ASXC Asensus Surgical Inc

OTHER MATTERS

Management and the Board know of no matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting other than as set forth in this proxy statement. However, if any such other matters properly are presented to the stockholders for action at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement, it is the intention of the proxy holder named in the proxy to vote in his discretion on all matters on which the shares represented by such proxy are entitled to vote.

	By Order of the Board of Directors,
	Joshua B. Weingard
	Corporate Secretary

Annex A

ASENSUS SURGICAL, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

Amended and Restated as of: _________ __, 2023

ASENSUS SURGICAL, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

1.            Purpose. The purpose of this Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), is to assist Asensus Surgical, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined) to attract, motivate, retain and reward high-quality executives and other employees, officers, directors, consultants and other persons who provide services to the Company or its Subsidiaries by enabling such persons to acquire or increase an ownership interest in the Company in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons and the Company’s stockholders, and providing such persons with incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of stockholder value.

2.            Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below, in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof and elsewhere herein.

(a)    “Affiliate” means any entity that is, directly or indirectly, controlled by, under common control with or controlling the Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant ownership interest as determined by the Committee.

(b)    “Automatic Exercise Date” shall mean, with respect to an Option, the last business day of the applicable term that was established by the Committee for such Option (e.g., the last business day prior to the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of such Option if the Option initially had a ten-year term); provided that with respect to an Option that has been amended pursuant to this Plan so as to alter the term, “Automatic Exercise Date” shall mean the last business day of the term that was established by the Committee for such Option as amended.

(c)    “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Award, together with any other right or interest, granted to a Participant under the Plan.

(d)    “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted by the Committee hereunder.

(e)    “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, trust or trusts that have been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Company to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon such Participant’s death or to which Awards or other rights are transferred if and to the extent permitted under Section 10(b) hereof. If, upon a Participant’s death, there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the term Beneficiary means the person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.

(f)    “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and any successor to such Rule.

(g)    “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

(h)    “Cause” with respect to any Participant, has the meaning specified in an employment or other agreement with, for the performance of services to, the Company or a Subsidiary. In the absence of any such agreement, “Cause” means (i) the failure by the Participant to perform, in a reasonable manner, his or her duties as assigned by the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii) any violation or breach by the Participant of his or her employment, consulting or other similar agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary, if any, (iii) any violation or breach by the Participant of any non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure and/or other similar agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary, (iv) any act by the Participant of dishonesty or bad faith with respect to the Company or a Subsidiary, (v) use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances in a manner that adversely affects the Participant’s work performance, or (vi) the commission by the Participant of any act, misdemeanor, or crime reflecting unfavorably upon the Participant or the Company or any Subsidiary. The good faith determination by the Committee of whether the Participant’s Continuous Service was terminated by the Company for “Cause” shall be final and binding for all purposes hereunder.

(i)    “Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(c).

(j)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.

(k)    “Committee” means a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that if the Board fails to designate a committee or if there are no longer any members on the committee so designated by the Board, then the Board shall serve as the Committee. The Committee shall consist of at least two directors, and each member of the Committee shall be (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule) promulgated under the Exchange Act, unless administration of the Plan by “non-employee directors” is not then required in order for exemptions under Rule 16b-3 to apply to transactions under the Plan, (ii) an “outside director” that meets any applicable requirements of the Code, and (iii) Independent.

(l)    “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.

(m)    “Consultant” means any person (other than an Employee or a Director) who is engaged by the Company or any Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services to the Company or such Subsidiary.

(n)    “Continuous Service” means the uninterrupted provision of services to the Company or any Subsidiary in any capacity of Employee, Director, Consultant or other service provider. Continuous Service shall not be considered to be interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers among the Company, any Subsidiaries, or any successor entities, in any capacity of Employee, Director, Consultant or other service provider, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a Subsidiary in any capacity of Employee, Director, Consultant or other service provider (except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement). An approved leave of absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave.

(o)    “Director” means a member of the Board.

(p)    “Disability” means a permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e) of the Code), as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee.

(q)    “Dividend Equivalent” means a dividend payable on a hypothetical Share of Common Stock.

(r)    “Effective Date” means May 7, 2015, which was the date of the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting on which this Plan was initially approved by stockholders of the Company.

(s)    “Eligible Person” means each officer, Director, Employee, Consultant and other person who provides services to the Company or any Subsidiary. The foregoing notwithstanding, only employees of the Company, or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company (as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively), shall be Eligible Persons for purposes of receiving any Incentive Stock Options. An Employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

(t)    “Employee” means any person, including an officer or Director, who is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

(u)    “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.

(v)    “Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, the closing sale price per share of the Common Stock reported on a consolidated basis on the principal stock exchange or market on which the Common Stock is traded on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there is no sale on that date, then on the last previous day on which a sale was reported. If the Common Stock is not so listed on an exchange or market, Fair Market Value will be determined by the Committee, or under procedures established by the Committee.

(w)    “Good Reason” has the meaning of “good reason” or “for good reason” as set forth in any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary.

(x)    “Incentive Stock Option” means any Option intended to be designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

(y)    “Independent”, when referring to either the Board or members of the Committee, shall have the same meaning as used in the rules of NYSE American or any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Company are listed for trading, and if not listed for trading, by the rules of NYSE American.

(z)    “Option” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(b) hereof, to purchase Shares at a specified price during specified time periods.

(aa)    “Optionee” means a person to whom an Option is granted under this Plan or any person who succeeds to the rights of such person under this Plan.

(bb)    “Other Stock-Based Awards” means Awards granted to a Participant under Section 6(f) hereof.

(cc)    “Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan which remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

(dd)    “Performance Award” means any Award of Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock Awards with Performance Goals granted pursuant to Section 6(g).

(ee)    “Performance Goals” means financial or operating, stock performance-related or individually-based goals established for an Award by the Committee, or, pursuant to delegated authority, by a delegate.

(ff)    “Performance Period” means that period established by the Committee at the time any Performance Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any Performance Goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Performance Award are to be measured.

(gg)    “Person” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and includes a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

(hh)    “Repriced” means (i) any transaction performed with the intent or effect of (A) reducing the exercise price of any outstanding Option, (B) cancelling or exchanging outstanding Options in exchange for cash, other Awards or replacement Options, including through a tender offer process, with exercise prices that are less than the exercise price of the cancelled or exchanged Options, or (C) any similar share exchange transaction involving outstanding Awards; or (ii) any transaction defined as repricing under the NYSE American rules for listed companies.

(ii)    “Restricted Stock” means any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such risks of forfeiture and other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose (including any restriction on the right to vote such Share and the right to receive any dividends), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.

(jj)    “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award granted to a Participant under Section 6(d) hereof.

(kk)    “Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs” mean a unit or other right to receive one Share per unit, including Restricted Stock, cash measured based upon the value of Shares or a combination thereof, at the end of a specified restriction or forfeiture period.

(ll)    “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an Award of RSUs granted to a Participant under Section 6(e) hereof.

(mm)    “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and applicable to the Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(nn)    “Shares” means the shares of Common Stock, and such other securities as may be substituted (or resubstituted) for Shares pursuant to Section 10(c) hereof.

(oo)    “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.

(pp)    “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the then outstanding securities or interests of such corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or more of the distribution of profits or 50% or more of the assets on liquidation or dissolution.

(qq)    “Termination of Employment” means, with respect to any Employee, the Employee’s ceasing to be an Employee; provided, however, that for Incentive Stock Option purposes, Termination of Employment will occur when the Participant ceases to be an employee (as determined in accordance with Code Section 3401(c) and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; and provided further that for any Award subject to Section 409A, Termination of Employment means a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A. The Committee shall determine whether any corporate transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or business unit, or a joint venture, shall be deemed to result in a Termination of Employment.

3.            Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case the Plan shall be administered by only those directors who are Independent Directors, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the Independent members of the Board. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law (including applicable stock exchange rules), the Committee may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in the Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

(a)         Powers of the Committee. Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority, in its discretion, to:

(i)    select the Eligible Persons to whom Awards are to be granted hereunder;

(ii)    determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(iii)    determine the type of Award to be granted to the selected Eligible Persons;

(iv)    approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;

(v)    determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder;

(vi)    correct administrative errors;

(vii)    construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan;

(viii)    adopt rules and procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of applicable laws and procedures;

(ix)    prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan;

(x)    modify or amend each Award, including, but not limited to, the acceleration of vesting or exercisability; provided, however, that any such amendment is subject to Section 10(e);

(xi)    allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax amounts by electing (in such form and under such conditions as the Committee may provide) to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option or vesting or lapse of forfeiture of a Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award, Performance Award or Other Stock Award that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the maximum that can be withheld in the applicable jurisdiction;

(xii)    authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Committee;

(xiii)    determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting a Termination of Employment for purposes of the Plan, subject to the applicable requirements of Code Section 409A; and

(xiv)    make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan and any Award granted hereunder.

(b)         Effect of Committee’s Decisions. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Committee regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants. The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other Employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select.

(c)         Limitation of Liability. The Committee and the Board, and each member thereof, shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or Employee, the Company’s independent auditors, Consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and the Board, and any officer or Employee acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee or the Board, shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

4.            Shares Subject to Plan.

(a)        Aggregate Limits. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the total number of Shares reserved and available for delivery under the Plan shall be 54,072,307. Any Shares subject to Awards that are cancelled, expire or are forfeited without the issuance of any Shares shall be available for re-grant under the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan shall not again be made available for issuance or delivery under the Plan if such Shares are (i) Shares tendered or withheld in payment of the Option exercise price, or (ii) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation authorized by the Committee. Shares issued in payment of any Award may either be authorized and unissued Shares or treasury Shares. Any cash tendered to pay any exercise price or to meet tax withholding obligations will not be used by the Company to purchase additional Shares on the open market for use under this Plan. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4 to the contrary but subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan as a result of the exercise of the Incentive Stock Options shall be 54,072,307 Shares.

(b)       Award Vesting Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, but subject to Section 9 of the Plan, Awards granted under the Plan shall vest no earlier than the six-month anniversary of the applicable date of grant; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 9(b), Awards that result in the issuance of up to five percent (5%) of the Shares available pursuant to Section 4(a) may be granted to any one or more Participants without respect to such minimum vesting provisions.

5.            Limitation on Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Awards granted under the Plan during any calendar year to any non-employee Director shall not exceed $250,000 in value, except that in connection with his or her initial appointment to the Board, such non-employee Director may be granted an Award or Awards with a value of up to $500,000.

6.            Specific Terms of Awards.

(a)         General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10(e)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. The Committee shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any time, any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan. Except in cases in which the Committee is authorized to require other forms of consideration under the Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration must be paid to satisfy the requirements of Delaware law, no consideration other than services may be required for the grant (as opposed to the exercise) of any Award.

(b)         Options. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to any Eligible Person on the following terms and conditions:

(i)    Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share purchasable under an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the Option and shall not, in any event, be less than the par value of a Share on the date of grant of the Option. If an Employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Employee, the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(ii)    Vesting Period, Performance Goals and Time and Method of Exercise. Options granted under the Plan shall vest and be exercisable at such time, subject to achievement of designated Performance Goals, if any, and/or in such installments during the period prior to the expiration of the Option’s term as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The minimum vesting schedule for Options shall be six months after the date of grant. The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid (including in the discretion of the Committee a cashless exercise procedure), the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Shares (including without limitation the withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the Award), other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or a Subsidiary, and the methods by or forms in which Shares will be delivered to Participants.

(iii)    Incentive Stock Options. The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options (including any Stock Appreciation Right issued in tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, unless the Participant has first requested, or consents to, the change that will result in such disqualification. Thus, if and to the extent required to comply with Section 422 of the Code, Options granted as Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following special terms and conditions:

(1)    the Option shall not be exercisable for more than ten years after the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted; provided, however, that if a Participant owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) and the Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Participant, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) for no more than five years after the date of grant; and

(2)    the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and all other option plans of the Company (and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) that become exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year shall not (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) exceed $100,000.

(iv)         No Option Repricings. Other than in connection with a change in the Company’s capitalization (as described in Section 10(c)), the exercise price of an Option may not be Repriced without stockholder approval.

(v)          Expiration of Option Term: Automatic Exercise of In-The-Money Options. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee (in an Award Agreement or otherwise) or as otherwise directed in writing to the Company by a Participant holding an Option, each Option outstanding on the Automatic Exercise Date with an exercise price per share that is less than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock as of such date shall automatically and without further action by the Participant or the Company be exercised on the Automatic Exercise Date. Payment of the exercise price of any such Option and related tax obligations shall be “net settled” to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, this Section 6(b)(v) shall not apply to an Option if the Participant incurs a Termination of Employment on or before the Automatic Exercise Date.

(c)         Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to any Eligible Person in conjunction with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option (a “Tandem Stock Appreciation Right”), or without regard to any Option (a “Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right”), in each case upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, including the following:

(i)    Right to Payment. A Stock Appreciation Right shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over (B) for Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights, the exercise price per share of the related Option and for Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights, the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant.

(ii)    Other Terms. The Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of Performance Goals and/or future service requirements), the time or times at which Stock Appreciation Rights shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Continuous Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Shares will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not a Stock Appreciation Right shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right.

(iii)    Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Any Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be granted at the same time as the related Option is granted or, for Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Option. Any Tandem Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option may be exercised only when the related Option would be exercisable and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option exceeds the exercise price at which Shares can be acquired pursuant to the Option. In addition, if a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right exists with respect to less than the full number of Shares covered by a related Option, then an exercise or termination of such Option shall not reduce the number of Shares to which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right applies until the number of Shares then exercisable under such Option equals the number of Shares to which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right applies. Any Option related to a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised, and any Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the related Option has been exercised.

(d)          Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Awards to any Eligible Person on the following terms and conditions:

(i)    Grant and Restrictions. Restricted Stock Awards shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose, or as otherwise provided in this Plan, covering a period of time specified by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”). The minimum Restriction Period is six months after the date of grant. The terms of any Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in a written Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. The restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of Performance Goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and any Award Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Committee). During the Restriction Period, subject to Section 10(b) below, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.

(ii)    Forfeiture. Upon termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service during the applicable Restriction Period, the Participant’s Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to a risk of forfeiture that has not lapsed or otherwise been satisfied shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company.

(iii)    Certificates for Stock. Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.

(iv)    Dividends. Dividends that are declared and paid on the outstanding shares of Common Stock during any period for which forfeiture restrictions apply to a Restricted Stock Award shall not be paid at the time dividends are paid to stockholders, but shall be accrued, without interest, and paid out when such forfeiture restrictions lapse; provided, that any accrued dividends are forfeited to the extent the underlying Shares under the Award are forfeited.

(e)    Restricted Stock Unit Award. The terms and conditions of a grant of a RSU Award shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. RSUs shall be earned, and forfeiture restrictions shall lapse, at such time, in such installments, and/or subject to such Performance Goal(s) and with such Performance Period as determined by the Committee or, if applicable, a delegate of the Committee. No Shares shall be issued at the time a RSU Award is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such RSU Award. A Participant shall have no voting or dividend rights with respect to any RSUs granted hereunder until the Shares, if any, underlying the RSU Award are earned and issued.

(i)    Restrictions. A RSU Award shall be subject to (A) forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period by the Committee, and/or satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals as established under Section 6(g) during a designated Performance Period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such RSUs are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such RSUs shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company, and (B) such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The minimum Restriction Period or Performance Period for RSU Awards shall be six months after the date of grant.

(ii)    Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Upon the expiration of the Restriction Period, and/or satisfaction of the applicable Performance Goals for the Performance Period, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her Beneficiary, without charge, one Share for each such outstanding RSU for which forfeiture restrictions have lapsed, or which has been earned; provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Shares in lieu of delivering only Shares for such RSUs. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering Shares, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date on which the Restriction Period lapsed, or, if applicable, the date on which the Committee or, if applicable, a delegate of the Committee, determines that the applicable Performance Goals have been met.

(iii)    Dividend Equivalents. Unless set forth in an Award Agreement, no Dividend Equivalents will be paid on any RSU Award. Dividend Equivalents, if added in an Award Agreement, shall only be paid to the extent the RSU Award is earned and paid.

(f)    Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to any Eligible Person such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, and such Other Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards.

(g)    Performance Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to any Eligible Person payable in cash, Shares, other Awards or a combination, on terms and conditions established by the Committee, if and to the extent that the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine that an Award shall be subject to those provisions. The performance criteria to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award; provided, however, the minimum Performance Period shall be one year. Except as provided in Section 9, Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant Performance Period.

The Committee will establish, in writing, the Performance Goals and the Performance Period for each applicable Performance Award; provided, however, that where the determination of the Performance Goals and Performance Period for any Award for which the Committee has delegated authority under Section 3, the authority to establish Performance Goals and a Performance Period is also delegated. Such Performance Goals may vary by Participant and by Award. The Committee, in its discretion, may adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants. The amount of the Performance Award earned shall be conclusively determined by the Committee or, if applicable, its delegate. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period.

7.            Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards.

(a)    Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided that in no event shall the term of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceed a period of ten years (or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such shorter term as may be required under Section 422 of the Code).

(b)    Form and Timing of Payment Under Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a Subsidiary upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares or other Awards.

(c)    Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. It is the intent of the Company that the grant of any Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt from Section 16 pursuant to an applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b).

(d)    Code Section 409A. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with applicable laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. Without limiting the foregoing, the Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Committee shall make a good faith effort to interpret and administer the Plan in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable laws require otherwise. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each installment payment provided under this Plan shall be treated as a separate payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, (a) amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier), and (b) amounts payable upon the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service shall only be payable if such termination constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company, any Subsidiary nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.

(e)         Clawbacks. The Company shall have the right to recoup or “claw back” any payment made with respect to an Award under the Plan to the extent necessary to comply with applicable federal securities laws or the provisions of any applicable clawback policy of the Company.

8.            Impact of Termination of Employment Events. The following Termination of Employment events shall have the following consequences for outstanding Awards; provided, however, the limitation set forth in Section 4(b) shall apply.

(a)         General Rule. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 8, upon a Termination of Employment, unless an employment or other agreement with the Participant provides for different consequences:

(i)    Options. All outstanding vested and exercisable Options granted to such Participant shall remain exercisable for 90 days after Termination of Employment; provided, that the Option will expire at the expiration of the stated term if earlier.

(ii)    Other Awards. All outstanding and unvested Awards other than Options shall be forfeited.

(b)         For Cause. In the event of a Termination of Employment for Cause, all outstanding Awards, whether vested or not, shall be forfeited.

(c)         Disability of a Participant.

(i)         Options. Upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment as a result of the Participant’s Disability, all outstanding vested and exercisable Options granted to such Participant shall remain exercisable for one year after Termination of Employment as a result of a Disability; provided, that the Option will expire at the expiration of the stated term if earlier.

(ii)        Other Awards. If a Participant’s Termination of Employment is due to the Participant’s Disability:

(1)    all outstanding and unvested Awards not described in subsection (c)(ii)(2) that would have vested prior to the first anniversary of the date of Termination of Employment will accelerate, all forfeiture restrictions will lapse, and the Shares will be issued within thirty (30) days after the date of Termination of Employment; and

(2)    all outstanding Awards that are conditioned upon achievement of one or more Performance Goals and granted to such Participant with a Performance Period ending prior to the first anniversary of the Date of Termination shall continue to be subject to the applicable Performance Goals and paid out, if earned and vested, after the end of the Performance Period when it is determined whether the Award is earned, but in no event later than March 15 in the year following the end of the Performance Period.

(d)         Death of Participant.

(i)          Options. Upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment as a result of the Participant’s death, all outstanding vested and exercisable Options granted to such Participant shall remain exercisable for one year after Termination of Employment as a result of a death; provided, that the Option will expire at the expiration of the stated term if earlier. If an Option is held by the Participant when he or she dies, the Option may be exercised by the Beneficiary designated by the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Participant’s will or the laws of descent or distribution.

(ii)         Other Awards.

(1)    all outstanding and unvested Awards not described in subsection (d)(ii)(2) that would have vested prior to the first anniversary of the date of Termination of Employment will accelerate, all forfeiture restrictions will lapse, and the Shares will be issued within thirty (30) days after the date of Termination of Employment; and

(2)    all outstanding Awards that are conditioned upon achievement of one or more Performance Goals and granted to such Participant with a Performance Period ending prior to the first anniversary of the Date of Termination shall continue to be subject to the applicable Performance Goals and paid out, if earned and vested, after the end of the Performance Period when it is determined whether the Award is earned, but in no event later than March 15 in the year following the end of the Performance Period.

9.            Dissolution or Liquidation; Change in Control.

(a)          Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, other than a dissolution or liquidation that is defined as a Change of Control, the Committee shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Committee in its discretion may provide for an Option to be fully vested and exercisable until ten days prior to such transaction. In addition, the Committee may provide that any restrictions on any Award shall lapse prior to the transaction, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed transaction.

(b)         Change in Control. The provisions of this Section 9(b) shall apply in the case of a Change in Control. If more specific terms are set forth in any separate plan document or agreement between the Company and any Participant, such separate plan or agreement shall govern the treatment of Awards.

(i)    Awards Not Assumed or Substituted by the Surviving Entity. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, and except with respect to any Awards assumed by the surviving entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with the Change in Control in a manner approved by the Committee or the Board, any outstanding Awards shall be dealt with in accordance with any of the following approaches, as determined by the agreement effectuating the transaction or, if and to the extent not so determined, as determined by the Committee: (A) the continuation of the outstanding Awards by the Company, if the Company is a surviving entity, (B) the assumption or substitution for the outstanding Awards by the surviving entity or its parent or subsidiary, (C) full exercisability or vesting and accelerated expiration of the outstanding Awards, or (D) settlement of the value of the outstanding Awards in cash or cash equivalents or other property followed by cancellation of such Awards (which value, in the case of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, shall be measured by the amount, if any, by which the Fair Market Value of a Share exceeds the exercise or grant price of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right as of the effective date of the transaction). The Committee shall give written notice of any proposed transaction referred to in this Section 9(b)(i) a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date for such transaction (which notice may be given either before or after the approval of such transaction), in order that Participants may have a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date of such transaction within which to exercise any Awards that are then exercisable (including any Awards that may become exercisable upon the closing date of such transaction). A Participant may condition his or her exercise of any Awards upon the consummation of the transaction. To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Code Section 422(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be non-statutory Options.

(ii)    Awards Assumed or Substituted by Surviving Entity. With respect to Awards assumed by the surviving entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, if within two years after the effective date of the Change in Control, a Participant’s employment is terminated without Cause or the Participant terminates his or her employment for Good Reason in connection with a Change in Control, if applicable, then (A) all of that Participant’s outstanding Awards shall become fully vested and exercisable, (B) all time-based vesting restrictions on the Participant’s outstanding Awards shall lapse, and (C) the payout opportunities attainable under all of such Participant’s outstanding Performance Awards shall be deemed to have been earned as of the date of such employment termination at the target level, and (subject to Section 9(b)(iv) and Section 10(a)) there shall be a pro rata payout to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary within 30 days following the date of the employment termination (unless a later date is required by Section 10(a) hereof) based upon the length of time within the Performance Period that has elapsed prior to the date of the employment termination; provided, however, if a severance plan or agreement or employment agreement in place at the time of the Change in Control provides for additional acceleration, the terms of such severance plan or agreement or employment agreement shall control. To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Code Section 422(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be non-statutory Options.

(iii)    Equitable Adjustments. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award Agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

(iv)    Code Section 409A. No action shall be taken under this Section 9(b) which shall cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Code Section 409A.

(v)    Consent. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, the provisions of this Section 9(b) may not be terminated, amended, or modified upon or after a Change of Control in a manner that would adversely affect a Participant’s rights with respect to an outstanding Award without the prior written consent of the Participant.

(c)          Definition of Change in Control. A “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(i)    Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or (iv) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with (iii)(A), (iii)(B) and (iii)(C) of this definition;

(ii)    Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual was a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs in connection with or as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors;

(iii)    Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board of Directors providing for such Business Combination; or

(iv)    Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

10.         General Provisions.

(a)          Compliance With Legal and Other Requirements. The Company may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee, postpone the issuance or delivery of Shares or payment of other benefits under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such Shares or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares or other Company securities are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Company, as the Committee, may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Shares or payment of other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other obligations.

(b)         Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries. No Award or other right or interest granted under the Plan shall be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any party, or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon the death of a Participant, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative, except that Awards and other rights (other than Incentive Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem therewith) may be transferred to one or more Beneficiaries or other transferees during the lifetime of the Participant, and may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of such Award, but only if and to the extent such transfers are permitted by the Committee pursuant to the express terms of an Award Agreement (subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee may impose thereon). A Beneficiary, transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

(c)          Adjustments.

(i)    Adjustments to Awards. In the event that any extraordinary dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares and/or such other securities of the Company or any other issuer such that a substitution, exchange, or adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, substitute, exchange or adjust any or all of (A) the number and kind of Shares which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter, (B) the number and kind of Shares by which per‑Director Award limitations are measured under Section 5 hereof, (C) the number and kind of Shares subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards, (D) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award and/or make provision for payment of cash or other property in respect of any outstanding Award, and (E) any other aspect of any Award that the Committee determines to be appropriate.

(ii)    Other Adjustments. The Committee (and the Board if and only to the extent such authority is not required to be exercised by the Committee to comply with relevant provisions of the Code) is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards (including Performance Awards, or Performance Goals relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets) affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any business unit, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business conditions or in view of the Committee’s assessment of the business strategy of the Company, any Subsidiary or business unit thereof, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, personal performance of a Participant, and any other circumstances deemed relevant.

(d)         Taxes. The Company and any Subsidiary are authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Shares, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company or any Subsidiary and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Shares and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant’s tax obligations, either on a mandatory or elective basis in the discretion of the Committee, subject to compliance with applicable law.

(e)          Amendment and Termination of the Plan or Awards. The Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan, or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan, or any Award Agreement, without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any such amendment shall be subject to approval of the stockholders of the Company in the manner and to the extent required by applicable law (including applicable stock exchange requirements). In addition, without limiting the foregoing, unless approved by the stockholders of the Company, no such amendment shall be made that would:

(i)    materially increase the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted under the Plan, other than an increase pursuant to Section 10(c);

(ii)    reduce the minimum exercise price for Options granted under the Plan;

(iii)    Reprice any outstanding Awards, other than in connection with a change in the Company's capitalization (as described in Section 10(c)); or

(iv)    change the class of persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Board or Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant under an outstanding Award, unless agreed to in a writing signed by the Participant and the Company. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted and any Award Agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in the Plan; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee or the Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award.

(f)        Limitation on Rights Conferred Under Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder or under any Award shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary; (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and Employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company including, without limitation, any right to receive dividends or distributions, any right to vote or act by written consent or any right to attend meetings of stockholders unless and until such time as the Participant is duly issued Shares on the stock books of the Company in accordance with the terms of an Award. Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s officers, directors, representatives or agents are granting any rights under the Plan to the Participant whatsoever, oral or written, express or implied, other than those rights expressly set forth in this Plan or the Award Agreement.

(g)    Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Shares pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash or Shares, or make other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan. Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant. The trustee of such trusts may be authorized to dispose of trust assets and reinvest the proceeds in alternative investments, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify and in accordance with applicable law.

(h)    Non-exclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable.

(i)    Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

(j)    Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws, and applicable federal law.

(k)    Non-U.S. Laws. The Committee shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of foreign countries in which the Company or its Subsidiaries may operate to assure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants performing services in such countries and to meet the objectives of the Plan.

(l)    Plan Effective Date and Shareholder Approval; Termination of Plan. The Plan became effective on the Effective Date. The Plan shall terminate at the earliest of (a) such time as no Shares remain available for issuance under the Plan, (b) termination of this Plan by the Board or the Committee, or (c) the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Awards outstanding upon expiration of the Plan shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or terminated, or have expired.

EXHIBIT A

OPTIONS - ADDENDUM

France

The Committee has determined that it is necessary and advisable to establish a sub-plan for the purpose of permitting options to qualify for the French specific tax and social security treatment.  Therefore, options granted under the Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan”) by Asensus Surgical, Inc. (the “Company”) to employees who are French tax residents and/or subject to the French social security regime on a mandatory basis on the Grant Date (the “French Participants”) of its Related Entities may be granted under the terms of this Addendum as follows:

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings as set forth in the Plan and in the Option Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan, this Addendum and the Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail except for the following additional terms that shall be defined as follows: