1 ACTIVE/112462414.1 SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT This Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made by and among Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent (the “Company”), and Kevin McCulloch (the “Executive”) and is effective as of August 1, 2024 (the “Effective Date”). WHEREAS, the parties intend to replace any prior agreement(s) between the Executive and the Company, the Parent or any predecessors, successors or assigns relating to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment and the ending of the Executive’s employment with this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date, except that any agreement the Executive entered into with respect to confidentiality, intellectual property/assignment of inventions, nonsolicitation and/or noncompetition, including Exhibit A to this Agreement (collectively, “Restrictive Covenants”) shall remain in full force and effect unless otherwise specified herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 1. Employment. (a) Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof (the “Term”). The Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive’s employment with the Company will continue to be “at will,” meaning that the Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company or the Executive at any time and for any reason subject to the terms of this Agreement. (b) Position and Duties. The Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Parent and shall have such powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed either by the Board of Directors of the Parent (the “Board”), the Chief Executive Officer of the Parent or other authorized executive. The Executive shall devote the Executive’s full working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may serve on other boards of directors, with the prior written approval of the Board, or engage in religious, charitable or other community activities as long as such services and activities do not interfere with the Executive’s performance of the Executive’s duties as provided in this Agreement. 2. Compensation and Related Matters. (a) Base Salary. Following the Effective Date, the Executive’s annual base salary shall be $520,000. The Executive’s base salary may be reviewed and adjusted by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”). The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to herein as “Base Salary.” The Base Salary shall be payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for Exhibit 10.1
2 ACTIVE/112462414.1 executive officers. (b) Incentive Compensation. The Executive shall be eligible to receive cash incentive compensation as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee from time to time. The Executive’s initial target annual incentive compensation shall be 50 percent of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Annual Incentive Compensation”). Except as otherwise provided herein, to earn incentive compensation, the Executive must be employed by the Company on the day such incentive compensation is paid. (c) Equity Grants. Subject to approval by the Board or Compensation Committee, the Executive shall be granted, effective August 1, 2024, (i) an award of 150,000 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”) and (ii) an award of 200,000 stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). The RSUs shall vest in three equal annual installments over the three-year period following the grant date, subject to the Executive’s continued service through each vesting date, and the SARs shall vest in full and automatically be exercised upon the second anniversary of the grant date, subject to the Executive’s continued service through such vesting date. The RSUs and SARs shall be subject to the terms of the applicable form award agreements and applicable equity incentive plan. (d) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive during the Term in performing services hereunder, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company. (e) Other Benefits. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in or receive benefits under the Company’s employee benefit plans in effect from time to time, subject to the terms of such plans. (f) Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s then applicable policies and procedures. The Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company. 3. Termination. The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon the Executive’s death. (b) Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if the Executive is disabled and unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any 12-month period. If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company shall, submit to the Company a certification in reasonable detail by a physician selected by the Company to whom the Executive or the Executive’s guardian has no reasonable objection as to whether the Executive is so disabled or how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. The
3 ACTIVE/112462414.1 Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Company’s determination of such issue shall be binding on the Executive. Nothing in this Section 3(b) shall be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under existing law including, without limitation, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq. (c) Termination by Company for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) conduct by the Executive constituting a material act of misconduct in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties, including, without limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Parent, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes; (ii) the commission by the Executive of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud, or any conduct by the Executive that would reasonably be expected to result in material injury or reputational harm to the Parent, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates if the Executive were retained in the Executive’s position; (iii) continued non- performance by the Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder (other than by reason of the Executive’s physical or mental illness, incapacity or disability) which has continued for more than 30 days following written notice of such non-performance; (iv) a breach by the Executive of any of the provisions contained in Section 7 of this Agreement and any Restrictive Covenants; (v) a material violation by the Executive of the Parent’s or the Company’s written employment policies; or (vi) failure to cooperate with a bona fide internal investigation or an investigation by regulatory or law enforcement authorities, after being instructed by the Parent or the Company to cooperate, or the willful destruction or failure to preserve documents or other materials known to be relevant to such investigation or the inducement of others to fail to cooperate or to produce documents or other materials in connection with such investigation. (d) Termination by Company without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause. Any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement which does not constitute a termination for Cause under Section 3(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Section 3(a) or (b) shall be deemed a termination without Cause. (e) Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time for any reason, including but not limited to Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean that the Executive has complied with the “Good Reason Process” (hereinafter defined) following the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a material diminution in the Executive’s responsibilities, authority or duties; (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary except for across-the-board salary reductions based on the Parent’s financial performance similarly affecting all or substantially all senior management employees of the Company; (iii) a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive provides services to the Company; or (iv) the material breach of this Agreement by the Parent or the Company. “Good Reason Process” shall mean that (i) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a “Good Reason” condition has occurred; (ii) the Executive notifies the Company in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 60 days of the first occurrence of such condition; (iii) the Executive cooperates in good faith with the Company’s efforts, for a period not less than 30 days following such notice (the “Cure
4 ACTIVE/112462414.1 Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment within 60 days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred. (f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 3(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any such termination by the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon. (g) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive’s death, the date of death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 3(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 3(c), the date on which Notice of Termination is given; (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under Section 3(d), the date on which a Notice of Termination is given or the date otherwise specified by the Company in the Notice of Termination; (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) other than for Good Reason, 30 days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given, and (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) for Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given after the end of the Cure Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and such acceleration shall not result in a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement. To the extent applicable, the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all officer and board member positions that the Executive holds with the Parent, the Company or any of its respective subsidiaries and affiliates upon the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason. 4. Compensation Upon Termination. (a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to the Executive’s authorized representative or estate) (i) any Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination, unpaid expense reimbursements (subject to, and in accordance with, Section 2(d) of this Agreement) and, if applicable, unused vacation that accrued through the Date of Termination on or before the time required by law but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination; and (ii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company through the Date of Termination, which vested benefits shall be paid and/or provided in accordance with the terms of such employee benefit plans (collectively, the “Accrued Benefit”). (b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason. During the Term, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d), or the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then the Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Benefit. In addition, subject to the Executive signing a separation agreement containing, among other provisions, a general release of claims in
5 ACTIVE/112462414.1 favor of the Parent, the Company and all related persons and entities, confidentiality, return of property and non-disparagement and reaffirmation of Restrictive Covenants, in a form and manner satisfactory to the Company (the “Separation Agreement and Release”) and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable and fully effective, all within 60 days after the Date of Termination (or such shorter time period provided in the Separation Agreement and Release): (i) the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to 1.25 times the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary plus (B) the Target Annual Incentive Compensation (the “Severance Amount”); (ii) the Company shall pay the Executive pro-rated annual incentive compensation for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, pro-rated based on the Date of Termination (the “Pro-Rated Annual Incentive Compensation”); and (iii) if the Executive was participating in the Company’s group health plan immediately prior to the Date of Termination and elects COBRA health continuation, then the Company shall pay to the Executive a monthly cash payment for 15 months, the Executive’s COBRA health continuation period or the Executive’s retiree medical plan period under the Company’s retiree medical plan, whichever ends earliest, in an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution that the Company would have made to provide health insurance to the Executive if the Executive had remained employed by the Company. The amounts payable under Section 4(b)(i) and (iii) shall be paid out in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice over 15 months commencing within 60 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, the Severance Amount shall begin to be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 60-day period; provided, further, that the initial payment shall include a catch-up payment to cover amounts retroactive to the day immediately following the Date of Termination. The Pro-Rated Annual Incentive Compensation shall be paid on the date the Company pays annual incentive compensation to its executives, and in any event no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A- 2(b)(2). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive breaches any of the Restrictive Covenants, all payments under Section 4(b) shall immediately cease. 5. Change in Control Payment. The provisions of this Section 5 set forth certain terms of an agreement reached between the Executive, the Parent and the Company regarding the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Parent. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to the Executive’s assigned duties and the Executive’s objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any such event. These provisions shall apply in lieu of, and expressly supersede, the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding severance pay and benefits upon a termination of employment if such termination of employment occurs within 12 months after the occurrence of the first event constituting a Change in Control. These provisions shall terminate and be of no further force
6 ACTIVE/112462414.1 or effect beginning 12 months after the occurrence of a Change in Control. (a) Change in Control. During the Term, if within 12 months after a Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d) or the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then, subject to the signing of the Separation Agreement and Release by the Executive and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable and fully effective, all within 60 days after the Date of Termination (or such shorter time period provided in the Separation Agreement and Release): (i) the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum in cash in an amount equal to 1.5 times the sum of (A) the Executive’s current Base Salary (or the Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, if higher) plus (B) the Target Annual Incentive Compensation (the “Change in Control Payment”); (ii) the Company shall pay the Executive the Pro-Rated Annual Incentive Compensation; (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, (A) all time-based stock options and other time- based stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate and become fully exercisable or nonforfeitable as of the Date of Termination, and (B) the Company shall extend the exercise period with respect to the Executive’s vested stock options for so long as such stock options remain outstanding until the earlier of (i) the original 10-year expiration date for such vested stock options as provided in the applicable equity documents, or (ii) the 24-month anniversary of the Date of Termination (or, if later, the date specified in the applicable equity documents) (the “Extended Exercise Period”), provided that the Executive is advised to consult the Executive’s tax advisor with respect to the tax implications of the Extended Exercise Period; (iv) if the Executive was participating in the Company’s group health plan immediately prior to the Date of Termination and elects COBRA health continuation, then the Company shall pay to the Executive a monthly cash payment for 18 months, the Executive’s COBRA health continuation period or the Executive’s retiree medical plan period under the Company’s retiree medical plan, whichever ends earliest, in an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution that the Company would have made to provide health insurance to the Executive if the Executive had remained employed by the Company; and (v) the Company shall provide the Executive with outplacement services at a provider to be selected by the Company for up to three (3) months following the Date of Termination. The amounts payable under Section 5(a)(i) and (iv) shall be paid or commence to be paid within 60 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such payment shall be paid or commence to be
7 ACTIVE/112462414.1 paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 60-day period. The Pro-Rated Annual Incentive Compensation shall be paid on the date the Company pays annual incentive compensation to its executives, and in any event no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. (b) Additional Limitation. (i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the amount of any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, calculated in a manner consistent with Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the applicable regulations thereunder (the “Aggregate Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Aggregate Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) so that the sum of all of the Aggregate Payments shall be $1.00 less than the amount at which the Executive becomes subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; provided that such reduction shall only occur if it would result in the Executive receiving a higher After Tax Amount (as defined below) than the Executive would receive if the Aggregate Payments were not subject to such reduction. In such event, the Aggregate Payments shall be reduced in the following order, in each case, in reverse chronological order beginning with the Aggregate Payments that are to be paid the furthest in time from consummation of the transaction that is subject to Section 280G of the Code: (1) cash payments not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (2) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (3) equity- based payments and acceleration; and (4) non-cash forms of benefits; provided that in the case of all the foregoing Aggregate Payments all amounts or payments that are not subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c) shall be reduced before any amounts that are subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A- 24(b) or (c). (ii) For purposes of this Section 5(b), the “After Tax Amount” means the amount of the Aggregate Payments less all federal, state, and local income, excise and employment taxes imposed on the Executive as a result of the Executive’s receipt of the Aggregate Payments. For purposes of determining the After Tax Amount, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the determination is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in each applicable state and locality, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. (iii) The determination as to whether a reduction in the Aggregate Payments shall be made pursuant to Section 5(b)(i) shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. (c) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 5, the following terms shall have
8 ACTIVE/112462414.1 the following meanings: “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following: (i) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) (other than the Parent, any of its subsidiaries, or any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries), together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Parent representing 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of the Parent’s then outstanding securities having the right to vote in an election of the Board (“Voting Securities”) (in such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Parent); or (ii) the date a majority of the members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board before the date of the appointment or election; or (iii) the consummation of (A) any consolidation or merger of the Parent where the stockholders of the Parent, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate more than 50 percent of the voting shares of the Parent issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger (or of its ultimate parent corporation, if any), or (B) any sale or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Parent which, by reducing the number of shares of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Voting Securities beneficially owned by any person to 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that if any person referred to in this sentence shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction or as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Parent) and immediately thereafter beneficially owns 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities, then a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i). 6. Section 409A. (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of the Executive’s separation from service would be considered deferred compensation otherwise subject to the 20 percent additional tax
9 ACTIVE/112462414.1 imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six months and one day after the Executive’s separation from service, or (B) the Executive’s death. If any such delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule. (b) All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall be provided by the Company or incurred by the Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses). Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. (c) To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this Agreement constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon the Executive’s termination of employment, then such payments or benefits shall be payable only upon the Executive’s “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). (d) The parties intend that this Agreement will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). The parties agree that this Agreement may be amended, as reasonably requested by either party, and as may be necessary to fully comply with Section 409A of the Code and all related rules and regulations in order to preserve the payments and benefits provided hereunder without additional cost to either party. (e) The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, such Section. 7. Restrictive Covenants. The Restrictive Covenants between the Company and the Executive shall be in full force and effect and are incorporated by reference in this Agreement, including the agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Executive would not be entitled to the payments, benefits and opportunities provided for in this Agreement absent reaffirming the covenants in
10 ACTIVE/112462414.1 Exhibit A and, as such, this Agreement provides sufficient consideration to support the covenants therein. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that all references to the “Company” in Exhibit A include the Parent and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, successors or assigns. 8. Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination whether based on age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to, the rules and procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators. In the event that any person or entity other than the Executive or the Company may be a party with regard to any such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration subject to such other person or entity’s agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. This Section 8 shall be specifically enforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8 shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 8. 9. Consent to Jurisdiction. To the extent that any court action is permitted consistent with or to enforce Section 8 of this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, the Executive (a) submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process. 10. Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter, provided that, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Restrictive Covenant and the Executive’s applicable equity award agreements shall be in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. 11. Withholding. All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law. 12. Successor to the Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. In the event of the Executive’s death after the Executive’s termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due to the Executive under this Agreement, the Company shall continue such payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to the Executive’s death (or
11 ACTIVE/112462414.1 to the Executive’s estate, if the Executive fails to make such designation). 13. Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this Agreement) shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. 14. Survival. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms contained herein. 15. Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach. 16. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Parent and the Company, at the Company’s main offices, attention of the Board. 17. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Parent. 18. Governing Law. This is a Delaware contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. 19. Reports to Government Entities and Other Protected Actions. Nothing contained in this Agreement, any other agreement with the Company, or any Company policy or code limits the Executive’s ability, with or without notice to the Company, to: (i) file a charge or complaint with any federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (a “Government Agency”), including without limitation, the Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (ii) communicate with any Government Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including by providing non-privileged documents or information; (iii) discuss or disclose information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that you have reason to believe is unlawful; (iv) testify truthfully in a legal proceeding; or (v) request or receive confidential legal advice. Any such communications and disclosures must be consistent with applicable law and the information disclosed must not have been obtained through a communication that was subject to the attorney-client privilege (unless disclosure of that information would otherwise be permitted
12 ACTIVE/112462414.1 consistent with such privilege or applicable law). If a Government Agency or any other third party pursues any claim on the Executive’s behalf, the Executive waives any right to monetary or other individualized relief (either individually or as part of any collective or class action), but this does not apply to (and the Company shall not attempt in any way to limit) any right the Executive may have to receive an award or bounty pursuant to the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law or regulation for providing information to the SEC or any other Government Agency. 20. Defend Trade Secrets Act. For the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law or under this Agreement for the disclosure of a trade secret that (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. 21. Clawback. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that payments the Executive may have previously received from the Company and/or may be entitled to receive under this Agreement are or may be subject to clawback or forfeiture pursuant to (i) the Company’s equity documents; (ii) the Company’s Compensation Recovery Policy, dated November 8, 2023 as may be amended and/or restated from time to time; and (iii) applicable law. 22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same document. 23. Successor to Company. The Parent shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Parent expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Parent and the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Parent to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement. [Signature page follows]
13 ACTIVE/112462414.1 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective on the date and year first above written. XERIS BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. By: Its: XERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. By: Its: EXECUTIVE Kevin McCulloch
14 ACTIVE/112462414.1 EXHIBIT A
