effect to such Investment and provided that Borrower is, at all times, in compliance with the MSC Investment Conditions;

(xiii)Hedging Agreements permitted under clause (x) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness; and

(xiv)additional Investments that do not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(i)Liens in favor of Agent or the Lenders;

(ii)Liens existing on the Closing Date which are disclosed in Schedule 1C;

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(iii)Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges or levies, either not delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided, that Borrower maintains adequate reserves therefor on Borrower’s Books in accordance with GAAP (to the extent required thereby);

(iv)Liens securing claims or demands of materialmen, artisans, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other like Persons arising in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business and imposed without action of such parties; provided, that the payment thereof is not yet sixty (60) days past due;

(v)Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances which do not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;

(vi)deposits to secure the performance of obligations (including by way of deposits to secure letters of credit issued to secure the same, to the extent constituting Permitted Indebtedness) and the following deposits, to the extent made in the ordinary course of business: deposits under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security and other similar laws, or to secure the performance of bids, tenders or contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or to secure indemnity, performance or other similar bonds for the performance of bids, tenders or contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or to secure statutory obligations (other than Liens arising under ERISA or environmental Liens) or surety or appeal bonds, or to secure indemnity, performance or other similar bonds;

(vii)Liens on Equipment or software or other intellectual property constituting purchase money Liens and Liens in connection with capital leases securing Indebtedness permitted in clause (iii) of “Permitted Indebtedness”;

(viii)Liens incurred in connection with Subordinated Indebtedness;

(ix)leasehold interests in leases or subleases and licenses or sublicenses granted in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any material respect with the business of the licensor;

(x)Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of custom duties that are promptly paid on or before the date they become due;

(xi)Liens on insurance proceeds securing the payment of financed insurance premiums that are promptly paid on or before the date they become due (provided that such Liens extend only to such insurance proceeds and not to any other property or assets);

(xii)statutory and common law rights of set-off and other similar rights as to deposits of cash and securities in favor of banks, other depository institutions and brokerage firms;

(xiii)easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business so long as they do not materially impair the value or marketability of the related property;

(xiv)(A) Liens on Cash securing obligations permitted under clause (vii) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness and (B) security deposits in connection with real property

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leases, the combination of (A) and (B) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time;

(xv)Liens incurred in connection with sales, transfers, licenses, sublicenses, leases, subleases or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business and permitted by Section 7.8;

(xvi)Liens on Cash securing obligations permitted under clauses (iv) and (x) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

(xvii)other Liens in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time provided that such liens be limited to specific assets and not all assets or substantially all assets of Borrower; and

(xviii)Liens incurred in connection with the extension, renewal or refinancing of the Indebtedness secured by Liens of the type described in clauses (i) through (xvii) above; provided, that any extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to the property encumbered by the existing Lien and the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed or refinanced (as may have been reduced by any payment thereon) does not increase.

“Permitted Transfers” means:

(i)sales, transfers or other dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course of business,

(ii)non-exclusive licenses, sublicenses and similar arrangements for the use of Intellectual Property and related assets in the ordinary course of business and other licenses and sublicenses that could not result in a legal transfer of title of the licensed property but that may be exclusive in respects other than territory and that may be exclusive as to territory only as to discreet geographical areas outside of the United States of America in the ordinary course of business,

(iii)dispositions of worn-out, obsolete or surplus Equipment at fair market value in the ordinary course of business,

(iv)transfers expressly permitted under Sections 7.5, 7.6 or 7.7, and

(v)other Transfers of assets having a fair market value of not more than $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year.

“Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation, limited liability company, institution, other entity or government.

“Pledge Agreement” means the Pledge Agreement dated as of the Closing Date between Borrower and Agent, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated, modified or otherwise supplemented.

“Qualified Cash” means the amount of Borrower’s Cash held in accounts in the United States subject to an Account Control Agreement in favor of Agent.

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“Qualified Cash A/P Amount” means the amount of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ accounts payable that have not been paid within ninety (90) days from the due date of the relevant account payable.

“Qualified Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary other than an Excluded Subsidiary.

“Receivables” means (i) all of Borrower’s Accounts, Instruments, Documents, Chattel Paper, Supporting Obligations, letters of credit, proceeds of any letter of credit, and Letter of Credit Rights, and (ii) all customer lists, software, and business records related thereto.

“Required Lenders” means at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding.

“Restricted License” means any material License or other agreement with respect to which Borrower is the licensee (a) that prohibits or otherwise restricts Borrower from granting a security interest in Borrower’s interest in such License or agreement or any other property, or (b) for which a default under or termination of could interfere with the Agent’s right to sell any Collateral.

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions.

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any EU member state, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person controlled by any such Person.

“Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

“Secured Obligations” means Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and any Loan Document, including any obligation to pay any amount now owing or later arising.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness subordinated to the Secured Obligations in amounts and on terms and conditions satisfactory to Agent in its reasonable discretion and subject to a subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in its reasonable discretion.

“Subsidiary” means an entity, whether a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or otherwise, in which Borrower owns or controls 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities, including each entity listed on Schedule 1 hereto.

“Syndax UK” means Syndax Limited, a limited company organized under the law of England and Wales.

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“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any governmental authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Term Commitment” means as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Term Loan Advance to the Borrower in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Term Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1.

“Term Loan Advance” means each Tranche 1 Advance, Tranche 2 Advance, and any other Term Loan funds advanced under this Agreement.

“Term Loan Interest Rate” means, for any day a per annum rate of interest equal to the greater of either (i) the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal plus 5.10%, and (ii) 9.85%.

“Term Loan Maturity Date” means September 1, 2023; provided however, if Borrower achieves Performance Milestone I, then March 1, 2024; provided further that if any such day is not a Business Day, the Term Loan Maturity Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

“Trademark License” means any written agreement granting any right to use any Trademark or Trademark registration, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower or in which Borrower now holds or hereafter acquires any interest.

“Trademarks” means all trademarks (registered, common law or otherwise) and any applications in connection therewith, including registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States of America, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof.

“Tranche 2 Facility Charge” means 0.5% of each Tranche 2 Advance, which is payable to Lender in accordance with Section 4.2(d).

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same is, from time to time, in effect in the State of California; provided, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, Agent’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as the same is, from time to time, in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of California, then the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, from time to time, in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority or remedies and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

1.2The following terms are defined in the Sections or subsections referenced opposite such terms:

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1.3Unless otherwise specified, all references in this Agreement or any Annex or Schedule hereto to a “Section,” “subsection,” “Exhibit,” “Annex,” or “Schedule” shall refer to the corresponding Section, subsection, Exhibit, Annex, or Schedule in or to this Agreement.  Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any accounting term used in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall have the meaning customarily given such term in accordance with GAAP, and all financial computations hereunder shall be computed in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied; provided that, no effect shall be given to Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases (or any other Accounting Standards Codification having similar result or effect) (and related interpretations) to the extent any lease (or similar arrangement) would be required to be treated as a capital lease thereunder where such lease (or arrangement) would have been treated as an operating lease under GAAP as in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of such Accounting Standards Codification. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the other Loan Documents, terms that are used herein or in the other Loan Documents and defined in the UCC shall have the meanings given to them in the UCC.  For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

Section 2.  THE LOAN

2.1[Reserved.]

2.2Term Loan.

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(a)Advances.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders will severally (and not jointly) make in an amount not to exceed its respective Term Commitment, and Borrower agrees to draw, a Term Loan Advance of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) on the Closing Date (the “Tranche 1 Advance”). Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and conditioned on approval by the Lenders’ investment committee in its sole and unfettered discretion, on or before December 15, 2021, Borrower may request additional Term Loan Advances in an aggregate principal amount up to Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) (each, a “Tranche 2 Advance”).  The aggregate outstanding Term Loan Advances may be up to the Maximum Term Loan Amount.

(b) Advance Request.  To obtain a Term Loan Advance, Borrower shall complete, sign and deliver an Advance Request (at least three (3) Business Days before the Advance Date other than the Closing Date, which shall be at least one (1) Business Day) to Agent.  The Lenders shall fund the Term Loan Advance in the manner requested by the Advance Request provided that each of the conditions precedent to such Term Loan Advance is satisfied as of the requested Advance Date.

(c)Interest.  Term Loan Interest Rate.  The principal balance of the Term Loan shall bear interest thereon from such Advance Date at the Term Loan Interest Rate based on a year consisting of 360 days, with interest computed daily based on the actual number of days elapsed.  The Term Loan Interest Rate will float and change on the day the prime rate changes from time to time.

(d)Payment.  Borrower will pay accrued but unpaid interest on each outstanding Term Loan Advance on the first Business Day of each month, beginning the month after the Advance Date.  Borrower shall repay the aggregate Term Loan principal balance that is outstanding on the day immediately preceding the Amortization Date, in equal monthly installments of principal and interest (mortgage style) beginning on the Amortization Date and continuing on the first Business Day of each month thereafter until the Secured Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) are repaid.  The entire Term Loan principal balance and all accrued but unpaid interest hereunder, shall be due and payable on the Term Loan Maturity Date.  Borrower shall make all payments under this Agreement without setoff, recoupment or deduction and regardless of any counterclaim or defense.  If a payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.  The Lenders will initiate debit entries to the Borrower’s account as authorized on the ACH Authorization (i) on each payment date of all periodic obligations payable to the Lenders under each Term Loan Advance and (ii) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal fees and costs incurred by Agent or the Lenders in connection with Section 11.12 of this Agreement; provided that, with respect to clause (i) above, in the event that the Lenders or Agent informs Borrower that the Lenders will not initiate a debit entry to Borrower’s account for a certain amount of the periodic obligations due on a specific payment date, Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such amount of periodic obligations in full in immediately available funds on such payment date; provided, further, that, with respect to clause (i) above, if the Lenders or Agent informs Borrower that the Lenders will not initiate a debit entry as described above later than the date that is three (3) Business Days prior to such payment date, Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such amount of periodic obligations in full in immediately available funds on the date that is three (3) Business Days after the date on which the Lenders or Agent notifies Borrower of such; provided, further, that, with respect to clause (ii) above, in the event that the Lenders or Agent informs Borrower that the Lenders will not initiate a debit entry to Borrower’s account for certain amount of such out-of-pocket legal fees and costs incurred by Agent or the Lenders, Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such amount in full in immediately available funds within three (3) Business Days.

2.3Maximum Interest.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the parties’ intent not to contract for, charge or receive interest at a rate that is greater than the maximum rate permissible by law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall deem applicable hereto (which under the laws of the State of California shall be deemed to be the laws relating to permissible

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rates of interest on commercial loans) (the “Maximum Rate”).  If a court of competent jurisdiction shall finally determine that Borrower has actually paid to the Lenders an amount of interest in excess of the amount that would have been payable if all of the Secured Obligations had at all times borne interest at the Maximum Rate, then such excess interest actually paid by Borrower shall be applied as follows:  first, to the payment of the Secured Obligations consisting of the outstanding principal; second, after all principal is repaid, to the payment of the Lenders’ accrued interest, costs, expenses, professional fees and any other Secured Obligations; and third, after all Secured Obligations are repaid, the excess (if any) shall be refunded to Borrower.

2.4Default Interest.  In the event any payment is not paid on the scheduled payment date (other than a failure to pay due solely to an administrative or operational error of Agent or the Lenders or Borrower’s bank if Borrower had the funds to make the payment when due and makes the payment within three (3) Business Days following Borrower’s knowledge of such failure to pay), an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the past due amount shall be payable on demand. In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default hereunder, all Secured Obligations, including principal, interest, compounded interest, and professional fees, shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate set forth in Section 2.2(c) plus five percent (5%) per annum.  In the event any interest is not paid when due hereunder, delinquent interest shall be added to principal and shall bear interest on interest, compounded at the rate set forth in Section 2.2(c) or Section 2.4, as applicable.

2.5Prepayment.  At its option upon at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to Agent, Borrower may prepay all, but not less than all, of the outstanding Advances by paying the entire principal balance, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, together with a prepayment charge equal to the following percentage of the Advance amount being prepaid: with respect to each Advance, if such Advance amounts are prepaid in any of the first twelve (12) months following the Closing Date, 2.00%; after twelve (12) months but prior to twenty four (24) months, 1.50%; and thereafter, 1.00% (each, a “Prepayment Charge”).  Borrower agrees that the Prepayment Charge is a reasonable calculation of the Lenders’ lost profits in view of the difficulties and impracticality of determining actual damages resulting from an early repayment of the Advances.  Borrower shall prepay the outstanding amount of all principal and accrued interest through the prepayment date and the Prepayment Charge upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or any other prepayment hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Agent and the Lenders agree to waive the Prepayment Charge if Agent, the Lenders or any Affiliate thereof (in their sole and absolute discretion) agree in writing to refinance the Advances prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date.  Any amounts paid under this Section shall be applied by Agent to the then unpaid amount of any Secured Obligations (including principal and interest) in such order and priority as Agent may choose in its sole discretion.  In connection with any prepayment of all outstanding Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms herein, Borrowers may request to terminate this Agreement and the Term Commitments upon such repayment of all outstanding Secured Obligations by written notice to Agent and Lenders. For the avoidance of doubt, if a payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

2.6End of Term Charge.  On the earliest to occur of (i) the Term Loan Maturity Date, (ii) the date that Borrower prepays the outstanding Secured Obligations (other than any inchoate indemnity obligations and any other obligations which, by their terms, are to survive the termination of this Agreement) in full, or (iii) the date that the Secured Obligations become due and payable, Borrower shall pay the Lenders a charge equal to 4.99% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan Advances (the “End of Term Charge”). Notwithstanding the required payment date of such End of Term Charge, it shall be deemed earned by the Lenders as of the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if a payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

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2.7Pro Rata Treatment.  Each payment (including prepayment) on account of any fee and any reduction of the Term Loans shall be made pro rata according to the Term Commitments of the relevant Lender.

2.8Taxes; Increased Costs.  The Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders each hereby agree to the terms and conditions set forth on Addendum 1 attached hereto.

2.9Treatment of Prepayment Charge and End of Term Charge.  Borrower agrees that any Prepayment Charge and any End of Term Charge payable shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Lender as the result of the early termination, and Borrower agrees that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing and existing as of the Closing Date.  The Prepayment Charge and the End of Term Charge shall also be payable in the event the Secured Obligations (and/or this Agreement) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure, or by any other means.  Borrower expressly waives (to the fullest extent it may lawfully do so) the provisions of any present or future statute or law that prohibits or may prohibit the collection of the foregoing Prepayment Charge and End of Term Charge in connection with any such acceleration.  Borrower agrees (to the fullest extent that each may lawfully do so): (a) each of the Prepayment Charge and the End of Term Charge is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (b) each of the Prepayment Charge and the End of Term Charge shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (c) there has been a course of conduct between the Lenders and Borrower giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Prepayment Charge and the End of Term Charge as a charge (and not interest) in the event of prepayment or acceleration; (d) Borrower shall be estopped from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph.  Borrower expressly acknowledges that their agreement to pay each of the Prepayment Charge and the End of Term Charge to the Lenders as herein described was on the Closing Date and continues to be a material inducement to the Lenders to provide the Term Loans.

Section 3.  SECURITY INTEREST

3.1As security for the prompt and complete payment when due (whether on the payment dates or otherwise) of all the Secured Obligations, Borrower grants to Agent a security interest in all of Borrower’s right, title, and interest in, to and under all of Borrower’s personal property and other assets including without limitation the following (except as set forth herein) whether now owned or hereafter acquired (collectively, the “Collateral”):  (a) Receivables; (b) Equipment; (c) Fixtures; (d) General Intangibles (other than Intellectual Property); (e) Inventory; (f) Investment Property; (g) Deposit Accounts; (h) Cash; (i) Goods; and all other tangible and intangible personal property of Borrower whether now or hereafter owned or existing, leased, consigned by or to, or acquired by, Borrower and wherever located, and any of Borrower’s property in the possession or under the control of Agent; and, to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds of each of the foregoing and all accessions to, substitutions and replacements for, and rents, profits and products of each of the foregoing; provided, however, that the Collateral shall include all Accounts and General Intangibles that consist of rights to payment and proceeds from the sale, licensing or disposition of all or any part, or rights in, the Intellectual Property (the “Rights to Payment”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a judicial authority (including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court) holds that a security interest in the underlying Intellectual Property is necessary to have a security interest in the Rights to Payment, then the Collateral shall automatically, and effective as of the date of this Agreement, include the Intellectual Property to the extent necessary to permit perfection of Agent’s security interest in the Rights to Payment.

3.2Notwithstanding the broad grant of the security interest set forth in Section 3.1, above, the Collateral shall not include (a) Excluded Accounts, (b) nonassignable licenses or contracts, which by

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their terms require the consent of the licensor thereof or another party (but only to the extent such prohibition on transfer is enforceable under applicable law, including, without limitation, Sections 9406, 9407 and 9408 of the UCC), or (c) more than 65% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of any Foreign Subsidiary which shares entitle the holder thereof to vote for directors or any other matter, solely to the extent Borrower has provided Agent with evidence satisfactory to Agent that the pledge of more than 65% of such voting stock of such Subsidiary would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse tax consequence to Borrower, and solely for as long as such consequence may result, such portion of such voting stock of such Subsidiary, if excluded from the Collateral, would avoid such material adverse tax consequence (it being understood that in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary whose ownership does not satisfy the holding period requirement set forth in Section 246(c)(5) of the Code, not more than 65% of such Foreign Subsidiary’s stock shall be required to be pledged until the holding period is satisfied).

3.3If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, Agent’s Lien in the Collateral shall continue until the Secured Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) are paid in full in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  At such time, the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created hereby, this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Agent, Lender and each Borrower hereunder shall terminate.  Agent agrees to execute such documents, return any Collateral held by Agent hereunder and take such other steps as are reasonably necessary to accomplish the foregoing, all at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense.

Section 4.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOAN

The obligations of the Lenders to make the Loan hereunder are subject to the satisfaction by Borrower of the following conditions:

4.1Initial Advance.  On or prior to the Closing Date, Borrower shall have delivered to Agent the following:

(a)executed copies of the Loan Documents, Account Control Agreements, and all other documents and instruments reasonably required by Agent to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby or to create and perfect the Liens of Agent with respect to all Collateral, in all cases in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent;

(b)a legal opinion of Borrower’s counsel, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent;

(c)certified copy of resolutions of Borrower’s board of directors evidencing approval of the Loan and other transactions evidenced by the Loan Documents;

(d)certified copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws, as amended through the Closing Date, of Borrower;

(e)a certificate of good standing for Borrower from its state of incorporation and similar certificates from all other jurisdictions in which it does business and where the failure to be qualified could have a Material Adverse Effect;

(f)evidence reasonably satisfactory to Agent that Borrower has received at least Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) in unrestricted (including, not subject to any redemption, clawback, escrow or similar encumbrance or restriction) net cash proceeds from one or more bona fide

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equity financings, in each case after December 16, 2019 and prior to the Closing Date, in each case subject to verification by Agent (including supporting documentation reasonably requested by Agent);

(g)payment of the Due Diligence Fee, Initial Facility Charge and reimbursement of Agent’s and Lender’s current expenses reimbursable pursuant to this Agreement, which amounts may be deducted from the initial Advance;

(h)all certificates of insurance and copies of each insurance policy required hereunder; and

(i)such other documents as Agent may reasonably request.

4.2All Advances.  On or prior to each Advance Date:

(a)Agent shall have received (i) an Advance Request for the relevant Advance as required by Section 2.2(b), each duly executed by Borrower’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operating Officer, and (ii) any other documents Agent may reasonably request.

(b)The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Advance Date with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.

(c)Borrower shall be in compliance with all the terms and provisions set forth herein and in each other Loan Document on its part to be observed or performed, and at the time of and immediately after such Advance no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(d)with respect to any Tranche 2 Advance, Borrower shall have paid the applicable Tranche 2 Facility Charge.

(e)Each Advance Request shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower on the relevant Advance Date as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.2 and as to the matters set forth in the Advance Request.

4.3No Default.  As of the Closing Date and each Advance Date, (i) no fact or condition exists that could (or could, with the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both) constitute an Event of Default and (ii) no event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing.

Section 5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BORROWER

Borrower represents and warrants that:

5.1Corporate Status.  Borrower is a corporation duly organized, legally existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its business or location of its properties require such qualifications and where the failure to be qualified would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Borrower’s present name, former names (if any), locations, place of formation, Tax identification number, organizational identification number and other information are correctly set forth in Exhibit B, as may be updated by Borrower in a written notice (including any Compliance Certificate) provided to Agent after the Closing Date.

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5.2Collateral.  Borrower owns the Collateral and the Intellectual Property, free of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.  Borrower has the power and authority to grant to Agent a Lien in the Collateral as security for the Secured Obligations.

5.3Consents.  Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of Borrower, (ii) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon the Collateral, other than Permitted Liens and the Liens created by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) do not violate any provisions of Borrower’s Certificate or Articles of Incorporation (as applicable), bylaws, or any, law, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree or writ to which Borrower is subject and (iv) except as described on Schedule 5.3, do not violate any material contract or material agreement or require the consent or approval of any other Person which has not already been obtained.  The individual or individuals executing the Loan Documents are duly authorized to do so.

5.4Material Adverse Effect.  No event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing. Borrower is not aware of any event likely to occur that is reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.5Actions Before Governmental Authorities.  There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any governmental authority now pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting Borrower or its property, that is reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.6Laws.  Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any law, rule or regulation, or in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any governmental authority, where such violation or default is reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Borrower is not in default in any manner under any provision of any agreement or instrument evidencing material Indebtedness, or any other material agreement to which it is a party or by which it is bound.

Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged as one of its important activities in extending credit for margin stock (under Regulations X, T and U of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors).  Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.  Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company” as each term is defined and used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005.  Neither Borrower’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has been used by Borrower or such Subsidiary or, to Borrower’s Knowledge, by previous Persons, in disposing, producing, storing, treating, or transporting any hazardous substance other than in material compliance with applicable laws.  Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations of, made all declarations or filings with, and given all notices to, all Governmental Authorities that are necessary to continue their respective businesses as currently conducted.

None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or, to Borrower’s knowledge, any of Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Affiliates or any of their respective agents acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is (i) in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law, (ii) engaging in or conspiring to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iii) is a Blocked Person.  None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Borrower and any of its Affiliates or agents, acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the transactions

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contemplated by this Agreement, (x) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, or (y) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224, any similar executive order or other Anti-Terrorism Law.  None of the funds to be provided under this Agreement will be used, directly or indirectly, (a) for any activities in violation of any applicable anti-money laundering, economic sanctions and anti-bribery laws and regulations laws and regulations or (b) for any payment to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

5.7Information Correct and Current.  No information, report, Advance Request, financial statement, exhibit or schedule furnished (in each case, other than forecasts, projections and other forward looking statements and information of a general economic or industry nature), by or on behalf of Borrower to Agent in connection with any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto contained, or, when taken as a whole, contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or, when taken together with all other such information or documents, omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were, are or will be made, not materially misleading at the time such statement was made or deemed made. Additionally, any and all financial or business projections provided by Borrower to Agent, whether prior to or after the Closing Date, shall be (i) provided in good faith and based on the most current data and information available to Borrower at the time delivered, and (ii) the most current of such projections provided to Borrower’s Board of Directors (it being understood that such projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Borrower, that no assurance is given that any particular projections will be realized, and that actual results may differ).

5.8Tax Matters.  Except as described on Schedule 5.8 and as otherwise being contested in good faith with adequate reserves under GAAP, (a) Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all material federal and state income Tax returns and other material Tax returns that they are required to file, (b) Borrower and its Subsidiaries have duly paid or fully reserved for all federal and state income Taxes and other material Taxes or installments thereof that they are required to pay as and when due, except Taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower and its Subsidiaries maintain adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP, and (c) to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, no proposed or pending Tax assessments, deficiencies, audits or other proceedings with respect to Borrower or any Subsidiary have had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

5.9Intellectual Property Claims.  Borrower is the sole owner of, or otherwise has the right to use, the Intellectual Property material to Borrower’s business.  Except as described on Schedule 5.9, (i) each of the material Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents is valid and enforceable, (ii) no material part of the Intellectual Property has been judged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and (iii) no claim has been made to Borrower that any material part of the Intellectual Property violates the rights of any third party. Exhibit C is a true, correct and complete list of each of Borrower’s Patents, registered Trademarks, registered Copyrights, and material agreements under which Borrower licenses Intellectual Property from third parties (other than shrink-wrap software licenses), together with application or registration numbers, as applicable, owned by Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case as of the Closing Date. Borrower is not in material breach of, nor has Borrower failed to perform any material obligations under, any of the foregoing contracts, licenses or agreements and, to Borrower’s knowledge, no third party to any such contract, license or agreement is in material breach thereof or has failed to perform any material obligations thereunder.

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5.10Intellectual Property.  Except as described on Schedule 5.10, Borrower has all material rights with respect to Intellectual Property necessary or material in the operation or conduct of Borrower’s business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted by Borrower.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and in the case of Licenses, except for restrictions that are unenforceable under Division 9 of the UCC, Borrower has the right, to the extent required to operate Borrower’s business, to freely transfer, license or assign Intellectual Property necessary or material in the operation or conduct of Borrower’s business as currently conducted and proposed to be conducted by Borrower, without condition, restriction or payment of any kind (other than license payments in the ordinary course of business) to any third party, and Borrower owns or has the right to use, pursuant to valid licenses, all software development tools, library functions, compilers and all other third-party software and other items that are material to Borrower’s business and used in the design, development, promotion, sale, license, manufacture, import, export, use or distribution of Borrower Products except customary covenants in inbound license agreements and equipment leases where Borrower is the licensee or lessee.  Except as described in Schedule 5.10 or disclosed in the Compliance Certificate, Borrower is not a party to, nor is it bound by, any Restricted License.

No material software or other materials used by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or used in any Borrower Products or any Subsidiaries’ products) are subject to an open-source or similar license (including but not limited to the General Public License, Lesser General Public License, Mozilla Public License, or Affero License) (collectively, “Open Source Licenses”) in a manner that would cause such software or other materials to have to be (i) distributed to third parties at no charge or a minimal charge (royalty-free basis); (ii) licensed to third parties to modify, make derivative works based on, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer; or (iii) used in a manner that does could require disclosure or distribution in source code form.

5.11Borrower Products.  Except as described on Schedule 5.11, no material Intellectual Property owned by Borrower or Borrower Product has been or is subject to any actual or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened litigation in writing, proceeding (including any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any corresponding foreign office or agency) or outstanding decree, order, judgment, settlement agreement or stipulation that restricts in any material manner Borrower’s use, transfer or licensing thereof or that may affect the validity, use or enforceability thereof. There is no decree, order, judgment, agreement, stipulation, arbitral award or other provision entered into in connection with any litigation or proceeding that obligates Borrower to grant licenses or ownership interest in any material future Intellectual Property related to the operation or conduct of the business of Borrower or Borrower Products.  Borrower has not received any written notice or claim, or, to the knowledge of Borrower, oral notice or claim, challenging or questioning Borrower’s ownership in any material Intellectual Property (or written notice of any claim challenging or questioning the ownership in any licensed Intellectual Property of the owner thereof) or suggesting that any third party has any claim of legal or beneficial ownership with respect thereto nor, to Borrower’s knowledge, is there a reasonable basis for any such claim.  Neither Borrower’s use of its Intellectual Property nor the production and sale of Borrower Products infringes the Intellectual Property or other rights of others.

5.12Financial Accounts.  Exhibit D, as may be updated by the Borrower in a written notice provided to Agent after the Closing Date, is a true, correct and complete list of (a) all banks and other financial institutions at which Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the MSC Subsidiary) maintains Deposit Accounts and (b) all institutions at which Borrower or any Subsidiary maintains an account holding Investment Property, and such exhibit correctly identifies the name, address and telephone number of each bank or other institution, the name in which the account is held, a description of the purpose of the account, and the complete account number therefor.

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5.13Employee Loans.  Except as permitted hereunder, Borrower has no outstanding loans to any employee, officer or director of the Borrower nor has Borrower guaranteed the payment of any loan made to an employee, officer or director of the Borrower by a third party.

5.14Subsidiaries.  Borrower does not own any stock, partnership interest or other securities of any Person, except for Permitted Investments.  Attached as Schedule 1, as may be updated by Borrower in a written notice provided after the Closing Date, is a true, correct and complete list of each direct and indirect Subsidiary of Parent.

5.15Foreign Subsidiary Voting Rights. No decision or action in any governing document of any Foreign Subsidiary requires a vote of greater than 50.1% of the Equity Interests or voting rights of such Foreign Subsidiary.

Section 6.  INSURANCE; INDEMNIFICATION  

6.1Coverage.  Borrower shall cause to be carried and maintained commercial general liability insurance, on an occurrence form, against risks customarily insured against in Borrower’s line of business.  Such risks shall include the risks of bodily injury, including death, property damage, personal injury, advertising injury, and limited contractual liability per the terms of the indemnification agreement found in Section 6.3.  Borrower must maintain a minimum of $2,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance for each occurrence.  Borrower has and agrees to maintain a minimum of $2,000,000 of directors’ and officers’ insurance for each occurrence and $5,000,000 in the aggregate.  So long as there are any Secured Obligations outstanding (other than inchoate indemnity obligations), Borrower shall also cause to be carried and maintained insurance upon the Collateral, insuring against special risks of physical loss or damage howsoever caused, in an amount not less than the full replacement cost of the Collateral, provided that such insurance may be subject to standard exceptions and deductibles.  If Borrower fails to obtain the insurance called for by this Section 6.1 or fails to pay any premium thereon or fails to pay any other amount which Borrower is obligated to pay under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or which may be required to preserve the Collateral, Agent may obtain such insurance or make such payment, and all amounts so paid by Agent are immediately due and payable, bearing interest at the then highest rate applicable to the Secured Obligations, and secured by the Collateral.  Agent will make reasonable efforts to provide Borrower with notice of Agent obtaining such insurance at the time it is obtained or within a reasonable time thereafter.  No payments by Agent are deemed an agreement to make similar payments in the future or Agent’s waiver of any Event of Default.

6.2Certificates.  Borrower shall deliver to Agent certificates of insurance that evidence Borrower’s compliance with its insurance obligations in Section 6.1 and the obligations contained in this Section 6.2.  Borrower’s insurance certificate shall state Agent (shown as “Hercules Capital, Inc., as Agent”) is an additional insured for commercial general liability, a lenders loss payable for all risk property damage insurance, subject to the insurer’s approval, and a lenders loss payable for property insurance and additional insured for liability insurance for any future insurance that Borrower may acquire from such insurer.  Attached to the certificates of insurance will be additional insured endorsements for liability and lender’s loss payable endorsements for all risk property damage insurance.  All certificates of insurance will provide for a minimum of thirty (30) days advance written notice to Agent of cancellation (other than cancellation for non-payment of premiums, for which ten (10) days’ advance written notice shall be sufficient).  Any failure of Agent to scrutinize such insurance certificates for compliance is not a waiver of any of Agent’s rights, all of which are reserved.  Borrower shall provide Agent with copies of each insurance policy, and upon entering or amending any insurance policy required hereunder, Borrower shall provide Agent with copies of such policies and shall promptly deliver to Agent updated insurance certificates with respect to such policies.

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6.3Indemnity.  Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold Agent, the Lenders and their officers, directors, employees, agents, in-house attorneys, representatives and shareholders (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities (including such claims, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities based on liability in tort, including strict liability in tort), including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and disbursements and other costs of investigation or defense (including those incurred upon any appeal) (collectively, “Liabilities”), that may be instituted or asserted against or incurred by such Indemnified Person as the result of credit having been extended, suspended or terminated under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or the administration of such credit, or in connection with or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder, or any actions or failures to act in connection therewith, or arising out of the disposition or utilization of the Collateral, excluding in all cases Liabilities to the extent resulting solely from any Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  This Section 6.3 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.  In no event shall Borrower or any Indemnified Person be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings).  This Section 6.3 shall survive the repayment of indebtedness under, and otherwise shall survive the expiration or other termination of, the Loan Agreement.

Section 7.  COVENANTS OF BORROWER

Borrower agrees as follows:

7.1Financial Reports.  Borrower shall furnish to Agent the financial statements and reports listed hereinafter (the “Financial Statements”):

(a)as soon as practicable (and in any event within 30 days) after the end of each month, unaudited interim and year-to-date financial statements of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month (prepared on a consolidated basis), including balance sheet and related statements of income and cash flows accompanied by a report detailing any material contingencies (including the commencement of any material litigation by or against Borrower) or any other occurrence that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all certified by Borrower’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operating Officer to the effect that they have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, except (i) for the absence of footnotes, (ii) that they are subject to normal year-end adjustments, and (iii) they do not contain certain non-cash items that are customarily included in quarterly and annual financial statements;

(b)as soon as practicable (and in any event within 45 days) after the end of each calendar  quarter, unaudited interim and year-to-date financial statements of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such calendar quarter (prepared on a consolidated basis), including balance sheet and related statements of income and cash flows accompanied by a report detailing any material contingencies (including the commencement of any material litigation by or against Borrower) or any other occurrence that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,  certified by Borrower’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operating Officer to the effect that they have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, except (i) for the absence of footnotes, and (ii) that they are subject to normal year-end adjustments;

(c)as soon as practicable (and in any event within ninety (90) days) after the end of each fiscal year, unqualified audited financial statements of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such year (prepared on a consolidated basis), including balance sheet and related statements of income and cash flows, and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding fiscal year, certified by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by Borrower and reasonably

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acceptable to Agent, accompanied by any management report from such accountants (it being understood that Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and any other accounting firm of national standing are reasonably acceptable to Agent);

(d)together with each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (c), a Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit E;

(e)as soon as practicable (and in any event within 30 days) after the end of each month, a report showing agings of accounts receivable and accounts payable;

(f)promptly after the sending or filing thereof, as the case may be, copies of any proxy statements, financial statements or reports that Borrower has made available to holders of its preferred stock and copies of any regular, periodic and special reports or registration statements that Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental authority that may be substituted therefor, or any national securities exchange;

(g)copies of all minutes approved by the Board of Director within 30 days after each such approval, provided that in all cases Borrower may exclude confidential compensation information, information subject to attorney client privilege and information that would raise a direct conflict of interest with Agent or Lender;

(h)financial and business projections promptly following their approval by Borrower’s Board of Directors, and in any event, within 60 days after the end of Borrower’s fiscal year, as well as budgets, operating plans and other financial information reasonably requested by Agent; and

(i)prompt notice if Borrower or any Subsidiary has knowledge that Borrower, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, is listed on the OFAC Lists or (a) is convicted on, (b) pleads nolo contendere to, (c) is indicted on, or (d) is arraigned and held over on charges involving money laundering or predicate crimes to money laundering.

Borrower shall not make any change in its (a) accounting policies or reporting practices other than to the extent required or otherwise contemplated by GAAP or other applicable regulatory requirements, or as approved by Agent, with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, or (b) fiscal years or fiscal quarters. The fiscal year of Borrower shall end on December 31.

The executed Compliance Certificate and all Financial Statements required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) shall be sent via e-mail to Agent at financialstatements@htgc.com with a copy to legal@htgc.com and jbourque@htgc.com; provided, that if e-mail is not available or sending such Financial Statements via e-mail is not possible, they shall be faxed to Agent at: (650) 473-9194, attention Account Manager: Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, documents required to be delivered under Sections 7.1(a), (b), (c) or (f) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which Borrower emails a link thereto to Agent; provided that Borrower shall directly provide Agent all Financial Statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(b) and (c) hereunder.

7.2Management Rights.  Borrower shall permit any representative that Agent or the Lenders authorizes, including its attorneys and accountants, to inspect the Collateral and examine and make copies and abstracts of the books of account and records of Borrower at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice during normal business hours; provided, however, that so long as no Event of Default has occurred

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and is continuing, such examinations shall be limited to no more often than once per fiscal year.  In addition, any such representative shall have the right to meet with management and officers of Borrower to discuss such books of account and records.  In addition, Agent or the Lenders shall be entitled at reasonable times and intervals to consult with and advise the management and officers of Borrower concerning significant business issues affecting Borrower.  Such consultations shall not unreasonably interfere with Borrower’s business operations.  The parties intend that the rights granted Agent and the Lenders shall constitute “management rights” within the meaning of 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101(d)(3)(ii), but that any advice, recommendations or participation by Agent or the Lenders with respect to any business issues shall not be deemed to give Agent or the Lenders, nor be deemed an exercise by Agent or the Lenders of, control over Borrower’s management or policies.

7.3Further Assurances.  Borrower shall from time to time execute, deliver and file, alone or with Agent, any financing statements, security agreements, collateral assignments, notices, control agreements, promissory notes or other documents to perfect, give the highest priority to Agent’s Lien on the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, or otherwise evidence Agent’s rights herein.  Borrower shall from time to time procure any instruments or documents as may be reasonably requested by Agent, and take all further action that may be necessary, or that Agent may reasonably request, to perfect and protect the Liens granted hereby and thereby.  In addition, and for such purposes only, Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to execute and deliver on behalf of Borrower and to file such financing statements (including in accordance with Section 9-504 of the UCC), collateral assignments, notices, control agreements, security agreements and other documents without the signature of Borrower either in Agent’s name or in the name of Agent as agent and attorney-in-fact for Borrower.  Borrower shall protect and defend Borrower’s title to the Collateral and Agent’s Lien thereon against all Persons claiming any interest adverse to Borrower or Agent other than Permitted Liens.

7.4Indebtedness.  Borrower shall not create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain liable with respect to any Indebtedness, or permit any Subsidiary so to do, other than Permitted Indebtedness, or prepay any Indebtedness or take any actions which impose on Borrower an obligation to prepay any Indebtedness, except for (a) the conversion of Indebtedness into equity securities and the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection with such conversion, (b) purchase money Indebtedness pursuant to its then applicable payment schedule, (c) prepayment by any Subsidiary of (i) inter-company Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to any Borrower, or (ii) if such Subsidiary is not a Borrower, intercompany Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to another Subsidiary that is not a Borrower, extensions, refinancings and renewals of any items of Permitted Indebtedness, provided that the principal amount is not increased or the terms modified to impose materially more burdensome terms upon Borrower or its Subsidiary, as the case may be, (e) Indebtedness owed under corporate credit cards constituting “Permitted Indebtedness” and prepaid in the ordinary course of business, (f) trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent permitted under subsection (iv) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”, or (g) as otherwise permitted hereunder or approved in writing by Agent.

7.5Collateral.  Borrower shall at all times keep the Collateral, the Intellectual Property and all other property and assets used in Borrower’s business or in which Borrower now or hereafter holds any interest free and clear from any legal process or Liens whatsoever (except for Permitted Liens), and shall give Agent prompt written notice of any legal process affecting the Collateral, the Intellectual Property, such other property and assets, or any Liens thereon, provided however, that the Collateral and such other property and assets may be subject to Permitted Liens except that there shall be no Liens whatsoever on Intellectual Property.  Borrower shall not agree with any Person other than Agent or the Lenders not to encumber its property other than pursuant to (a) any agreements governing any purchase money Liens or capital lease obligations otherwise permitted hereby (in which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby) and (b) customary restrictions on assets subject to Liens permitted under subsection (xiv) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” (in which

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case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the cash collateral provided thereto). Borrower shall not enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of any Borrower to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property (including Intellectual Property), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party other than pursuant to (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) any agreements governing any purchase money Liens or capital lease obligations otherwise permitted hereby (in which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby) and (c) customary restrictions on the assignment, sublicense or sublease of leases, licenses and other agreements. Borrower shall cause its Subsidiaries to protect and defend such Subsidiary’s title to its assets from and against all Persons claiming any interest adverse to such Subsidiary, and Borrower shall cause its Subsidiaries at all times to keep such Subsidiary’s property and assets free and clear from any Liens whatsoever (except for Permitted Liens, provided however, that there shall be no Liens whatsoever on Intellectual Property), and shall give Agent prompt written notice of any legal process affecting such Subsidiary’s assets in an amount greater than $500,000.

7.6Investments.  Borrower shall not directly or indirectly acquire or own, or make any Investment in or to any Person, or permit any of its Subsidiaries so to do, other than Permitted Investments.

7.7Distributions.  Borrower shall not, and shall not allow any Subsidiary to, (a) repurchase or redeem any class of stock or other Equity Interest other than pursuant to employee, director or consultant repurchase plans or other similar agreements, provided, however, in each case the repurchase or redemption price does not exceed the original consideration paid for such stock or Equity Interest, or (b) declare or pay any cash dividend or make any other cash distribution on any class of stock or other Equity Interest, except that a Subsidiary may pay dividends or make other distributions to Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower, or (c) lend money to any employees, officers or directors or guarantee the payment of any such loans granted by a third party in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate or (d) waive, release or forgive any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness represented by a Permitted Investment made pursuant to clause (viii) of the definition of “Permitted Investment”) owed by any employees, officers or directors in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year.

7.8Transfers.  Except for Permitted Transfers, Borrower shall not, and shall not allow any Subsidiary to, voluntarily or involuntarily transfer, sell, lease, license, lend or in any other manner convey any equitable, beneficial or legal interest in any material portion of its assets.

7.9Mergers or Acquisitions.  Borrower shall not merge or consolidate, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to merge or consolidate, with or into any other business organization (other than mergers or consolidations of (a) a Subsidiary which is not a Borrower into another Subsidiary or into Borrower or (b) a Borrower into another Borrower), or acquire, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to acquire, in each case including for the avoidance of doubt through a merger, purchase, in-licensing arrangement or any similar transaction, all or substantially all of the capital stock or any property of another Person.

7.10Taxes.  Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay when due all material Taxes of any nature whatsoever now or hereafter imposed or assessed against Borrower or the Collateral or upon Borrower’s ownership, possession, use, operation or disposition thereof or upon Borrower’s rents, receipts or earnings arising therefrom.  Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, accurately file on or before the due date therefor (taking into account proper extensions) all federal and state income Tax returns and other material Tax returns required to be filed.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower and its Subsidiaries may contest, in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, Taxes for which Borrower and its Subsidiaries maintain adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.

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7.11Corporate Changes.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall change its corporate name, legal form or jurisdiction of formation without twenty (20) days’ prior written notice to Agent.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall suffer a Change in Control.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall relocate its chief executive office or its principal place of business unless: (i) it has provided prior written notice to Agent; and (ii) such relocation shall be within the continental United States of America with respect to Borrower.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall relocate any item of Collateral (other than (x) sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (y) relocations of Equipment having an aggregate value of up to $500,000 in any fiscal year, and (z) relocations of Collateral from a location described on Exhibit B to another location described on Exhibit B) unless (a) it has provided prompt written notice to Agent, (b) such relocation is within the continental United States of America with respect to Borrower and, (c) if such relocation is to a third party bailee, it has delivered a bailee agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent.

7.12Deposit Accounts.  Other than Excluded Accounts, neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) shall maintain any Deposit Accounts, or accounts holding Investment Property, except with respect to which Agent has an Account Control Agreement.

7.13Borrower shall notify Agent of each Subsidiary formed subsequent to the Closing Date and, within 15 days of formation, shall cause any such Subsidiary that is a Qualified Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Agent a Joinder Agreement.  With respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Qualified Subsidiary at such time, immediately upon any change in the U.S. tax laws that would result in such Subsidiary ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary, Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Agent a Joinder Agreement.

7.14MSC Investment Conditions.  At any time that the MSC Subsidiary has any assets or liabilities, Borrower shall satisfy the MSC Investment Conditions at all times.

7.15Notification of Event of Default.  Borrower shall notify Agent promptly, and in any event within two (2) Business Days, upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default.

7.16Foreign Subsidiary Voting Rights. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary, to amend or modify any governing document of any Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower, the effect of which is to require a vote of greater than 50.1% of the Equity Interests or voting rights of such entity for any decision or action of such entity.

7.17Use of Proceeds.  Borrower agrees that the proceeds of the Loans shall be used solely to pay related fees and expenses in connection with this Agreement and for working capital and general corporate purposes.  The proceeds of the Loans will not be used in violation of Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.  

7.18[Reserved.]

7.19Compliance with Laws.

Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to maintain, compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules or regulations (including any law, rule or regulation with respect to the making or brokering of loans or financial accommodations), and shall, or cause its Subsidiaries to, obtain and maintain all required governmental authorizations, approvals, licenses, franchises, permits or registrations reasonably necessary in connection with the conduct of Borrower’s business.

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Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries permit any Affiliate under Parent’s direct or indirect control to, directly or indirectly, knowingly enter into any documents, instruments, agreements or contracts with any Person listed on the OFAC Lists.  Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, permit any Affiliate under Parent’s direct or indirect control to, directly or indirectly, (i) conduct any business or engage in any transaction or dealing with any Blocked Person, including, without limitation, the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, (ii) deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224 or any similar executive order or other Anti‑Terrorism Law, or (iii) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in Executive Order No. 13224 or other Anti‑Terrorism Law.

Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees and to the knowledge of Borrower its directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.

None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or to the knowledge of Borrower, any agent for Borrower or its Subsidiaries that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.  No Loan, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.

7.20Financial Covenant (Minimum Cash).  In the event Borrower fails to achieve either Performance Milestone I or Performance Milestone II on or before September 30, 2020, beginning on October 1, 2020:

(a)Subject to Sections 7.20(b) and 7.20(c), Borrower shall, at all times, maintain Qualified Cash in an amount greater than or equal to  Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000) plus the Qualified Cash A/P Amount.

(b)Notwithstanding Section 7.20(a) and subject to Section 7.20(c), if each of the following has occurred, beginning on the date that all of the following has occurred, Borrower shall, at all times, maintain Qualified Cash in an amount greater than or equal to  Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) plus the Qualified Cash A/P Amount:

(i)Borrower has received at least an amount equal to Seventy Million Dollars ($70,000,000.00) in unrestricted (including, not subject to any redemption, clawback, escrow or similar encumbrance or restriction) net cash proceeds from one or more bona fide equity financings, Subordinated Indebtedness and/or upfront/milestone proceeds from new business development transactions permitted under this Agreement, in each case after December 16, 2019 and prior to December 31, 2020, in each case subject to verification by Agent (including supporting documentation reasonably requested by Agent) (the “Financial Covenant Milestone I”); and

(ii)at least one wholly-owned asset of Borrower is in the clinical development or regulatory review stage (i.e., (i) a Borrower-owned NDA is being prepared for submission, is under review by the FDA, or has been approved by the FDA, (ii) the first patient has been dosed in a Borrower-sponsored Phase 1, 2, or 3 clinical trial for a drug candidate and patient enrollment and recruitment remains ongoing or (iii) if enrollment in a Borrower-sponsored Phase 1, 2, or 3 clinical

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trial for a drug candidate has been completed, then patients are continuing to be followed for the primary endpoint measurement) on or before September 30, 2020 (the “Financial Covenant Milestone II”).

(c)Notwithstanding Section 7.20(a) and Section 7.20(b), if each of the following has occurred, beginning on the date that all of the following has occurred, Borrower shall not be subject to requirements set forth in this Section 7.20:

(i)The Financial Covenant Milestone I;

(ii)The Financial Covenant Milestone II; and

(iii)Borrower achieves Performance Milestone II on or before September 30, 2020.

Borrower shall provide Agent evidence of compliance with this Section 7.20 in each Compliance Certificate and upon request in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent, along with supporting documentation reasonably requested by Agent.

7.21Transactions with Affiliates.  Borrower shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of Borrower or such Subsidiary on terms that are less favorable to Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that might be obtained in an arm’s length transaction from a Person who is not an Affiliate of Borrower or such Subsidiary other than (i) Permitted Investments, (ii) reasonable and customary fees paid to members of the Board, (iii) board-approved compensation arrangements for officers and other employees and (iv) transactions permitted hereunder between Borrowers.

7.22Post-Closing Obligations.  Notwithstanding any provision herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, to the extent not actually delivered on or prior to the Closing Date, Borrower shall deliver to Agent (or its designated agent), no later than sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, an executed copy of a bailee agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent, by and among EPL Archives, Borrower and Agent.

Section 8.  [RESERVED]

Section 9.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall be an Event of Default:

9.1Payments.  Borrower fails to pay any amount due under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents on the due date; provided, however, that an Event of Default shall not occur on account of a failure to pay due solely to an administrative or operational error of Agent or the Lenders or Borrower’s bank if Borrower had the funds to make the payment when due and makes the payment within three (3) Business Days following Borrower’s knowledge of such failure to pay; or

9.2Covenants.  Borrower breaches or defaults in the performance of any covenant or Secured Obligation under this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents and (a) with respect to a default under any covenant under this Agreement (other than under Sections 6, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.13, 7.14, 7.15, 7.16 7.17, 7.19, 7.20 and 7.21), any other Loan Document, or any other agreement among Borrower, Agent and the Lenders, such default continues for more than fifteen (15) days after the earlier of the date on which (i) Agent or the Lenders has given notice of such default to Borrower and (ii) Borrower has actual knowledge of such default or (b) with respect to a default under any of Sections 6,

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7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.13, 7.14, 7.15, 7.16, 7.17, 7.19, 7.20 and 7.21, the occurrence of such default; or

9.3Material Adverse Effect.  A circumstance has occurred that has a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the occurrence of any of the following, in and of itself, shall not constitute a Material Adverse Effect: (a) the failure to achieve Performance Milestone I, Performance Milestone II, Financial Covenant Milestone I or Financial Covenant Milestone II or (b) adverse results or delays in any nonclinical or clinical trial including without limitation, the failure to demonstrate the desired safety or efficacy of any drug or companion diagnostic; provided that, in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, Agent’s primary, though not sole, consideration will be whether Borrower has or will have sufficient cash resources to repay the Secured Obligations as and when due and the clear intention of Borrower’s investors to continue to fund Borrower in the amounts and timeframe necessary, in Agent’s good faith judgment, to enable Borrower to satisfy the Secured Obligations as they become due and payable is the most significant criterion Agent shall consider in making any such determination; or

9.4Representations.  Any representation or warranty made by Borrower in any Loan Document shall have been false or misleading in any material respect when made or when deemed made; or

9.5Insolvency.  Borrower (A) (i) shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) shall be unable to pay its debts as they become due, or be unable to pay or perform under the Loan Documents, or shall become insolvent; or (iii) shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy; or (iv) shall file any petition, answer, or document seeking for itself any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation pertinent to such circumstances; or (v) shall seek or consent to or acquiesce in the appointment of any trustee, receiver, or liquidator of Borrower or of all or any substantial part (i.e., 33-1/3% or more) of the assets or property of Borrower; or (vi) shall cease operations of its business as its business has normally been conducted, or terminate substantially all of its employees; or (vii) Borrower or its directors or majority shareholders shall take any action initiating any of the foregoing actions described in clauses (i) through (vi); or (B) either (i) forty-five (45) days shall have expired after the commencement of an involuntary action against Borrower seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation, without such action being dismissed or all orders or proceedings thereunder affecting the operations or the business of Borrower being stayed; or (ii) a stay of any such order or proceedings shall thereafter be set aside and the action setting it aside shall not be timely appealed; or (iii) Borrower shall file any answer admitting or not contesting the material allegations of a petition filed against Borrower in any such proceedings; or (iv) the court in which such proceedings are pending shall enter a decree or order granting the relief sought in any such proceedings; or (v) forty-five (45) days shall have expired after the appointment, without the consent or acquiescence of Borrower, of any trustee, receiver or liquidator of Borrower or of all or any substantial part of the properties of Borrower without such appointment being vacated; or

9.6Attachments; Judgments.  Any portion of Borrower’s assets is attached or seized, or a levy is filed against any such assets, or a judgment or judgments is/are entered for the payment of money (not covered by independent third party insurance as to which liability has not been rejected by such insurance carrier), individually or in the aggregate, of at least $750,000 and such judgment remains unsatisfied, unvacated or unstayed for a period of forty-five (45) days after the entry thereof, or Borrower is enjoined or in any way prevented by court order from conducting any material part of its business; or

9.7Other Obligations.  The occurrence of any default which has resulted in a right by the holder of such Indebtedness, whether or not exercised to accelerate the maturity of such Indebtedness

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under any agreement or obligation of Borrower involving any Indebtedness in excess of $500,000, or any other material agreement or obligation, if a Material Adverse Effect could reasonably be expected to result from such default.

9.8Stop Trade.  At any time, an SEC stop trade order or NASDAQ market trading suspension of the Common Stock shall be in effect for five (5) consecutive days or five (5) days during a period of ten (10) consecutive days, excluding in all cases a suspension of all trading on a public market, provided that Borrower shall not have been able to cure such trading suspension within thirty (30) days of the notice thereof or list the Common Stock on another public market within sixty (60) days of such notice.

Section 10.  REMEDIES

10.1General.  Upon the occurrence of any one or more Events of Default, Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, accelerate and demand payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations together with a Prepayment Charge and declare them to be immediately due and payable (provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default of the type described in Section 9.5, all of the Secured Obligations (including, without limitation, the Prepayment Charge and the End of Term Charge) shall automatically be accelerated and made due and payable, in each case without any further notice or act).  Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact to, exercisable following the occurrence of an Event of Default, (i) sign Borrower’s name on any invoice or bill of lading for any account or drafts against account debtors; (ii) demand, collect, sue, and give releases to any account debtor for monies due, settle and adjust disputes and claims about the accounts directly with account debtors, and compromise, prosecute, or defend any action, claim, case, or proceeding about any Collateral (including filing a claim or voting a claim in any bankruptcy case in Agent’s or Borrower’s name, as Agent may elect); (iii) make, settle, and adjust all claims under Borrower’s insurance policies; (iv) pay, contest or settle any Lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, or other claim in or to the Collateral, or any judgment based thereon, or otherwise take any action to terminate or discharge the same; (v) transfer the Collateral into the name of Agent or a third party as the UCC permits; (vi) receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to Borrower; (vii) endorse Borrower’s name on any checks, payment instruments, or other forms of payment or security; and (viii) notify all account debtors to pay Agent directly.  Borrower hereby appoints Agent as its lawful attorney-in-fact to sign Borrower’s name on any documents necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of Agent’s security interest in the Collateral regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred until all Secured Obligations have been satisfied in full and the Loan Documents have been terminated.  Agent’s foregoing appointment as Borrower’s attorney in fact, and all of Agent’s rights and powers, coupled with an interest, are irrevocable until all Secured Obligations have been fully repaid and performed and the Loan Documents have been terminated.  Upon the occurrence of any one or more Events of Default, Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, exercise all rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral under the Loan Documents or otherwise available to it under the UCC and other applicable law, including the right to release, hold, sell, lease, liquidate, collect, realize upon, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral and the right to occupy, utilize, process and commingle the Collateral.  All Agent’s rights and remedies shall be cumulative and not exclusive.

10.2Collection; Foreclosure.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, at any time or from time to time, apply, collect, liquidate, sell in one or more sales, lease or otherwise dispose of, any or all of the Collateral, in its then condition or following any commercially reasonable preparation or processing, in such order as Agent may elect.  Any such sale may be made either at public or private sale at its place of business or elsewhere.  Borrower agrees that any such public or private sale may occur upon ten (10) calendar days’ prior written notice to Borrower.  Agent may require Borrower to assemble the Collateral

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and make it available to Agent at a place designated by Agent that is reasonably convenient to Agent and Borrower.  The proceeds of any sale, disposition or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied by Agent in the following order of priorities:

First, to Agent and the Lenders in an amount sufficient to pay in full Agent’s and the Lenders’ reasonable costs and professionals’ and advisors’ fees and expenses as described in Section 11.12;

Second, to the Lenders in an amount equal to the then unpaid amount of the Secured Obligations (including principal, interest, and the Default Rate interest), in such order and priority as Agent may choose in its sole discretion; and

Finally, after the full and final payment in Cash of all of the Secured Obligations (other than inchoate obligations), to any creditor holding a junior Lien on the Collateral, or to Borrower or its representatives or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

Agent shall be deemed to have acted reasonably in the custody, preservation and disposition of any of the Collateral if it complies with the obligations of a secured party under the UCC.

10.3No Waiver.  Agent shall be under no obligation to marshal any of the Collateral for the benefit of Borrower or any other Person, and Borrower expressly waives all rights, if any, to require Agent to marshal any Collateral.

10.4Cumulative Remedies.  The rights, powers and remedies of Agent hereunder shall be in addition to all rights, powers and remedies given by statute or rule of law and are cumulative.  The exercise of any one or more of the rights, powers and remedies provided herein shall not be construed as a waiver of or election of remedies with respect to any other rights, powers and remedies of Agent.

Section 11.  MISCELLANEOUS

11.1Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent and duration of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

11.2Notice.  Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration, service of process or other communication (including the delivery of Financial Statements) that is required, contemplated, or permitted under the Loan Documents or with respect to the subject matter hereof shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given, delivered, and received upon the earlier of: (i) the day of transmission by electronic mail or hand delivery or delivery by an overnight express service or overnight mail delivery service; or (ii) the third calendar day after deposit in the United States of America mails, with proper first class postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the party to be notified as follows:

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(a)If to Agent:

HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.
Legal Department
Attention:  Chief Legal Officer and Janice Bourque
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310
Palo Alto, CA  94301
email: XXXX
Telephone:  XXXX

(b)If to the Lenders:

HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.
Legal Department
Attention:  Chief Legal Officer and Janice Bourque
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310
Palo Alto, CA  94301
email: XXXXX
Telephone:  XXXX

(c)If to Borrower:

SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Attention:  General Counsel
35 Gatehouse Drive
Building D, Floor 3
Waltham, MA 02451
email:  XXXX
Telephone:  XXXX

or to such other address as each party may designate for itself by like notice.

11.3Entire Agreement; Amendments.

(a)This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede and replace in their entirety any prior proposals, term sheets, non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements, letters, negotiations or other documents or agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof or thereof (including Agent’s revised proposal letter dated December 6, 2019 and the Non-Disclosure Agreement).

(b)Neither this Agreement, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.3(b).  The Required Lenders and Borrower party to the relevant Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Agent and the Borrower party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (i) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Borrower hereunder or thereunder or (ii) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (A) forgive the principal amount or

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extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan, extend the scheduled date of any amortization payment in respect of any Term Loan, reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; (B) eliminate or reduce the voting rights of any Lender under this Section 11.3(b) without the written consent of such Lender; (C) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release a Borrower from its obligations under the Loan Documents, in each case without the written consent of all Lenders; or (D) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 11.18 or Addendum 3 without the written consent of the Agent.  Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each Lender and shall be binding upon Borrower, the Lender, the Agent and all future holders of the Loans.

11.4No Strict Construction.  The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

11.5No Waiver.  The powers conferred upon Agent and the Lenders by this Agreement are solely to protect its rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon Agent or the Lenders to exercise any such powers.  No omission or delay by Agent or the Lenders at any time to enforce any right or remedy reserved to it, or to require performance of any of the terms, covenants or provisions hereof by Borrower at any time designated, shall be a waiver of any such right or remedy to which Agent or the Lenders is entitled, nor shall it in any way affect the right of Agent or the Lenders to enforce such provisions thereafter.

11.6Survival.  All agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall be for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Sections 6.3, 11.14, 11.15 and 11.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

11.7Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on Borrower and its permitted assigns (if any).  Borrower shall not assign its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents without Agent’s express prior written consent, and any such attempted assignment shall be void and of no effect.  Agent and the Lenders may assign, transfer, or endorse its rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents without prior notice to Borrower, and all of such rights shall inure to the benefit of Agent’s and the Lenders’ successors and assigns; provided that as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, neither Agent nor any Lender may assign, transfer or endorse its rights hereunder or under the Loan Documents to any party that is a direct competitor of Borrower (as reasonably determined by Agent), it being acknowledged that in all cases, any transfer to an Affiliate of any Lender or Agent shall be allowed.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in connection with any assignment by a Lender as a result of a forced divestiture at the request of any regulatory agency, the restrictions set forth herein shall not apply and Agent and the Lenders may assign, transfer or indorse its rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to any Person or party and (y) in connection with a Lender’s own financing or securitization transactions, the restrictions set forth herein shall not apply and Agent and the Lenders may assign, transfer or indorse its rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to any Person or party providing such financing or formed to undertake such securitization transaction and any transferee of such Person or party upon the occurrence of a default, event of default or similar occurrence with respect to such financing or securitization transaction; provided that no such sale,

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transfer, pledge or assignment under this clause (y) shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such Person or party for such Lender as a party hereto until Agent shall have received and accepted an effective assignment agreement from such Person or party in form satisfactory to Agent executed, delivered and fully completed by the applicable parties thereto, and shall have received such other information regarding such assignee as Agent reasonably shall require.  The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lender(s), and the Term Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Lender(s) shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

11.8Participations.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent (in its capacity as Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.  Borrower agrees that each participant shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions in Addendum 1 attached hereto (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 7 of Addendum 1 attached hereto (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 7 of Addendum 1 attached hereto shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 11.7; provided that such participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Addendum 1 attached hereto, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a change in law that occurs after the participant acquired the applicable participation.

11.9Governing Law.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents have been negotiated and delivered to Agent and the Lenders in the State of California, and shall have been accepted by Agent and the Lenders in the State of California.  Payment to Agent and the Lenders by Borrower of the Secured Obligations is due in the State of California.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, excluding conflict of laws principles that would cause the application of laws of any other jurisdiction.

11.10Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue.  All judicial proceedings (to the extent that the reference requirement of Section 11.10 is not applicable) arising in or under or related to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be brought in any state or federal court located in the State of California.  By execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party hereto generally and unconditionally: (a) consents to nonexclusive personal jurisdiction in Santa Clara County, State of California; (b) waives any objection as to jurisdiction or venue in Santa Clara County, State of California; (c) agrees not to assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue in the aforesaid courts; and

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(d) irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.  Service of process on any party hereto in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be effective if given in accordance with the requirements for notice set forth in Section 11.2, and shall be deemed effective and received as set forth in Section 11.2.  Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of either party to bring proceedings in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

11.11Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial / Judicial Reference.

(a)Because disputes arising in connection with complex financial transactions are most quickly and economically resolved by an experienced and expert Person and the parties wish applicable state and federal laws to apply (rather than arbitration rules), the parties desire that their disputes be resolved by a judge applying such applicable laws.  EACH OF BORROWER, AGENT AND THE LENDERS SPECIFICALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CAUSE OF ACTION, CLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM, THIRD PARTY CLAIM OR ANY OTHER CLAIM (COLLECTIVELY, “CLAIMS”) ASSERTED BY BORROWER AGAINST AGENT, THE LENDERS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE ASSIGNEE OR BY AGENT, THE LENDERS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE ASSIGNEE AGAINST BORROWER.  This waiver extends to all such Claims, including Claims that involve Persons other than Agent, Borrower and the Lenders; Claims that arise out of or are in any way connected to the relationship among Borrower, Agent and the Lenders; and any Claims for damages, breach of contract, tort, specific performance, or any equitable or legal relief of any kind, arising out of this Agreement, any other Loan Document.

(b)If the waiver of jury trial set forth in Section 11.10(a) is ineffective or unenforceable, the parties agree that all Claims shall be resolved by reference to a private judge sitting without a jury, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 638, before a mutually acceptable referee or, if the parties cannot agree, a referee selected by the Presiding Judge of the Santa Clara County, California.  Such proceeding shall be conducted in Santa Clara County, California, with California rules of evidence and discovery applicable to such proceeding.

(c)In the event Claims are to be resolved by judicial reference, either party may seek from a court identified in Section 11.11, any prejudgment order, writ or other relief and have such prejudgment order, writ or other relief enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law notwithstanding that all Claims are otherwise subject to resolution by judicial reference.

11.12Professional Fees.  Borrower promises to pay Agent’s and  the Lenders’ reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses necessary to finalize the loan documentation, including but not limited to reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees, UCC searches, filing costs, and other miscellaneous expenses. In addition, Borrower promises to pay any and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses incurred by Agent and the Lenders after the Closing Date in connection with or related to:  (a) the Loan; (b) the administration, collection, or enforcement of the Loan; (c) the amendment or modification of the Loan Documents; (d) any waiver, consent, release, or termination under the Loan Documents; (e) the protection, preservation, audit, field exam, sale, lease, liquidation, or disposition of Collateral or the exercise of remedies with respect to the Collateral; (f) any legal, litigation, administrative, arbitration, or out of court proceeding in connection with or related to Borrower or the Collateral, and any appeal or review thereof; and (g) any bankruptcy, restructuring, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, workout, foreclosure, or other action related to Borrower, the Collateral, the Loan Documents, including representing Agent or the Lenders in any adversary proceeding or contested matter commenced or continued by or on behalf of Borrower’s estate, and any appeal or review thereof.

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11.13Confidentiality.  Agent and the Lenders acknowledge that certain items of Collateral and information provided to Agent and the Lenders by Borrower are confidential and proprietary information of Borrower, if and to the extent such information either (x) is marked as confidential by Borrower at the time of disclosure, or (y) should reasonably be understood to be confidential (the “Confidential Information”).  Accordingly, Agent and the Lenders agree that any Confidential Information it may obtain in the course of acquiring, administering, or perfecting Agent’s security interest in the Collateral shall not be disclosed to any other Person or entity in any manner whatsoever, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Borrower, except that Agent and the Lenders may disclose any such information:  (a) to its Affiliates and its partners, investors, lenders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, counsel, accountants, counsel, representative and other professional advisors  if Agent or the Lenders in their sole discretion determines that any such party should have access to such information in connection with such party’s responsibilities in connection with the Loan or this Agreement and, provided that such recipient of such Confidential Information either (i) agrees to be bound by the confidentiality provisions of this paragraph or (ii) is otherwise subject to confidentiality restrictions that reasonably protect against the disclosure of Confidential Information and, at a minimum, are at least as protective as those set forth in this Agreement; (b) if such information is generally available to the public at the time it was disclosed or to the extent such information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or becomes available to Agent or any Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower; (c) if required or appropriate in any report, statement or testimony submitted to any governmental authority having or claiming to have jurisdiction over Agent or the Lenders and any rating agency; (d) if required or appropriate in response to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, to the extent permitted or deemed advisable by Agent’s or the Lenders’ counsel; (e) to comply with any legal requirement or law applicable to Agent or the Lenders or demanded by any governmental authority; (f) to the extent reasonably necessary in connection with the exercise of, or preparing to exercise, or the enforcement of, or preparing to enforce, any right or remedy under any Loan Document (including Agent’s sale, lease, or other disposition of Collateral after default), or any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document; (g) to any participant or assignee of Agent or the Lenders or any prospective participant or assignee, provided, that such participant or assignee or prospective participant or assignee is subject to confidentiality restrictions that reasonably protect against the disclosure of Confidential Information; (h) otherwise to the extent consisting of general portfolio information that does not identify Borrower; or (i) otherwise with the prior consent of Borrower; provided, that any disclosure made in violation of this Agreement shall not affect the obligations of Borrower or any of its Affiliates or any guarantor under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.  Agent’s and the Lenders’ obligations under this Section 11.13 shall supersede all of their respective obligations under the Non-Disclosure Agreement.  

11.14Assignment of Rights.  Borrower acknowledges and understands that Agent or the Lenders may, subject to Section 11.7, sell and assign all or part of its interest hereunder and under the Loan Documents to any Person or entity (an “Assignee”).  After such assignment the term “Agent” or “Lender” as used in the Loan Documents shall mean and include such Assignee, and such Assignee shall be vested with all rights, powers and remedies of Agent and the Lenders hereunder with respect to the interest so assigned; but with respect to any such interest not so transferred, Agent and the Lenders shall retain all rights, powers and remedies hereby given.  No such assignment by Agent or the Lenders shall relieve Borrower of any of its obligations hereunder.  the Lenders agrees that in the event of any transfer by it of the promissory note(s) (if any), it will endorse thereon a notation as to the portion of the principal of the promissory note(s), which shall have been paid at the time of such transfer and as to the date to which interest shall have been last paid thereon.

11.15Revival of Secured Obligations.  This Agreement and the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective if any petition is filed by or against Borrower for liquidation or reorganization, if Borrower becomes insolvent or makes an assignment for the benefit of

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creditors, if a receiver or trustee is appointed for all or any significant part of Borrower’s assets, or if any payment or transfer of Collateral is recovered from Agent or the Lenders.  The Loan Documents and the Secured Obligations and Collateral security shall continue to be effective, or shall be revived or reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Secured Obligations or any transfer of Collateral to Agent, or any part thereof is rescinded, avoided or avoidable, reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by, or is recovered from, Agent, the Lenders or by any obligee of the Secured Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent conveyance,” or otherwise, all as though such payment, performance, or transfer of Collateral had not been made.  In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, avoided, avoidable, restored, returned, or recovered, the Loan Documents and the Secured Obligations shall be deemed, without any further action or documentation, to have been revived and reinstated except to the extent of the full, final, and indefeasible payment to Agent or the Lenders in Cash.

11.16Counterparts.  This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

11.17No Third Party Beneficiaries.  No provisions of the Loan Documents are intended, nor will be interpreted, to provide or create any third-party beneficiary rights or any other rights of any kind in any Person other than Agent, the Lenders and Borrower unless specifically provided otherwise herein, and, except as otherwise so provided, all provisions of the Loan Documents will be personal and solely among Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower.

11.18Agency.  Agent and each Lender hereby agree to the terms and conditions set forth on Addendum 3 attached hereto.  Borrower acknowledges and agrees to the terms and conditions set forth on Addendum 3 attached hereto.

11.19Publicity.  None of the parties hereto nor any of its respective member businesses and Affiliates shall, without the other parties’ prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), publicize or use (a) the other party’s name (including a brief description of the relationship among the parties hereto), logo or hyperlink to such other parties’ website, separately or together, in written and oral presentations, advertising, promotional and marketing materials, client lists, public relations materials or on its website (together, the “Publicity Materials”); (b) the names of officers of such other parties in the Publicity Materials; and (c) such other parties’ name, trademarks, servicemarks in any news or press release concerning such party; provided however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such consent shall be required (i) to the extent necessary to comply with the requests of any regulators, legal requirements or laws applicable to such party, pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange (so long as such party provides prior notice to the other party hereto to the extent reasonably practicable) and (ii) to comply with Section 11.13.

11.20Multiple Borrowers.  Each Borrower hereby agrees to the terms and conditions set forth on Addendum 4 attached hereto.

(SIGNATURES TO FOLLOW)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, Agent and the Lenders have duly executed and delivered this Loan and Security Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

BORROWER:

SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Signature:/s/ Richard P. Shea

Print Name:Richard P. Shea

 

 

 

(SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE)

 

[Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement]

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Accepted in Palo Alto, California:

AGENT:

HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.

Signature:/s/ Zhuo Huang

Print Name:Zhuo Huang

Title:Associate General Counsel

LENDER:

HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.

Signature:/s/ Zhuo Huang

Print Name:Zhuo Huang

Title:Associate General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement]

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Table of Addenda, Exhibits and Schedules

 

Addendum 1:Taxes; Increased Costs

Addendum 2:[Reserved]

Addendum 3:Agent and Lender Terms

Addendum 4:Multiple Borrower Terms

 

Exhibit A:Advance Request
Attachment to Advance Request

Exhibit B:Name, Locations, and Other Information for Borrower

Exhibit C:Borrower’s Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses

Exhibit D:Borrower’s Deposit Accounts and Investment Accounts

Exhibit E:Compliance Certificate

Exhibit F:Joinder Agreement

Exhibit G:ACH Debit Authorization Agreement

 

Schedule 1.1Commitments

Schedule 1Subsidiaries

Schedule 1AExisting Permitted Indebtedness
Schedule 1BExisting Permitted Investments
Schedule 1CExisting Permitted Liens
Schedule 5.3Consents, Etc.
Schedule 5.8Tax Matters
Schedule 5.9Intellectual Property Claims
Schedule 5.10Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.11Borrower Products

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

AMENDED & RESTATED

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

 

Effective:  February 12, 2020

 

Each member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) who is not also serving as an employee of Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) or any of its subsidiaries will receive the compensation described in this Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy for his or her Board service. This policy may be amended at any time in the sole discretion of the Board.

 

Each non-employee director serving on the Board of the Company will receive an annual base cash fee for his or her services of $40,000. Each non-employee director other than the non-executive chairperson of the Board (the “Chair”) shall also receive an annual award of options to purchase 24,000 shares and the Chair shall also receive an annual award of options to purchase 44,000 shares (each as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalization and similar events) of the Company’s common stock on the same date that the Board awards annual stock option grants to the Company’s executive officers (each an “Annual Option Award”). Each Annual Option Award will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the director’s continued service to the Company.

 

Newly appointed non-employee directors will receive at the time of his or her appointment to the Board, a one-time initial award of options to purchase 35,000 shares (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalization and similar events) of the Company’s common stock (the “New Director Award”). Each New Director Award will vest monthly over a three-year period.

 

The Chair will also receive an annual cash retainer of $70,000 for his or her service in such role.

 

Each non-employee director, other than the chairperson of such committee, who serves on the following committees will receive an annual cash retainer, for each committee on which he or she serves, as listed below:

 

•Audit committee – $10,000

•Compensation committee – $7,500

•Nominating and corporate governance committee – $5,000

 

Each chairperson of the audit, compensation, nominating and corporate governance and science and technology committees will receive an additional annual cash retainer as follows:

 

•Audit committee – $20,000

•Compensation committee – $15,000

•Nominating and corporate governance committee – $10,000

 

The Company will also reimburse each of the directors for his or her travel expenses incurred in connection with his or her attendance at Board and committee meetings. All cash retainers will be paid in equal quarterly installments.

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

AMENDED & RESTATED

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 27^th day of April, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), between Briggs W. Morrison, M.D. (“Executive”) and SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (the “Company”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Article 7.

RECITALS

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

PRELIMINARY MATTERS

ARTICLE 2

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

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a)Annual Base Salary. Executive’s annual base salary shall be $600,547 per year (“Annual Base Salary”), payable in equal installments, less applicable deductions and withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices. Executive’s Annual Base Salary shall be subject to review by the Company’s compensation committee and may be increased, from time to time.

b)Benefits. Executive will be entitled to participate in all of the employee benefits and benefit plans that the Company generally makes available to its full-time employees and executives and for which Executive is eligible in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. These benefits are subject to the terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements that govern or apply to them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if applicable, the Company shall make a group health plan available to Executive, which provides applicable coverage at both Executive’s permanent residence and Executive’s principal place of employment. From time to time and as the Board deems appropriate, Executive may be eligible to receive options to purchase the Company’s common stock.

c)Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus of up to fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s Annual Base Salary, which bonus shall be earned upon Executive’s attainment of objectives to be determined by the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee) and continued employment with the Company as described below (the “Target Performance Bonus”). For clarity, it is expected that Executive will propose corporate objectives for each calendar year that will be Executive’s individual performance milestones. The Board will work with Executive to revise and refine these annual corporate objectives until a mutually acceptable set of corporate objectives is approved by the Board. The Board may award Executive a Target Performance Bonus for partial achievement of objectives and may grant Executive a higher bonus for exceptional performance. At Executive’s request, these annual corporate objectives may be revised in the discretion of the Board during the course of the year depending on changed circumstances. The amount of and Executive’s eligibility for the Target Performance Bonus shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee). If earned, any Target Performance Bonus shall be paid to Executive, less authorized deductions and applicable withholdings, on or before the February 15^th following the calendar year during which such bonus was earned. Except as provided in Sections 3.2 and 4.2, Executive shall be eligible to earn the Target Performance Bonus only if Executive is actively employed and in good standing with the Company on both the determination and payment dates for the Target Performance Bonus.

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ARTICLE 3

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE BENEFITS

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Change in Control Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Change in Control Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Change in Control Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of the Change in Control Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 3.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid

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by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

ARTICLE 4

COVERED TERMINATION SEVERANCE BENEFITS

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay for the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Covered Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Covered Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Covered Termination Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable

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premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Covered Termination Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of the Covered Termination Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 4.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

a)the vesting and exercisability of all outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock (or stock appreciation rights or other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued pursuant to any equity incentive plan of the Company) that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be accelerated as to the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such option (“Option Shares”) as equals the number of Option Shares as would otherwise vest during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date in accordance with the applicable options’ vesting schedule were the Executive to remain an employee of the Company during such twelve (12) month period (disregarding any other basis for acceleration of vesting of Option Shares during such twelve (12) month period);

b)any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to common stock issued or issuable (or with respect to other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued or issuable) pursuant to any option to purchase the Company’s common stock (or stock appreciation rights or other rights with respect to the stock of the Company) (“Restricted Shares”) held by the Executive as of the Termination Date shall lapse as to the number of Restricted Shares as equals the number of Restricted Shares as to which such reacquisition or repurchase rights would otherwise lapse during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date in accordance with the option’s vesting schedule were the Executive to remain an employee of the Company during such twelve (12) month period (disregarding any other basis for acceleration of the lapsing of such reacquisition or repurchase rights on Restricted Shares during such twelve (12) month period); and

c)the time period that Executive has to exercise any outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (A) twelve (12) months or (B) the remaining term of the outstanding option.

ARTICLE 5

LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS ON BENEFITS

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5.5.Cooperation and Continued Compliance with Restrictive Covenants.

a)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with its actual or contemplated defense, prosecution or investigation of any existing or future litigation, arbitrations, mediations, claims, demands, audits, government or regulatory inquiries, or other matters arising from events, acts or failures to act that occurred during the time period in which Executive was employed by the Company (including any period of employment with an entity acquired by the Company). Such cooperation includes, without limitation, being available upon

6

 

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reasonable notice, without subpoena, to provide accurate and complete advice, assistance and information to the Company, including offering and explaining evidence, providing truthful and accurate sworn statements, and participating in discovery and trial preparation and testimony. Executive also agrees to promptly send the Company copies of all correspondence (for example, but not limited to, subpoenas) received by Executive in connection with any such legal proceedings, unless Executive is expressly prohibited by law from so doing. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with any such cooperation (excluding foregone wages, salary or other compensation) within thirty (30) days of Executive’s timely presentation of appropriate documentation thereof, in accordance with the Company’s standard reimbursement policies and procedures, and will make reasonable efforts to accommodate Executive’s scheduling needs.

b)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall continue to abide by all of the terms and provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (and any other comparable agreement signed by Executive), in accordance with its terms.

c)Executive agrees that the choice of law and choice of forum provisions in Section

10.10 of the Confidentiality Agreement shall be amended to conform to the choice of law and choice of forum provisions in Section 8.11 of this Agreement. No other terms of the Confidentiality Agreement are amended by this Agreement, and the Confidentiality Agreement remains in full force and effect.

d)Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s obligations under this Section 5.5 are an essential part of the consideration Executive is providing hereunder in exchange for which and in reliance upon which the Company has agreed to provide the payments and benefits under this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s violation of this Section 5.5 inevitably would involve use or disclosure of the Company’s proprietary and confidential information. Accordingly, Executive agrees that Executive will forfeit, effective as of the date of any breach, any right, entitlement, claim or interest in or to any unpaid portion of the severance payments or benefits provided in Article 3 or Article 4. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 5.5 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

5.6.Parachute Payments.

a)Parachute Payment Limitation. If any payment or benefit (including payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement) Executive would receive in connection with a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this paragraph, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall cause to be determined, before any amounts of the Payment are paid to Executive, which of the following two alternative forms of payment shall be paid to Executive: (A) payment in full of the entire amount of the Payment (a “Full Payment”), or (B) payment of only a part of the Payment so that Executive receives the largest payment possible without the imposition of the Excise Tax (a “Reduced Payment”). A Full Payment shall be made in the event that the amount received by Executive on a net after-tax basis is greater than what would be received by Executive on a net after-tax basis if the Reduced Payment were made, otherwise a Reduced Payment shall be made. If a Reduced Payment is made, (i) the Payment shall be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Payment alternative, and Executive shall have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (ii) reduction in payments and/or benefits shall occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments; (B) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (C) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (D) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Executive’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be canceled in the reverse

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order of the date of grant.

b)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall make all determinations required to be made under this Section 5.6. If the independent registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

c)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. If the independent registered public accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and Executive with an opinion reasonably acceptable to Executive that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.

 

5.10.Application of Section 409A.

a)Separation from Service. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no amount deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable pursuant to Article 3 or Article 4 unless Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder and, except as provided under Section 5.10(b) hereof, any such amount shall not be paid, or in the case of installments, commence payment, until the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day

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following Executive’s separation from service. Any installment payments that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60) day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence shall be paid to Executive on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day after Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments shall be made as provided in this Agreement.

b)Specified Executive. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed at the time of his or her separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (ii) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 5.10(b) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

c)Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursement payable pursuant to this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursement payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year; and Executive’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

d)Installments. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

 

ARTICLE 6

TERMINATION WITH CAUSE OR BY VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION; OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

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ARTICLE 7

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise provided, for purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

a)Any natural person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act Person”), becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the

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combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (i) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by any institutional investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions that are primarily a private financing transaction for the Company or (ii) solely because the level of ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

b)There is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving, directly or indirectly, the Company if, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, either (i) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction;

c)The stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur; or

d)There is consummated a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

The term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any affiliate and the participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to stock awards subject to such agreement (it being understood, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply).

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a)A decrease in Executive’s total target cash compensation (base and bonus) of more than 10% (i.e., a material reduction in Executive’s base compensation and a material breach by the Company of Executive’s employment terms with the Company), other than in connection with a comparable decrease in compensation for all comparable executives of the Company;

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b)Executive’s duties, authority or responsibilities are materially diminished (not simply a change in title or reporting relationships);

c)A material breach by the Company of the terms of the Agreement;

d)Either (i) Executive is required to establish residence in a location more than 50 miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence or (ii) there is an increase in Executive’s round-trip driving distance of more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence to the principal office or business location at which Executive is required to perform services (except for required business travel to the extent consistent with Executive’s prior business travel obligations) (“Executive’s Principal Place of Business”) as a result of a change in location by the Company of Executive’s Principal Place of Business; provided however, that the foregoing shall not include the establishment of a secondary residence within fifty (50) miles from the Company’s Waltham headquarters with Executive’s consent or any commute between Executive’s current principal personal residence and the Company’s Waltham headquarters; or

e)The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to materially assume and materially agree to perform under the terms of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 8

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

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8.13.Circular 230 Disclaimer. THE FOLLOWING DISCLAIMER IS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE’S CIRCULAR 230 (21 C.F.R. PART 10). ANY TAX ADVICE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO BE PRELIMINARY, FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FINAL. ANY SUCH ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR MARKETING, PROMOTING OR RECOMMENDING ANY TRANSACTION OR FOR THE USE OF ANY PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION OF ANY TAX RETURN. ACCORDINGLY, THIS ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED, BY ANY PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING TAX PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON SUCH PERSON.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the Effective Date written above.

 

SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.EXECUTIVE

 

By: /s/ Luke J. AlbrechtBy: /s/ Briggs W. Morrison, M.D.

 

 

Name: Luke J. AlbrechtName: Briggs W. Morrison, M.D.

 

Title: General Counsel

 

 

Exhibit A:Release (Individual Termination – Age 40 or Older)

Exhibit B:Release (Individual and Group Termination – Under Age 40)

Exhibit C:Release (Group Termination – Age 40 or Older)

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; and (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth (8th) day after I execute

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this Release (provided that I do not revoke it).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on- the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TERMINATION – UNDER AGE 40)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non- monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; and (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on-

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the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

RELEASE

(GROUP TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have forty-five (45) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice

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of revocation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day (8th) after I execute this Release; and (F) I have received with this Release the required written disclosure for a “group termination” under the ADEA, including a detailed list of the job titles and ages of all employees who were terminated in this group termination and the ages of all employees of the Company in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not terminated.

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on- the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

 

I agree that I will not engage in any conduct that is injurious to the reputation of the Company or its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, including but not limited to disparagement of the Company, its officers, Board members, employees and shareholders. The foregoing shall not be violated by a statement made in a deposition, trial or administrative proceeding in response to legal process; by any statement made to a government agency; or whenever I make any statement to a court, administrative tribunal or government agency as required by law.

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

D ate:

 

 

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Exhibit 10.5

 

AMENDED & RESTATED

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 27^th day of April, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), between Michael A. Metzger (“Executive”) and SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (the “Company”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Article 7.

RECITALS

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

PRELIMINARY MATTERS

ARTICLE 2

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

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a)Annual Base Salary. Executive’s annual base salary shall be $576,800 per year (“Annual Base Salary”), payable in equal installments, less applicable deductions and withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices. Executive’s Annual Base Salary shall be subject to review by the Company’s compensation committee and may be increased, from time to time.

b)Benefits. Executive will be entitled to participate in all of the employee benefits and benefit plans that the Company generally makes available to its full-time employees and executives and for which Executive is eligible in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. These benefits are subject to the terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements that govern or apply to them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if applicable, the Company shall make a group health plan available to Executive, which provides applicable coverage at both Executive’s permanent residence and Executive’s principal place of employment. From time to time and as the Board deems appropriate, Executive may be eligible to receive options to purchase the Company’s common stock.

c)Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus of up to fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s Annual Base Salary, which bonus shall be earned upon Executive’s attainment of objectives to be determined by the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee) and continued employment with the Company as described below (the “Target Performance Bonus”). The amount of and Executive’s eligibility for the Target Performance Bonus shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee). If earned, any Target Performance Bonus shall be paid to Executive, less authorized deductions and applicable withholdings, on or before the February 15^th following the calendar year during which such bonus was earned. Except as provided in Sections 3.2 and 4.2, Executive shall be eligible to earn the Target Performance Bonus only if Executive is actively employed and in good standing with the Company on both the determination and payment dates for the Target Performance Bonus.

 

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ARTICLE 3

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE BENEFITS

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Change in Control Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Change in Control Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Change in Control Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of the Change in Control Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the

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COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 3.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

ARTICLE 4

COVERED TERMINATION SEVERANCE BENEFITS

 

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay for the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Covered Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Covered Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Covered Termination Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of

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the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Covered Termination Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of the Covered Termination Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 4.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

a)the vesting and exercisability of all outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock (or stock appreciation rights or other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued pursuant to any equity incentive plan of the Company) that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be accelerated as to the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such option (“Option Shares”) as equals the number of Option Shares as would otherwise vest during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date in accordance with the applicable options’ vesting schedule were the Executive to remain an employee of the Company during such twelve (12) month period (disregarding any other basis for acceleration of vesting of Option Shares during such twelve (12) month period);

b)any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to common stock issued or issuable (or with respect to other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued or issuable) pursuant to any option to purchase the Company’s common stock (or stock appreciation rights or other rights with respect to the stock of the Company) (“Restricted Shares”) held by the Executive as of the Termination Date shall lapse as to the number of Restricted Shares as equals the number of Restricted Shares as to which such reacquisition or repurchase rights would otherwise lapse during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date in accordance with the option’s vesting schedule were the Executive to remain an employee of the Company during such twelve (12) month period (disregarding any other basis for acceleration of the lapsing of such reacquisition or repurchase rights on Restricted Shares during such twelve (12) month period); and

c)the time period that Executive has to exercise any outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (A) twelve (12) months or (B) the remaining term of the outstanding option.

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ARTICLE 5

LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS ON BENEFITS

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a)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with its actual or contemplated defense, prosecution or investigation of any existing or future litigation, arbitrations, mediations, claims, demands, audits, government or regulatory inquiries, or other matters arising from events, acts or failures to act that occurred during the time period in which Executive was employed by the Company (including any period of employment with an entity acquired by the Company). Such cooperation includes, without limitation, being available upon reasonable notice, without subpoena, to provide accurate and complete advice, assistance and information to the Company, including offering and explaining evidence, providing truthful and accurate sworn statements, and participating in discovery and trial preparation and testimony. Executive also agrees to promptly send the Company copies of all correspondence (for example, but not limited to, subpoenas) received by Executive in connection with any such legal proceedings, unless Executive is expressly prohibited by law from so doing. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with any such cooperation (excluding foregone wages, salary or other compensation) within thirty (30) days of Executive’s timely presentation of appropriate documentation thereof, in accordance with the Company’s standard reimbursement policies and procedures, and will make reasonable efforts to accommodate Executive’s scheduling needs.

b)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall continue to abide by all of the terms and provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (and any other comparable agreement signed by Executive), in accordance with its terms.

c)Executive agrees that the choice of law and choice of forum provisions in Section 10.10 of the Confidentiality Agreement shall be amended to conform to the choice of law and choice of forum provisions in Section 8.11 of this Agreement. No other terms of the Confidentiality Agreement are amended by this Agreement, and the Confidentiality Agreement remains in full force and effect.

d)Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s obligations under this Section 5.5 are an essential part of the consideration Executive is providing hereunder in exchange for which and in reliance upon which the Company has agreed to provide the payments and benefits under this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s violation of this Section 5.5 inevitably would involve use or disclosure of the Company’s proprietary and confidential information.  Accordingly, Executive agrees that Executive will forfeit, effective as of the date of any breach, any right, entitlement, claim or interest in or to any unpaid portion of the severance payments or benefits provided in Article 3 or Article 4. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 5.5 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

a)Parachute Payment Limitation. If any payment or benefit (including payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement) Executive would receive in connection with a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this paragraph, be subject

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to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall cause to be determined, before any amounts of the Payment are paid to Executive, which of the following two alternative forms of payment shall be paid to Executive: (A) payment in full of the entire amount of the Payment (a “Full Payment”), or (B) payment of only a part of the Payment so that Executive receives the largest payment possible without the imposition of the Excise Tax (a “Reduced Payment”). A Full Payment shall be made in the event that the amount received by Executive on a net after-tax basis is greater than what would be received by Executive on a net after-tax basis if the Reduced Payment were made, otherwise a Reduced Payment shall be made. If a Reduced Payment is made, (i) the Payment shall be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Payment alternative, and Executive shall have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (ii) reduction in payments and/or benefits shall occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments; (B) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (C) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (D) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Executive’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be canceled in the reverse order of the date of grant.

b)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall make all determinations required to be made under this Section 5.6. If the independent registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

c)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. If the independent registered public accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and Executive with an opinion reasonably acceptable to Executive that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.

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a)Separation from Service. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no amount deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable pursuant to Article 3 or Article 4 unless Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder and, except as provided under Section 5.10(b) hereof, any such amount shall not be paid, or in the case of installments, commence payment, until the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day following Executive’s separation from service. Any installment payments that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60) day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence shall be paid to Executive on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day after Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments shall be made as provided in this Agreement.

b)Specified Executive. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed at the time of his or her separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (ii) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 5.10(b) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

c)Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursement payable pursuant to this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursement payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year; and Executive’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

d)Installments. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

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ARTICLE 6

TERMINATION WITH CAUSE OR BY VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION; OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

ARTICLE 7

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise provided, for purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

7.2.“Cause” means, upon a reasonable determination by the Company, Executive’s: (i) dishonest statements or acts with respect to the Company, any subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company, which has the effect of materially injuring (whether financially or otherwise) the business or

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reputation of the Company; (ii) conviction of or indictment for (A) a felony or (B) any misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations) involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud (“indictment,” for these purposes, meaning an indictment, probable cause hearing or any other procedure pursuant to which an initial determination of probable or reasonable cause with respect to such offense is made); (iii) gross negligence, willful misconduct or insubordination with respect to the Company or any subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company; or (iv) material breach of any of Executive’s obligations under any agreement to which Executive and the Company or any subsidiary are a party. With respect to clause (iv), Executive will be given notice and a 30-day period in which to cure such breach, only to the extent such breach can be reasonably expected to be able to be cured within such period. Executive agrees that the breach of any confidentiality obligation to the Company or any subsidiary shall not be curable to any extent.

a)Any natural person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act Person”), becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (i) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by any institutional investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions that are primarily a private financing transaction for the Company or (ii) solely because the level of ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

b)There is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving, directly or indirectly, the Company if, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, either (i) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction;

c)The stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur; or

d)There is consummated a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

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The term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any affiliate and the participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to stock awards subject to such agreement (it being understood, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply).

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a)A decrease in Executive’s total target cash compensation (base and bonus) of more than 10% (i.e., a material reduction in Executive’s base compensation and a material breach by the Company of Executive’s employment terms with the Company), other than in connection with a comparable decrease in compensation for all comparable executives of the Company;

b)Executive’s duties, authority or responsibilities are materially diminished (not simply a change in title or reporting relationships);

d)Either (i) Executive is required to establish residence in a location more than 50 miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence or (ii) there is an increase in Executive’s round-trip driving distance of more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence to the principal office or business location at which Executive is required to perform services (except for required business travel to the extent consistent with Executive’s prior business travel obligations) (“Executive’s Principal Place of Business”) as a result of a change in location by the Company of Executive’s Principal Place of Business; provided however, that the foregoing shall not include the establishment of a secondary residence within fifty (50) miles from the Company’s Waltham headquarters with Executive’s consent or any commute between Executive’s current principal personal residence and the Company’s Waltham headquarters; or

e)The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to materially assume and materially agree to perform under the terms of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 8

GENERAL PROVISIONS

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8.13.Circular 230 Disclaimer. THE FOLLOWING DISCLAIMER IS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE’S CIRCULAR 230 (21

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C.F.R. PART 10). ANY TAX ADVICE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO BE PRELIMINARY, FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FINAL. ANY SUCH ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR MARKETING, PROMOTING OR RECOMMENDING ANY TRANSACTION OR FOR THE USE OF ANY PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION OF ANY TAX RETURN. ACCORDINGLY, THIS ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED, BY ANY PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING TAX PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON SUCH PERSON.

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the Effective Date written above.

 

SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.EXECUTIVE

 

By: /s/ Briggs W. Morrison, M.D.By: /s/ Michael A. Metzger

 

 

Name: Briggs W. Morrison, M.D.Name: Michael A. Metzger

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Exhibit A:Release (Individual Termination – Age 40 or Older)

Exhibit B:Release (Individual and Group Termination – Under Age 40) Exhibit C:Release (Group Termination – Age 40 or Older)

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this

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Release earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; and (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth (8th) day after I execute this Release (provided that I do not revoke it).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on- the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TERMINATION – UNDER AGE 40)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non- monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; and (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I

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have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on- the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

RELEASE

(GROUP TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have forty-five (45) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release

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earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day (8th) after I execute this Release; and (F) I have received with this Release the required written disclosure for a “group termination” under the ADEA, including a detailed list of the job titles and ages of all employees who were terminated in this group termination and the ages of all employees of the Company in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not terminated.

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on- the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

 

I agree that I will not engage in any conduct that is injurious to the reputation of the Company or its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, including but not limited to disparagement of the Company, its officers, Board members, employees and shareholders. The foregoing shall not be violated by a statement made in a deposition, trial or administrative proceeding in response to legal process; by any statement made to a government agency; or whenever I make any statement to a court, administrative tribunal or government agency as required by law.

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

C-2

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

AMENDED & RESTATED

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 27th day of April, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), between Michael L. Meyers, M.D., Ph.D. (“Executive”) and SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (the “Company”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Article 7.

RECITALS

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

PRELIMINARY MATTERS

ARTICLE 2

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

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2.3.Compensation.

a)Annual Base Salary. Executive’s annual base salary shall be $437,100 per year (“Annual Base Salary”), payable in equal installments, less applicable deductions and withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices. Executive’s Annual Base Salary shall be subject to review by the Company’s compensation committee and may be increased, from time to time.

b)Benefits. Executive will be entitled to participate in all of the employee benefits and benefit plans that the Company generally makes available to its full-time employees and executives and for which Executive is eligible in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. These benefits are subject to the terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements that govern or apply to them. From time and time and as the Board deems appropriate, Executive may be eligible to receive options to purchase the Company’s common stock.

c)Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus of up to forty percent (40%) of Executive’s Annual Base Salary, which bonus shall be earned upon Executive’s attainment of objectives to be determined by the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee) and continued employment with the Company as described below (the “Target Performance Bonus”). The amount of and Executive’s eligibility for the Target Performance Bonus shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee). If earned, any Target Performance Bonus shall be paid to Executive, less authorized deductions and applicable withholdings, on or before the February 15^th following the calendar year during which such bonus was earned. Except as provided in Section 3.2, Executive shall be eligible to earn the Target Performance Bonus only if Executive is actively employed and in good standing with the Company on both the determination and payment dates for the Target Performance Bonus.

ARTICLE 3

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE BENEFITS

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3.3.Health Continuation Coverage.

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Change in Control Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Change in Control Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Change in Control Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of the Change in Control Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 3.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

ARTICLE 4

COVERED TERMINATION SEVERANCE BENEFITS

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4.3.Health Continuation Coverage.

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay for the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Covered Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Covered Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Covered Termination Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Covered Termination Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of the Covered Termination Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 4.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

ARTICLE 5

LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS ON BENEFITS

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5.5.Cooperation and Continued Compliance with Restrictive Covenants.

a)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with its actual or contemplated defense, prosecution or investigation of any existing or future litigation, arbitrations, mediations, claims, demands, audits, government or regulatory inquiries, or other matters arising from events, acts or failures to act that occurred during the time period in which Executive was employed by the Company (including any period of employment with an entity acquired by the Company). Such cooperation includes, without limitation, being available upon

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reasonable notice, without subpoena, to provide accurate and complete advice, assistance and information to the Company, including offering and explaining evidence, providing truthful and accurate sworn statements, and participating in discovery and trial preparation and testimony. Executive also agrees to promptly send the Company copies of all correspondence (for example, but not limited to, subpoenas) received by Executive in connection with any such legal proceedings, unless Executive is expressly prohibited by law from so doing. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with any such cooperation (excluding foregone wages, salary or other compensation) within thirty (30) days of Executive’s timely presentation of appropriate documentation thereof, in accordance with the Company’s standard reimbursement policies and procedures, and will make reasonable efforts to accommodate Executive’s scheduling needs.

b)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall continue to abide by all of the terms and provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (and any other comparable agreement signed by Executive), in accordance with its terms.

c)Executive agrees that the choice of law and choice of forum provisions in Section

10.10 of the Confidentiality Agreement shall be amended to conform to the choice of law and choice of forum provisions in Section 8.11 of this Agreement. No other terms of the Confidentiality Agreement are amended by this Agreement, and the Confidentiality Agreement remains in full force and effect.

 

d)Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s obligations under this Section 5.5 are an essential part of the consideration Executive is providing hereunder in exchange for which and in reliance upon which the Company has agreed to provide the payments and benefits under this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s violation of this Section 5.5 inevitably would involve use or disclosure of the Company’s proprietary and confidential information. Accordingly, Executive agrees that Executive will forfeit, effective as of the date of any breach, any right, entitlement, claim or interest in or to any unpaid portion of the severance payments or benefits provided in Article 3 or Article 4. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 5.5 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

5.6.Parachute Payments.

a)Parachute Payment Limitation. If any payment or benefit (including payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement) Executive would receive in connection with a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this paragraph, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall cause to be determined, before any amounts of the Payment are paid to Executive, which of the following two alternative forms of payment shall be paid to Executive: (A) payment in full of the entire amount of the Payment (a “Full Payment”), or (B) payment of only a part of the Payment so that Executive receives the largest payment possible without the imposition of the Excise Tax (a “Reduced Payment”). A Full Payment shall be made in the event that the amount received by Executive on a net after-tax basis is greater than what would be received by Executive on a net after-tax basis if the Reduced Payment were made, otherwise a Reduced Payment shall be made. If a Reduced Payment is made, (i) the Payment shall be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Payment alternative, and Executive shall have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (ii) reduction in payments and/or benefits shall occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments; (B) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (C) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and

(D) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Executive’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be canceled in the reverse

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order of the date of grant.

b)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall make all determinations required to be made under this Section 5.6. If the independent registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

c)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. If the independent registered public accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and Executive with an opinion reasonably acceptable to Executive that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.

 

5.10.Application of Section 409A.

a)Separation from Service. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no amount deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable pursuant to Article 3 or Article 4 unless Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder and, except as provided under Section 5.10(b) hereof, any such amount shall not be paid, or in the case of installments, commence payment, until the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day

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following Executive’s separation from service. Any installment payments that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60) day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence shall be paid to Executive on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day after Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments shall be made as provided in this Agreement.

b)Specified Executive. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed at the time of his or her separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (ii) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 5.10(b) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

c)Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursement payable pursuant to this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursement payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year; and Executive’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

d)Installments. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

 

ARTICLE 6

TERMINATION WITH CAUSE OR BY VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION; OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

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ARTICLE 7 DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise provided, for purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

a)Any natural person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act Person”), becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (i) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by any institutional

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investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions that are primarily a private financing transaction for the Company or (ii) solely because the level of ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

b)There is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving, directly or indirectly, the Company if, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, either (i) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction;

c)The stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur; or

d)There is consummated a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

The term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any affiliate and the participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to stock awards subject to such agreement (it being understood, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply).

 

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a)A decrease in Executive’s total target cash compensation (base and bonus) of more than 10% (i.e., a material reduction in Executive’s base compensation and a material breach by the Company of Executive’s employment terms with the Company), other than in connection with a comparable decrease in compensation for all comparable executives of the Company;

b)Executive’s duties or responsibilities are materially diminished (not simply a change in title or reporting relationships); provided, that Executive shall not be deemed to have a “Resignation for Good Reason” if the Company survives as a separate legal entity or business unit

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following the Change in Control and Executive holds materially the same position in such legal entity or business unit as Executive held before the Change in Control;

c)Either (i) Executive is required to establish residence in a location more than 50 miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence or (ii) there is an increase in Executive’s round-trip driving distance of more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence to the principal office or business location at which Executive is required to perform services (except for required business travel to the extent consistent with Executive’s prior business travel obligations) (“Executive’s Principal Place of Business”) as a result of a change in location by the Company of Executive’s Principal Place of Business; provided however, that the foregoing shall not include the establishment of a secondary residence within fifty (50) miles from the Company’s Waltham headquarters with Executive’s consent or any commute between Executive’s current principal personal residence and the Company’s Waltham headquarters; or

d)The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to materially assume and materially agree to perform under the terms of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 8

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

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8.13.Circular 230 Disclaimer. THE FOLLOWING DISCLAIMER IS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE’S CIRCULAR 230 (21 C.F.R. PART 10). ANY TAX ADVICE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO BE PRELIMINARY, FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FINAL. ANY SUCH ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR MARKETING, PROMOTING OR RECOMMENDING ANY TRANSACTION OR FOR THE USE OF ANY PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION OF ANY TAX RETURN. ACCORDINGLY, THIS ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED, BY ANY PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING TAX PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON SUCH PERSON.

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the Effective Date written above.

 

SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.EXECUTIVE

 

By: /s/ Briggs W. Morrison, M.D.By: /s/ Michael L. Meyers, M.D., Ph.D.

 

 

Name: Briggs W. Morrison, M.D.Name: Michael L. Meyers, M.D., Ph.D.

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Exhibit A:Release (Individual Termination – Age 40 or Older)

Exhibit B:Release (Individual and Group Termination – Under Age 40)

Exhibit C:Release (Group Termination – Age 40 or Older)

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; and (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth (8th) day after I execute

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this Release (provided that I do not revoke it).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on- the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TERMINATION – UNDER AGE 40)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non- monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; and (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on-

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the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

RELEASE

(GROUP TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

 

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have forty-five (45) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice

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of revocation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day (8th) after I execute this Release; and (F) I have received with this Release the required written disclosure for a “group termination” under the ADEA, including a detailed list of the job titles and ages of all employees who were terminated in this group termination and the ages of all employees of the Company in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not terminated.

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on- the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

 

I agree that I will not engage in any conduct that is injurious to the reputation of the Company or its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, including but not limited to disparagement of the Company, its officers, Board members, employees and shareholders. The foregoing shall not be violated by a statement made in a deposition, trial or administrative proceeding in response to legal process; by any statement made to a government agency; or whenever I make any statement to a court, administrative tribunal or government agency as required by law.

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

Signature

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.7

 

AMENDED & RESTATED

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 27^th day of April, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), between RICHARD P. SHEA (“Executive”) and Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Article 7.

RECITALS

A.The Company is a biopharmaceutical company.

B.The Company desires to continue to employ Executive in the position set forth below, and Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company in such position, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

Article 1

PRELIMINARY MATTERS

1.1Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective on the Effective Date.

Article 2

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

2.1Appointment.  Executive shall serve as Chief Financial Officer, reporting to the President and Chief Operating Officer.  As Chief Financial Officer, Executive will have such duties and responsibilities typically associated with such officer plus other reasonable duties as may from time to time be assigned to Executive.  During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall (i) devote approximately eighty percent (80%) of Executive’s business efforts to the Company, provided, however, that Executive may (a) participate in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, (b) manage Executive’s passive personal investments, and (c) serve as a board member, advisor or a similar position, of up to two other companies, so long as such service does not conflict with or is not detrimental to the Company’s best interests, as determined in good faith by the Board, and (ii) faithfully and to the best of Executive’s abilities and experience, and in accordance with the standards and ethics of the business in which the Company is engaged, perform all duties that may be required of Executive by this Agreement, the Company’s policies and procedures, and such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to Executive from time to time, as well as the directives of the Board.  During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall not engage in any activity that conflicts with or is detrimental to the Company’s best interests, as determined by the Board. Executive and the Company acknowledge that Executive’s primary office will be located at the Company’s Waltham, MA headquarters, but that Executive may be required to spend a certain amount of time each month at the Company’s New York, NY office.

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2.2Employment Term.  Executive will be employed by the Company on an “at-will” basis.  This means that either the Company or Executive may terminate Executive’s employment at any time, for any reason, with or without Cause, and with or without advance notice (provided that Resignation for Good Reason (as defined below) requires certain advanced notice by Executive.  It also means that Executive’s job title, duties, responsibilities, reporting level, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may be changed with or without notice at any time in the Company’s sole discretion.  This at-will employment relationship shall not be modified by any conflicting actions or representations of any Company employee or other party before or during the term of Executive’s employment.

2.3Compensation.

a)Annual Base Salary.  Executive’s annual base salary shall be $353,500 per year (“Annual Base Salary”), payable in equal installments, less applicable deductions and withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices.  Executive’s Annual Base Salary shall be subject to review by the Company’s compensation committee and may be increased or decreased from time to time, but shall not be reduced unless, and only to the extent that, the base salaries of all other similarly situated executives of the Company are proportionately reduced.

b)Benefits.  Executive will be entitled to participate in all of the employee benefits and benefit plans that the Company generally makes available to its full-time employees and executives and for which Executive is eligible in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time.  These benefits are subject to the terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements that govern or apply to them.

c)Bonus.  In addition to Annual Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus of up to forty percent (40%) of Executive’s Annual Base Salary, which bonus shall be earned upon Executive’s attainment of objectives to be determined by the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee) and continued employment with the Company as described below (the “Target Performance Bonus”).  The amount of and Executive’s eligibility for the Target Performance Bonus shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board (or the compensation committee thereof, as such determination may be delegated by the Board to the compensation committee).  If earned, any Target Performance Bonus shall be paid to Executive, less authorized deductions and applicable withholdings, on or before the February 15th following the applicable bonus year.  Except as provided in Sections 3.2 and 4.2, Executive shall be eligible to earn the Target Performance Bonus only if Executive is actively employed and in good standing with the Company on both the determination and payment dates for the Target Performance Bonus.

2.4Reimbursement of Expenses.  Subject to Section 5.10(c), the Company shall reimburse Executive for Executive’s necessary and reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with Executive’s duties in accordance with the Company’s generally applicable policies.

2.5Intentionally Omitted.

Article 3

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE BENEFITS

3.1Severance Benefits.  Upon a Change in Control Termination, and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Executive shall be eligible to receive the benefits set forth in this Article 3.  The receipt of any severance payments or benefits pursuant to this Agreement is subject to

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Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and general release of claims (the “Release”), in substantially the form attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, Exhibit B or Exhibit C, as appropriate, which Release must become effective and irrevocable no later than the sixtieth (60^th) day following Executive’s termination of employment (the “Release Deadline Date”).  If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline Date, Executive will forfeit any right to any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement.  In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective and irrevocable

3.2Salary and Pro-Rata Bonus Payment.  In consideration of Executive’s execution and non-revocation of the Release by the Release Deadline Date in a form provided by the Company and in accordance with Article 4, the Company shall pay Executive a severance payment equal to (a) the sum of Executive’s Monthly Base Salary and Pro-Rata Bonus multiplied by (b) the number of months in the Change in Control Severance Period, less applicable withholdings. The severance payment shall be payable (except as set forth in Article 5) in a lump sum on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the Release Deadline Date.

3.3Health Continuation Coverage.

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Change in Control Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Change in Control Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Change in Control Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer.  Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of the Change in Control Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 3.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

3.4Stock Awards.  Upon a Change in Control Termination, (a) the vesting and exercisability of all outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock (or stock appreciation rights or other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued pursuant to any equity incentive plan of the Company) that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be accelerated in full, (b) any

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reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to common stock issued or issuable (or with respect to other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued or issuable) pursuant to any other stock award granted to Executive pursuant to any equity incentive plan of the Company shall lapse and (c) the time period that Executive has to exercise any outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (i) twelve (12) months or (ii) the remaining term of the outstanding option.

Article 4

COVERED TERMINATION SEVERANCE BENEFITS

4.1Severance Benefits.  Upon a Covered Termination, and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Executive shall be eligible to receive the benefits set forth in this Article 4. The receipt of any severance payments or benefits pursuant to this Agreement is subject to Executive signing and not revoking the appropriate Release, which Release must become effective and irrevocable no later than the Release Deadline Date. If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline Date, Executive will forfeit any right to any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective and irrevocable.

4.2Salary Payment.  In consideration of Executive’s timely execution and non-revocation of the Release by the Release Deadline Date, the Company shall pay Executive a severance payment equal to Executive’s Monthly Base Salary multiplied by the number of months in the Covered Termination Severance Period, less applicable withholdings. The severance payment shall be payable (except as set forth in Article 5) in a lump sum on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the Release Deadline Date.

4.3Health Continuation Coverage.

a)Provided that Executive is eligible and has made the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA under a health, dental or vision plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall pay for the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for Executive’s dependents for such health, dental or vision plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Covered Termination) for such continued health, dental or vision plan coverage following the date of the Covered Termination for up to the number of months equal to the Covered Termination Benefits Period (but in no event after such time as Executive is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as Executive and Executive’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage); provided that if continued payment by the Company of the applicable premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing such continued payment, the Company will instead pay Executive on the first day of each month a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the Covered Termination Benefits Period. Such coverage shall be counted as coverage pursuant to COBRA. The Company shall have no obligation in respect of any premium payments (or any other payments in respect of health, dental or vision coverage from the Company) following the effective date of Executive’s coverage by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer.  Executive shall be required to notify the Company immediately if Executive becomes covered by a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer. If Executive and Executive’s dependents continue coverage pursuant to COBRA following the conclusion of

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the Covered Termination Benefits Period, Executive will be responsible for the entire payment of such premiums required under COBRA for the duration of the COBRA period.

b)For purposes of this Section 4.3, (i) references to COBRA shall be deemed to refer also to analogous provisions of state law, and (ii) any applicable insurance premiums that are paid by the Company shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan, which amounts, if any, are the sole responsibility of Executive.

4.4Stock Awards.  Upon a Covered Termination:

a)the vesting and exercisability of all outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock (or stock appreciation rights or other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued pursuant to any equity incentive plan of the Company) that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be accelerated as to the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such option (“Option Shares”) as equals the number of Option Shares as would otherwise vest during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date in accordance with the applicable options’ vesting schedule were the Executive to remain an employee of the Company during such twelve (12) month period (disregarding any other basis for acceleration of vesting of Option Shares during such twelve (12) month period);

b)any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to common stock issued or issuable (or with respect to other rights with respect to the stock of the Company issued or issuable) pursuant to any option to purchase the Company’s common stock (or stock appreciation rights or other rights with respect to the stock of the Company) (“Restricted Shares”) held by the Executive as of the Termination Date shall lapse as to the number of Restricted Shares as equals the number of Restricted Shares as to which such reacquisition or repurchase rights would otherwise lapse during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date in accordance with the option’s vesting schedule were the Executive to remain an employee of the Company during such twelve (12) month period (disregarding any other basis for acceleration of the lapsing of such reacquisition or repurchase rights on Restricted Shares during such twelve (12) month period); and

c)the time period that Executive has to exercise any outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock that are held by Executive on the Termination Date shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (i) twelve (12) months or (ii) the remaining term of the outstanding option.

Article 5

LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS ON BENEFITS

5.1Rights Conditioned on Compliance.  Executive’s rights to receive all severance benefits described in Article 3 and Article 4 shall be conditioned upon and subject to Executive’s compliance with the limitations and conditions on benefits as described in this Article 5.

5.2Continuation of Service Until Date of Termination.  Executive shall continue to provide service to the Company in good faith until the Termination Date, unless such performance is otherwise excused in writing by the Company.

5.3Release Prior to Payment of Benefits.  Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Termination or a Covered Termination, as applicable, and prior to Executive earning any entitlement to any severance or separation benefits under this Agreement on account of such Change in Control Termination or Covered Termination, as applicable, Executive must execute the appropriate Release, and such Release

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must become effective in accordance with its terms, but in no event later than the Release Deadline Date. No amount shall be paid prior to such date. Instead, on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the Release Deadline Date, the Company will pay Executive the severance amount that Executive would otherwise have received on or prior to such date but for the delay in payment related to the effectiveness of the Release, with the balance of the severance amount being paid as originally scheduled. The Company may modify the Release in its discretion to comply with changes in applicable law at any time prior to Executive’s execution of such Release. Such Release shall specifically relate to all of Executive’s rights and claims in existence at the time of such execution and shall confirm Executive’s obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement and any similar obligations under applicable law. It is understood that, as specified in the applicable Release, Executive has a certain number of calendar days to consider whether to execute such Release. If Executive does not execute and deliver such Release within the applicable period, no benefits shall be provided or payable under this Agreement, and Executive shall have no further rights, title or interests in or to any severance benefits or payments pursuant to this Agreement. It is further understood that if Executive is age 40 or older at the time of a Change in Control Termination or a Covered Termination, as applicable, Executive may revoke the applicable Release within seven (7) calendar days after its execution by Executive. If Executive revokes such Release within such subsequent seven (7) day period, no benefits shall be provided or payable under this Agreement pursuant to such Change in Control Termination or Covered Termination, as applicable.

5.4Return of Company Property.  Not later than the Termination Date, Executive shall return to the Company all documents (and all copies thereof) and other property belonging to the Company that Executive has in his or her possession or control. The documents and property to be returned include, but are not limited to, all files, correspondence, email, memoranda, notes, notebooks, records, plans, forecasts, reports, studies, analyses, compilations of data, proposals, agreements, financial information, research and development information, marketing information, operational and personnel information, databases, computer-recorded information, tangible property and equipment (including, but not limited to, computers, facsimile machines, mobile telephones and servers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys, and any materials of any kind which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof in whole or in part). Executive agrees to make a diligent search to locate any such documents, property and information. If Executive has used any personally owned computer, server or e-mail system to receive, store, review, prepare or transmit any Company confidential or proprietary data, materials or information, then within ten (10) business days after the Termination Date, Executive shall provide the Company with a computer-useable copy of all such information and then permanently delete and expunge such confidential or proprietary information from those systems. Executive agrees to provide the Company access to Executive’s system as requested to verify that the necessary copying and/or deletion is done.

5.5Cooperation and Continued Compliance with Restrictive Covenants.

a)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with its actual or contemplated defense, prosecution or investigation of any existing or future litigation, arbitrations, mediations, claims, demands, audits, government or regulatory inquiries, or other matters arising from events, acts or failures to act that occurred during the time period in which Executive was employed by the Company (including any period of employment with an entity acquired by the Company). Such cooperation includes, without limitation, being available upon reasonable notice, without subpoena, to provide accurate and complete advice, assistance and information to the Company, including offering and explaining evidence, providing truthful and accurate sworn statements, and participating in discovery and trial preparation and testimony. Executive also agrees to promptly send the Company copies of all correspondence (for example, but not limited to, subpoenas) received by Executive in connection with any such legal proceedings, unless Executive is expressly prohibited by law from so doing. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in

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connection with any such cooperation (excluding foregone wages, salary or other compensation) within thirty (30) days of Executive’s timely presentation of appropriate documentation thereof, in accordance with the Company’s standard reimbursement policies and procedures, and will make reasonable efforts to accommodate Executive’s scheduling needs.

b)From and after the Termination Date, Executive shall continue to abide by all of the terms and provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (and any other comparable agreement signed by Executive), in accordance with its terms.

c)Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s obligations under this Section 5.5 are an essential part of the consideration Executive is providing hereunder in exchange for which and in reliance upon which the Company has agreed to provide the payments and benefits under this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s violation of this Section 5.5 inevitably would involve use or disclosure of the Company’s proprietary and confidential information. Accordingly, Executive agrees that Executive will forfeit, effective as of the date of any breach, any right, entitlement, claim or interest in or to any unpaid portion of the severance payments or benefits provided in Article 3 or Article 4. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 5.5 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

5.6Parachute Payments.

a)Parachute Payment Limitation.  If any payment or benefit (including payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement) Executive would receive in connection with a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this paragraph, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall cause to be determined, before any amounts of the Payment are paid to Executive, which of the following two alternative forms of payment shall be paid to Executive: (A) payment in full of the entire amount of the Payment (a “Full Payment”), or (B) payment of only a part of the Payment so that Executive receives the largest payment possible without the imposition of the Excise Tax (a “Reduced Payment”). A Full Payment shall be made in the event that the amount received by Executive on a net after-tax basis is greater than what would be received by Executive on a net after-tax basis if the Reduced Payment were made, otherwise a Reduced Payment shall be made. If a Reduced Payment is made, (i) the Payment shall be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Payment alternative, and Executive shall have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (ii) reduction in payments and/or benefits shall occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments; (B) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (C) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (D) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Executive’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be canceled in the reverse order of the date of grant.

b)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall make all determinations required to be made under this Section 5.6. If the independent registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

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c)The independent registered public accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. If the independent registered public accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and Executive with an opinion reasonably acceptable to Executive that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.

5.7Certain Reductions and Offsets.  To the extent that any federal, state or local laws, including, without limitation, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any other so-called “plant closing” laws, require the Company to give advance notice or make a payment of any kind to Executive because of Executive’s involuntary termination due to a layoff, reduction in force, plant or facility closing, sale of business, change in control or any other similar event or reason, the benefits payable under this Agreement shall be correspondingly reduced. The benefits provided under this Agreement are intended to satisfy any and all statutory obligations that may arise out of Executive’s involuntary termination of employment for the foregoing reasons, and the parties shall construe and enforce the terms of this Agreement accordingly.

5.8Mitigation.  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided under this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by another employer or by any retirement benefits received by Executive after the date of a Change in Control Termination or Covered Termination (except as expressly provided in Sections 3.3 and 4.3 above).

5.9Indebtedness of Executive. If Executive is indebted to the Company on the effective date of a Change in Control Termination or Covered Termination, the Company reserves the right to offset any severance payments and benefits under this Agreement by the amount of such indebtedness.

5.10Application of Section 409A.

a)Separation from Service.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no amount deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable pursuant to Article 3 or Article 4 unless Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder and, except as provided under Section 5.10(b) hereof, any such amount shall not be paid, or in the case of installments, commence payment, until the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day following Executive’s separation from service. Any installment payments that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60) day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence shall be paid to Executive on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60^th) day after Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments shall be made as provided in this Agreement.

b)Specified Executive.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed at the time of his or her separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Executive’s benefits

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shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (ii) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 5.10(b) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

c)Expense Reimbursements.  To the extent that any reimbursement payable pursuant to this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursement payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year; and Executive’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

d)Installments.  For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

5.11Tax Withholding. All payments under this Agreement shall be subject to applicable withholding for federal, state and local income and employment taxes.

5.12No Duplication of Severance Benefits. The severance and other benefits provided in Article 3 and Article 4 are mutually exclusive of each other, and in no event shall Executive receive any severance or other benefits pursuant to both Article 3 and Article 4.

Article 6

TERMINATION WITH CAUSE OR BY VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION;

OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

6.1Termination for Cause by the Company.  If the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company for Cause, then upon such termination, the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive hereunder except for the payment or provision, as applicable, of (a) the portion of the Annual Base Salary for the period prior to the effective date of termination earned but unpaid (if any), (b) all unreimbursed expenses (if any), subject to Sections 2.4 and 5.10(c), and (c) other payments, entitlements or benefits, if any, in accordance with terms of the applicable plans, programs, arrangements or other agreements of the Company (other than any severance plan or policy) as to which the Executive held rights to such payments, entitlements or benefits, whether as a participant, beneficiary or otherwise on the date of termination (“Other Benefits”).  For the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall have no right to receive (and Other Benefits shall not include) any amounts under any Company severance plan or policy or pursuant to Article 3 or Article 4 upon Executive’s termination for Cause.  

6.2Termination by Voluntary Resignation by the Executive (other than Resignation for Good Reason).  Upon any voluntary resignation by Executive that is not a Resignation for Good Reason, the Company shall have no further obligation to the Executive hereunder except for the payment of (a) the portion of the Annual Base Salary for the period prior to the effective date of termination earned but unpaid (if any), (b) all unreimbursed expenses (if any), subject to Sections 2.4 and 5.10(c), and (c) the payment or provision of any Other Benefits.  For the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall have no right to receive (and Other Benefits shall not include) any amounts under any Company severance plan or policy or pursuant to

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Article 3 or Article 4 upon any voluntary resignation by Executive that is not a Resignation for Good Reason.  

6.3Other Rights and Benefits. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plans, programs, policies or practices provided by the Company and for which Executive may otherwise qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Executive may have under other agreements with the Company except as provided in Article 2, Article 5, Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 above. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, amounts that are vested benefits or that Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of the Company at or subsequent to the date of a Change in Control shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program.

Article 7

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise provided, for purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

7.1“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

7.2“Cause” means, upon a reasonable determination by the Company, Executive’s: (a) dishonest statements or acts with respect to the Company, any subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company or any subsidiary; (b) commission by or indictment for (i) a felony or (ii) any misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations) involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud (“indictment,” for these purposes, meaning an indictment, probable cause hearing or any other procedure pursuant to which an initial determination of probable or reasonable cause with respect to such offense is made); (c) gross negligence, willful misconduct or insubordination with respect to the Company, any subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company or any subsidiary; (d) material breach of any of Executive’s obligations under any agreement to which Executive and the Company or any subsidiary are a party; or (e) death or disability. With respect to clause (d), Executive will be given notice and a 30-day period in which to cure such breach, only to the extent such breach can be reasonably expected to be able to be cured within such period. Executive agrees that the breach of any confidentiality obligation to the Company or any subsidiary shall not be curable to any extent.

7.3“Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

a)Any natural person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act Person”), becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (i) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by any institutional investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions that are primarily a private financing transaction for the Company or (ii) solely because the level of ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred,

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increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

b)There is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving, directly or indirectly, the Company if, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, either (i) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction;

c)The stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur; or

d)There is consummated a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

The term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any affiliate and the participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to stock awards subject to such agreement (it being understood, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply).

7.4“Change in Control Benefits Period” means the period of twelve (12) months commencing on the Termination Date.

7.5“Change in Control Severance Period” means the period of twelve (12) months commencing on the Termination Date.

7.6“Change in Control Termination” means an “Involuntary Termination Without Cause” or “Resignation for Good Reason,” either of which occurs on, or within three (3) months prior to, or within twelve (12) months following, the effective date of a Change in Control, provided that any such termination is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). Death and disability shall not be deemed Change in Control Terminations.

7.7“COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

7.8“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

7.9“Company” means Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. or, following a Change in Control, the surviving entity resulting from such transaction, or any subsequent surviving entity resulting from any subsequent Change in Control.

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7.10“Confidentiality Agreement” means Executive’s Assignment of Developments, Non-Disclosure, and Non-Solicitation Agreement with the Company (or any successor agreement thereto).

7.11“Covered Termination” means an “Involuntary Termination Without Cause” or “Resignation for Good Reason,” provided that any such termination is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). Death and disability shall not be deemed Covered Terminations. If an Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason qualifies as a Change in Control Termination, it shall not constitute a Covered Termination.

7.12“Covered Termination Benefits Period” means the period of nine (9) months commencing on the Termination Date.

7.13“Covered Termination Severance Period” means the period of nine (9) months commencing on the Termination Date.

7.14“Involuntary Termination Without Cause” means Executive’s dismissal or discharge by the Company for reasons other than Cause and other than as a result of death or disability.

7.15“Monthly Base Salary” means 1/12^th of the greater of (i) Executive’s annual base salary (excluding incentive pay, premium pay, commissions, overtime, bonuses and other forms of variable compensation) as in effect on the date of a Change in Control Termination or a Covered Termination, as applicable, or (ii) in the case of a Change in Control Termination, Executive’s annual base salary (excluding incentive pay, premium pay, commissions, overtime, bonuses and other forms of variable compensation) as in effect on the date of a Change in Control.

7.16“Pro-Rata Bonus” means 1/12^th of the greater of (i) the average Target Performance Bonus paid to Executive for the three years preceding the date of a Change in Control Termination (or such lesser number of years during which Executive has been employed by the Company), or (ii) the Target Performance Bonus, as in effect on the date of a Change in Control Termination.

7.17“Resignation for Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation from all employee positions Executive then holds with the Company within sixty (60) days following any of the following events taken without Executive’s consent, provided Executive has given the Company written notice of such event within thirty (30) days after the first occurrence of such event and the Company has not cured such event within thirty (30) days thereafter:

a)A decrease in Executive’s total target cash compensation (base and bonus) of more than 10% (i.e., a material reduction in Executive’s base compensation and a material breach by the Company of Executive’s employment terms with the Company), other than in connection with a comparable decrease in compensation for all comparable executives of the Company;

b)Executive’s duties or responsibilities are materially diminished (not simply a change in title or reporting relationships); provided, that Executive shall not be deemed to have a “Resignation for Good Reason” if the Company survives as a separate legal entity or business unit following the Change in Control and Executive holds materially the same position in such legal entity or business unit as Executive held before the Change in Control;

c)Either (i) Executive is required to establish residence in a location more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence or (ii) there is an increase in Executive’s round-trip driving distance of more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current principal personal residence to the principal office or business location at which Executive is required to perform services (except for

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required business travel to the extent consistent with Executive’s prior business travel obligations) (“Executive’s Principal Place of Business”) as a result of a change in location by the Company of Executive’s Principal Place of Business; or

d)The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to materially assume and materially agree to perform under the terms of this Agreement.

7.18“Termination Date” means the effective date of the Change in Control Termination, the Covered Termination or a termination for Cause, as applicable.

Article 8

GENERAL PROVISIONS

8.1Employment Status.  This Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose upon Executive any obligation to remain as an employee, or impose on the Company any obligation (i) to retain Executive as an employee, (ii) to change the status of Executive as an at-will employee or (iii) to change the Company’s policies regarding termination of employment.

8.2Notices. Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing, and such notices or any other written communication shall be deemed effective upon the earlier of personal delivery (including personal delivery by facsimile) or the third day after mailing by first class mail, to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at Executive’s address as listed in the Company’s payroll records. Any payments made by the Company to Executive under the terms of this Agreement shall be delivered to Executive either in person or at the address as listed in the Company’s payroll records.

8.3Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.

8.4Waiver. If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, he, she or it shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.

8.5Complete Agreement. This Agreement, including Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C, and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement between Executive and the Company and is the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter, wholly superseding all written and oral agreements with respect to payments and benefits to Executive in the event of employment termination. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein.

8.6Amendment or Termination of Agreement; Continuation of Agreement. This Agreement may be changed or terminated only upon the mutual written consent of the Company and Executive. The written consent of the Company to a change or termination of this Agreement must be signed by an executive officer of the Company (other than Executive) after such change or termination has been approved by the Board. Unless so terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect for as long as Executive continues to be employed by the Company or by any surviving entity following any Change in Control. In other words, if, following a Change in Control, Executive continues to be employed by the

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surviving entity without a Change in Control Termination and the surviving entity then undergoes a Change in Control, following which Executive is terminated by the subsequent surviving entity in a Change in Control Termination, then Executive shall receive the benefits described in Article 3 hereof.

8.7Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

8.8Headings. The headings of the Articles and Sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.

8.9Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, and the Company, and any surviving entity resulting from a Change in Control and upon any other person who is a successor by merger, acquisition, consolidation or otherwise to the business formerly carried on by the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, without regard to whether or not such person actively assumes any rights or duties hereunder; provided, however, that Executive may not assign any duties hereunder and may not assign any rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably.

8.10Choice of Law. Because of the Company’s and Executive’s interests in ensuring that disputes regarding this Agreement are resolved on a uniform basis, the parties agree that all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the law of the State of New York, without regard for any conflict of law principles. Further, the parties consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of New York for all purposes in connection with this Agreement. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which Executive or the Company may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute. 

8.11Arbitration.  To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of any disputes that may arise under or relate to this Agreement or Executive’s employment relationship, Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, arising from or relating to the performance, enforcement, execution, or interpretation of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Company, or the termination of Executive’s employment (collectively, “Claims”), shall be resolved to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding, and (to the extent permitted by law) confidential arbitration before a single arbitrator in the state where Executive is employed.  The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Section 1 et seq., as amended, and shall be administered by the Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”), in accordance with its then-current Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures (the “JAMS Rules”).  The JAMS Rules are also available online at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/.   The parties or their representatives may also call JAMS at 800.352.5267 if they have questions about the arbitration process.   If the JAMS Rules are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision shall exclude Claims that by law are not subject to arbitration.  The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of all Claims and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision including the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award.  The Company shall pay all JAMS fees in excess of the amount of filing and other court-related fees Executive would have been required to pay if the Claims were asserted in a court of law.   EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY UNDERSTAND AND FULLY AGREE THAT BY ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BOTH EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY ARE GIVING UP THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO HAVE A TRIAL BY JURY, AND ARE GIVING UP THE NORMAL

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RIGHTS OF APPEAL FOLLOWING THE RENDERING OF A DECISION, EXCEPT AS THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW ALLOW FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent either Executive or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.  Any awards or final orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments or orders in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction in compliance with Section 8.11 of this Agreement.

8.12Construction of Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the text of this Agreement and any summary, description or other information regarding this Agreement, the text of this Agreement shall control.

8.13Circular 230 Disclaimer. THE FOLLOWING DISCLAIMER IS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE’S CIRCULAR 230 (21 C.F.R. PART 10). ANY TAX ADVICE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO BE PRELIMINARY, FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FINAL. ANY SUCH ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR MARKETING, PROMOTING OR RECOMMENDING ANY TRANSACTION OR FOR THE USE OF ANY PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION OF ANY TAX RETURN. ACCORDINGLY, THIS ADVICE IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED, BY ANY PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING TAX PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON SUCH PERSON.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the Effective Date written above.

 

 

 

Exhibit A:Release (Individual Termination – Age 40 or Older)

Exhibit B:Release (Individual and Group Termination – Under Age 40)

Exhibit C:Release (Group Termination – Age 40 or Older)

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice of revocation to the

A-1

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Company’s Chief Executive Officer; and (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth (8th) day after I execute this Release (provided that I do not revoke it).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on-the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).  

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

 

Signature

 

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

A-2

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EXHIBIT B

RELEASE

(INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TERMINATION – UNDER AGE 40)

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; and (C) I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier).

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on-the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

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I agree that I will not make any disparaging statements regarding the Company or its officers, directors, shareholders, members, agents or products jointly or severally. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).  

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

 

Signature

 

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

RELEASE

(GROUP TERMINATION – AGE 40 OR OLDER)

Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) which I have executed and of which this Release is a part.

I hereby confirm my obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (or other comparable agreement that I have signed, if any).

Except as otherwise set forth in this Release, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the date I execute this Release, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, the New York City Human Rights Law, as amended, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law, as amended, the South Carolina Human Affairs Law, as amended, tort law, contract law, wrongful discharge, discrimination, fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to (1) release the Company from its obligation to indemnify me pursuant to the Company’s indemnification obligation pursuant to written agreement or applicable law; (2) release any claim by me against the Company relating to the validity or enforceability of this release or the Agreement; (3) prohibit me from exercising any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), or any other government agency (provided, however, that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or to obtain non-monetary relief if the agency were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with the Company).

I acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have to assert claims for age discrimination under applicable law, including under the ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given under the Agreement for the waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date I execute this Release; (B) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release; (C) I have forty-five (45) days to consider this Release (although I may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier); (D) I have seven (7) days following my execution of this Release to revoke the Release by providing a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Chief

C-1

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Executive Officer; (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day (8th) after I execute this Release; and (F) I have received with this Release the required written disclosure for a “group termination” under the ADEA, including a detailed list of the job titles and ages of all employees who were terminated in this group termination and the ages of all employees of the Company in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not terminated.

I hereby represent that I have been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, I have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which I am eligible, pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, any Company policy or applicable law, and I have not suffered any on-the-job injury or illness for which I have not already filed a workers’ compensation claim.

 

I agree that I will not engage in any conduct that is injurious to the reputation of the Company or its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, including but not limited to disparagement of the Company, its officers, Board members, employees and shareholders. The foregoing shall not be violated by a statement made in a deposition, trial or administrative proceeding in response to legal process; by any statement made to a government agency; or whenever I make any statement to a court, administrative tribunal or government agency as required by law. 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

 

Signature

 

 

Printed Name

 

 

Date:

 

C-2

 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Briggs W. Morrison, M.D., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in exchange act rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Richard P. Shea, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in exchange act rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to his or her knowledge: