SEC Filing | Aadi Bioscience, Inc.

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DEFM14C

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION

Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Check the appropriate box:

☐		Preliminary Information Statement

☐		Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))

☒		Definitive Information Statement

Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)


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AERPIO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

9987 Carver Road, Suite 420

Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

NOTICE OF CORPORATE ACTION TAKEN BY WRITTEN CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS

To the Stockholders of Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:

The enclosed information statement (the “Information Statement”) is provided on or about March 27, 2017 to the stockholders of record on March 3, 2017 (the “Record Date”) of Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (f/k/a Zeta Acquisition Corp. II), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to advise them that, on the Record Date, the stockholders holding 80% of the voting power of the Company, approved (i) an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the form attached to the Information Statement as Appendix I (the “Restated Certificate”), (ii) the Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, in the form attached to the Information Statement as Appendix II (the “2017 Plan”), and (iii) the Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in the form attached hereto as Appendix III (the “ESPP”), pursuant to an action by written consent, in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Company’s bylaws.

Under the federal securities laws, although the Company’s stockholders approved the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP by written consent, the proposals will not be effective until at least 20 calendar days after the Information Statement is sent or given to the stockholders of record of the Company as of the Record Date. It is expected that the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP will become effective on or about April 17, 2017.

This Information Statement is provided to the Company’s stockholders of record on the Record Date only for informational purposes in connection with the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 14c and Schedule 14C thereunder.

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

We appreciate your continued support of the Company. Thank you.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

/s/ Joseph H. Gardner

Chief Executive Officer

Cincinnati, Ohio

March 27, 2017

AERPIO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

9987 Carver Road, Suite 420

Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

INFORMATION STATEMENT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(c) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

This information statement (this “Information Statement”) is being furnished to the stockholders of Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (f/k/a Zeta Acquisition Corp. II), a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we”, “our” or “us”), as of March 3, 2017 (the “Record Date”) in connection with the approval of (i) the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the form attached hereto as Appendix I (the “Restated Certificate”), (ii) the Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, in the form attached hereto as Appendix II (the “2017 Plan”), and (iii) the Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in the form attached hereto as Appendix III (the “ESPP”).

Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) provides that the written consent of the holders of outstanding shares of a corporation’s voting capital stock, having not less than the minimum number of votes which would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, may be substituted for a meeting. Our bylaws in effect on the Record Date provide that any action required by the DGCL to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, may be taken by the written consent of the holders of the outstanding shares of our capital stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

On March 3, 2017, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company approved the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP. On March 10, 2017, the stockholders owning 80% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock approved the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP by written consent, in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL and the Company’s bylaws then in effect.

The Record Date for determining stockholders entitled to receive this Information Statement is March 3, 2017, the date that the Company’s stockholders approved the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP by written consent. As of the close of business on the Record Date, we had 5,000,000 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the matters acted upon in the action by written consent of our stockholders. Each share of our common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date was entitled to one vote.

In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the proposals approved by written consent of our stockholders will become effective approximately 20 calendar days after we send or give this Information Statement to our stockholders of record as of the Record Date. It is expected that the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP will become effective on or about April 17, 2017.

THE APPROXIMATE DATE ON WHICH THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT IS FIRST BEING SENT OR GIVEN TO THE HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK ON MARCH 3, 2017 IS MARCH 27, 2017.

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY

DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER AND CHANGE IN CONTROL

Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 7, 2017, by and among Zeta Acquisition Corp. II (the “Company,” “we”, “our” or “us”); Aerpio Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”); and Aerpio Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Aerpio”); Merger Sub merged with and into Aerpio, with Aerpio remaining as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). The Merger was effective on March 15, 2017, upon the filing of a Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Immediately following the Merger, Aerpio converted into a Delaware limited liability company (the “Conversion”). In connection with the Merger, we relinquished our corporate name “Zeta Acquisition Corp. II” and assumed in its place the name “Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.”

At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), the legal existence of Merger Sub ceased and each 2.3336572 shares of Aerpio common stock (including vested and unvested Aerpio restricted stock, and Aerpio common stock issued upon conversion of certain convertible promissory notes immediately prior to the Merger) and Aerpio preferred stock that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was automatically converted into 1 share of our common stock. In addition, at the Effective Time, we assumed Aerpio’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. As of the Effective Time, there were 2,164,776 outstanding options to purchase shares of Aerpio common stock under the 2011 Plan, which were converted into options to purchase an aggregate of 927,592 shares of our common stock. Following the Merger and Conversion, and immediately prior to the closing of the Offering (as defined below), the pre-Merger stockholders of Zeta Acquisition Corp. II surrendered for cancellation 4,000,000 of the 5,000,000 shares of our outstanding common stock (the “Share Cancellation”).

Upon completion of the Merger, the Conversion and the Share Cancellation, and immediately prior to the Offering, the former stockholders of Aerpio held approximately 94.7% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock. Unless otherwise indicated in this Information Statement, all share and per share figures reflect the Merger. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for information about the ownership of the persons who acquired control of the Company in the Merger.

As a condition to the Merger, we entered into an Indemnity Agreement with our former officers and directors (the “Indemnity Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to indemnify such former officers and directors for actions taken by them in their official capacities relating to the consideration, approval and consummation of the Merger and certain related transactions.

Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, the Company’s business became the operation of Aerpio and its business. Prior to the Effective Time, our Board, which then consisted of John Pappajohn and Matthew P. Kinley, made the following appointments to our officer positions, each effective upon the Effective Time: (i) Joseph Gardner, who was President and Chief Executive Officer of Aerpio, as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board, (ii) James Murphy, who was Chief Financial Officer of Aerpio, as our Interim Chief Financial Officer, (iii) Kevin G. Peters, who was Chief Scientific Officer of Aerpio, as our Chief Scientific Officer, and (iv) Steve Pakola, who was Chief Medical Officer of Aerpio, as our Chief Medical Officer. In addition, prior to the Effective Time, our Board made the following director appointments to our Board, each effective upon the Effective Time: Joseph Gardner, Muneer Satter, Paul M. Weiss, Caley Castelein, Anupam Dalal, Steven Prelack, Chau Khuong and Pravin Dugel. At the Effective Time, Mr. Pappajohn and Mr. Kinley resigned from all of their positions as officers and directors of the Company.

Following the Merger, we closed a private placement offering of 8,049,555 shares of our Common Stock, at a purchase price of $5.00 per share (the “Offering”). We also granted the investors in the Offering registration rights requiring us or any successor to register those shares of our common stock for public resale. In addition, as part of the Merger, the then existing stockholders of Aerpio agreed to become parties to a separate registration rights agreement providing them with certain residual registration rights.

APPROVAL OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Our Restated Certificate was approved by our Board on March 3, 2017 and by the holders of 80% of our outstanding shares of common stock on March 10, 2017.

Purpose and Effects of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

The Restated Certificate is intended to provide us with certain provisions typically found in certificates of incorporation of other Delaware public companies, such as anti-takeover provisions and an increased number of authorized shares (including undesignated preferred stock). In particular, the provisions of the Restated Certificate could discourage or make it more difficult to accomplish a proxy contest or other change in our management or the acquisition of control by a holder of a substantial amount of our voting stock. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish, or could deter, transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interests or in our best interests. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board and in the policies formulated by the Board and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of our control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management.

Change in Number of Authorized Shares

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, in effect as of the date of this Information Statement, we currently have authorized capital stock of 110,000,000 shares, of which 100,000,000 are designated as common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The Restated Certificate will have authorized capital stock consisting of 310,000,000 shares, of which 300,000,000 will be designated as common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares will be designated as preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The Restated Certificate will permit our Board to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate (including the right to approve an acquisition or other change of control).

Removal of Directors for Cause

All directors elected to our Board will serve for three-year terms, or their earlier resignation or removal. Our Board (by a 66-2/3% vote) will fill any vacancies in our Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and directors so chosen will serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been chosen expires or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or their earlier resignation or removal. Members of our Board may only be removed for cause and only by the affirmative vote of 66-2/3% of our outstanding voting stock.

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by our Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Any action to be effected by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and may not be effected by a written consent of stockholders in lieu of a stockholder meeting.

Super Majority Stockholder Vote Required for Certain Actions

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. The Restated Certificate requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of our outstanding voting stock (and majority of the minority, if applicable), and a supermajority (66 2/3%) vote of the holders of each class of our voting stock to amend or repeal any of the provisions discussed in this section entitled “Purpose and Effects of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation” except the ability of our Board to issue shares of preferred stock and designate any rights, preferences and privileges thereto. This 66-2/3% stockholder vote would be in addition to any separate class vote that might in the future be required pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock that might then be outstanding. A 66-2/3% vote is also required for any amendment to, or repeal of, our amended and restated bylaws by the stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws may also be amended or repealed by a supermajority vote of our Board (66-2/3% vote).

In addition, our Restated Certificate includes provisions that require the approval of a supermajority (66 2/3% and majority of the minority, if applicable) vote of the outstanding shares of our capital stock in order to consummate a liquidation event.

Forum Selection

Our Restated Certificate provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, then the United States District Court for the District of Delaware) will be the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

Effective Date of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

The Restated Certificate will become effective approximately 20 calendar days after we send or give this Information Statement to our stockholders of record as of the Record Date, which is expected to be on or about April 17, 2017.

APPROVAL OF 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

General

Our 2017 Stock Option and Incentive Plan was approved by our Board on March 3, 2017 and by our stockholders on March 10, 2017, effective upon the date that is 20 days after the mailing of this Information Statement to our stockholders of record as of the Record Date. Upon the effectiveness of our 2017 Plan, there will be 4,600,000 shares available for the grant of stock awards under our 2017 Plan, less the number of shares subject to issued and outstanding awards under the 2011 Plan that were assumed in the Merger, which is 927,592 shares. No future awards will be made under the 2011 Plan upon the effectiveness of the 2017 Plan.

Summary of the 2017 Plan

The following description of certain features of the 2017 Plan is intended to be a summary only. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2017 Plan, which is attached hereto as Appendix II.

Plan Administration. The 2017 Plan will be administered by the compensation committee. The compensation committee has full power to select, from among the individuals eligible for awards, the individuals to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to participants, and to determine the specific terms and conditions of each award, subject to the provisions of the 2017 Plan. The compensation committee may delegate to our chief executive officer the authority to grant awards to employees who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and not subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, subject to certain limitations and guidelines.

Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in the 2017 Plan will be those full or part-time officers, employees, non-employee directors and other key persons (including consultants) of the Company and its subsidiaries as selected from time to time by the compensation committee in its discretion.

Share Reserve and Plan Limits. We have initially reserved 4,600,000 shares of our Common Stock, less the number of shares subject to issued and outstanding awards under the 2011 Plan that were assumed in the Merger, or the Initial Limit, for the issuance of awards under the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan provides that the number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the plan will automatically increase each January 1, beginning on January 1, 2018, by 4% of the outstanding number of shares of our Common Stock on the immediately preceding December 31, or such lesser number of shares as determined by our compensation committee, or the Annual Increase. This number is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or other change in our capitalization. The shares we issue under the 2017 Plan will be authorized but unissued shares or shares that we reacquire. The shares of Common Stock underlying any awards that are forfeited, cancelled, held back upon exercise or settlement of an award to satisfy the exercise price or tax withholding, reacquired by us prior to vesting, satisfied without any issuance of stock, expire or are otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) under the 2017 Plan will be added back to the shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2017 Plan.

The maximum number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the 2017 Plan The maximum award of stock options or stock appreciation rights granted to any one individual will not exceed 4,600,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits and similar events) for any calendar year period. If any award of restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance shares granted to an individual is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, then the maximum award shall not exceed 4,600,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits and similar events) to any one such individual in any performance cycle. If any cash-based award is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, then the maximum award to be paid in cash in any performance cycle may not exceed $2,000,000. In addition, no more than a number of shares of common stock equal to the Initial Limit cumulatively increased on January 1, 2018 and each January 1 thereafter by the lesser of the Annual Increase or 4,600,000 shares of common stock may be issued in the form of incentive stock options.

Qualified Performance-Based Compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code To ensure that certain awards granted under the 2017 Plan to “covered employees” (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the 2017 Plan provides that the compensation committee may require that the vesting of such awards be conditioned on the satisfaction of performance criteria that may include any or all of the following: (total shareholder return, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of our Common Stock, economic value-added, funds from operations or similar measure, sales or revenue, development, clinical or regulatory milestones, acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income (loss), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, return on sales, gross or net profit levels, productivity, expense, margins, operating efficiency, customer satisfaction, working capital, earnings (loss) per share of stock, sales or market shares and number of customers, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group. From and after the time that we become subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum award that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code that may be made to any one employee during any one calendar year is 4,600,000 shares of Common Stock with respect to a stock-based award and $2,000,000 with respect to a cash-based award.

Stock Options. The 2017 Plan permits the granting of (1) options to purchase common stock intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code and (2) options that do not so qualify. Options granted under the 2017 Plan will be non-qualified options if they fail to qualify as incentive options or exceed the annual limit on incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Non-qualified options may be granted to any persons eligible to receive incentive options and to non-employee directors and key persons. The option exercise price of each option will be determined by the compensation committee but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.

The term of each option will be fixed by the compensation committee and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The compensation committee will determine at what time or times each option may be exercised. Options may be made exercisable in installments and the exercisability of options may be accelerated by the compensation committee. In general, unless otherwise permitted by the compensation committee, no option granted under the 2017 Plan is transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and options may be exercised during the optionee’s lifetime only by the optionee, or by the optionee’s legal representative or guardian in the case of the optionee’s incapacity.

Upon exercise of options, the option exercise price must be paid in full either in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the compensation committee or by delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of common stock that are not then subject to any restrictions under any Company plan. Subject to applicable law, the exercise price may also be delivered to us by a broker pursuant to irrevocable instructions to the broker from the optionee. In addition, the compensation committee may permit non-qualified options to be exercised using a net exercise feature, which reduces the number of shares issued to the optionee by the number of shares with a fair market value equal to the exercise price.

To qualify as incentive options, options must meet additional federal tax requirements, including a $100,000 limit on the value of shares subject to incentive options that first become exercisable by a participant in any one calendar year.

Stock Appreciation Rights. The compensation committee may award stock appreciation rights subject to such conditions and restrictions as the compensation committee may determine. Stock appreciation rights entitle the recipient to shares of common stock equal to the value of the appreciation in the stock price over the exercise price. The exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of a stock appreciation right is ten years.

Restricted Stock Awards. The compensation committee may award shares of common stock to participants subject to such conditions and restrictions as the compensation committee may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance goals (as summarized above) and/or continued employment with us through a specified restricted period.

Restricted Stock Units. The compensation committee may award restricted stock units to any participants. Restricted stock units are ultimately payable in the form of shares of common stock and may be subject to such conditions and restrictions as the compensation committee may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance goals (as summarized above) and/or continued employment with the Company through a specified vesting period. In the compensation committee’s sole discretion, it may permit a participant to make an advance election to receive a portion of his or her future cash compensation otherwise due in the form of restricted stock units, subject to the participant’s compliance with the procedures established by the compensation committee and requirements of Section 409A of the Code. During the deferral period, the restricted stock units may be credited with dividend equivalent rights.

Unrestricted Stock Awards. The compensation committee may also grant shares of common stock that are free from any restrictions under the 2017 Plan. Unrestricted stock may be granted to any participant in recognition of past services or other valid consideration and may be issued in lieu of cash compensation due to such participant.

Cash-Based Awards. The compensation committee may grant cash bonuses under the 2017 Plan to participants. The cash bonuses may be subject to the achievement of certain performance goals (as summarized above).

Performance Share Awards. The compensation committee may grant performance share awards to any participant that entitle the recipient to receive shares of common stock upon the achievement of certain performance goals (as summarized above) and such other conditions as the compensation committee shall determine.

Dividend Equivalent Rights. The compensation committee may grant dividend equivalent rights to participants, which entitle the recipient to receive credits for dividends that would be paid if the recipient had held specified shares of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights may be granted as a component of another award (other than a stock option or stock appreciation right) or as a freestanding award. Dividend equivalent rights may be settled in cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments, as specified in the award.

Sale Event Provisions. The 2017 Plan provides that upon the effectiveness of a “sale event,” as defined in the 2017 Plan, all outstanding awards may be assumed, substituted or otherwise continued by the successor entity. To the extent that the successor entity does not assume, substitute or otherwise continue such awards, then (i) all stock options and stock appreciation rights will automatically become fully exercisable and the restrictions and conditions on all other awards with time-based conditions will automatically be deemed waived, and awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and non-forfeitable in connection with a sale event in the compensation committee ’s discretion and (ii) upon the effectiveness of the sale event, the 2017 Plan and all awards will automatically terminate. In the event of such termination, (i) individuals holding options and stock appreciation rights will be permitted to exercise such options and stock appreciation rights (to the extent exercisable) prior to the sale event; or (ii) we may make or provide for a cash payment to participants holding options and stock appreciation rights equal to the difference between the per share cash consideration payable to stockholders in the sale event and the exercise price of the options or stock appreciation rights (to the extent then exercisable).

Adjustments for Stock Dividends, Stock Splits, Etc. The 2017 Plan requires the compensation committee to make appropriate adjustments to the number of shares of common stock that are subject to the 2017 Plan, to certain limits in the 2017 Plan, and to any outstanding awards to reflect stock dividends, stock splits, extraordinary cash dividends and similar events.

Tax Withholding. Participants in the 2017 Plan are responsible for the payment of any federal, state or local taxes that we are required by law to withhold upon the exercise of options or stock appreciation rights or vesting of other awards. Subject to approval by the compensation committee, participants may elect to have the minimum tax withholding obligations satisfied by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to exercise or vesting.

Amendments and Termination. The Board of Directors may at any time amend or discontinue the 2017 Plan and the compensation committee may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding award for the purpose of satisfying changes in the law or for any other lawful purpose. However, no such action may adversely affect any rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent. To the extent required under NASDAQ rules, any amendments that materially change the terms of the 2017 Plan will be subject to approval by our stockholders. Amendments shall also be subject to approval by our stockholders if and to the extent determined by the compensation committee to be required by the Code to preserve the qualified status of incentive options or to ensure that compensation earned under the 2017 Plan qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Tax Aspects under the Code

The following is a summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the 2017 Plan. It does not describe all federal tax consequences under the 2017 Plan, nor does it describe state or local tax consequences.

Incentive Options. No taxable income is generally realized by the optionee upon the grant or exercise of an incentive option. If shares of common stock issued to an optionee pursuant to the exercise of an incentive option are sold or transferred after two years from the date of grant and after one year from the date of exercise, then (i) upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option price (the amount paid for the shares) will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital gain, and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss, and (ii) the Company will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. The exercise of an incentive option will give rise to an item of tax preference that may result in alternative minimum tax liability for the optionee.

If shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an incentive option are disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding periods described above (a “disqualifying disposition”), generally (i) the optionee will realize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares of common stock at exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on a sale of such shares of common stock) over the exercise price thereof and (ii) the Company will be entitled to deduct such amount. Special rules apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the incentive option is paid by tendering shares of common stock.

If an incentive option is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies for the tax treatment described above, the option is treated as a non-qualified option. Generally, an incentive option will not be eligible for the tax treatment described above if it is exercised more than three months following termination of employment (or one year in the case of termination of employment by reason of disability). In the case of termination of employment by reason of death, the three-month rule does not apply.

Non-Qualified Options. No income is realized by the optionee at the time the option is granted. Generally, (i) at exercise, ordinary income is realized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option price and the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of exercise, and the Company receives a tax deduction for the same amount and (ii) at disposition, appreciation or depreciation after the date of exercise is treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how long the shares of common stock have been held. Special rules apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the non-qualified option is paid by tendering shares of common stock. Upon exercise, the optionee will also be subject to Social Security taxes on the excess of the fair market value over the exercise price of the option.

Other Awards. The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the 2017 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant at the time the participant recognizes such income. Participants typically are subject to income tax and recognize such tax at the time that an award is exercised, vests or becomes non-forfeitable, unless the award provides for a further deferral.

Parachute Payments. The vesting of any portion of an option or other award that is accelerated due to the occurrence of a change in control (such as a sale event) may cause a portion of the payments with respect to such accelerated awards to be treated as “parachute payments,” as defined in the Code. Any such parachute payments may be non-deductible to the Company, in whole or in part, and may subject the recipient to a non-deductible 20% federal excise tax on all or a portion of such payment (in addition to other taxes ordinarily payable).

Limitation on Deductions. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company’s deduction for certain awards under the 2017 Plan may be limited to the extent that the chief executive officer or other executive officer whose compensation is required to be reported in the summary compensation table (other than the principal financial officer) receives compensation in excess of $1 million a year (other than performance-based compensation that otherwise meets the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code). The 2017 Plan is structured to allow certain awards to qualify as performance-based compensation.

APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Our ESPP was approved by our Board on March 3, 2017 and by our stockholders on March 10, 2017. The ESPP will be effective 20 days after the mailing of this Information Statement to our stockholders of record as of the Record Date. The purpose of the ESPP is to retain the services of new employees and secure the services of new and existing employees while providing incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success and that of our affiliates. The ESPP provides for the issuance of up to 300,000 shares for purchases made under the ESPP.

Summary of the ESPP

The following description of certain provisions of the ESPP is intended to be a summary only. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the ESPP, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix III. It is our intention that the ESPP qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code.

Shares Subject to the Plan. An aggregate of 300,000 shares will be reserved and available for issuance under the ESPP. The ESPP provides that the number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the ESPP shall be cumulatively increased each January 1, beginning on January 1, 2018 through January 1, 2027, by the lesser of (i) 1.0 percent of the outstanding number of shares of our common stock on the immediately preceding December 31 or (ii) such lesser number of shares as determined by our compensation committee. If our capital structure changes because of a stock dividend, stock split or similar event, the number of shares that can be issued under the ESPP will be appropriately adjusted.

Plan Administration. The ESPP will be administered by the compensation committee, which will have full authority to make, administer and interpret such rules and regulations regarding the ESPP as it deems advisable.

Eligibility. Any employee of the Company or Aerpio is eligible to participate in the ESPP so long as the employee has been employed for at least 30 days on the first day of the applicable offering period and who is customarily employed for more than 20 hours per week. No person who owns or holds, or as a result of participation in the ESPP would own or hold, common stock or options to purchase common stock, that together equal to 5% or more of total outstanding common stock is entitled to participate in the ESPP. No employee may exercise an option granted under the ESPP that permits the employee to purchase common stock of the Company having a value of more than $25,000 (determined using the fair market value of the stock at the time such option is granted) in any calendar year.

Payroll Deductions; Participation. Participation in the ESPP is limited to eligible employees who authorize payroll deductions equal to a whole percentage of base pay to the ESPP. Employees may authorize payroll deductions, with a minimum of 1% of base pay and a maximum of 15% of base pay. Once an employee becomes a participant in the ESPP, that employee will automatically participate in successive offering periods, as described below, until such time as that employee withdraws from the ESPP, becomes ineligible to participate in the ESPP, or his or her employment ceases.

Offering Periods. Unless otherwise determined by the compensation committee, each offering of common stock under the ESPP will be for a period of six months, which we refer to as an “offering period.” Unless otherwise determined by the compensation committee, each offering period will begin on the first business day occurring on or after each January 1 and July1 and end on the last business day occurring on or before the following June 30 or December 31. Shares are purchased on the last business day of each offering period, with that day being referred to as an “exercise date.” The compensation committee may establish different offering periods or exercise dates under the ESPP.

Exercise Price. On the first day of an offering period, we will grant to employees participating in that offering period an option to purchase shares of our common stock. On the exercise date of each offering period, the employee is deemed to have exercised the option, at the exercise price, to the extent of accumulated payroll deductions. The option exercise price is equal to the lesser of (i) 85% the fair market value per share of our common stock on the first day of the offering period or (ii) 85% of the fair market

value per share of our common stock on the exercise date. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued to any employee under the ESPP in any offering period is a number of shares determined by multiplying $2,083 by the number of full months in the offering period and dividing the result by the fair market value on the offering date, or such other lesser number of shares as determined by our compensation and talent committee from time to time.

Subject to certain limitations, the number of shares of our common stock a participant purchases in each offering period is determined by dividing the total amount of payroll deductions withheld from the participant’s compensation during the offering period by the option exercise price. In general, if an employee is no longer a participant on an exercise date, the employee’s option will be automatically terminated, and the amount of the employee’s accumulated payroll deductions will be refunded.

Terms of Participation. Except as may be permitted by the compensation committee in advance of an offering, a participant may not increase or decrease the amount of his or her payroll deductions during any offering period but may increase or decrease his or her payroll deduction with respect to the next offering period by filing a new enrollment form within the period beginning 15 business days before the first day of such offering period and ending on the day prior to the first day of such offering period. A participant may withdraw from an offering period at any time without affecting his or her eligibility to participate in future offering periods. If a participant withdraws from an offering period, that participant may not again participate in the same offering period, but may enroll in subsequent offering periods. An employee’s withdrawal will be effective as of the business day following the employee’s delivery of written notice of withdrawal under the ESPP.

Term; Amendments and Termination. The ESPP will continue until terminated by our board of directors. Our board of directors may, in its discretion, at any time, terminate or amend the ESPP. Upon termination of the ESPP, all amounts in the accounts of participating employees will be refunded.

New Plan Benefits

Since participation in the ESPP is voluntary, the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to any individual or group of individuals under the amended and restated ESPP in the future are not determinable.

Summary of Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is only a summary of the effect of the United States income tax laws and regulations upon an employee and us with respect to an employee’s participation in the ESPP. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of all federal tax implications of participation in the ESPP, nor does it discuss the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which a participant may reside or otherwise be subject to tax.

A participant in the ESPP recognizes no taxable income either as a result of participation in the ESPP or upon exercise of an option to purchase shares of our common stock under the terms of the ESPP.

If a participant disposes of shares purchased upon exercise of an option granted under the ESPP within two years from the first day of the applicable offering period or within one year from the exercise date, which we refer to as a “disqualifying disposition,” the participant will realize ordinary income in the year of that disposition equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the date the shares were purchased exceeds the purchase price. The amount of ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares will be a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant’s holding period is more than 12 months, or short-term if the participant’s holding period is 12 months or less.

If the participant disposes of shares purchased upon exercise of an option granted under the ESPP at least two years after the first day of the applicable offering period and at least one year after the exercise date, the participant will realize ordinary income in the year of disposition equal to the lesser of (1) 15% of the fair market value of the common stock on the first day of the offering period in which the shares were purchased and (2) the excess of the amount actually received for the common stock over the amount paid. The amount of any ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain recognized upon the disposition after that basis adjustment will be a long-term capital gain. If the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition is less than the exercise price, there will be no ordinary income and any loss recognized will be a long-term capital loss.

We are generally entitled to a tax deduction in the year of a disqualifying disposition equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant as a result of that disposition. In all other cases, we are not allowed a deduction.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth the cash and other compensation paid by the Company to its officers and directors prior to the Merger, John Pappajohn and Matthew P. Kinley, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and through March 15, 2017 (the date of the Merger). This discussion does not include compensation of the executive officers and directors of Aerpio who became the executive officers and directors of the Company following the Merger.

Name and Position

Year

Salary

Bonus

Option
Awards

All other
Compensation

Total

John Pappajohn (1)
Former President and Director

2017
2016
2015

None
None
None

Matthew P. Kinley (2)
Former Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Director

2017
2016
2015

None
None
None

(1)	John Pappajohn was appointed to serve as President and as a director of the Company on November 16, 2007. He resigned as President and as a director of the Company effective March 15, 2017.

(2)	Matthew P. Kinley was appointed to serve as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and as a director of the Company on November 16, 2007. He resigned as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and as a Director of the Company on March 15, 2017.

The following compensation discussion addresses all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the Company’s officers and directors prior to the Merger. The Company’s officers and directors prior to the Merger did not receive any cash or other compensation since inception. See, however, the description of the Indemnity Agreement included above in the “Description of the Merger and Change in Control” section. No compensation of any nature has been paid for services rendered by Mr. Pappajohn or Mr. Kinley in their capacities as directors of the Company.

No retirement, pension, profit sharing, stock option or insurance programs or other similar programs have been adopted by the Company for the benefit of its employees prior to the Merger, other than the approval of the 2017 Plan and the ESPP, as described above in the “Description of the Merger and Change in Control” section.

Compensation Committee

Anupam Dalal and Paul Weiss currently serve on our compensation committee, which is chaired by Anupam Dalal. Our Board has determined that each member of the compensation committee is “independent” as defined in the applicable NASDAQ rules. The compensation committee’s responsibilities include:

•

annually reviewing and recommending to the board of directors the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer;

•

evaluating the performance of our Chief Executive Officer in light of such corporate goals and objectives and based on such evaluation: (i) recommending to the board of directors the cash compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and (ii) reviewing and approving grants and awards to our Chief Executive Officer under equity-based plans;

•

reviewing and approving or recommending to the board of directors the cash compensation of our other executive officers;

•

reviewing and establishing our overall management compensation, philosophy and policy;

•

overseeing and administering our compensation and similar plans;

•

evaluating and assessing potential and current compensation advisors in accordance with the independence standards identified in the applicable NASDAQ rules;

•

reviewing and approving our policies and procedures for the grant of equity-based awards;

•

reviewing and recommending to the board of directors the compensation of our directors;

•

preparing the compensation committee report required by SEC rules, if and when required, to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

•

reviewing and approving the retention, termination or compensation of any consulting firm or outside advisor to assist in the evaluation of compensation matters.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of our compensation committee has at any time during the prior three years been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any equity compensation plans in effect. On March 3, 2017, the Board of the Company approved the assumption of the 2011 Plan, and on March 3, 2017, the Board and March 10, 2017, the stockholders of the Company approved (i) the 2017 Plan and (ii) the ESPP, as further described above in the “Approval of 2017 Stock Option and Incentive Plan” and “Approval of Employee Stock Purchase Plan” sections herein.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Under the Restated Certificate, we will have authorized capital stock consisting of 310,000,000 shares, of which 300,000,000 will be designated as common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares will be designated as preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of the Record Date, we had 5,000,000 shares of our common stock outstanding held by four holders of record, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. As of March 15, 2017, following the closing of the Merger and giving effect to the Share Cancellation and the Offering, we had 27,049,555 shares of our common stock outstanding held by approximately 292 holders of record, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

NO DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS

No dissenters’ or appraisal rights are available to the Company’s stockholders on the Record Date under the DGCL, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or the Company’s bylaws in connection with the adoption of the Restated Certificate, the 2017 Plan and the ESPP.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2017, after giving effect to the Merger (including the Conversion) and the Offering, by:

•

each person or group who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;

•

each director;

•

our named executive officers; and

•

all executive officers and directors as a group.

The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, director or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 15, 2017 through the exercise of any stock option, warrants or other rights. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock held by such person.

The percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 27,049,555 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 15, 2017, giving effect to the Merger, the Conversion and the Offering. Shares of Common Stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 15, 2017 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed in the table is c/o Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 9987 Carver Road, Suite 420, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.


	Shares Beneficially Owned
	Number		Percentage
5% Stockholders:
Novartis Bioventures Ltd. (1)		5,805,550		21.5	%
Entities Affiliated with OrbiMed Private Investments III, LP (2)		4,416,446		16.3	%
Trusts and Other Entities Affiliated with Muneer A. Satter (3)		3,241,835		12.0	%
Venture Investors Early Stage Fund IV (4)		1,576,167		5.8	%
Kearny Venture Partners, L.P. and related funds (5)		1,679,730		6.2	%
Named Executive Officers and Directors:
Muneer A. Satter (3)		3,241,835		12.0	%
Chau Khuong (2)		4,416,446		16.3	%
Steven Prelack		—		*
Paul Weiss (4)		1,576,167		5.8	%
Caley Castelein (5)		1,679,730		6.2	%
Anupam Dalal (6)		76,204		*
Pravin Dugel (7)		10,464		*
Joseph Gardner (8)		785,111		2.9	%
Kevin Peters (9)		322,448		1.2	%
Steve Pakola (10)		66,273		*
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)		12,174,678		44.6	%

*	Indicates beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the total outstanding Common Stock.

(1)

Consists of 5,805,550 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Novartis Bioventures, Ltd. The board of directors of Novartis Bioventures Ltd. has sole voting and investment control and power over such shares. None of the members of its board of directors has individual voting or investment power with respect to such shares and each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Novartis Bioventures Ltd. is an indirectly-owned subsidiary of Novartis AG. The address of Novartis Bioventures Ltd. is 131 Front Street, Hamilton, HM12, Bermuda.

(2)

Consists of 4,416,446 shares of Common Stock owned directly by OrbiMed Private Investments III, LP, or OPI III. OrbiMed Advisors LLC, or OrbiMed, is the managing member of GP III, which is the general partner of OPI III. Samuel D. Isaly is the managing member of and owner of a controlling interest in OrbiMed. By virtue of such relationships, GP III, OrbiMed and Mr. Isaly may be deemed to have voting and investment power over the shares held by OPI III and as a result may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of such shares. Chau Khuong, an employee of OrbiMed, is a member of our board of directors. Each of GP III, OrbiMed, Mr. Isaly and Mr. Khuong disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by OPI III, except to the extent of its or his pecuniary interest therein, if any. The address of OrbiMed Investments and OrbiMed Associates is c/o OrbiMed Advisors LLC, 601 Lexington Avenue, 54th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

(3)

Consists of (a) 980,124 shares that are held by the Muneer A. Satter Revocable Trust for which Muneer A. Satter serves as trustee and, in such capacity, has sole voting and dispositive power over all such shares, (b) 1,141,711 shares that are held by various other trusts and other entities for which Muneer A. Satter serves as trustee, investment advisor or manager and, in such capacity, has sole voting and dispositive power over all such shares (collectively, the “Satter Investors”), and (c) 1,120,000 shares that are held by Satter Medical Technology Partners, L.P., or SMTP, and Muneer A. Satter has sole voting and dispositive power over all such shares. The address of the Satter Investors and SMTP is c/o Satter Management Co., L.P., 676 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60610.

(4)

Consists of 1,576,475 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Venture Investors Early Stage Fund IV Limited Partnership, or VIESF. The general partner of VIESF, VIESF IV GP LLC, has sole voting and investment control over the shares owned by VIESF. The members of VIESF IV GP LLC, John Neis, Paul M. Weiss, Scott Button, George Arida, James R. Adox, Loren G. Peterson, and Venture Investors Southeast LLC (of which Roger H. Ganser is the sole member), have sole voting and investment power for VIESF IV GP LLC with respect to its voting power in its capacity as General Partner for the shares held by VIESF. None of the members of VIESF IV GP LLC has individual voting or investment power with respect to such shares and each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The address of Venture Investors Early Stage Fund IV Limited Partnership is 505 South Rosa Road, Suite 201, Madison, Wisconsin, 53719.

(5)

Consists of (i) 1,571,475 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Kearny Venture Partners, L.P., or KVP, (ii) 32,051 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Kearny Venture Partners Entrepreneurs Fund, L.P., or KVPE, (iii) 7,882 shares of Common Stock owned directly by TWHVP SPV, LLC, or TWHVP, and (iv) 68,322 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Revelation TWHVP, LLC, or Revelation. The general partner of both KVP and KVPE is Kearny Venture Associates, L.L.C., or KVA. KVA has the sole voting and investment control over the shares owned by KVP and KVPE, and the Managing Members of KVA share in the voting and investment control over such shares controlled by KVA. The Managing Members of KVA are Caley Castelein, Richard Spalding and James Shapiro. None of the Managing Members of KVA has individual voting or investment power with respect to such shares and each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The address of KVA is One Embarcadero, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94111. The general partner of TWHVP and Revelation is Kearny Venture Associates II, LLC or KVA II. KVA II has the sole voting and investment control over the shares owned by TWHVP and Revelation, and the Managing Members of KVA II have sole voting and investment control over the shares controlled by KVA II. The Managing Members of KVA II are Caley Castelein, Anupam Dalal and Andrew Jensen. None of the Managing Members of KVA II has individual voting or investment power with respect to such shares and each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The address of KVA II is One Embarcadero, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94111.

(6)

Consists of (i) 7,882 shares of Common Stock owned directly by TWHVP SPV, LLC, or TWHVP, and (ii) 68,322 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Revelation TWHVP, LLC, or Revelation. The general partner of TWHVP and Revelation is Kearny Venture Associates II, LLC or KVA II. KVA II has the sole voting and investment control over the shares owned by TWHVP and Revelation, and the Managing Members of KVA II have sole voting and investment control over the shares controlled by KVA II. The Managing Members of KVA II are Caley Castelein, Anupam Dalal and Andrew Jensen. None of the Managing Members of KVA II has individual voting or investment power with respect to such shares and each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The address of KVA II is One Embarcadero, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94111.

(7)

Consists of 10,464 shares of Common Stock issuable directly to Pravin Dugel upon the conversion of options within 60 days of March 15, 2017.

(8)

Consists of (i) 593,019 shares of Common Stock held directly by Joseph Gardner and (ii) 192,092 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of options within 60 days of March 15, 2017.

(9)

Consists of (i) 320,536 shares of Common Stock held directly by Kevin G. Peters and (ii) 1,912 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of options within 60 days of March 15, 2017.

(10)

Consists of 66,273 shares of Common Stock issuable directly to Steve Pakola upon the conversion of options within 60 days of March 15, 2017.

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN OR OPPOSITION TO MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

No director or executive officer or any associate of any director or executive officer or any other person has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, resulting from the Restated Certificate that is not shared by all other stockholders pro-rata, and in accordance with their respective interests, except to the extent the Restated Certificate could discourage or make it more difficult to accomplish a change in management as described above under “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation – Purpose and Effects of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.” As determined by the Board, our executive officers and directors will be eligible to receive awards and grants under our 2017 Plan and ESPP.

PROPOSAL BY SECURITY HOLDERS

No security holder has requested that the Company include any proposal in this Information Statement.

EXPENSE OF INFORMATION STATEMENT

The expenses of mailing this Information Statement will be borne by us, including expenses in connection with the preparation and mailing of this Information Statement and all documents that now accompany or may hereafter supplement it. We do not contemplate that brokerage houses, custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries will be requested to forward the Information Statement to the beneficial owners of our common stock held of record by such persons, and we will not reimburse them for their expenses incurred in connection therewith. Additional copies of this Information Statement may be obtained at no charge by writing to us at: Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 9987 Carver Road, Suite 420, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS

In accordance with Rule 14a-3(e)(1) promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, a single copy of this Information Statement may be delivered to two or more stockholders who share an address, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of such stockholders. Upon written or oral request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of this Information Statement and any future annual reports, information statements, proxy statements or notices of internet availability of proxy materials, to any security holder at a shared address to which a single copy of this Information Statement was delivered, or deliver a single copy of this Information Statement and any future annual reports, information statements, proxy statements or notices of internet availability of proxy materials to any security holder or holders sharing an address to which multiple copies are now delivered. You should direct any such requests to our Secretary at Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 9987 Carver Road, Suite 420, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, registration statements and other documents with the SEC. These filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC without charge at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.

APPENDIX I

RESTATED CERTIFICATE

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

AERPIO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The date of the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was November 16, 2007 (the “Original Certificate”).

2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate”) amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation that was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 16, 2007, and as amended from time to time (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”), and was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

3. The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to provide as herein set forth in full.

ARTICLE I

The name of the Corporation is Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

A-I-1

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

1. The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is three hundred ten million (310,000,000), of which (i) three hundred million (300,000,000) shares shall be a class designated as common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) ten million (10,000,000) shares shall be a class designated as undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Undesignated Preferred Stock”).

2. Except as otherwise provided in any certificate of designations of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of the class of Common Stock or Undesignated Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of such class outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

3. The powers, preferences and rights of, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions upon, each class or series of stock shall be determined in accordance with, or as set forth below in, this Article IV.

A. COMMON STOCK

Subject to all the rights, powers and preferences of the Undesignated Preferred Stock and except as provided by law or in this Certificate (or in any certificate of designations of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock):

(a) the holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) and on all other matters requiring stockholder action, each outstanding share entitling the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate (or on any amendment to a certificate of designations of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock) that alters or changes the powers, preferences, rights or other terms of one or more outstanding series of Undesignated Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Undesignated Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, on such amendment pursuant to this Certificate (or pursuant to a certificate of designations of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL;

(b) dividends may be declared and paid or set apart for payment upon the Common Stock out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, but only when and as declared by the Board of Directors or any authorized committee thereof; and

A-I-2

(c) upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock.

B. UNDESIGNATED PREFERRED STOCK

The Board of Directors or any authorized committee thereof is expressly authorized, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to provide by resolution or resolutions for, out of the unissued shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock, the issuance of the shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock in one or more series of such stock, and by filing a certificate of designations pursuant to applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish or change from time to time the number of shares of each such series, and to fix the designations, powers, including voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.

ARTICLE V

STOCKHOLDER ACTION

1. Action without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken or effected by a written consent of stockholders in lieu thereof.

2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by statute and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office, and special meetings of stockholders may not be called by any other person or persons. Only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation.

3. Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of Directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the By-laws of the Corporation.

4. Liquidation Event.

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock then outstanding and in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law, in no event shall the Corporation liquidate, dissolve or wind-up the business and affairs of the Corporation, effect any Liquidation Event (each, a “Liquidation”), or consent to any of the foregoing unless such a Liquidation has been approved by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that at any time there is a Majority

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Stockholder, the consummation of any Liquidation shall also require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors that are not Owned by such Majority Stockholder or any of its Affiliates or Associates, voting as a single class.

(b) For purposes of this Certificate, “Affiliates” and “Associates” shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms under Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(1)

“Liquidation Event” means:

(i) a merger or consolidation in which:

(A) the Corporation is a constituent party or

(B) a subsidiary of the Corporation is a constituent party and the Corporation issues shares of its capital stock pursuant to such merger or consolidation,

except any such merger or consolidation involving the Corporation or a subsidiary in which the shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to represent, or are converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock that represent, immediately following such merger or consolidation, at least a majority, by voting power, of the capital stock of (x) the surviving or resulting corporation; or (y) if the surviving or resulting corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of another corporation immediately following such merger or consolidation, the parent corporation of such surviving or resulting corporation; or

(ii) the sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or the sale or disposition (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of one or more subsidiaries of the Corporation if substantially all of the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole are held by such subsidiary or subsidiaries, except where such sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition is to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation.

(2) “Majority Stockholder” means a Person that, individually or together with all of such Person’s Affiliates and/or Associates, Owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors.

(3) “Owner,” including the terms “Own,” “Owns” and “Owned,” when used with respect to any Stock, means a Person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates (i) beneficially owns such Stock, directly or indirectly (including for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder); (ii) has (A) the right to acquire such Stock (whether such right is exercisable

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immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of Stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered Stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such Stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of any Stock because of such Person’s right to vote such Stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such Stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons; or (iii) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in the immediately preceding clause (ii)(B) of this definition), or disposing of such Stock with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such Stock.

(4) a “Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or association or other entity.

(5) “Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

4. Section 251(h) of the DGCL. The Corporation shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 251(h) of the DGCL and, consequently, the vote of stockholders of the Corporation that, absent Section 251(h) of the DGCL, would be required to authorize a merger under the DGCL and this Certificate, shall be required to authorize a merger.

5. Affiliate Transactions. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate (including any duly authorized certificate of designations relating to any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock), the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the Directors then in office shall be required prior to the consummation by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries of any agreement, transaction, commitment or arrangement with a Majority Stockholder or any of its Affiliates or Associates.

ARTICLE VI

DIRECTORS

1. General. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors except as otherwise provided herein or required by law.

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2. Election of Directors. Election of Directors need not be by written ballot unless the By-laws of the Corporation (the “By-laws”) shall so provide. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of Directors at which a quorum is present, the Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, whenever the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock are entitled to elect one or more Directors, such Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares of such series.

3. Number of Directors; Term of Office. The number of Directors of the Corporation shall be fixed solely and exclusively by resolution duly adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock, the number of Directors of the Corporation shall be fixed solely and exclusively by the affirmative vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the remaining Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. The Directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock, shall be classified, with respect to the term for which they severally hold office, into three classes. The initial Class I Directors of the Corporation shall be Paul Weiss and Caley Castelein; the initial Class II Directors of the Corporation shall be Steven Prelack, Anupam Dalal and Pravin Dugel; and the initial Class III Directors of the Corporation shall be Joseph Gardner, Muneer Satter, and Chau Khuong. The initial Class I Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2018, the initial Class II Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019, and the initial Class III Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2020. At each annual meeting of stockholders, Directors elected to succeed those Directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Directors elected to each class shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, death or removal.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever, pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of this Certificate, the holders of any one or more series of Undesignated Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a series or together with holders of other such series, to elect Directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Certificate and any certificate of designations applicable to such series.

4. Vacancies. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock to elect Directors and to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors relating thereto, any and all vacancies and newly created directorships in the Board of Directors, however occurring, including, without limitation, by reason of an increase in the size of the Board of Directors, or the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of a Director, shall be filled solely and exclusively by the affirmative vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the remaining Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum of the Board of Directors,

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and not by the stockholders. Any Director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of Directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, death or removal. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock to elect Directors, when the number of Directors is increased or decreased, the Board of Directors shall, subject to Article VI.3 hereof, determine the class or classes to which the increased or decreased number of Directors shall be apportioned; provided, however, that no decrease in the number of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

5. Removal. Subject to the rights, if any, of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock to elect Directors and to remove any Director whom the holders of any such series have the right to elect, any Director (including persons elected by Directors to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors) may be removed from office (i) only with cause and (ii) only by the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) or more of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock then entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors. At least forty-five (45) days prior to any annual or special meeting of stockholders at which it is proposed that any Director be removed from office, written notice of such proposed removal and the alleged grounds thereof shall be sent to the Director whose removal will be considered at the meeting.

ARTICLE VII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

A Director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the Director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (d) for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended after the effective date of this Certificate to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of Directors, then the liability of a Director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article VII by either of (i) the stockholders of the Corporation or (ii) an amendment to the DGCL, shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring before such amendment, repeal or modification of a person serving as a Director at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

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ARTICLE VIII

EXCLUSIVE FORUM

1. Exclusive Forum. Unless this Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, the term “Claim” means the actions, proceedings or claims referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) on this Section 1.

2. Notice. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock) shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

1. Amendment by Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the By-laws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the Directors then in office.

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2. Amendment by Stockholders. The By-laws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed at any annual meeting of stockholders, or special meeting of stockholders called for such purpose, by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors, voting together as a single class, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law, this Certificate (including any duly authorized certificate of designations relating to any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock) or otherwise; provided, however, that at any time there is a Majority Stockholder, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors that are not Owned by such Majority Stockholder or any of its Affiliates or Associates, voting as a single class, shall also be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provisions of the By-laws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal this Certificate in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute and this Certificate, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Whenever any vote of the holders of capital stock of the Corporation is required to amend or repeal any provision of this Certificate, and in addition to any other vote of holders of capital stock that is required by this Certificate or by law, such amendment or repeal shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors, and the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors as a class, at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders called expressly for such purpose; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors, and the affirmative vote of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66²⁄₃%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, shall be required to amend or repeal any provision of Article IV(1)(ii) (but only to the extent that such amendment would decrease the number of authorized shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock) or (3)(B), Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX or Article X of this Certificate; and provided, further, that at any time there is a Majority Stockholder, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors that are not Owned by such Majority Stockholder or any of its Affiliates or Associates, voting as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal any provision of Article IV(1)(ii) (but only to the extent that such amendment would decrease the number of authorized shares of Undesignated Preferred Stock) or (3)(B), Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX or Article X of this Certificate.

[End of Text]

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THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION is executed as of this 15^th day of March, 2017.

AERPIO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By: /s/ Joseph Gardner

Name: Joseph Gardner, Ph.D.

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

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APPENDIX II

2017 PLAN

AERPIO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2017 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS

The name of the plan is the Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its businesses to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.

The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

“Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

“Administrator” means either the Board or the compensation committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the compensation committee and which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent.

“Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, Performance Share Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights.

“Award Certificate” means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. Each Award Certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cash-Based Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

“Consultant” means any natural person that provides bona fide services to the Company, and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

“Covered Employee” means an employee who is a “Covered Employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

“Dividend Equivalent Right” means an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to and held by the grantee.

“Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan becomes effective as set forth in Section 21.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

“Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Stock is admitted to quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”), NASDAQ Global Market or another national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to market quotations. If there are no market quotations for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there are market quotations.

“Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

“Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.

“Performance-Based Award” means any Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Administrator selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for an individual for a Performance Cycle. The Performance Criteria (which shall be applicable to the organizational level specified by the Administrator, including, but not limited to, the Company or a unit, division, group, or Subsidiary of the Company) that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: total shareholder return, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of the Stock, economic value-added, funds from operations or similar measure, sales or revenue, development, clinical or regulatory milestones,

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acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income (loss), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, return on sales, gross or net profit levels, productivity, expense, margins, operating efficiency, customer satisfaction, working capital, earnings (loss) per share of Stock, sales or market shares and number of customers, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group. The Administrator may appropriately adjust any evaluation performance under a Performance Criterion to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a Performance Cycle: (i) asset write-downs or impairments, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reporting results, (iv) accruals for reorganizations and restructuring programs, and (v) any item of an unusual nature or of a type that indicates infrequency of occurrence, or both, including those described in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s authoritative guidance and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition of operations appearing the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year.

“Performance Cycle” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Criteria will be measured for the purpose of determining a grantee’s right to and the payment of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award, the vesting and/or payment of which is subject to the attainment of one or more Performance Goals. Each such period shall not be less than 12 months.

“Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Cycle, the specific goals established in writing by the Administrator for a Performance Cycle based upon the Performance Criteria.

“Performance Share Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals.

“Restricted Shares” means the shares of Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to a risk of forfeiture or the Company’s right of repurchase.

“Restricted Stock Award” means an Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.

“Restricted Stock Units” means an Award of stock units subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.

“Sale Event” shall mean (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power and outstanding stock immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power and outstanding stock or other equity interests of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) immediately upon completion of such transaction, (iii) the sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated person, entity or group thereof acting in concert, or (iv) any other transaction in which the owners of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company or any successor entity immediately upon completion of the transaction other than as a result of the acquisition of securities directly from the Company.

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“Sale Price” means the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable, or otherwise to be received by stockholders, per share of Stock pursuant to a Sale Event.

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.

“Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

“Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has at least a 50 percent interest, either directly or indirectly.

“Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation.

“Unrestricted Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Stock free of any restrictions.

SECTION 2.

ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS

(a) Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator.

(b) Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

(i) to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, Performance Share Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;

(iii) to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;

(iv) to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the forms of Award Certificates;

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(v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;

(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and

(vii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan grantees.

(c) Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of Awards to individuals who are (i) not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and (ii) not Covered Employees. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of Stock underlying Awards that may be granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price and the vesting criteria. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.

(d) Award Certificate. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Certificates that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the event employment or service terminates.

(e) Indemnification. Neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Administrator (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Company’s articles or bylaws or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.

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(f) Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.

SECTION 3. STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION

(a) Stock Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 4,600,000 shares, less the number of shares subject to issued and outstanding awards under the Aerpio Therapeutics, Inc. 2011 Equity Plan that were assumed pursuant to that agreement and plan of merger by and between the Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and Aerpio Therapeutics, Inc. (after giving effect to the adjustments to such awards provided therein) (the “Initial Limit”), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c), plus on January 1, 2018 and each January 1 thereafter, the number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be cumulatively increased by the lesser of (i) 4 percent of the number of shares of Stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31 or (ii) such number of shares as determined by the Board (the “Annual Increase”). Subject to such overall limitation, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed the Initial Limit cumulatively increased on January 1, 2018 and on each January 1 thereafter by the lesser of the Annual Increase for such year or 4,600,000 shares of Stock, subject in all cases to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c). For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled, held back upon exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, reacquired by the Company prior to vesting, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. In the event the Company repurchases shares of Stock on the open market, such shares shall not be added to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, shares of Stock may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to no more than 4,600,00 shares of Stock may be granted to any one individual grantee during any one calendar year period. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Company.

(b) Maximum Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, the value of all Awards awarded under this Plan and all other cash compensation paid by the Company to any Non-Employee Director in any calendar year shall

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not exceed $750,000. For the purpose of this limitation, the value of any Award shall be its grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with ASC 718 or successor provision but excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting provisions.

(c) Changes in Stock. Subject to Section 3(d) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company’s capital stock, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that can be granted to any one individual grantee and the maximum number of shares that may be granted under a Performance-Based Award, (iii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iv) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (v) the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable. The Administrator shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

(d) Mergers and Other Transactions. In the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, the parties thereto may cause the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards with new Awards of the successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree. To the extent the parties to such Sale Event do not provide for the assumption, continuation or substitution of Awards, upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the Plan and all outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate. In such case, except as may be otherwise provided in the relevant Award Certificate, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, all other Awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, and all Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and nonforfeitable in connection with a Sale Event in the Administrator’s discretion or to the extent specified in the relevant Award Certificate. In the event of such termination, (i) the Company shall have the option (in its sole discretion) to make

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or provide for a payment, in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A) the Sale Price multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights; or (ii) each grantee shall be permitted, within a specified period of time prior to the consummation of the Sale Event as determined by the Administrator, to exercise all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable) held by such grantee. The Company shall also have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a payment, in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding other Awards in an amount equal to the Sale Price multiplied by the number of vested shares of Stock under such Awards.

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY

Grantees under the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS

(a) Award of Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Stock Options under the Plan. Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.

Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. If the Administrator so determines, Stock Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may establish.

(b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the option price of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date.

(c) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.

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(d) Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

(e) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods except to the extent otherwise provided in the Option Award Certificate:

(i) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;

(ii) Through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership following such procedures as the Company may prescribe) of shares of Stock that are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date;

(iii) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Company shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or

(iv) With respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.

Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Certificate or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of attested shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

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(f) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

SECTION 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

(a) Award of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may grant Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan. A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

(b) Exercise Price of Stock Appreciation Rights. The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.

(c) Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Administrator independently of any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan.

(d) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined on the date of grant by the Administrator. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed ten years. The terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.

SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan. A Restricted Stock Award is any Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives.

(b) Rights as a Stockholder. Upon the grant of the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Shares and receipt of dividends; provided that if the lapse of restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock Award is tied to the attainment of performance goals, any dividends paid by the Company during the performance period shall accrue and shall not be paid to the grantee until and to the extent the performance goals are met with respect to the Restricted Stock Award. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Restricted Shares shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Restricted

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Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and (ii) certificated Restricted Shares shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe.

(c) Restrictions. Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, if a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, any Restricted Shares that have not vested at the time of termination shall automatically and without any requirement of notice to such grantee from or other action by or on behalf of, the Company be deemed to have been reacquired by the Company at its original purchase price (if any) from such grantee or such grantee’s legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or other service relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Company by the grantee or rights of the grantee as a stockholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of Restricted Shares that are represented by physical certificates, a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration.

(d) Vesting of Restricted Shares. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Shares and the Company’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Restricted Shares and shall be deemed “vested.”

SECTION 8. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan. A Restricted Stock Unit is an Award of stock units that may be settled in shares of Stock upon the satisfaction of such restrictions and conditions at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. Except in the case of Restricted Stock Units with a deferred settlement date that complies with Section 409A, at the end of the vesting period, the Restricted Stock Units, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form of shares of Stock. Restricted Stock Units with deferred settlement dates are subject to Section 409A and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

(b) Election to Receive Restricted Stock Units in Lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of an award of Restricted Stock Units. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other

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rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of Restricted Stock Units based on the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate. Any Restricted Stock Units that are elected to be received in lieu of cash compensation shall be fully vested, unless otherwise provided in the Award Certificate.

(c) Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a stockholder only as to shares of Stock acquired by the grantee upon settlement of Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the stock units underlying his Restricted Stock Units, subject to the provisions of Section 11 and such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine.

(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

SECTION 9. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock. The Administrator may grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock Award under the Plan. An Unrestricted Stock Award is an Award pursuant to which the grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.

SECTION 10. CASH-BASED AWARDS

Grant of Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant Cash-Based Awards under the Plan. A Cash-Based Award is an Award that entitles the grantee to a payment in cash upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash.

SECTION 11. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS

(a) Nature of Performance Share Awards. The Administrator may grant Performance Share Awards under the Plan. A Performance Share Award is an Award entitling the grantee to receive shares of Stock upon the attainment of performance goals. The Administrator shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be granted, the performance goals, the periods during which performance is to be measured, which may not be less than one year except in the case of a Sale Event, and such other limitations and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.

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(b) Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee receiving a Performance Share Award shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares of Stock actually received by the grantee under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the Award but not actually received by the grantee. A grantee shall be entitled to receive shares of Stock under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in the Performance Share Award Certificate (or in a performance plan adopted by the Administrator).

(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

SECTION 12. PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS TO COVERED EMPLOYEES

(a) Performance-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant one or more Performance-Based Awards in the form of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Awards or Cash-Based Award payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Administrator and relate to one or more of the Performance Criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for any Performance Cycle. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business unit, or an individual. Each Performance-Based Award shall comply with the provisions set forth below.

(b) Grant of Performance-Based Awards. With respect to each Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee, the Administrator shall select, within the first 90 days of a Performance Cycle (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) the Performance Criteria for such grant, and the Performance Goals with respect to each Performance Criterion (including a threshold level of performance below which no amount will become payable with respect to such Award). Each Performance-Based Award will specify the amount payable, or the formula for determining the amount payable, upon achievement of the various applicable performance targets. The Performance Criteria established by the Administrator may be (but need not be) different for each Performance Cycle and different Performance Goals may be applicable to Performance-Based Awards to different Covered Employees.

(c) Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Following the completion of a Performance Cycle, the Administrator shall meet to review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Cycle have been achieved and, if so, to also calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance-Based Awards earned for the Performance Cycle. The Administrator shall then determine the actual size of each Covered Employee’s Performance-Based Award.

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(d) Maximum Award Payable. The maximum Performance-Based Award payable to any one Covered Employee under the Plan for a Performance Cycle is 4,600,000 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof) or $2,000,000 in the case of a Performance-Based Award that is a Cash-Based Award.

SECTION 13. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

(a) Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Administrator may grant Dividend Equivalent Rights under the Plan. A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to the grantee. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any grantee as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Share Award or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Certificate. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of an Award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Share Award shall provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled only upon settlement or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award.

(b) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

SECTION 14. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

(a) Transferability. Except as provided in Section 14(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.

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(b) Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 14(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award Certificate regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) may transfer his or her Non-Qualified Stock Options to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award. In no event may an Award be transferred by a grantee for value.

(c) Family Member. For purposes of Section 14(b), “family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.

(d) Designation of Beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Company, each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.

SECTION 15. TAX WITHHOLDING

(a) Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or stock certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

(b) Payment in Stock. Subject to approval by the Administrator, a grantee may elect to have the Company’s tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due; provided, however, that to the extent necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment, such share withholding shall not exceed the minimum required tax withholding obligation. The Administrator may also require Awards to be subject to mandatory share withholding up to the required withholding amount. For purposes of share withholding, the Fair Market Value of withheld shares shall be determined in the same manner as the value of Stock includible in income of the Participants.

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SECTION 16. SECTION 409A AWARDS

To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

SECTION 17. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.

(a) Termination of Employment. If the grantee’s employer ceases to be a Subsidiary, the grantee shall be deemed to have terminated employment for purposes of the Plan.

(b) For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:

(i) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or

(ii) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.

SECTION 18. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. Except as provided in Section 3(c) or 3(d), without prior stockholder approval, in no event may the Administrator exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or effect repricing through cancellation and re-grants or cancellation of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash or other Awards. To the extent required under the rules of any securities exchange or market system on which the Stock is listed, to the extent determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, or to ensure that compensation earned under Awards qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Nothing in this Section 18 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(c) or 3(d).

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SECTION 19. STATUS OF PLAN

With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.

SECTION 20. GENERAL PROVISIONS

(a) No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.

(b) Delivery of Stock Certificates. Stock certificates to grantees under this Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company. Uncertificated Stock shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a Stock transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book entry” records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary or advisable), that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded. All Stock certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.

(c) Stockholder Rights. Until Stock is deemed delivered in accordance with Section 20(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a stockholder will exist with respect to shares of Stock to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock Option or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award.

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(d) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.

(e) Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.

(f) Clawback Policy. Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as in effect from time to time.

SECTION 21. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

This Plan shall become effective upon stockholder approval in accordance with applicable state law, the Company’s bylaws and articles of incorporation, and applicable stock exchange rules. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date and no grants of Incentive Stock Options may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the Board.

SECTION 22. GOVERNING LAW

This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.


DATE APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:		March 3, 2017

DATE APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS:		March 10, 2017

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APPENDIX III

ESPP

AERPIO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2017 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

The purpose of the Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“the Plan”) is to provide eligible employees of Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) and each Designated Subsidiary (as defined in Section 11) with opportunities to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”). 300,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate have been approved and reserved for this purpose, plus on January 1, 2018, and each January 1 thereafter through January 1, 2027, the number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be cumulatively increased by the lesser of (i) one percent (1%) of the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31^st or (ii) such number of shares of Common Stock as determined by the Board (as defined below). The Plan is intended to constitute an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and shall be interpreted in accordance with that intent.

1. Administration. The Plan will be administered by the person or persons (the “Administrator”) appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) for such purpose. The Administrator has authority at any time to: (i) adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for the administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; (ii) interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan; (iii) make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; (iv) decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and (v) otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. All interpretations and decisions of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and the Participants. No member of the Board or individual exercising administrative authority with respect to the Plan shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any option granted hereunder.

2. Offerings. The Company will make one or more offerings to eligible employees to purchase Common Stock under the Plan (“Offerings”). Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, an Offering will begin on the first business day occurring on or after each January 1 and July 1 and will end on the last business day occurring on or before the following June 30 and December 31, respectively. The Administrator may, in its discretion, designate a different period for any Offering, provided that no Offering shall exceed one year in duration or overlap any other Offering.

3. Eligibility. All individuals classified as employees on the payroll records of the Company and each Designated Subsidiary are eligible to participate in any one or more of the Offerings under the Plan, provided that as of the first day of the applicable Offering (the “Offering Date”) they are customarily employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for more than 20 hours a week and have completed at least 30 days of employment. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, individuals who are not contemporaneously classified as employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for purposes of the Company’s or applicable Designated Subsidiary’s payroll system are not considered to be eligible employees of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary and shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan. In the event any such individuals are reclassified as employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for any purpose, including, without limitation, common law or statutory employees, by any action of any third party, including, without limitation, any government agency, or as a result of any private lawsuit, action or administrative proceeding,

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such individuals shall, notwithstanding such reclassification, remain ineligible for participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exclusive means for individuals who are not contemporaneously classified as employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary on the Company’s or Designated Subsidiary’s payroll system to become eligible to participate in this Plan is through an amendment to this Plan, duly executed by the Company, which specifically renders such individuals eligible to participate herein.

4. Participation.

(a) An eligible employee who is not a Participant in any prior Offering may participate in a subsequent Offering by submitting an enrollment form to his or her appropriate payroll location at least 15 business days before the Offering Date (or by such other deadline as shall be established by the Administrator for the Offering).

(b) Enrollment. The enrollment form will (a) state a whole percentage or amount to be deducted from an eligible employee’s Compensation (as defined in Section 11) per pay period, (b) authorize the purchase of Common Stock in each Offering in accordance with the terms of the Plan and (c) specify the exact name or names in which shares of Common Stock purchased for such individual are to be issued pursuant to Section 10. An employee who does not enroll in accordance with these procedures will be deemed to have waived the right to participate. Unless a Participant files a new enrollment form or withdraws from the Plan, such Participant’s deductions and purchases will continue at the same percentage or amount of Compensation for future Offerings, provided he or she remains eligible.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, participation in the Plan will neither be permitted nor be denied contrary to the requirements of the Code.

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5. Employee Contributions. Each eligible employee may authorize payroll deductions at a minimum of 1 percent up to a maximum of 15 percent of such employee’s Compensation for each pay period. The Company will maintain book accounts showing the amount of payroll deductions made by each Participant for each Offering. No interest will accrue or be paid on payroll deductions.

6. Deduction Changes. Except as may be determined by the Administrator in advance of an Offering, a Participant may not increase or decrease his or her payroll deduction during any Offering, but may increase or decrease his or her payroll deduction with respect to the next Offering (subject to the limitations of Section 5) by filing a new enrollment form at least 15 business days before the next Offering Date (or by such other deadline as shall be established by the Administrator for the Offering). The Administrator may, in advance of any Offering, establish rules permitting a Participant to increase, decrease or terminate his or her payroll deduction during an Offering.

7. Withdrawal. A Participant may withdraw from participation in the Plan by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to his or her appropriate payroll location. The Participant’s withdrawal will be effective as of the next business day. Following a Participant’s withdrawal, the Company will promptly refund such individual’s entire account balance under the Plan to him or her (after payment for any Common Stock purchased before the effective date of withdrawal). Partial withdrawals are not permitted. Such an employee may not begin participation again during the remainder of the Offering, but may enroll in a subsequent Offering in accordance with Section 4.

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8. Grant of Options. On each Offering Date, the Company will grant to each eligible employee who is then a Participant in the Plan an option (“Option”) to purchase on the last day of such Offering (the “Exercise Date”), at the Option Price hereinafter provided for, the lowest of (a) a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing such Participant’s accumulated payroll deductions on such Exercise Date by the lower of (i) 85 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Offering Date, or (ii) 85 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Exercise Date, (b) a number of shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying $2,083 by the number of full months in such Offering and dividing the result by the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Offering Date, or (c) such other lesser maximum number of shares as shall have been established by the Administrator in advance of the Offering; provided, however, that such Option shall be subject to the limitations set forth below. Each Participant’s Option shall be exercisable only to the extent of such Participant’s accumulated payroll deductions on the Exercise Date. The purchase price for each share purchased under each Option (the “Option Price”) will be 85 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Offering Date or the Exercise Date, whichever is less.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Participant may be granted an option hereunder if such Participant, immediately after the option was granted, would be treated as owning stock possessing 5 percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (as defined in Section 11). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall apply in determining the stock ownership of a Participant, and all stock which the Participant has a contractual right to purchase shall be treated as stock owned by the Participant. In addition, no Participant may be granted an Option which permits his or her rights to purchase stock under the Plan, and any other employee stock purchase plan of the Company and its Parents and Subsidiaries, to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of the fair market value of such stock (determined on the option

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grant date or dates) for each calendar year in which the Option is outstanding at any time. The purpose of the limitation in the preceding sentence is to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and shall be applied taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.

9. Exercise of Option and Purchase of Shares. Each employee who continues to be a Participant in the Plan on the Exercise Date shall be deemed to have exercised his or her Option on such date and shall acquire from the Company such number of whole shares of Common Stock reserved for the purpose of the Plan as his or her accumulated payroll deductions on such date will purchase at the Option Price, subject to any other limitations contained in the Plan. Any amount remaining in a Participant’s account at the end of an Offering solely by reason of the inability to purchase a fractional share will be carried forward to the next Offering; any other balance remaining in a Participant’s account at the end of an Offering will be refunded to the Participant promptly.

10. Issuance of Certificates. Certificates representing shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan may be issued only in the name of the employee, in the name of the employee and another person of legal age as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, or in the name of a broker authorized by the employee to be his, her or their, nominee for such purpose.

11. Definitions.

The term “Compensation” means the amount of base pay, prior to salary reduction pursuant to Sections 125, 132(f) or 401(k) of the Code, but excluding overtime, commissions, incentive or bonus awards, allowances and reimbursements for expenses such as relocation allowances or travel expenses, income or gains on the exercise of Company stock options, and similar items.

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The term “Designated Subsidiary” means any present or future Subsidiary (as defined below) that has been designated by the Board to participate in the Plan. The Board may so designate any Subsidiary, or revoke any such designation, at any time and from time to time, either before or after the Plan is approved by the stockholders. The current list of Designated Subsidiaries is attached hereto as Appendix A.

The term “Fair Market Value of the Common Stock” on any given date means the fair market value of the Common Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Common Stock is admitted to quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”), NASDAQ Global Market or another national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to the closing price on such date. If there is no closing price for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there is a closing price.

The term “Parent” means a “parent corporation” with respect to the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

The term “Participant” means an individual who is eligible as determined in Section 3 and who has complied with the provisions of Section 4.

The term “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

12. Rights on Termination of Employment. If a Participant’s employment terminates for any reason before the Exercise Date for any Offering, no payroll deduction will be taken from any pay due and owing to the Participant and the balance in the Participant’s account will be paid to such Participant or, in the case of such Participant’s death, to his or her designated beneficiary as if such Participant had withdrawn from the Plan under Section 7. An employee

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will be deemed to have terminated employment, for this purpose, if the corporation that employs him or her, having been a Designated Subsidiary, ceases to be a Subsidiary, or if the employee is transferred to any corporation other than the Company or a Designated Subsidiary. An employee will not be deemed to have terminated employment for this purpose, if the employee is on an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise provides in writing.

13. Special Rules. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may adopt special rules applicable to the employees of a particular Designated Subsidiary, whenever the Administrator determines that such rules are necessary or appropriate for the implementation of the Plan in a jurisdiction where such Designated Subsidiary has employees; provided that such rules are consistent with the requirements of Section 423(b) of the Code. Any special rules established pursuant to this Section 13 shall, to the extent possible, result in the employees subject to such rules having substantially the same rights as other Participants in the Plan.

14. Optionees Not Stockholders. Neither the granting of an Option to a Participant nor the deductions from his or her pay shall constitute such Participant a holder of the shares of Common Stock covered by an Option under the Plan until such shares have been purchased by and issued to him or her.

15. Rights Not Transferable. Rights under the Plan are not transferable by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant.

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16. Application of Funds. All funds received or held by the Company under the Plan may be combined with other corporate funds and may be used for any corporate purpose.

17. Adjustment in Case of Changes Affecting Common Stock. In the event of a subdivision of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the payment of a dividend in Common Stock or any other change affecting the Common Stock, the number of shares approved for the Plan and the share limitation set forth in Section 8 shall be equitably or proportionately adjusted to give proper effect to such event.

18. Amendment of the Plan. The Board may at any time and from time to time amend the Plan in any respect, except that without the approval within 12 months of such Board action by the stockholders, no amendment shall be made increasing the number of shares approved for the Plan or making any other change that would require stockholder approval in order for the Plan, as amended, to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423(b) of the Code.

19. Insufficient Shares. If the total number of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be purchased on any Exercise Date plus the number of shares purchased under previous Offerings under the Plan exceeds the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan, the shares then available shall be apportioned among Participants in proportion to the amount of payroll deductions accumulated on behalf of each Participant that would otherwise be used to purchase Common Stock on such Exercise Date.

20. Termination of the Plan. The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Board. Upon termination of the Plan, all amounts in the accounts of Participants shall be promptly refunded.

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21. Governmental Regulations. The Company’s obligation to sell and deliver Common Stock under the Plan is subject to obtaining all governmental approvals required in connection with the authorization, issuance, or sale of such stock.

22. Governing Law. This Plan and all Options and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.

23. Issuance of Shares. Shares may be issued upon exercise of an Option from authorized but unissued Common Stock, from shares held in the treasury of the Company, or from any other proper source.

24. Tax Withholding. Participation in the Plan is subject to any minimum required tax withholding on income of the Participant in connection with the Plan. Each Participant agrees, by entering the Plan, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant, including shares issuable under the Plan.

25. Notification Upon Sale of Shares. Each Participant agrees, by entering the Plan, to give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares purchased under the Plan where such disposition occurs within two years after the date of grant of the Option pursuant to which such shares were purchased or within one year after the date such shares were purchased.

26. Effective Date and Approval of Shareholders. The Plan shall take effect on the later of the date it is adopted by the Board and the date it is approved by the holders of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present or by written consent of the stockholders.

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APPENDIX A

Designated Subsidiaries

Aerpio Therapeutics LLC

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