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COMMITMENTS CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
COMMITMENTS CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS  
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

12. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is currently not a party to any pending legal proceeding that is not ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business.

 

Employment Agreements

 

On April 10, 2018, the Company entered into an amended employment agreement for Ronald P. Erickson which amends the Company’s employment agreement with him dated July 1, 2017. The employment agreement provides for a base salary of $180,000 per year, which was increased to $215,000 from May 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and to $300,000 from April 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022 and to $325,000 from March 15, 2022 to September 30, 2022. The compensation committee and the board of Particle compensated Mr. Erickson with an annual salary of $120,000 from June 1, 2020 to August 15, 2021. Mr. Erickson will be entitled to participate in all group employment benefits that are offered by us to our senior executives and management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. The employment agreement is for an initial term of 12 months (subject to earlier termination) and will be automatically extended for additional 12-month terms unless either party notifies the other party of its intention to terminate the employment agreement with at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the initial term or renewal term. If the Company terminates Mr. Erickson’s employment at any time prior to the expiration of the term without cause, as defined in the employment agreement, or if Mr. Erickson terminates his employment at any time for “good reason” or due to a “disability,” Mr. Erickson will be entitled to receive (i) his base salary amount for one year; and (ii) medical benefits for eighteen months.

 

On April 10, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Phillip A. Bosua reflecting his appointment as Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement provides for a base salary of $225,000 per year, which was increased to $260,000 from May 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and to $350,000 from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022. The compensation committee and the board of directors of Particle compensated Phillip A. Bosua with an annual salary of $120,000 from June 1, 2020 to August 15, 2021. Mr. Bosua also received 500,000 shares of common stock valued at $0.33 per share may be entitled to bonuses and equity awards at the discretion of the board or a committee of the board. Mr. Bosua will be entitled to participate in all group employment benefits that are offered by us to our senior executives and management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. The employment agreement is for an initial term of 12 months (subject to earlier termination) and will be automatically extended for additional 12-month terms unless either party notifies the other party of its intention to terminate the employment agreement with at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the initial term or renewal term. If the Company terminates Mr. Bosua’s employment at any time prior to the expiration of the term without cause, as defined in the employment agreement, or if Mr. Bosua terminates his employment at any time for “good reason” or due to a “disability,” Mr. Bosua will be entitled to receive (i) his base salary amount for one year; and (ii) medical benefits for eighteen months.

On May 13, 2022, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Peter J. Conley reflecting his appointment as our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Intellectual Property. The employment agreement provides for a base salary of $300,000 and Mr. Conley may also be entitled to bonuses from time to time as determined by our board of directors or our compensation committee in their sole discretion. Mr. Conley is eligible to participate in of all our employee benefit plans, policies and arrangements that are applicable to other executive officers, as such plans, policies and arrangements may exist or change from time to time at our discretion. We will reimburse Mr. Conley for reasonable travel, entertainment and other expenses he incurs in the furtherance of his duties under the employment agreement. The employment agreement is at will, meaning either we or Mr. Conley may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, upon written notice to the other party. The employment agreement provides for severance pay equal to 12 months of then-in-effect base salary if Mr. Conley is terminated without “cause” or voluntarily terminates his employment for “good reason,” as defined in the employment agreement.

 

Properties and Operating Leases,

 

The Company is obligated under the following leases for its various facilities.

 

Corporate Offices

 

On April 13, 2017, the Company leased its executive office located at 500 Union Street, Suite 810, Seattle, Washington, USA, 98101. The Company leases 943 square feet and the current net monthly payment is $3,334. The monthly payment increases approximately 3% each year and the lease expired on May 31, 2022. On October 31, 2021, the Company extended the lease from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 at $2,986 per month.

 

Lab Facilities and Executive Offices

 

On May 18, 2021, the Company entered into a lease for its lab facilities located at 914 E Pine Street, Suite 212, Seattle, WA 98122 and leased 2,642 square feet. The net monthly lease payment was $8,697 and increases by 3% annually. The lease expires on June 30, 2024. The lease can be extended for one additional three year term.

 

On October 11, 2021, the Company entered into the First Amendment of Lease and added 2,485 square feet for $5,000 per month. On September 20, 2022, the Company entered into the Second Amendment of Lease for additional space. The expanded space will be utilized for research and testing. The Amendment of Lease expires on December 31, 2023.

 

On September 22, 2022, the Company leased lab facilities and executive offices at 58969 Carmelita Circle, Yucca Valley, CA 92284 from Phillip Bosua, the Company’s CEO. The Company leased 1,700 square feet of the total 2,134 square feet of the premises and the current net monthly payment is $7,000. The lease expires September 30, 2023 and can be extended on a month to month basis. The Company paid $91,500 in rent on September 28, 2022 for the period September 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022.

 

On November 22, 2022, the Company leased additional lab facilities at 123 Boylston Ave, Suite C, Seattle, WA 98102. The Company leased 1,800 square feet and the current net monthly payment is $2,250. The lease expires November 22, 2023.