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| Code of Conduct | |
Vasogen Inc. and its subsidiaries Vasogen Ireland Limited and Vasogen Corp. (collectively “Vasogen” or the “Company”) are committed to promoting integrity and maintaining the highest standard of ethical conduct in all of its activities. We are committed to: Honesty in communications with other employees, our customers, suppliers, and shareholders (collectively or individually referred to as "Stakeholders"), while at the same time protecting the Company's confidential information, trade secrets, and ability to negotiate. Quality in our products and services, by striving to provide safe, reliable products and timely, efficient services that exceed the expectations of our customers and suppliers. Innovation in every aspect of our business, from the design and development of our products, processes and services, to the way we do business. Responsibility and Accountability for our words and actions, demonstrating a commitment to do what we say. Caring for our people, local communities, and the environment. Fairness to our Stakeholders and competitors through adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, and a high standard of conduct. Respect for our Stakeholders by working together in a true spirit of cooperation. 1. VASOGEN'S ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE STAKEHOLDERS Vasogen is responsive to the needs of the Stakeholders of the Company and strives to preserve their loyalty by adhering to high standards in its business processes. 2. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS A. Equal Opportunity Employment, training and development, promotion, and other career opportunities are available to qualified persons irrespective of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or family status, disability, or conviction for which a pardon has been granted or the required penalty paid. B. Harassment-Free Working Environment Employees of the Company safeguard the professionalism and dignity of the workplace by ensuring that harassment of any individual does not occur under any circumstances. Refer to the Vasogen “Harassment Policy” for further clarification. C. Occupational Health and Safety Employees contribute to the safety of their work environment by complying with all of Management's safety directives and objectives and by taking all reasonable and necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and health and that of other persons affected by their work. D. Environmental Protection
E. Scientific Integrity 3. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS A. Legal Requirements The development, manufacture, approval and marketing of our products are subject to complex governmental regulation. We must comply fully and strictly with the requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration and its counterparts in other countries. All employees who prepare information, records, communications with or submissions to governmental agencies must do so diligently, accurately, completely and with complete integrity. The reputation and success of the Company is dependent upon its employees' awareness of and respect for the laws that govern the performance of their duties. Managers and the executives of the Company are available for consultation whenever an employee is in doubt about the interpretation of any legal requirement. All employees are expected to comply with applicable law prohibiting insider trading and tipping and the provisions of the Vasogen Disclosure Policy in respect of trading restrictions and blackout periods. B. Fraud and Theft
4. CONFLICT OF INTEREST A. Personal Interests Employees should never let business dealings on behalf of Vasogen be influenced, or appear to be influenced, by personal or family interests. Examples of conflicts that must be disclosed include:
B. Confidential Information (i) Vasogen’s intellectual property is one of its most important business assets and all employees, pursuant to their employment agreement, are under an obligation to Vasogen to safeguard intellectual property as confidential information, which is proprietary to Vasogen. Any ideas, inventions, or documentation, which a Vasogen employee generates, is the intellectual property of Vasogen. These must be disclosed to Vasogen and must be kept strictly confidential; such information cannot be disclosed to a third party at any time including after termination of employment. Intellectual property also includes major changes in business strategy, information crucial to important contracts, financial forecasts, and knowledge of roducts or services in development. (ii) The Company protects the confidentiality of all employees' personal information in accordance with applicable law. Personal information of employees is gathered, stored, and accessed according to carefully controlled procedures, and is only released to third parties with the consent of the employee or as required by law. C. Outside Work Vasogen employees will not engage in activities that involve services performed in direct competition with Vasogen, exploit their connections with Vasogen, or affect their job performance. They will not perform services related to their professional or corporate speciality for any outside individual or company without prior approval, unless stipulated in their employment agreement. Employees may, in some circumstances, obtain authorization from the Director, Human Resources by disclosing and discussing any likelihood of conflict of interest in advance of accepting any outside work. 5. BUSINESS PROCESSES AND TRAVEL A. Commitment to Vasogen Stakeholders Employees are committed to ensuring that the resources allocated for Vasogen's operations are used effectively, efficiently, and properly. B. Suppliers and Subcontractors All personnel involved in the procurement of goods and services must safeguard the Company's resources and business relationships with external providers by respecting the applicable policies and guidelines and by subscribing to high standards of integrity in all their business relations. In all of its business dealings with suppliers and subcontractors, Vasogen will:
Vasogen's relationship with its external providers is essential to delivering superior products and services. Vasogen will strive to enhance mutually beneficial initiatives that promote business success within these strategic alliances. C. Financial Records We will record all assets and liabilities in accordance with accepted accounting standards. No undisclosed or unrecorded fund or asset will be established or maintained for any purpose. No false or artificial entry, or entry that obscures the purposes of the underlying transaction, will be made in the Company’s books or records for any reason. No employee will conceal any information from the Company’s independent auditors. It is a breach of this code and the law for any employee to attempt to influence, such as through bribery or otherwise, the conduct of the external audit or the determination or judgment of the Company’s auditors. All members of the Finance Department have an obligation to report any questionable accounting practices, or deficiencies in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, or any other conduct in respect of financial accounting which might violate this Code, to one of: the General Counsel, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, or the Chief Executive Officer. D. Computer Security E. Travel 6. BUSINESS COURTESIES A. Gifts and Benefits Vasogen employees may only accept gifts or benefits of modest value distributed as advertising or goodwill gestures or modest hospitality offered as a general courtesy during the conduct of normal business. Acceptance of such offers must be free of obligation on the part of the Company and must not influence, nor appear to influence, subsequent business decisions. Employees who are in receipt of tangible gifts may choose to donate these gifts to the social committee for charitable fundraising events. B. Entertainment, Receptions, and Gifts in Course of Business Duty entertainment, receptions, and gifts must meet all the following conditions:
C. Staff Functions Vasogen must receive an identifiable benefit in terms of greater efficiencies or improved staff morale from the expenses associated with staff functions. All expense claims must be supported by receipts and documentation. D. Business Lunches, Dinners, Receptions Certain members of senior management may provide lunch or dinner or host receptions and recover the cost from the Company when such activities are an integral part of meetings, conferences, or the efficient conduct of Vasogen business. 7. OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS AND AGENTS Outside consultants or agents will be expected to comply with this Code of Conduct.As per the Company’s standard terms for services, each consultant or agent will be referred to this Code and informed that they will be expected to comply with its provisions with respect to their work for the Company. 8. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS Vasogen believes in contributing to society and encourages employees to participate in community activities. When appropriate, we will communicate information and opinions on issues of public concern that may affect Vasogen. Decisions by our employees whether or not to contribute time, money, or resources of their own to any political or community activity are entirely personal and voluntary. We will obey all laws in promoting the Company's position to government authorities and in making political contributions. The Company will not contribute to political candidates. 9. INTERNET, E-MAIL, Courier, and Post (Collectively "Communication Systems") Vasogen's Communication Systems are to be used primarily for Company business. Under no circumstances may the Company's Communication Systems be used:
Vasogen owns all e-mail messages that are sent from or received through Vasogen's systems. It may monitor messages and Internet usage and may be required to disclose them in the case of litigation or any appropriate government inquiry. 10. REPORTING ILLEGAL OR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR The Company has established a Whistleblower Policy available to all employees that provides a mechanism through which employees may anonymously notify the Company of potential violations or concerns regarding certain conduct. The Policy also provides a mechanism for responding to and keeping records of any complaints from employees regarding such potential violations or concerns. 11. DISCLOSURE Every employee shall disclose promptly to his or her immediate manager any personal situation or transaction that is or may be in conflict with the intent or spirit of this Code, and shall cooperate fully with any inquiry into such matter. The manager shall determine what action should be taken and recommend that action for approval by the next higher level of management. If disclosure of a matter to your manager seems inappropriate, promptly discuss the matter with the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer. 12. APPLICATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES This Code of Conduct is available to all Vasogen employees on the Vasogen website. Each employee of Vasogen or its subsidiaries is responsible for complying with this Code. Each employee will be asked to confirm knowledge of the Code electronically. A code cannot address all specific situations. It is therefore each employee's responsibility to apply the principles set forth in this Code in a responsible fashion and with the exercise of good judgment and common sense. If something seems unethical or improper, it likely is. Always remember: If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act. A failure by any employee to comply with the laws or regulations governing the Company's business, this Code, or any other Company policy or requirement may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination, and, if warranted, legal proceedings. All employees are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct. The Company acknowledges that from time to time extenuating circumstances may arise where a policy cannot be fully adhered to in a particular instance. Not every instance in which a policy is overridden or an exception to policy is taken will constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct. However, to ensure that any decision to depart from Company policy is not inconsistent with this Code, any supervisor, who directs another employee to disregard Company policy, or to depart from a Company procedure or internal control, will report the matter to one of: the Chief Financial Officer or the Head, Human Resources, together with a brief explanation as to why the supervisor took the view that the departure from policy was considered warranted in the circumstances. Anyone of us who is directed by a supervisor to depart from a Company policy and believes that the direction might constitute a violation of this Code should report the matter to the Chief Financial Officer or the Head, Human Resources as a possible violation of this Code, unless the matter has already been reported as required above by the manager. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any waivers from this Code that are granted for the benefit of any Company directors or executive officers shall be granted by the Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee only. |