As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2006

Registration No. 333-

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		41-2142317
(State or other jurisdiction		(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

12481 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 436-1400
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Full title of the plans)

Theodore R. Schroeder
President and Chief Executive Officer
Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
12481 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92130
(Name and address of agent for service)
(858) 436-1400
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:
Faye H. Russell, Esq.
Cheston W. Larson, Esq.
Latham & Watkins LLP
12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400
San Diego, California 92130
(858) 523-5400

Proposed

Proposed

Maximum

Amount

Maximum

Aggregate

Amount of

to be

Offering Price

Offering

Registration

Title of Securities to be Registered

Registered (1)

Per Share

Price

Fee

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

4,471,787 Shares (2)

$9.00 (3)

$40,246,083.00

$4,306.34

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

1,735,293 Shares (4)

$1.92(5)

$3,331,762.56

$356.50

Total

6,207,080 Shares

—

$43,577,845.56

$4,662.84

(1)		Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable under the above-named plans by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of our outstanding shares of common stock.
(2)		Represents 4,471,787 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2006 Plan”), which number consists of (a) 2,100,000 shares of common stock initially available for future grants under the 2006 Plan, (b) 83,272 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2004 Plan”) as of the effective date of the 2006 Plan and (c) up to an additional 2,288,515 shares of common stock that may become issuable under the 2006 Plan pursuant to its terms. To the extent outstanding awards under the 2004 Plan expire or are canceled without having been exercised in full or are repurchased or forfeited following the effective date of the 2006 Plan, the shares of common stock subject to such awards will be available for future issuance under the 2006 Plan. See Footnote (4) below.
(3)		This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share is $9.00, the initial public offering price of our common stock as set forth in our prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2006 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(4)		Represents 1,735,293 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the 2004 Plan. Any of such shares of common stock that are subject to awards that expire or are canceled without having been exercised in full or are repurchased or forfeited following the effective date of the 2006 Plan will be available for future issuance under the 2006 Plan.
(5)		This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. For the 1,735,293 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding awards granted under the 2004 Plan, the Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share is $1.92 per share, which is the weighted average exercise price of the awards granted under the 2004 Plan.

 

 

PART I

Item 1. Plan Information.

     Not required to be filed with this registration statement.

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.

     Not required to be filed with this registration statement.

PART II

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this registration statement, and later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this information. We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the following documents previously filed with the SEC:

	(a)		The prospectus filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on October 25, 2006, relating to the registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-135821), which contains our audited financial statements for the latest fiscal year for which such statements have been filed; and
	(d)		The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (Registration No. 001-33103), filed by us with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on October 19, 2006, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

     All documents that we subsequently file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement which indicates that all of the shares of common stock offered have been sold or which deregisters all of such shares then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents; except as to any portion of any future annual or quarterly report to stockholders or document or current report furnished under current Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K that is not deemed filed under such provisions. For the purposes of this registration statement, any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

     Under no circumstances will any information filed under current items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

     You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
12481 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92130

     You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this registration statement or any related prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this registration statement or any related prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

     Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

     Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     We will adopt provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties, except for liability that cannot be eliminated under the Delaware General Corporation Law. Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for any of the following:

	•		any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;
	•		acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
	•		unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or
	•		any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

     This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

     Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws also will provide that we shall indemnify our directors and executive officers and may indemnify our other officers and employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that indemnification under our amended and restated bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of indemnified parties. Our amended and restated bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in this capacity, regardless of whether our amended and restated bylaws would permit indemnification.

     We have entered into, and continue to enter separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our charter documents. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of our directors and executive officers for expenses, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by this person in any action or proceeding arising out of this person’s services as a director or executive officer or at our request. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.

     At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or agents in which indemnification by us is sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.

     We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances.

Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.

     Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

5.1		Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
10.3		2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan and forms of option agreements thereunder.
10.5		2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan and forms of option and restricted stock agreements thereunder.
23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2		Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).

Item 9. Undertakings.

     We hereby undertake:

     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;

    (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

    (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof), which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set for the in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

    (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8, or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by us pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

     We hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of our annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement, relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by one of our directors, officers or controlling persons in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that the registrant meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on this 26th day of October, 2006.

		CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		By:		/s/ Theodore R. Schroeder
				Theodore R. Schroeder
				President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Theodore R. Schroeder and William R. LaRue, and each of them, with full power to act without the other, such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement, and any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with exhibits and schedules thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Theodore R. Schroeder   Theodore R. Schroeder		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)		October 26, 2006
/s/ William R. LaRue   William R. LaRue		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)		October 26, 2006
/s/ Cam L. Garner		Chairman of the Board of Directors		October 26, 2006
Cam L. Garner
/s/ Brian G. Atwood		Director		October 26, 2006
Brian G. Atwood
/s/ Samuel L. Barker, Ph.D.		Director		October 26, 2006
Samuel L. Barker, Ph.D.

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Michael A. Berman, M.D.		Director		October 26, 2006
Michael A. Berman, M.D.
/s/ James C. Blair, Ph.D.		Director		October 26, 2006
James C. Blair, Ph.D.
/s/ Alan D. Frazier		Director		October 26, 2006
Alan D. Frazier
/s/ Alain B. Schreiber, M.D.		Director		October 26, 2006
Alain B. Schreiber, M.D.
/s/ Christopher J. Twomey		Director		October 26, 2006
Christopher J. Twomey

EXHIBIT INDEX

5.1		Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
10.3		2004 Equity Incentive Plan and forms of option agreements thereunder.
10.5		2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan and forms of option and restricted stock agreements thereunder.
23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2		Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).

EXHIBIT 5.1

[LATHAM & WATKINS LLP LETTERHEAD]

October 26, 2006

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
12481 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92130

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special counsel to Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration by the Company of 6,207,080 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”), issuable under the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2006 Plan”, together with the 2004 Plan, the “Plans”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on October 26, 2006 (the “Registration Statement”). This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Shares.

     In our capacity as your counsel in connection with such registration, we are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Company in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Shares, and for the purposes of this opinion, have assumed such proceedings will be timely completed in the manner contemplated by the Plans. In addition, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon the foregoing and upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters.

     In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

     We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of any other laws.

     Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, upon issuance, delivery and payment for the Shares in the manner contemplated by the Plans, the Shares will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     Our opinions are subject to: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; and (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought.

     This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP

EXHIBIT 10.3

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE

     1.1 General. The purpose of the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) by linking the personal interests of the members of the Board, employees, consultants and other independent advisors, and officers of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary, to those of Company stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to Company stockholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the Board, employees, consultants and other independent advisors, and officers of the Company upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent.

ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

     2.1 Definitions. The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

          (a) “Award” means an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Stock Appreciation Right award, a Performance Share award, a Dividend Equivalents award, a Stock Payment award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, or a Performance-Based Award granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.

          (b) “Award Agreement” means any written or electronic agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.

          (c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (d) “Change of Control” means (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person or (ii) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding securities or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; provided, however, that the following events shall not constitute a “Change of Control”: (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company in which the holders of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the merger or consolidation hold at least a majority of the voting securities in the successor corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation; (B) a sale, lease, exchange or other transaction in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to a wholly-owned subsidiary corporation; (C) a mere reincorporation of the Company; or (D) a transaction undertaken for the sole purpose of creating a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportion by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

          (e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder.

          (f) “Committee” means the Board or a committee of the Board described in Article 12.

          (g) “Covered Employee” means an Employee who is, or could be, a “covered

employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

          (h) “Disability” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as it may be amended from time to time.

          (i) “Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8 to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Stock) of dividends that otherwise would have been paid on Stock which is subject to an Award.

          (j) “Employee” means any officer or other employee (as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. A person shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. Neither service as a director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient, by itself, to constitute “employment” by the Company.

          (k) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          (l) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any date, the value of Stock determined as follows:

               (i) If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day prior to the date of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;

               (ii) If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the Stock on the date prior to the date of determination as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or

               (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Committee.

          (m) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

          (n) “Misconduct” means the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the Participant, any unauthorized use or disclosure by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by such person adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not in any way preclude or restrict the right of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) to discharge or dismiss any Participant or other person in the service of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) for any other acts or omissions, but such other acts or omissions shall not be deemed, for purposes of the Plan, to constitute grounds for termination for Misconduct.

          (o) “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who qualifies as a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Board under applicable law.

          (p) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not intended to be or otherwise does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

          (q) “Option” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 5 of the Plan to purchase a specified number of shares of Stock at a specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

          (r) “Parent” means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of the corporations other than the Company then owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain at the relevant time, including after the Effective Date (as defined in Section 13.1).

          (s) “Participant” means a person who, as a member of the Board, consultant to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or Employee, has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

          (t) “Performance-Based Award” means an Award granted to selected Covered Employees, but which is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Article 9.

          (u) “Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Participant for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: net earnings (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), net losses, sales or revenue, operating earnings, operating cash flow, return on net assets, return on stockholders’ equity, return on assets, return on capital, stockholder returns, gross or net profit margin, earnings per share, price per share of Stock, and market share, 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.

          (v) “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the goals established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. 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. The Committee, in its discretion, may adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event, or development, or (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.

          (w) “Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance-Based Award.

          (x) “Performance Share” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8, to receive cash, Stock, or other Awards, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain performance goals established by the Committee.

          (y) “Plan” means this Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

          (z) “Public Trading Date” means the first date upon which Stock is listed upon notice of issuance on any securities exchange or designated upon notice of issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system.

          (aa) “Qualified Performance-Based Compensation” means any compensation that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

          (bb) “Restricted Stock” means Stock awarded to a Participant pursuant to Article 6 that is subject to certain restrictions and to risk of forfeiture.

          (cc) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right to receive a share of Stock during specified time periods pursuant to Article 8.

          (dd) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          (ee) “Stock” means the common stock of the Company and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Article 11.

          (ff) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted pursuant to Article 7 to receive a payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Stock on the date the SAR is exercised over the Fair Market Value on the date the SAR was granted as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

          (gg) “Stock Payment” means (a) a payment in the form of shares of Stock, or (b) an option or other right to purchase shares of Stock, as part of any bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, made in lieu of all or any portion of the compensation, granted pursuant to Article 8.

          (hh) “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company at the relevant time, including after the Effective Date (as defined in Section 13.1).

ARTICLE 3
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

     3.1 Number of Shares.

          (a) Subject to Article 11, the aggregate number of shares of Stock which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 2,875,000 shares.

          (b) To the extent that an Award terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason, any shares of Stock subject to the Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. Additionally, any shares of Stock tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation pursuant to any Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. To the extent permitted by applicable law or any exchange rule, shares of Stock issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary shall not be counted against shares of Stock available for grant pursuant to this Plan. If shares of Stock issued pursuant to Awards are repurchased by

the Company at no less than their original purchase price, such shares of Stock shall become available for future grant under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated).

          (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1, no shares of Stock may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Code Section 422.

     3.2 Stock Distributed. Any Stock distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Stock, treasury Stock or, on and after the Public Trading Date, Stock purchased on the open market.

     3.3 Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Article 11, on and after the Public Trading Date and upon expiration of any transition period provided for under Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one Participant during a calendar year shall be 562,500.

ARTICLE 4
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

     4.1 Eligibility.

          (a) General. Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include all Employees, consultants to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary and all members of the Board, as determined by the Committee.

          (b) Foreign Participants. In order to assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign countries, the Committee may provide for such special terms, as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy, or custom. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of, the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose; provided, however, that no such supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions shall increase the share limitations contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of the Plan.

     4.2 Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from among all eligible individuals, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. No individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to this Plan.

ARTICLE 5
STOCK OPTIONS

     5.1 General. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

          (a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that the exercise price for any Option shall not be less than par value of a share of Stock on the date of grant.

          (b) Time And Conditions Of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or

times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, provided that the term of any Option granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten years. The Committee shall also determine the performance or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.

          (c) Payment. The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation:

               (1) cash,

               (2) on and after the Public Trading Date, shares of Stock held for longer than six months having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof,

               (3) other property acceptable to the Committee, or

               (4) on and after the Public Trading Date, delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price, provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale).

     The Committee shall also determine the methods by which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. The Committee may permit any Participant to pay the option exercise price or the purchase price for shares of Stock under an Award by delivering a full-recourse, interest bearing promissory note payable in one or more installments and secured by the purchased shares, as long as the portion of the option exercise price or purchase price, as applicable, which is equal to the par value of the shares purchased thereby is paid in cash or other legal consideration permitted by applicable law. In no event, however, may the maximum credit available to the Participant exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate option exercise price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares (less the par value of those shares) plus (ii) any Federal, state and local income and employment tax liability incurred by the Participant in connection with the option exercise or share purchase; provided, however, that prior to the first date on which the Company has filed a registration statement under the Securities Act to register the public offering of securities of the Company under the Securities Act, then, to the extent that any director or executive officer of the Company, as defined under Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act, has outstanding a promissory note or other pending mode of payment for shares under the Plan, and the Company has reasonably determined that to permit such promissory note or other pending mode of payment to remain outstanding would be unlawful under the Exchange Act or any other law, then such note or other pending mode of payment must be immediately paid to the Company in full or replaced by a mode of payment provided for under the Plan that is acceptable to the Company and reasonably determined by it to be lawful under the Exchange Act or any other applicable law.

          (d) Evidence Of Grant. All Options shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant. The Award Agreement shall include such additional provisions as may be specified by the Committee.

     5.2 Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to employees (as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or a Subsidiary which constitutes a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company within Section 424(f) of the Code or a Parent which constitutes a “parent corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code and the terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan must comply with the following additional provisions of this Section 5.2:

          (a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock shall be set by the Committee, provided that the exercise price for any Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

          (b) Expiration Of Option. An Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

               (1) Ten years from the date it is granted, unless an earlier time is set in the Award Agreement.

               (2) One year after the date of the Participant’s termination of employment or service on account of Disability or death, unless in the case of death a shorter or longer period is designated in the Award Agreement. Upon the Participant’s Disability or death, any Incentive Stock Options exercisable at the Participant’s Disability or death may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or representatives, by the person or persons entitled to do so pursuant to the Participant’s last will and testament, or, if the Participant fails to make testamentary disposition of such Incentive Stock Option or dies intestate, by the person or persons entitled to receive the Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

          (c) Individual Dollar Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000 or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision. To the extent that Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Stock Options.

          (d) Ten Percent Owners. An Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code) only if such Option is granted at a price that is not less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is exercisable for no more than five years from the date of grant.

          (e) Transfer Restriction. The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares of Stock acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within (1) two years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option or (2) one year after the transfer of such shares of Stock to the Participant.

          (f) Expiration Of Incentive Stock Options. No Award of an Incentive Stock Option may be made pursuant to this Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.

          (g) Right To Exercise. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant.

     5.3 Early Exercisability. The Committee may provide in the terms of a Participant’s Award Agreement that the Participant may, at any time before the Participant’s status as an Employee, member of the Board or consultant or other independent advisor to the Company terminates, exercise the Option(s) granted to such Participant in whole or in part prior to the full vesting of the Option(s); provided, however, shares of Stock acquired upon exercise of an Option which has not fully vested may be subject to any forfeiture, transfer or other restrictions as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE 6
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

     6.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock to any Participant selected by the Committee in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee. All Awards of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

     6.2 Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Stock or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Stock). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.

     6.3 Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided, however, that the Committee may provide in any Restricted Stock Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock.

     6.4 Certificates For Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

ARTICLE 7
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     7.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Participant selected by the Committee. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted (a) in connection and simultaneously with the grant of an Option, (b) with respect to a previously granted Option, or (c) independent of an Option. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall impose and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

     7.2 Coupled Stock Appreciation Rights.

          (a) A Coupled Stock Appreciation Right (“CSAR”) shall be related to a particular Option and shall be exercisable only when and to the extent the related Option is exercisable.

          (b) A CSAR may be granted to a Participant for no more than the number of shares subject to the simultaneously or previously granted Option to which it is coupled.

          (c) A CSAR shall entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Option pursuant to the Plan) to surrender to the Company unexercised a portion of the Option to which the CSAR relates (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company

in exchange therefor an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the Option exercise price from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the CSAR by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the CSAR shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

     7.3 Independent Stock Appreciation Rights.

          (a) An Independent Stock Appreciation Right (“ISAR”) shall be unrelated to any Option and shall have a term set by the Committee. An ISAR shall be exercisable in such installments as the Committee may determine. An ISAR shall cover such number of shares of Stock as the Committee may determine. The exercise price per share of Stock subject to each ISAR shall be set by the Committee; provided, however, that, the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that the ISAR may be exercised subsequent to a termination of employment or service, as applicable, or following a Change of Control of the Company, or because of the Participant’s retirement, death or Disability, or otherwise.

          (b) An ISAR shall entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the ISAR pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the ISAR (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of the ISAR from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the ISAR by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the ISAR shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

     7.4 Payment and Limitations on Exercise.

          Payment of the amounts determined under Section 7.2(c) and 7.3(b) above shall be in cash, in Stock (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised) or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.

ARTICLE 8
OTHER TYPES OF AWARDS

     8.1 Performance Share Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Share awards which may be denominated in a number of shares of Stock or in a dollar value of shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

     8.2 Dividend Equivalents.

          Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on the shares of Stock that are subject to any Award, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee.

     8.3 Stock Payments. Any Participant selected by the Committee may receive Stock Payments in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares shall be determined by the Committee and may be based upon the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, determined on the date such Stock Payment is made or on any date thereafter.

     8.4 Restricted Stock Units. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted an award of Restricted Stock Units in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of Restricted Stock Units shall be determined by the Committee and may be linked to the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Unit will not be issued until the Restricted Stock Unit has vested, pursuant to a vesting schedule or performance criteria set by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Participant awarded Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Restricted Stock Units until such time as the Restricted Stock Units have vested and the Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units has been issued.

     8.5 Term. The term of any Award of Performance Shares, Dividend Equivalents, Stock Payments or Restricted Stock Units shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.

     8.6 Exercise or Purchase Price. The Committee may establish the exercise or purchase price of any Award of Performance Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Payments; provided, however, that such price shall not be less than the par value of a share of Stock, unless otherwise permitted by applicable state law.

     8.7 Exercise Upon Termination of Employment or Service. An Award of Performance Shares, Dividend Equivalents, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Payments shall only be exercisable or payable while the Participant is an Employee, consultant to the Company or a member of the Board, as applicable; provided, however, that the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide in the Award Agreement or otherwise that an Award of Performance Shares, Dividend Equivalents, Stock Payments or Restricted Stock Units may be exercised or paid subsequent to a termination of employment or service, as applicable, upon or following a Change of Control of the Company, or because of the Participant’s retirement, death, Disability, or otherwise.

     8.8 Form of Payment. Payments with respect to any Awards granted under this Article 8 shall be made in cash, in Stock or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.

     8.9 Award Agreement. All Awards under this Article 8 shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 9
PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS

     9.1 Purpose. The purpose of this Article 9 is to provide the Committee the ability to qualify Awards as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation. If the Committee, in its discretion, decides to grant a Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee, the provisions of this Article 9 shall control over any contrary provision of the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may in its discretion grant Awards to Covered Employees that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Article 9.

     9.2 Applicability. This Article 9 shall apply only to those Covered Employees selected by the Committee to receive Performance-Based Awards which are intended to be Qualified Performance Based Compensation. The designation of a Covered Employee as a Participant for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the Participant to receive an Award for the period. Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee as a Participant for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Covered Employee as a Participant in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one Covered Employee as a Participant shall not require designation of any other Covered Employees as a Participant in such period or in any other period.

     9.3 Procedures With Respect to Performance-Based Awards. To the extent necessary to comply with the Qualified Performance-Based Compensation requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted under Articles 6 and 8 which may be granted to one or more Covered Employees, no later than ninety days following the commencement of any fiscal year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (i) designate one or more Covered Employees, (ii) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amount earned by a Covered Employee, the Committee shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

     9.4 Payment of Performance-Based Awards. A Participant shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to a Performance-Based Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved. In determining the amount earned under a Performance-Based Award, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance-Based Award earned for the Performance Period, if in its sole and absolute discretion, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.

     9.5 Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Covered Employee and is intended to constitute Qualified Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

ARTICLE 10
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

     10.1 Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

     10.2 Award Agreement. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include the term of an Award, the provisions applicable in the event the Participant’s employment or service terminates, and the

Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award.

     10.3 Limits on Transfer. No right or interest of a Participant in any Award may be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to or in favor of any party other than the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other than the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, no Award shall be assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee by express provision in the Award or an amendment thereto may permit an Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option) to be transferred to, exercised by and paid to certain persons or entities related to the Participant, including but not limited to members of the Participant’s family, charitable institutions, or trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are members of the Participant’s family and/or charitable institutions, or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee, pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may establish. Any permitted transfer may be subject to the condition that the Committee receive evidence satisfactory to it that the transfer is being made for estate and/or tax planning purposes (or to a “blind trust” in connection with the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to assume a position with a governmental, charitable, educational or similar non-profit institution) and on a basis consistent with the Company’s lawful issue of securities.

     10.4 Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding Section 10.3, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.

     10.5 Stock Certificates; Book Entry Procedures.

          (a) 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 Board has determined, with advice of counsel, 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 or traded. All Stock certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state, or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant 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 Committee.

          (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company shall not deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing shares of Stock issued in connection with any Award or exercise of any Award and instead such shares of Stock will be recorded in the books of the Company (or as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

ARTICLE 11
CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE

     11.1 Adjustments.

          (a) In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, spin-off, recapitalization or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Stock or the share price of the Stock, the Committee shall make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such change with respect to (i) the aggregate number and type of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3.1 and 3.3); (ii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (iii) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan. Any adjustment affecting an Award intended as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

          (b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 11.1(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate (including without limitation any Change of Control), or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, and whenever the Committee determines that action is appropriate in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles, the Committee, in its sole discretion and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by amendment of the terms of any outstanding Awards or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions:

               (i) To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 11.1(b) the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion;

               (ii) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

               (iii) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding

Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding options, rights and awards and options, rights and awards which may be granted in the future;

               (iv) To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; and

               (v) To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

     11.2 Acceleration Upon a Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 11.1, if a Change of Control occurs and a Participant’s Awards are not assumed by the surviving or successor entity or its Parent or Subsidiary and such successor does not substitute substantially similar awards for those outstanding under the Plan, such Awards shall become fully exercisable and/or payable as applicable, and all forfeiture restrictions on such Awards shall lapse. Upon, or in anticipation of, a Change of Control, the Committee may cause any and all Awards outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the future and shall give each Participant the right to exercise such Awards during a period of time as the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine. The Committee shall have sole discretion to determine whether an Award has been assumed by the surviving or successor entity or its Parent or Subsidiary or whether such successor has substituted substantially similar awards for those outstanding under the Plan in connection with a Change of Control.

     11.3 Outstanding Awards – Certain Mergers. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event that the Company shall be the surviving corporation in any merger or consolidation (except a merger or consolidation as a result of which the holders of shares of Stock receive securities of another corporation), each Award outstanding on the date of such merger or consolidation shall pertain to and apply to the securities that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Award would have received in such merger or consolidation and the exercise price shall be appropriately adjusted.

     11.4 Outstanding Awards – Other Changes. In the event of any other change in the capitalization of the Company or corporate change other than those specifically referred to in this Article 11, the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to Awards outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per share grant or exercise price of each Award as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.

     11.5 No Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Committee under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to an Award or the grant or exercise price of any Award.

ARTICLE 12
ADMINISTRATION

     12.1 Committee. Unless and until the Board delegates administration to a committee as set forth below, the Plan shall be administered by the Board. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any person or persons whom at the time has the authority to administer the Plan. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, from and after the Public Trading Date, a Committee of the Board shall administer the Plan and the Committee shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board each of whom is both an “outside director,” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and a Non-Employee Director. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may (i) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not “outside directors,” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code the authority to grant awards under the Plan to eligible persons who are either (1) not then “covered employees,” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and are not expected to be “covered employees” at the time of recognition of income resulting from such award or (2) not persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code and/or (ii) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors, the authority to grant awards under the Plan to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and/or revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. Appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the full Board shall conduct the administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to directors and with respect to any individual subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the Board will have only the right to ratify any grants with respect to Awards which are intended to be Qualified Performance Based Compensation issued to individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in order to exempt such grants under the provisions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

     12.2 Action by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee in lieu of a meeting shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

     12.3 Authority of Committee. Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:

          (a) Designate Participants to receive Awards;

          (b) Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;

          (c) Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Stock to which an Award will relate;

          (d) Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any reload provision, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines; provided, however, that the Committee shall not have the authority to accelerate the vesting or waive the forfeiture of any Performance-Based Awards;

          (e) Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

          (f) Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

          (g) Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

          (h) Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

          (i) Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement; and

          (j) Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

     12.4 Decisions Binding. The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

ARTICLE 13
EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATE

     13.1 Effective Date. The Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan (the “Effective Date”). Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval, provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders, and provided further that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve-month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

     13.2 Expiration Date. The Plan will expire on, and no Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan after, the earlier of (A) the tenth anniversary of (i) the Effective Date or (ii) the date this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders; (B) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been issued as vested shares; or (C) the termination of all outstanding options in connection with a Change of Control. Any Awards that are outstanding on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 14
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION

     14.1 Amendment, Modification, and Termination. With the approval of the Board, at any time and from time to time, the Committee may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required. The Committee shall have the authority to effect, at any time and from time to time, with the consent of the affected Option holders, the cancellation of any or all outstanding Options under the Plan and to grant in substitution therefor new options covering the same or different number of shares of Stock but with an exercise price per share based on the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the new option grant date.

     14.2 Awards Previously Granted. No termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant.

ARTICLE 15
GENERAL PROVISIONS

     15.1 No Rights to Awards. No Participant, employee, or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants, employees, and other persons uniformly.

     15.2 No Stockholders Rights. No Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until shares of Stock are in fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.

     15.3 Withholding. The Company or any Parent or Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s payroll, social security or other tax obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of this Plan. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the return of shares of Stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of shares of Stock which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award (or which may be repurchased from the Participant of such Award within six months after such shares of Stock were acquired by the Participant from the Company) in order to satisfy the Participant’s federal, state, local and foreign tax liabilities with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of the Award shall be limited to the number of shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes that are applicable to such taxable income.

     15.4 No Right to Employment or Services. Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to terminate any Participant’s employment or services at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

     15.5 Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing

contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

     15.6 Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

     15.7 Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits pursuant to any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

     15.8 Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

     15.9 Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

     15.10 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.

     15.11 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

     15.12 Government And Other Regulations. The obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Stock or otherwise shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by government agencies as may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register pursuant to the Securities Act any of the shares of Stock paid pursuant to the Plan. If the shares paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.

     15.13 Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California.

     15.14 Compliance with California Securities Laws. Prior to the Public Trading Date, this Plan is intended to comply with Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code and the regulations issued thereunder. If any of the provisions contained in this Plan are inconsistent with such requirements, such provisions shall be deemed null and void. The invalidity of any provision of this Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect.

     15.15 Appendices. The Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, or appendices to, the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for purposes of compliance with applicable laws or otherwise and such supplements, amendments or appendices shall be considered a part of the Plan; provided, however, that no such supplements, amendments or appendices shall increase the share limitations contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of the Plan.

APPENDIX I

TO
CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

California State Securities Law Compliance

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the provisions set forth in this Appendix shall apply to all Awards granted under the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) prior to the Public Trading Date. This Appendix shall be of no further force and effect on or after the Public Trading Date. Definitions as set out in Section 2 of the Plan are applicable to this Appendix.

     The purpose of this Appendix is to set forth those provisions of the Plan necessary to comply with Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code and the regulations issued thereunder. If any of the provisions contained in this Appendix are inconsistent with such requirements, such provisions shall be deemed null and void. The invalidity of any provision of this Appendix shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Appendix, which shall remain in full force and effect.

     References to Articles set forth in this Appendix are to those Articles of the Plan.

     1.1 Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be no more than ten years from the date of grant thereof.

     2.1 Award Exercise or Purchase Price. Except as provided in Article 11, the per share exercise or purchase price for the Stock to be issued upon exercise of an Award shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator, but shall be subject to the following:

     In the case of an Award:

          (a) granted to a Participant who, at the time of grant of such Award, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent (as defined in Section 175 of the California Corporations Code) or Subsidiary, the per share exercise or purchase price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of the grant (100% in the case of an Award other than an Option); and

          (b) granted to any other Participant, the per share exercise or purchase price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards may be granted with a per share exercise or purchase price other than as required above pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction.

     3.1 Exercisability. Except with regard to Awards granted to officers, members of the Board, managers or consultants, in no event shall an Award granted hereunder become vested and exercisable at a rate of less than 20% per year over five years from the date the Award is granted, subject to reasonable conditions, such as continuing to be a service provider.

     4.1 Exercisability Following Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider.

          (a) Termination Other Than Death, Disability or Misconduct. If a Participant’s employment or service terminates for any reason other than by reason of the Participant’s Disability, death or Misconduct, such Participant may exercise his or her Award within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Award is vested on the date of termination; provided, however, that prior to the Public Trading Date, such period of time shall not be less than thirty days (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Award as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three months following the Participant’s termination for any reason other than death, Disability or Misconduct.

          (b) Death. If a Participant’s employment or service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, the Award may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that prior to the Public Trading Date, such period of time shall not be less than six months (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Award as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Award is vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Award shall remain exercisable for twelve months following the Participant’s termination for death.

          (c) Disability of Participant. If a Participant’s employment or service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Award within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Award is vested on the date of termination; provided, however, that prior to the Public Trading Date, such period of time shall not be less than six months (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Award shall remain exercisable for twelve months following the Participant’s termination for Disability.

          (d) Misconduct of Participant. If a Participant’s employment or service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Misconduct or should Participant otherwise engage in Misconduct while holding one or more outstanding Awards under the Plan, the Award shall terminate immediately and cease to remain outstanding.

     5.1 Repurchase Provisions. In the event the Committee provides that the Company may repurchase Stock acquired upon exercise of an Award upon the occurrence of certain specified events, including, without limitation, termination of a Participant’s employment or service, divorce, bankruptcy or insolvency, then any such repurchase right shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or in another agreement referred to in such agreement and, to the extent required by Section 260.140.41 and Section 260.140.42 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations (or any successor regulation), any such repurchase right set forth in an Award granted prior to the Public Trading Date to a person who is not an officer, member of the Board, manager or consultant shall be upon the following terms: (i) if the repurchase option gives the Company the right to repurchase the shares upon the Participant’s termination of employment or service at not less than the Fair Market Value of the shares to be purchased on the date of termination of employment or service, then (A) the right to repurchase shall be exercised for cash or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness for the shares within ninety days of termination of employment or service (or in the case of shares issued upon exercise of Awards after such date of termination, within ninety days after the date of the exercise) or such longer period as may be agreed to by the Administrator and the Participant and (B) the right terminates on the Public Trading Date; and (ii) if the repurchase option gives the Company the right to repurchase the Stock upon the Participant’s termination of employment or service at the original purchase price for such Stock, then (A) the right to

repurchase at the original purchase price shall lapse at the rate of at least 20% of the shares per year over five (5) years from the date the Award is granted (without respect to the date the Award was exercised or became exercisable) and (B) the right to repurchase shall be exercised for cash or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness for the shares within ninety days of termination of employment or service (or, in the case of shares issued upon exercise of Awards, after such date of termination, within ninety days after the date of the exercise) or such longer period as may be agreed to by the Company and the Participant.

     6.1 Information Rights. Prior to the Public Trading Date and to the extent required by Section 260.140.46 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations, the Company shall provide to each Participant and to each individual who acquires Stock pursuant to the Plan, not less frequently than annually during the period such Participant has one or more Awards outstanding, and, in the case of an individual who acquires Stock pursuant to the Plan, during the period such individual owns such Stock, copies of annual financial statements. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company shall not be required to provide such statements to key employees whose duties in connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent information.

     7.1 Transferability. Prior to the Public Trading Date, no Award shall be assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, with respect to Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act.

     8.1 Limitation on Number of Shares. Prior to the Public Trading Date, at no time shall the total number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of all outstanding Options under the Plan and any shares of Stock provided for under any bonus or similar plan or agreement of the Company exceed 30% of the then-outstanding shares of Stock of the Company, as calculated pursuant to Section 260.140.45 of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations (or any successor regulation), unless a percentage higher than 30% is approved by at least two-thirds of the outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote. The number of shares of Stock which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be reduced to the extent necessary to comply with this provision.

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
UNDER THE 2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

     Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the Optionee listed below (“Optionee”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Stock set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings in this Stock Option Agreement.

Optionee:
Grant Date:
Vesting Commencement Date:
Exercise Price per Share:		$                                         per share
Total Number of Shares Granted:
Total Exercise Price:		$
Expiration Date:

Type of Option:		o Incentive Stock Option      o Non-Qualified Stock Option
Vesting Schedule:		[25% of the shares of Stock subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest one year after the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48th of the shares of Stock subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest on the first day of each full month thereafter, so that all of the shares subject to the Option shall be vested on the first day of the 48th month after the Vesting Commencement Date.]

     By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, Optionee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto. Optionee has reviewed the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this option and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the administrator of the Plan upon any questions arising under the Plan or this option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.:				OPTIONEE:
By:				By:
Print Name:				Print Name:
Title:
Address: 12730 High Bluff Drive, Suite 410				Address:
San Diego, CA 92130

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted to the Optionee an option under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of Stock indicated in the Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in the Grant Notice.

ARTICLE I
GENERAL

     Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan. The Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference.

ARTICLE II
GRANT OF OPTION

     2.1 Grant of Option. In consideration of the Optionee’s agreement to remain in the employ of the Company or its Parents or Subsidiaries and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company irrevocably grants to the Optionee the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of the number of shares of Stock set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Unless designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option in the Grant Notice, the Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option to the maximum extent permitted by law.

     2.2 Purchase Price. The purchase price of the shares of Stock subject to the Option per share shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice, without commission or other charge; provided, however, that if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option the price per share of the shares subject to the Option shall not be less than the greater of (i) 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date, or (ii) 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date in the case of an Optionee then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code).

     2.3 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the granting of the Option by the Company, the Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, with such duties and responsibilities as the Company shall from time to time prescribe. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any right to (a) continue in the employ of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Parents or Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Optionee, if the Optionee is an Employee, or (b) continue to provide services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or its Parents or Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the services of Optionee, if the Optionee is a consultant, at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 1

ARTICLE III
PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

     3.1 Commencement of Exercisability.

          (a) Subject to Sections 3.3 and 5.11, the Option shall become exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.

          (b) No portion of the Option which has not become exercisable at Termination of Service (as defined below) shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Committee or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.

     3.2 Duration of Exercisability. The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative. Each such installment which becomes exercisable pursuant to Section 3.1 shall remain exercisable until it becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

     3.3 Expiration of Option. The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

          (a) The expiration of ten years from the Grant Date; or

          (b) If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Optionee owned (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time the Option was granted, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code), the expiration of five years from the date the Option was granted; or

          (c) The expiration of ninety days following the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service, unless such Termination of Service occurs by reason of the Optionee’s death, Disability or Misconduct or as set forth in a written agreement with the Company; or

          (d) The expiration of one year following the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service by reason of the Optionee’s death or Disability; or

          (e) The Optionee’s Termination of Service as a result of the Optionee’s Misconduct or in the event the Optionee otherwise engages in Misconduct while the Option is outstanding.

          (f) For purposes of this Agreement, “Termination of Service” means the time when the service relationship (whether as an Employee or a consultant) between the Optionee and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or Misconduct; but excluding (i) a termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment or continuing employment or consultancy of the Optionee by the Company or any Subsidiary or Parent of the Company, (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, a termination which results in a temporary severance of the employee-employer relationship, and (iii) at the discretion of the Committee, a termination which is followed by the simultaneous establishment of a consulting relationship by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary with the former Employee. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Service for the purposes of this Agreement, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether, for Optionees who are Employees of the Company or any of its Parents or Subsidiaries, a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause, and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence for Optionees who are Employees of the Company or any of its

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 2

Parents or Subsidiaries constitute Terminations of Service; provided, however, that, if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, a leave of absence, change in status from an Employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to terminate the Optionee’s employment and/or consultancy at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.

     3.4 Special Tax Consequences. The Optionee acknowledges that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code), including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company, any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company and any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code)) exceeds $100,000, the Option and such other options shall be treated as not qualifying under Section 422 of the Code but rather shall be taxed as Non-Qualified Stock Options. The Optionee further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of these rules, the Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such Stock is granted.

ARTICLE IV
EXERCISE OF OPTION

     4.1 Person Eligible to Exercise. Except as provided in Sections 5.2(b) and 5.2(c), during the lifetime of the Optionee, only the Optionee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof. After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by the Optionee’s beneficiary designated in accordance with Section 10.4 of the Plan. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Optionee, the Option may be exercised by the person entitled to such exercise pursuant to the Optionee’s will or the laws of descent and distribution.

     4.2 Partial Exercise. Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

     4.3 Manner of Exercise. The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company or the Secretary’s office of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3:

          (a) An exercise notice in writing signed by the Optionee or the other person then entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Committee. Such notice shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A (or such other form as is prescribed by the Committee) (the “Exercise Notice”);

          (b) (i) Full payment (in cash or by check) for the shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised, to the extent permitted under applicable laws; or

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 3

        (ii) On and after the Public Trading Date, and with the consent of the Committee, such payment may be made, in whole or in part, through the delivery of shares of Stock which have been owned by the Optionee for at least six months, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; or

        (iii) On and after the Public Trading Date, and to the extent permitted under applicable laws, through the delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price, provided, that payment of such proceeds is made to the Company upon settlement of such sale; or

        (iv) With the consent of the Committee, such payment may be made through the delivery of a promissory note in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3(f) below; or

        (v) With the consent of the Committee, any combination of the consideration provided in the foregoing subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv); and

          (c) A bona fide written representation and agreement, in such form as is prescribed by the Committee, signed by the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof, stating that the shares of Stock are being acquired for the Optionee’s own account, for investment and without any present intention of distributing or reselling said shares or any of them except as may be permitted under the Securities Act and then applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and that the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof will indemnify the Company against and hold it free and harmless from any loss, damage, expense or liability resulting to the Company if any sale or distribution of the shares by such person is contrary to the representation and agreement referred to above. The Committee may, in its absolute discretion, take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to ensure the observance and performance of such representation and agreement and to effect compliance with the Securities Act and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may require an opinion of counsel acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent transfer of shares acquired on an Option exercise does not violate the Securities Act, and may issue stop-transfer orders covering such shares. Share certificates evidencing Stock issued on exercise of the Option shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the provisions of this subsection (c) and the agreements herein. The written representation and agreement referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (c) shall, however, not be required if the shares to be issued pursuant to such exercise have been registered under the Securities Act, and such registration is then effective in respect of such shares; and

          (d) Full payment to the Company (or other employer corporation) of all amounts which, under federal, state or local tax law, it is required to withhold upon exercise of the Option. With the consent of the Committee, (i) shares of Stock owned by the Optionee for at least six months duly endorsed for transfer or (ii) shares of Stock issuable to the Optionee upon exercise of the Option, having a Fair Market Value at the date of Option exercise equal to the statutory minimum sums required to be withheld, may be used to make all or part of such payment; and

          (e) In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons other than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 4

          (f) The Committee may permit the Optionee to pay the option exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised by delivering a full-recourse, interest bearing promissory note payable in one or more installments and secured by the purchased shares, as long as the portion of the option exercise price which is equal to the par value of the shares purchased thereby is paid in cash or other legal consideration permitted by applicable law. In no event, however, may the maximum credit available to the Optionee exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate option exercise price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares (less the par value of those shares) plus (ii) any Federal, state and local income and employment tax liability incurred by the Optionee in connection with the option exercise or share purchase; provided, however, that prior to the first date on which the Company has filed a registration statement under the Securities Act to register the public offering of securities of the Company under the Securities Act, then, to the extent that the Optionee is a director or executive officer of the Company, as defined under Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and has outstanding a promissory note or other pending mode of payment for shares under the Plan, and the Company has reasonably determined that to permit such promissory note or other pending mode of payment to remain outstanding would be unlawful under the Exchange Act or any other law, then such note or other pending mode of payment must be immediately paid to the Company in full or replaced by a mode of payment provided for under the Plan that is acceptable to the Company and reasonably determined by it to be lawful under the Exchange Act or any other applicable law.

     4.4 Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates. The shares of Stock deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued shares or issued shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

          (a) The admission of such shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Stock is then listed; and

          (b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable; and

          (c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and

          (d) The receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares, including payment of all amounts which, under federal, state or local tax law, the Company (or other employer corporation) is required to withhold upon exercise of the Option; and

          (e) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Committee may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.

     4.5 Rights as Stockholder; Book Entry Procedures. The holder of the Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such shares shall have been issued by the Company to such holder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company shall not deliver to the Optionee certificates evidencing shares of Stock issued in

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 5

connection with the exercise of this Option and instead such shares of Stock will be recorded in the books of the Company (or as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

ARTICLE V
OTHER PROVISIONS

     5.1 Administration. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the Option. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan and this Agreement.

     5.2 Option Not Transferable.

          (a) Subject to Section 5.2(b), the Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution unless and until the Option has been exercised, or the shares underlying such Option have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the Option nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Optionee or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

          (b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, with the consent of the Committee and to the extent the Option is designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the Option may be transferred to, exercised by and paid to certain persons or entities related to the Optionee, including but not limited to members of the Optionee’s family, charitable institutes or trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are members of the Optionee’s family or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee (each a “Permitted Transferee”), pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may require.

          (c) Unless transferred to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with Section 5.2(b), during the lifetime of the Optionee, only the Optionee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof. Subject to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may require, a Permitted Transferee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof during the Optionee’s lifetime. After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by the Optionee’s beneficiary designated in accordance with Section 10.4 of the Plan. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Optionee, the Option may be exercised by the person entitled to such exercise pursuant to the Optionee’s will or the laws of descent and distribution.

     5.3 Lock-Up Period. The Optionee hereby agrees that, if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, the Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any shares of Stock or other securities of the Company during such period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company (which

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 6

period shall not be longer than one hundred eighty days) (the “Market Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act.

     5.4 Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.

          (a) The share certificate or certificates, if issued, evidencing the shares of Stock purchased hereunder shall be endorsed with any legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws.

          (b) The Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

          (c) The Company shall not be required: (i) to transfer on its books any shares of Stock that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or (ii) to treat as owner of such shares of Stock or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such shares shall have been so transferred.

     5.5 Shares to Be Reserved. The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option reserve and keep available such number of shares of Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.

     5.6 Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company, and any notice to be given to the Optionee shall be addressed to the Optionee at the address given beneath the Optionee’s signature on the Grant Notice. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.6, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice which is required to be given to the Optionee shall, if the Optionee is then deceased, be given to the Optionee’s designated beneficiary if any, or the person otherwise entitled to exercise his or her Option pursuant to Section 4.1 by written notice under this Section 5.6. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

     5.7 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

     5.8 Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be submitted for approval by the Company’s stockholders within twelve months after the date the Plan was initially adopted by the Board. The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders, and if such approval has not been obtained by the end of said twelve month period, the Option shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

     5.9 Notification of Disposition. If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any shares of stock acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years from the Grant Date with respect to such shares or (b) within one year after the transfer of such shares to him. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash,

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 7

other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Optionee in such disposition or other transfer.

     5.10 Construction. This Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.

     5.11 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Optionee acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

     5.12 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Optionee or such other person as may be permitted to exercise the Option pursuant to Section 4.1 and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.

     5.13 Restrictions on Shares. Optionee hereby agrees that shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determined in its sole discretion, including, without limitation , restrictions on the transferability of shares of Stock, the right of the Company to repurchase shares of Stock, and a right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to permitted transfers of shares of Stock. Such terms and conditions may, in the Committee’s sole discretion, be contained in the Exercise Notice with respect to the Option or in such other agreement as the Committee shall determine and which the Optionee hereby agrees to enter into at the request of the Company.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT PAGE 8

EXHIBIT A

TO GRANT NOTICE AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE

     Effective as of today,                     ,                     , the undersigned (“Optionee”) hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase                      shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) and the Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement dated                     ,                     , (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given in the Option Agreement.

Grant Date:
Number of Shares as to which Option is Exercised:
Exercise Price per Share:	$
Total Exercise Price:	$
Certificate to be issued in name of:
Cash Payment delivered herewith:	$             (Representing the full Exercise Price for the Shares, as well as any applicable withholding tax)

Type of Option:           ¨       Incentive Stock Option            ¨       Non-Qualified Stock Option

     1. Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement. Optionee agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

     2. Rights as Stockholder. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Article 11 of the Plan.

     Optionee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right of First Refusal hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s), if any issued, evidencing the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.

     3. Optionee’s Rights to Transfer Shares.

          (a) Company’s Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Optionee or any permitted transferee (each, a “Holder”) may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares proposed to be Transferred on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section (the “Right of First Refusal”). In the event that the Company’s Bylaws contain a right of first refusal with respect to the Shares, such right of first refusal shall apply to the Shares to the extent such provisions are more restrictive than the Right of First Refusal set forth in this Section.

          (b) Notice of Proposed Transfer. In the event any Holder desires to Transfer any Shares, the Holder shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (i) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (iii) the number of Shares to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the price for which the Holder proposes to Transfer the Shares (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer such Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).

          (c) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. Within twenty-five days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may elect in writing to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be Transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees by delivery of a written exercise notice to the Holder (a “Company Notice”). The purchase price will be determined in accordance with subsection (d) below.

          (d) Purchase Price. The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares repurchased under this Section shall be the Offered Price.

          (e) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof within five days after delivery of the Company Notice or in the manner and at the times mutually agreed to by the Company and the Holder. Should the Offered Price specified in the Notice be payable in property other than cash, the Company shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the form of cash equal in amount to the value of such property. If the Holder and the Company cannot agree on such cash value within ten days after the Company’s receipt of the Notice, the valuation shall be made by the Board. The payment of the purchase price shall then be held on the later of (i) five days following delivery of the Company Notice or (ii) five days after such valuation shall have been made.

          (f) Holder’s Right to Transfer. If all or a portion of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be Transferred are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section, then the Holder may sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other Transfer is consummated within sixty days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other Transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not Transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such sixty-day period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal as provided herein before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise Transferred.

          (g) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary contained in this Section notwithstanding, the Transfer of any or all of the Shares during the Optionee’s lifetime or

upon the Optionee’s death by will or intestacy to the Optionee’s Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the Right of First Refusal. As used herein, “Immediate Family” shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister or stepchild (whether or not adopted). In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so Transferred subject to the provisions of this Section (including the Right of First Refusal) and the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, if applicable, and there shall be no further Transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section.

          (h) Termination of Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon the Public Trading Date.

          (i) Transfer Restrictions. Any transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any of the Shares not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be void and the Company may enforce the terms of this Agreement by stop transfer instructions or similar actions by the Company and its agents or designees.

     4. Tax Consultation. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

     5. Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.

          (a) Legends. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause any certificates issued evidencing the Shares shall have the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, together with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (“ACT”), NOR HAVE THEY BEEN REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES WILL BE PERMITTED UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT IS IN EFFECT AS TO SUCH TRANSFER, THE TRANSFER IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT, OR IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH MAY BE COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY) REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT IS UNNECESSARY IN ORDER FOR SUCH TRANSFER TO COMPLY WITH THE ACT AND WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.

          (b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

          (c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.

     6. Optionee Representations. Optionee hereby makes the following certifications and representations with respect to the Shares listed above:

          (a) Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Optionee is acquiring these Shares for investment for Optionee’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

          (b) Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Shares constitute “restricted securities” under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein. Optionee understands that the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares. Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the Shares will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Shares unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company and any other legend required under applicable state securities laws.

          (c) Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule 144, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly from the issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option to the Optionee, the exercise will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, ninety days thereafter (or such longer period as any market stand-off agreement may require) the securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144, including: (i) the resale being made through a broker in an unsolicited “broker’s transaction” or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said term is defined under the Exchange Act); and, in the case of an affiliate, (ii) the availability of certain public information about the Company, (iii) the amount of securities being sold during any three month period not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (iv) the timely filing of a Form 144, if applicable.

          (d) In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of grant of the Option, then the securities may be resold in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires the resale to occur not less than one year after the later of the date the securities were sold by the Company or the date the securities were sold by an affiliate of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of acquisition of the securities by an affiliate,

or by a non-affiliate who subsequently holds the securities less than two years, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in sections (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (c) above.

          (e) Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk. Optionee understands that no assurances can be given that any such other registration exemption will be available in such event.

     7. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

     8. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Committee, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee.

     9. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

     10. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 5.6 of the Option Agreement.

     11. Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

     12. Entire Agreement. The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(Signature Page Follows)

EXERCISE NOTICE PAGE 5

ACCEPTED BY:						SUBMITTED BY:
CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.						OPTIONEE
By:
Name:						Optionee
Its:
						Address:

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
UNDER THE 2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

     Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the Optionee listed below (“Optionee”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Stock set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings in this Stock Option Agreement.

Optionee:
Grant Date:
Vesting Commencement Date:
Exercise Price per Share:			$			per share
Total Number of Shares Granted:
Total Exercise Price:			$
Expiration Date:

Type of Option:		¨ Incentive Stock Option          ¨ Non-Qualified Stock Option
Exercise Schedule:		þ Early Exercise Permitted
Vesting Schedule:		This Option is exercisable immediately, in whole or in part, at such times as are established by the Committee, conditioned upon Optionee entering into a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement with respect to any unvested shares of Stock. The shares subject to this Option shall vest and/or be released from the Company’s Repurchase Option, as set forth in the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement”), according to the following schedule:
		[25% of the shares of Stock subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest one year after the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48th of the shares of Stock subject to the Option (rounded down to the next whole number of shares) shall vest on the first day of each full month thereafter, so that all of the shares subject to the Option shall be vested on the first day of the 48th month after the Vesting Commencement Date.]

     By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, Optionee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto. Optionee has reviewed the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this option and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the administrator of the Plan upon any questions arising under the Plan or this option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.:						OPTIONEE:
By:						By:
Print Name:						Print Name:
Title:
Address:		12730 High Bluff Drive, Suite 410 San Diego, CA 92130				Address:

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted to the Optionee an option under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of Stock indicated in the Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in the Grant Notice.

ARTICLE I
GENERAL

     Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan. The Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference.

ARTICLE II
GRANT OF OPTION

     2.1 Grant of Option. In consideration of the Optionee’s agreement to remain in the employ of the Company or its Parents or Subsidiaries and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company irrevocably grants to the Optionee the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of the number of shares of Stock set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Unless designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option in the Grant Notice, the Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option to the maximum extent permitted by law.

     2.2 Purchase Price. The purchase price of the shares of Stock subject to the Option per share shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice, without commission or other charge; provided, however, that if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option the price per share of the shares subject to the Option shall not be less than the greater of (i) 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date, or (ii) 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date in the case of an Optionee then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code).

     2.3 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the granting of the Option by the Company, the Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, with such duties and responsibilities as the Company shall from time to time prescribe. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any right to (a) continue in the employ of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Parents or Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Optionee, if the Optionee is an Employee, or (b) continue to provide services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or its Parents or Subsidiaries, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the services of Optionee, if the Optionee is a consultant, at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.

ARTICLE III
PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

     3.1 Commencement of Exercisability.

          (a) Subject to Sections 3.3 and 5.11, the Option shall become exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice. Alternatively, at the election of the Optionee, this Option may be exercised in whole or in part at such times as are established by the Committee as to shares of Stock which have not yet vested. Vested shares shall not be subject to the Company’s Repurchase Option (as set forth in the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement). As a condition to exercising this Option for unvested shares of Stock, the Optionee shall execute the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.

          (b) No portion of the Option which has not become exercisable at Termination of Service (as defined below) shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Committee or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.

     3.2 Duration of Exercisability. The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative. Each such installment which becomes exercisable pursuant to Section 3.1 shall remain exercisable until it becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

     3.3 Expiration of Option. The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

          (a) The expiration of ten years from the Grant Date; or

          (b) If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Optionee owned (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time the Option was granted, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code), the expiration of five years from the date the Option was granted; or

          (c) The expiration of ninety days following the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service, unless such Termination of Service occurs by reason of the Optionee’s death, Disability, Misconduct or as set forth in a written agreement with the Company;

          (d) The expiration of one year following the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Service by reason of the Optionee’s death or Disability; or

          (e) The Optionee’s Termination of Service as a result of the Optionee’s Misconduct or in the event the Optionee otherwise engages in Misconduct while the Option is outstanding.

          (f) For purposes of this Agreement, “Termination of Service” means the time when the service relationship (whether as an Employee or a consultant) between the Optionee and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or Misconduct; but excluding (i) a termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment or continuing employment or consultancy of the Optionee by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, a termination which results in a temporary severance of the employee-employer relationship, and (iii) at the discretion of the Committee, a termination which is followed by the simultaneous establishment of a consulting relationship by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary with the former

Employee. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Service for the purposes of this Agreement, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether, for Optionees who are Employees of the Company or any of its Parents or Subsidiaries, a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause, and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence for Optionees who are Employees of the Company or any of its Parents or Subsidiaries constitute Terminations of Service; provided, however, that, if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, a leave of absence, change in status from an Employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to terminate the Optionee’s employment and/or consultancy at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee.

     3.4 Special Tax Consequences. The Optionee acknowledges that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code), including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company, any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company and any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code)) exceeds $100,000, the Option and such other options shall be treated as not qualifying under Section 422 of the Code but rather shall be taxed as Non-Qualified Stock Options. The Optionee further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes of these rules, the Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such Stock is granted.

ARTICLE IV
EXERCISE OF OPTION

     4.1 Person Eligible to Exercise. Except as provided in Sections 5.2(b) and 5.2(c), during the lifetime of the Optionee, only the Optionee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof. After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by the Optionee’s beneficiary designated in accordance with Section 10.4 of the Plan. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Optionee, the Option may be exercised by the person entitled to such exercise pursuant to the Optionee’s will or the laws of descent and distribution.

     4.2 Partial Exercise. Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

     4.3 Manner of Exercise. The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company or the Secretary’s office of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3:

          (a) An exercise notice in writing signed by the Optionee or the other person then entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Committee. Such notice

shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A (or such other form as is prescribed by the Committee) (the “Exercise Notice”);

          (b) A Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, if applicable, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B;

          (c) (i) Full payment (in cash or by check) for the shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised, to the extent permitted under applicable laws; or

          (ii) On and after the Public Trading Date, and with the consent of the Committee, such payment may be made, in whole or in part, through the delivery of shares of Stock which have been owned by the Optionee for at least six months, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; or

          (iii) On and after the Public Trading Date, and to the extent permitted under applicable laws, through the delivery of a notice that the Optionee has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price, provided, that payment of such proceeds is made to the Company upon settlement of such sale;

          (iv) With the consent of the Committee, such payment may be made through the delivery of a promissory note in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3(g) below; or

          (v) With the consent of the Committee, any combination of the consideration provided in the foregoing subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv); and

          (d) A bona fide written representation and agreement, in such form as is prescribed by the Committee, signed by the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof, stating that the shares of Stock are being acquired for the Optionee’s own account, for investment and without any present intention of distributing or reselling said shares or any of them except as may be permitted under the Securities Act and then applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and that the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof will indemnify the Company against and hold it free and harmless from any loss, damage, expense or liability resulting to the Company if any sale or distribution of the shares by such person is contrary to the representation and agreement referred to above. The Committee may, in its absolute discretion, take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to ensure the observance and performance of such representation and agreement and to effect compliance with the Securities Act and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may require an opinion of counsel acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent transfer of shares acquired on an Option exercise does not violate the Securities Act, and may issue stop-transfer orders covering such shares. Share certificates evidencing Stock issued on exercise of the Option shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the provisions of this subsection (d) and the agreements herein. The written representation and agreement referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall, however, not be required if the shares to be issued pursuant to such exercise have been registered under the Securities Act, and such registration is then effective in respect of such shares; and

          (e) Full payment to the Company (or other employer corporation) of all amounts which, under federal, state or local tax law, it is required to withhold upon exercise of the Option. With the consent of the Committee, (i) shares of Stock owned by the Optionee for at least six months duly

endorsed for transfer or (ii) shares of Stock issuable to the Optionee upon exercise of the Option, having a Fair Market Value at the date of Option exercise equal to the statutory minimum sums required to be withheld, may be used to make all or part of such payment; and

          (f) In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons other than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.

          (g) The Committee may permit the Optionee to pay the option exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised by delivering a full-recourse, interest bearing promissory note payable in one or more installments and secured by the purchased shares, as long as the portion of the option exercise price which is equal to the par value of the shares purchased thereby is paid in cash or other legal consideration permitted by applicable law. In no event, however, may the maximum credit available to the Optionee exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate option exercise price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares (less the par value of those shares) plus (ii) any Federal, state and local income and employment tax liability incurred by the Optionee in connection with the option exercise or share purchase; provided, however, that prior to the first date on which the Company has filed a registration statement under the Securities Act to register the public offering of securities of the Company under the Securities Act, then, to the extent that the Optionee is a director or executive officer of the Company, as defined under Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and has outstanding a promissory note or other pending mode of payment for shares under the Plan, and the Company has reasonably determined that to permit such promissory note or other pending mode of payment to remain outstanding would be unlawful under the Exchange Act or any other law, then such note or other pending mode of payment must be immediately paid to the Company in full or replaced by a mode of payment provided for under the Plan that is acceptable to the Company and reasonably determined by it to be lawful under the Exchange Act or any other applicable law.

     4.4 Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates. The shares of Stock deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued shares or issued shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

          (a) The admission of such shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Stock is then listed; and

          (b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable; and

          (c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and

          (d) The receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares, including payment of all amounts which, under federal, state or local tax law, the Company (or other employer corporation) is required to withhold upon exercise of the Option; and

          (e) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Committee may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.

     4.5 Rights as Stockholder; Book Entry Procedures. The holder of the Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such shares shall have been issued by the Company to such holder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company shall not deliver to the Optionee certificates evidencing shares of Stock issued in connection with the exercise of this Option and instead such shares of Stock will be recorded in the books of the Company (or as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

ARTICLE V
OTHER PROVISIONS

     5.1 Administration. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the Option. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan and this Agreement.

     5.2 Option Not Transferable.

          (a) Subject to Section 5.2(b), the Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution unless and until the Option has been exercised, or the shares underlying such Option have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the Option nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Optionee or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

          (b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, with the consent of the Committee and to the extent the Option is designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the Option may be transferred to, exercised by and paid to certain persons or entities related to the Optionee, including but not limited to members of the Optionee’s family, charitable institutes or trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are members of the Optionee’s family or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee (each a “Permitted Transferee”), pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may require.

          (c) Unless transferred to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with Section 5.2(b), during the lifetime of the Optionee, only the Optionee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof. Subject to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may require, a Permitted Transferee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof during the Optionee’s lifetime. After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by the Optionee’s beneficiary designated in accordance with Section 10.4 of the Plan. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Optionee, the Option

may be exercised by the person entitled to such exercise pursuant to the Optionee’s will or the laws of descent and distribution.

     5.3 Lock-Up Period. The Optionee hereby agrees that, if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, the Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any shares of Stock or other securities of the Company during such period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company (which period shall not be longer than one hundred eighty days) (the “Market Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act.

     5.4 Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.

          (a) The share certificate or certificates, if issued, evidencing the shares of Stock purchased hereunder shall be endorsed with any legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws.

          (b) The Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

          (c) The Company shall not be required: (i) to transfer on its books any shares of Stock that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or (ii) to treat as owner of such shares of Stock or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such shares shall have been so transferred.

     5.5 Shares to Be Reserved. The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option reserve and keep available such number of shares of Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.

     5.6 Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company, and any notice to be given to the Optionee shall be addressed to the Optionee at the address given beneath the Optionee’s signature on the Grant Notice. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.6, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice which is required to be given to the Optionee shall, if the Optionee is then deceased, be given to the Optionee’s designated beneficiary if any, or the person otherwise entitled to exercise his or her Option pursuant to Section 4.1 by written notice under this Section 5.6. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

     5.7 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

     5.8 Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be submitted for approval by the Company’s stockholders within twelve months after the date the Plan was initially adopted by the Board. The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the

stockholders, and if such approval has not been obtained by the end of said twelve month period, the Option shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

     5.9 Notification of Disposition. If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any shares of stock acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years from the Grant Date with respect to such shares or (b) within one year after the transfer of such shares to him. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Optionee in such disposition or other transfer.

     5.10 Construction. This Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.

     5.11 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Optionee acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

     5.12 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Optionee or such other person as may be permitted to exercise the Option pursuant to Section 4.1 and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.

     5.13 Restrictions on Shares. Optionee hereby agrees that shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, restrictions on the transferability of shares of Stock, the right of the Company to repurchase shares of Stock, and a right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to permitted transfers of shares of Stock. Such terms and conditions may, in the Committee’s sole discretion, be contained in the Exercise Notice with respect to the Option or in such other agreement as the Committee shall determine and which the Optionee hereby agrees to enter into at the request of the Company.

EXHIBIT A

TO GRANT NOTICE AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE

     Effective as of today,                                         ,                     , the undersigned (“Optionee”) hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase                                                     shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) and the Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement dated                                         ,                     , (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given in the Option Agreement.

Grant Date:
Number of Shares as to which Option is Exercised:
Exercise Price per Share:		$
Total Exercise Price:		$
Certificate to be issued in name of:
Cash Payment delivered herewith:		$                                          (Representing the full Exercise Price for the Shares, as well as any applicable withholding tax)

Type of Option:       o Incentive Stock Option       o Non-Qualified Stock Option

     1. Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement. Optionee agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

     2. Rights as Stockholder. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Article 11 of the Plan.

     Optionee shall enjoy rights as a stockholder until such time as Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right of First Refusal hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s), if any issued, evidencing the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.

EXERCISE NOTICE PAGE 1

     3. Optionee’s Rights to Transfer Shares.

          (a) Company’s Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Optionee or any permitted transferee (each, a “Holder”) may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares proposed to be Transferred on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section (the “Right of First Refusal”). In the event that the Company’s Bylaws contain a right of first refusal with respect to the Shares, such right of first refusal shall apply to the Shares to the extent such provisions are more restrictive than the Right of First Refusal set forth in this Section.

          (b) Notice of Proposed Transfer. In the event any Holder desires to Transfer any Shares, the Holder shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (i) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (iii) the number of Shares to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the price for which the Holder proposes to Transfer the Shares (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer such Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).

          (c) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. Within twenty-five days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may elect in writing to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be Transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees by delivery of a written exercise notice to the Holder (a “Company Notice”). The purchase price will be determined in accordance with subsection (d) below.

          (d) Purchase Price. The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares repurchased under this Section shall be the Offered Price.

          (e) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof within five days after delivery of the Company Notice or in the manner and at the times mutually agreed to by the Company and the Holder. Should the Offered Price specified in the Notice be payable in property other than cash, the Company shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the form of cash equal in amount to the value of such property. If the Holder and the Company cannot agree on such cash value within ten days after the Company’s receipt of the Notice, the valuation shall be made by the Board. The payment of the purchase price shall then be held on the later of (i) five days following delivery of the Company Notice or (ii) five days after such valuation shall have been made.

          (f) Holder’s Right to Transfer. If all or a portion of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be Transferred are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section, then the Holder may sell or otherwise Transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other Transfer is consummated within sixty days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other Transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section and the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, if applicable, shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not Transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such sixty-day period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal as provided herein before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise Transferred.

          (g) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary contained in this Section notwithstanding, the Transfer of any or all of the Shares during the Optionee’s lifetime or

EXERCISE NOTICE PAGE 2

upon the Optionee’s death by will or intestacy to the Optionee’s Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the Right of First Refusal. As used herein, “Immediate Family” shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister or stepchild (whether or not adopted). In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so Transferred subject to the provisions of this Section (including the Right of First Refusal) and the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, if applicable, and there shall be no further Transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section.

          (h) Termination of Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon the Public Trading Date.

          (i) Transfer Restrictions. Any transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any of the Shares not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be void and the Company may enforce the terms of this Agreement by stop transfer instructions or similar actions by the Company and its agents or designees.

     4. Tax Consultation. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

     5. Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.

          (a) Legends. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause any certificates issued evidencing the Shares shall have the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, together with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (“ACT”), NOR HAVE THEY BEEN REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES WILL BE PERMITTED UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT IS IN EFFECT AS TO SUCH TRANSFER, THE TRANSFER IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT, OR IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH MAY BE COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY) REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT IS UNNECESSARY IN ORDER FOR SUCH TRANSFER TO COMPLY WITH THE ACT AND WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.

EXERCISE NOTICE PAGE 3

          (b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

          (c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.

     6. Optionee Representations. Optionee hereby makes the following certifications and representations with respect to the Shares listed above:

          (a) Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Optionee is acquiring these Shares for investment for Optionee’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

          (b) Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Shares constitute “restricted securities” under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein. Optionee understands that the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares. Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the Shares will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Shares unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company and any other legend required under applicable state securities laws.

          (c) Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule 144, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly from the issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option to the Optionee, the exercise will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, ninety days thereafter (or such longer period as any market stand-off agreement may require) the securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144, including: (i) the resale being made through a broker in an unsolicited “broker’s transaction” or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said term is defined under the Exchange Act); and, in the case of an affiliate, (ii) the availability of certain public information about the Company, (iii) the amount of securities being sold during any three month period not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (iv) the timely filing of a Form 144, if applicable.

          (d) In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of grant of the Option, then the securities may be resold in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires the resale to occur not less than one year after the later of the date the securities were sold by the Company or the date the securities were sold by an affiliate of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of acquisition of the securities by an affiliate,

EXERCISE NOTICE PAGE 4

or by a non-affiliate who subsequently holds the securities less than two years, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in sections (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (c) above.

          (e) Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk. Optionee understands that no assurances can be given that any such other registration exemption will be available in such event.

     7. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

     8. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Committee, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee.

     9. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

     10. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 5.6 of the Option Agreement.

     11. Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

     12. Entire Agreement. The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement and the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, if applicable, constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(Signature Page Follows)

EXERCISE NOTICE PAGE 5

ACCEPTED BY:				SUBMITTED BY:
CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.				OPTIONEE
By:
Name:				Optionee
Its:
				Address:

EXERCISE NOTICE PAGE 6

EXHIBIT B

TO GRANT NOTICE AND STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made between                                          (the “Purchaser”) and Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), as of                                                             ,                      .

RECITALS

     (1) Pursuant to the exercise of the Option granted to Purchaser under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) and pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) dated                                         ,                     , by and between the Company and Purchaser with respect to such grant, which Option Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference, Purchaser has elected to purchase                                          of those shares which have not become vested under the vesting schedule set forth in the Option Agreement (“Unvested Shares”). The Unvested Shares and the shares subject to the Option Agreement which have become vested are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Shares”.

     (2) As required by the Option Agreement, as a condition to Purchaser’s election to exercise the option, Purchaser must execute this Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, which sets forth the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.

     1. Repurchase Option.

          (a) In the event of Purchaser’s Termination of Service (as defined in the Option Agreement) for any reason, including for cause, death, Disability or Misconduct, the Company shall have the right and option to purchase from Purchaser, or Purchaser’s personal representative, as the case may be, all of Purchaser’s Unvested Shares as of the date of the Purchaser’s Termination of Service at the exercise price paid by Purchaser for such Shares in connection with the exercise of the Option (the “Repurchase Option”).

          (b) The Company may exercise its Repurchase Option by delivering, personally or by registered mail, to Purchaser (or his or her transferee or legal representative, as the case may be), within ninety days of the date of the Purchaser’s Termination of Service, a notice in writing indicating the Company’s intention to exercise the Repurchase Option and setting forth a date for closing not later than thirty days from the mailing of such notice. The closing shall take place at the Company’s office. At the closing, the holder of the certificates for the Unvested Shares being transferred shall deliver the stock certificate or certificates evidencing the Unvested Shares, and the Company shall deliver the purchase price therefor.

          (c) At its option, the Company may elect to make payment for the Unvested Shares to a bank selected by the Company. The Company shall avail itself of this option by a notice in writing to Purchaser stating the name and address of the bank, date of closing, and waiving the closing at the Company’s office.

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT PAGE 1

          (d) If the Company does not elect to exercise the Repurchase Option conferred above by giving the requisite notice within ninety days following the date of Purchaser’s Termination of Service, the Repurchase Option shall terminate.

          (e) 100% of the Unvested Shares shall initially be subject to the Repurchase Option. The Unvested Shares shall be released from the Repurchase Option in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Option Agreement until all Shares are released from the Repurchase Option. Fractional Shares shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

     2. Transferability of the Shares; Escrow.

          (a) Purchaser hereby authorizes and directs the secretary of the Company, or such other person designated by the Company from time to time, to transfer the Unvested Shares as to which the Repurchase Option has been exercised from Purchaser to the Company.

          (b) To insure the availability for delivery of Purchaser’s Unvested Shares upon repurchase by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase Option under Section 1, Purchaser hereby appoints the assistant secretary, or any other person designated by the Company from time to time as escrow agent, as its attorney-in-fact to sell, assign and transfer unto the Company, such Unvested Shares, if any, repurchased by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase Option. If certificates for the Shares are issued, then Purchaser shall, upon execution of this Agreement, deliver and deposit with the assistant secretary of the Company, or such other person designated by the Company from time to time, any share certificate(s) issued representing the Unvested Shares, together with the stock assignment duly endorsed in blank, attached hereto as Exhibit B-1. The Unvested Shares and stock assignment shall be held by the assistant secretary in escrow, pursuant to the Joint Escrow Instructions of the Company and Purchaser attached as Exhibit B-2 hereto, until the Company exercises its Repurchase Option as provided in Section 1, until such Unvested Shares are vested, or until such time as this Agreement no longer is in effect. As a further condition to the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, the spouse of Purchaser, if any, shall execute and deliver to the Company the Consent of Spouse set forth on the signature page hereto. Upon vesting of the Unvested Shares, the escrow agent shall promptly deliver to Purchaser the certificate or certificates representing such Shares in the escrow agent’s possession belonging to Purchaser, and the escrow agent shall be discharged of all further obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the escrow agent shall nevertheless retain such certificate or certificates as escrow agent if so required pursuant to other restrictions imposed pursuant to this Agreement. If the Shares are held in book entry form, then such entry will reflect that the Shares are subject to the restrictions of this Agreement.

          (c) The Company, or its designee, shall not be liable for any act it may do or omit to do with respect to holding the Shares in escrow and while acting in good faith and in the exercise of its judgment.

          (d) Transfer or sale of the Shares is subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by any applicable state and federal securities laws. Any transferee shall hold such Shares subject to all the provisions hereof and the Exercise Notice executed by Purchaser with respect to any Unvested Shares purchased by Purchaser and shall acknowledge the same by signing a copy of this Agreement. Any transfer or attempted transfer of any of the Shares not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be void and the Company may enforce the terms of this Agreement by stop transfer instructions or similar actions by the Company and its agents or designees.

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT PAGE 2

     3. Ownership, Voting Rights, Duties. This Agreement shall not affect in any way the ownership, voting rights or other rights or duties of Purchaser, except as specifically provided herein.

     4. Legends. Any share certificate evidencing the Shares issued hereunder shall be endorsed with the following legend (in addition to any legend required under applicable securities laws):

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

     5. Adjustment for Stock Split. All references to the number of Shares and the purchase price of the Shares in this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or other change in the Shares which may be made by the Company after the date of this Agreement.

     6. Notices. Notices required hereunder shall be given in person or by registered mail to the address of Purchaser shown on the records of the Company, and to the Company at its principal executive office.

     7. Survival of Terms. This Agreement shall apply to and bind Purchaser and the Company and their respective permitted assignees and transferees, heirs, legatees, executors, administrators and legal successors.

     8. Section 83(b) Elections.

          (a) Election for Unvested Shares Purchased Pursuant to a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Purchaser hereby acknowledges that he or she has been informed that, with respect to the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option for Unvested Shares, that unless an election is filed by Purchaser with the Internal Revenue Service and, if necessary, the proper state taxing authorities, within thirty days of the purchase of the Shares, electing pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code (and similar state tax provisions if applicable) to be taxed currently on any difference between the purchase price of the Shares and their Fair Market Value on the date of purchase, there will be a recognition of taxable income to the Optionee, measured by the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares, at the time the Company’s Repurchase Option lapses over the purchase price for the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted any tax consultant(s) Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase of the Shares or the filing of the Election under Section 83(b) and similar tax provisions.

          (b) Election for Unvested Shares Purchased Pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option. Purchaser hereby acknowledges that he or she has been informed that, with respect to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option for Unvested Shares, that unless an election is filed by Purchaser with the Internal Revenue Service and, if necessary, the proper state taxing authorities, within thirty days of the purchase of the Shares, electing pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code (and similar state tax provisions if applicable) to be taxed currently on any difference between the purchase price of the Shares and their Fair Market Value on the date of purchase, there will be a recognition of income to the Purchaser, for alternative minimum tax purposes, measured by the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares at the time the Company’s

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT PAGE 3

Repurchase Option lapses over the purchase price for the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted any tax consultant(s) Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase of the Shares or the filing of the Election under Section 83(b) and similar tax provisions.

     PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS PURCHASER’S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY’S TO FILE TIMELY THE ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b), EVEN IF PURCHASER REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO MAKE THIS FILING ON PURCHASER’S BEHALF.

     9. Representations. Purchaser has reviewed with his or her own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Purchaser is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. Purchaser understands that Purchaser (and not the Company) shall be responsible for his or her own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     10. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

     Purchaser represents that he or she has read this Agreement and is familiar with its terms and provisions. Purchaser hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under this Agreement.

(Signature Page Follows)

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT PAGE 4

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is deemed made as of the date first set forth above.

		CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		By:
		Title:
		PURCHASER
		By:
		Name:
		Address:

CONSENT OF SPOUSE

     I,                                                             , spouse of the Purchaser listed above, have read and approve this Agreement. In consideration of granting of the right to my spouse to purchase shares of the Company as set forth in this Agreement, I hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of any rights under this Agreement and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement or any shares issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or similar laws relating to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the date of the signing of this Agreement.

		Signature of Spouse

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT PAGE 5

EXHIBIT B-1

TO RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED I,                                         , hereby sell, assign and transfer unto                                           (                    ) shares of the Common Stock of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. registered in my name on the books of said corporation represented by Certificate No.                      herewith and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                                                                   to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

     This Assignment Separate from Certificate may be used only in accordance with the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement between Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the undersigned dated                                         ,                     .

Dated:                                         ,                     

Signature:                                                             

INSTRUCTIONS: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line. The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise the Repurchase Option, as set forth in the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, without requiring additional signatures on the part of Purchaser.

STOCK ASSIGNMENT PAGE 1

EXHIBIT B-2

TO RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS

                                        ,                     

Secretary
Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
12730 High Bluff Drive, Suite 410
San Diego, CA 92130

     As Escrow Agent for both Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) and the undersigned purchaser of stock of the Company (the “Purchaser”), you are hereby authorized and directed to hold the documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that certain Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”) between the Company and the undersigned, in accordance with the following instructions:

     1. In the event the Company and/or any assignee of the Company (referred to collectively for convenience herein as the “Company”) exercises the Company’s Repurchase Option set forth in the Agreement, the Company shall give to Purchaser and you a written notice specifying the number of shares of stock to be purchased, the purchase price, and the time for a closing hereunder at the principal office of the Company. Purchaser and the Company hereby irrevocably authorize and direct you to close the transaction contemplated by such notice in accordance with the terms of said notice.

     2. At the closing, you are directed (a) to date the stock assignments necessary for the transfer in question, (b) to fill in the number of shares being transferred, and (c) to deliver the same, together with the certificate evidencing the shares of stock to be transferred, to the Company or its assignee, against the simultaneous delivery to you of the purchase price (by cash, a check, or a combination thereof) for the number of shares of stock being purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Company’s Repurchase Option.

     3. Purchaser irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any certificates evidencing shares of stock to be held by you hereunder and any additions and substitutions to said shares as defined in the Agreement. Purchaser does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as Purchaser’s attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute, with respect to such securities, all documents necessary or appropriate to make such securities negotiable and to complete any transaction herein contemplated, including but not limited to the filing with any applicable state blue sky authority of any required applications for consent to, or notice of transfer of, the securities. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 3, Purchaser shall exercise all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company while the stock is held by you.

     4. Upon written request of Purchaser, but no more than once per calendar year, unless the Company’s Repurchase Option has been exercised, you will deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of stock as are not then subject to the Company’s Repurchase Option. Within one hundred twenty days after the date of the Purchaser’s Termination of Service (as defined in the Agreement), you will deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing the aggregate number of shares held or issued pursuant to the Agreement and not purchased by the Company or its assignees pursuant to exercise of the Company’s Repurchase Option.

JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 1

     5. If at the time of termination of this escrow you should have in your possession any documents, securities, or other property belonging to Purchaser, you shall deliver all of the same to Purchaser and shall be discharged of all further obligations hereunder.

     6. Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

     7. You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth herein and may rely and shall be protected in relying or refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact for Purchaser while acting in good faith, and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.

     8. You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all warnings given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or corporation, excepting only orders or process of courts of law and are hereby expressly authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any court. In case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree, you shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or corporation by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order, judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside, vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.

     9. You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity, authorities or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called for hereunder.

     10. You shall not be liable for the expiration of any rights under any applicable state, federal or local statute of limitations or similar statute or regulation with respect to these Joint Escrow Instructions or any documents deposited with you.

     11. You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other experts as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your obligations hereunder, may rely upon the advice of such counsel, and may pay such counsel reasonable compensation therefore.

     12. Your responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if you shall cease to be an officer or agent of the Company or if you shall resign by written notice to each party. In the event of any such termination, the Company shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent.

     13. If you reasonably require other or further instruments in connection with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect hereto, the necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.

     14. It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities until such disputes shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend any such proceedings.

JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 2

     15. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at such addresses as a party may designate by written notice to each of the other parties hereto.

     16. By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party hereto only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions; you do not become a party to the Agreement.

     17. This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

     18. These Joint Escrow Instructions shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law.

(Signature Page Follows)

JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 3

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these Joint Escrow Instructions shall be effective as of the date first set forth above.

		CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		By:
		Name:
		Title:
		PURCHASER:
		By:
		Name:
		Address:
		ESCROW AGENT:
		By:
		Name:
		Title:

JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 4

EXHIBIT 10.5

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

     The purpose of the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) by linking the personal interests of the members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants to those of Company stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to Company stockholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent.

     All numbers of shares of Stock set forth in the Plan give effect to the reverse stock split to be implemented by the Company in connection with its initial public offering.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

     Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

     2.1 “Award” means an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Stock Appreciation Right award, a Performance Share award, a Performance Stock Unit award, a Dividend Equivalents award, a Stock Payment award, a Deferred Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, an Other Stock-Based Award, a Performance Bonus Award, or a Performance-Based Award granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.

     2.2 “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.

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

     2.4 “Change in Control” means and includes each of the following:

          (a) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a

“person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

          (b) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 2.4(a) or Section 2.4(c)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

          (c) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

               (i) Which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

               (ii) After which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 2.4(c)(ii) as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

     2.5 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     2.6 “Committee” means the committee of the Board described in Article 12.

     2.7 “Consultant” means any consultant or adviser if:

          (a) The consultant or adviser renders bona fide services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary;

          (b) The services rendered by the consultant or adviser 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 securities of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary; and

          (c) The consultant or adviser is a natural person.

     2.8 “Covered Employee” means an Employee who is, or could be, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

     2.9 “Deferred Stock” means a right to receive a specified number of shares of Stock during specified time periods pursuant to Article 8.

     2.10 “Disability” means “disability,” as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

     2.11 “Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8 to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Stock) of dividends paid on Stock.

     2.12 “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

     2.13 “Eligible Individual” means any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a member of the Board, as determined by the Committee.

     2.14 “Employee” means any officer or other employee (as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary.

     2.15 “Equity Restructuring” means a non-reciprocal transaction, as determined by the Committee, between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the shares of Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

     2.16 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     2.17 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, the fair market value of a share of Stock on the date determined by such methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock as of any date shall be the closing sales price for a share of Stock as reported on the NASDAQ National Market (or on any national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed) for the date or, if no such prices are reported for that date, the average of the high and low trading prices on the next preceding date for which such prices were reported.

     2.18 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

     2.19 “Independent Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary.

     2.20 “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who qualifies as a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Board.

     2.21 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

     2.22 “Option” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 5 of the Plan to purchase a specified number of shares of Stock at a specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

     2.23 “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted or denominated in Stock or units of Stock pursuant to Section 8.7 of the Plan.

     2.24 “Parent” means any “parent corporation, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, of the Company or any other entity which beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power of the Company.

     2.25 “Participant” means any Eligible Individual who, as a member of the Board, Consultant or Employee, has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

     2.26 “Performance-Based Award” means an Award granted to selected Covered Employees pursuant to Articles 6 and 8, but which is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Article 9. All Performance-Based Awards are intended to qualify as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.

     2.27 “Performance Bonus Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.8.

     2.28 “Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Participant for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: net earnings (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), economic value-added (as determined by the Committee), sales or revenue, net income (either before or after taxes), operating earnings, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on capital, return on net assets, return on stockholders’ equity, return on assets, return on capital, stockholder returns, return on sales, gross or net profit margin, productivity, expense, margins, operating efficiency, customer satisfaction, working capital, earnings per share of Stock, price per share of Stock, and market share, 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. To the extent an Award is intended to be Qualified Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee shall, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period for such Participant.

     2.29 “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the goals established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. 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. To the extent an Award is intended to be Qualified Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee, in its discretion, may, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, adjust or modify the calculation of Performance

Goals for such Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants (a) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event, or development, or (b) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.

     2.30 “Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance-Based Award.

     2.31 “Performance Share” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8, to receive Stock, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals or other performance-based targets established by the Committee.

     2.32 “Performance Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8, to receive Stock, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals or other performance-based targets established by the Committee.

     2.33 “Plan” means this Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006 Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

     2.34 “Public Trading Date” means the first date upon which Stock is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on any securities exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system.

     2.35 “Qualified Performance-Based Compensation” means any compensation that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

     2.36 “Restricted Stock” means Stock awarded to a Participant pursuant to Article 6 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture.

     2.37 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8.6.

     2.38 “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     2.39 “Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Article 11.

     2.40 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted pursuant to Article 7 to receive a payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Stock on the date the SAR is exercised over the Fair Market Value on the date the SAR was granted as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

     2.41 “Stock Payment” means (a) a payment in the form of shares of Stock, or (b) an option or other right to purchase shares of Stock, as part of any bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, made in lieu of all or any portion of the compensation, granted pursuant to Article 8.

     2.42 “Subsidiary” means any “subsidiary corporation” as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder or any other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

ARTICLE 3

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

     3.1 Number of Shares.

          (a) Subject to Article 11 and Section 3.1(b), the aggregate number of shares of Stock which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be the sum of: (i) 2,100,000 shares of Stock; plus (ii) the number of shares of Stock remaining available for issuance and not subject to awards granted under the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Existing Plan”) as of the Effective Date; plus (iii) with respect to awards granted under the Existing Plan on or before the Effective Date that expire or are canceled without having been exercised in full or shares of Stock that are forfeited or repurchased pursuant to the terms of awards granted under the Existing Plan, the number of shares of Stock subject to each such award as to which such award was not exercised prior to its expiration or cancellation or which are forfeited or repurchased by the Company. The aggregate number of shares of Stock authorized for issuance under the Existing Plan was 2,875,000 shares of Stock and, accordingly, the total number of shares of Stock under clauses (ii) and (iii) in the preceding sentence shall not exceed 4,975,000 shares of Stock. In addition, subject to Article 11, commencing on January 1, 2008, and on each January 1 thereafter during the term of the Plan, the number of shares of Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be increased by that number of shares of Stock equal to the least of: (i) 4% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Stock on the applicable January 1; and (ii) a lesser number of shares of Stock as determined by the Board. Accordingly, the number of shares of Stock which shall be available for sale under the Plan shall be subject to increase under the preceding sentence only on January 1, 2008 and on each subsequent January 1 through and including January 1, 2016. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.1(a) to the contrary, the number of shares of Stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of Stock, subject to Article 11. In order that the applicable regulations under the Code relating to Incentive Stock Options be satisfied, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered upon exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be the number specified in the preceding sentence, and, if necessary to satisfy such regulations, such maximum limit shall apply to the number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in connection with each other type of Award under the Plan (applicable separately to each type of Award).

          (b) To the extent that an Award terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason, any shares of Stock subject to the Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award

pursuant to the Plan. Additionally, any shares of Stock tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation pursuant to any Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. To the extent permitted by applicable law or any exchange rule, shares of Stock issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary shall not be counted against shares of Stock available for grant pursuant to this Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan.

     3.2 Stock Distributed. Any shares of Stock distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Stock, treasury Stock or Stock purchased on the open market.

     3.3 Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Article 11, the maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one Participant during any fiscal year of the Company (measured from the date of any grant) shall be 1,000,000; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply prior to the Public Trading Date and, following the Public Trading Date, the foregoing limitation shall not apply until the earliest of: (a) the first material modification of the Plan (including any increase in the number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan in accordance with Section 3.1); (b) the issuance of all of the shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan; (c) the expiration of the Plan; (d) the first meeting of stockholders at which members of the Board are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which occurred the first registration of an equity security of the Company under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; or (e) such other date required by Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

ARTICLE 4

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

     4.1 Eligibility. Each Eligible Individual shall be eligible to be granted one or more Awards pursuant to the Plan.

     4.2 Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. No Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to this Plan.

     4.3 Foreign Participants. In order to assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign countries, the Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy, or custom. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of, the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose; provided, however, that no such supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions shall increase the limitations on the number of shares of Stock (a) issued or transferred pursuant

to Awards under the Plan, as detailed in Section 3.1, and (b) issued or transferred pursuant to Awards granted to any one Participant during any fiscal year of the Company, as detailed in Section 3.3 of the Plan.

ARTICLE 5

STOCK OPTIONS

     5.1 General. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

          (a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that the exercise price for any Option shall not be less than par value of a share of Stock on the date of grant.

          (b) Time and Conditions of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part. The Committee shall also determine the performance or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.

          (c) Payment. The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation: (i) cash, (ii) promissory note bearing interest at no less than such rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the Code, (iii) shares of Stock held for such period of time as may be required by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof, or (iv) other property acceptable to the Committee (including through the delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale), and the methods by which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a member of the Board or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option in any method which would violate Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

          (d) Evidence of Grant. All Options shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant. The Award Agreement shall include such additional provisions as may be specified by the Committee.

     5.2 Incentive Stock Options. The terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan must comply with the conditions and limitations contained in Section 13.2 and this Section 5.2.

          (a) Eligibility. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

          (b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock shall be set by the Committee; provided that subject to Section 5.2(e) the exercise price for any Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

          (c) Expiration. Subject to Section 5.2(e), an Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the tenth anniversary of the date it is granted, unless an earlier time is set in the Award Agreement.

          (d) Individual Dollar Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000 or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision. To the extent that Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Stock Options.

          (e) Ten Percent Owners. An Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of Stock of the Company only if such Option is granted at a price that is not less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is exercisable for no more than five years from the date of grant.

          (f) Notice of Disposition. The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares of Stock acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within (i) two years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such shares of Stock to the Participant.

          (g) Right to Exercise. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant.

     5.3 Substitution of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option that the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have to right to substitute a Stock Appreciation Right for such Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option, subject to the provisions of Section 7.2 hereof; provided that such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable with respect to the same number of shares of Stock for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable.

     5.4 Paperless Exercise. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of options by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

ARTICLE 6

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

     6.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock to any Participant selected by the Committee in such amounts and subject to

such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee. All Awards of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a written Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

     6.2 Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Stock or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Stock). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.

     6.3 Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided, however, that the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Stock Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock.

     6.4 Certificates for Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

ARTICLE 7

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     7.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Participant selected by the Committee. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall impose and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

     7.2 Stock Appreciation Rights.

          (a) A Stock Appreciation Right (“SAR”) shall have a term set by the Committee. A SAR shall be exercisable in such installments as the Committee may determine. A SAR shall cover such number of shares of Stock as the Committee may determine. The exercise price per share of Stock subject to each SAR shall be set by the Committee; provided, however, that the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that the SAR may be exercised subsequent to a termination of employment or service, as applicable, or following a Change in Control of the Company, or because of the Participant’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise.

          (b) A SAR shall entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the SAR pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the SAR (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of the SAR from

the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the SAR shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

     7.3 Payment and Limitations on Exercise.

          (a) Payment of the amounts determined under Section 7.2(b) above shall be in cash, in Stock (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the SAR is exercised) or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.

          (b) To the extent any payment under Section 7.2(b) is effected in Stock it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of Article 5 above pertaining to Options.

ARTICLE 8

OTHER TYPES OF AWARDS

     8.1 Performance Share Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Share awards which shall be denominated in a number of shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

     8.2 Performance Stock Units. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Stock Unit awards which shall be denominated in units of value including dollar value of shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

     8.3 Dividend Equivalents.

          (a) Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on the shares of Stock that are subject to any Award, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee.

          (b) Dividend Equivalents granted with respect to Options or SARs that are

intended to be Qualified Performance-Based Compensation shall be payable, with respect to pre-exercise periods, regardless of whether such Option or SAR is subsequently exercised.

     8.4 Stock Payments. Any Participant selected by the Committee may receive Stock Payments in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares of Stock or the number of options or other rights to purchase shares of Stock subject to a Stock Payment shall be determined by the Committee and may be based upon the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, determined on the date such Stock Payment is made or on any date thereafter.

     8.5 Deferred Stock. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted an award of Deferred Stock in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares of Deferred Stock shall be determined by the Committee and may be linked to the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Stock underlying a Deferred Stock award will not be issued until the Deferred Stock award has vested, pursuant to a vesting schedule or performance criteria set by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Participant awarded Deferred Stock shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time as the Deferred Stock Award has vested and the Stock underlying the Deferred Stock Award has been issued.

     8.6 Restricted Stock Units. The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Participant selected by the Committee in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee. At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate. At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the grantee. On the maturity date, the Company shall, subject to Section 10.5(b), transfer to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable share of Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited. The Committee shall specify the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the grantee to the Company for such shares of Stock.

     8.7 Other Stock-Based Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Awards that provide Participants with shares of Stock or the right to purchase shares of Stock or that have a value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to, or that are otherwise payable in shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of Award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

     8.8 Performance Bonus Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance-Based Awards in the form of a cash bonus (a “Performance

Bonus Award”) payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Committee 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 Committee. Any such Performance Bonus Award paid to a Covered Employee shall be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with Article 9. The maximum amount of any Performance Bonus Award payable to a Covered Employee with respect to any fiscal year of the Company shall not exceed $1,000,000.

     8.9 Term. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of any Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents, Stock Payments, Deferred Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Award shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.

     8.10 Exercise or Purchase Price. The Committee may establish the exercise or purchase price, if any, of any Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Deferred Stock, Stock Payments, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Award; provided, however, that such price shall not be less than the par value of a share of Stock on the date of grant, unless otherwise permitted by applicable state law.

     8.11 Exercise Upon Termination of Employment or Service. An Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents, Deferred Stock, Stock Payments, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock-Based Award shall only be exercisable or payable while the Participant is an Employee, Consultant or a member of the Board, as applicable; provided, however, that the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that an Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents, Stock Payments, Deferred Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Award may be exercised or paid subsequent to a termination of employment or service, as applicable, or following a Change in Control of the Company, or because of the Participant’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise; provided, however, that any such provision with respect to Performance Shares or Performance Stock Units shall be subject to the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code that apply to Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.

     8.12 Form of Payment. Payments with respect to any Awards granted under this Article 8 shall be made in cash, in Stock or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.

     8.13 Award Agreement. All Awards under this Article 8 shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 9

PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS

     9.1 Purpose. The purpose of this Article 9 is to provide the Committee the ability to qualify Awards other than Options and SARs and that are granted pursuant to Articles 6 and 8 as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation. If the Committee, in its discretion, decides to grant a Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee, the provisions of this Article 9 shall

control over any contrary provision contained in Articles 6 or 8; provided, however, that the Committee may in its discretion grant Awards to Covered Employees that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Article 9.

     9.2 Applicability. This Article 9 shall apply only to those Covered Employees selected by the Committee to receive Performance-Based Awards. The designation of a Covered Employee as a Participant for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the Participant to receive an Award for the period. Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee as a Participant for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Covered Employee as a Participant in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one Covered Employee as a Participant shall not require designation of any other Covered Employees as a Participant in such period or in any other period.

     9.3 Procedures with Respect to Performance-Based Awards. To the extent necessary to comply with the Qualified Performance-Based Compensation requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted under Articles 6 and 8 which may be granted to one or more Covered Employees, no later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any fiscal year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (a) designate one or more Covered Employees, (b) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (d) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amount earned by a Covered Employee, the Committee shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

     9.4 Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary on the day a Performance-Based Award for such Performance Period is paid to the Participant. Furthermore, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to a Performance-Based Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

     9.5 Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Covered Employee and is intended to constitute Qualified Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

ARTICLE 10

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

     10.1 Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

     10.2 Award Agreement. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include the term of an Award, the provisions applicable in the event the Participant’s employment or service terminates, and the Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award.

     10.3 Limits on Transfer. No right or interest of a Participant in any Award may be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to or in favor of any party other than the Company, a Parent, or a Subsidiary, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other than the Company, a Parent, or a Subsidiary. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, no Award shall be assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee by express provision in the Award or an amendment thereto may permit an Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option) to be transferred to, exercised by and paid to certain persons or entities related to the Participant, including but not limited to members of the Participant’s family, charitable institutions, or trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are members of the Participant’s family and/or charitable institutions, or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee, pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may establish. Any permitted transfer shall be subject to the condition that the Committee receive evidence satisfactory to it that the transfer is being made for estate and/or tax planning purposes (or to a “blind trust” in connection with the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company, a Parent, or a Subsidiary to assume a position with a governmental, charitable, educational or similar non-profit institution) and on a basis consistent with the Company’s lawful issue of securities.

     10.4 Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding Section 10.3, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.

     10.5 Stock Certificates; Book Entry Procedures.

          (a) 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 Board has determined, with advice of counsel, 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 or traded. All Stock certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state, or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant 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 Committee.

          (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company shall not deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing shares of Stock issued in connection with any Award and instead such shares of Stock shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

ARTICLE 11

CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE

     11.1 Adjustments.

          (a) In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, spin-off, recapitalization, distribution of Company assets to stockholders (other than normal cash dividends), or any other corporate event affecting the Stock or the share price of the Stock, other than an Equity Restructuring, the Committee may make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such changes with respect to (i) the aggregate number and type of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3.1 and 3.3); (ii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (iii) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan. Any adjustment affecting an Award intended as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

          (b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 11.1(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate (including without limitation any Change in Control), other than an Equity Restructuring, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, the Committee, in its sole discretion and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by amendment of the terms of any outstanding Awards or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions wherever the Committee determines that action is appropriate in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

                    (i) To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 11.1(b) the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion;

                    (ii) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; and

                    (iii) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding options, rights and awards and options, rights and awards which may be granted in the future;

                    (iv) To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; and

                    (v) To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

          (c) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 11.1(a) and 11.1(b):

                    (i) The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, will be proportionately adjusted by the Committee as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such

Equity Restructuring. The adjustments provided under this Section 11(c)(i) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.

                    (ii) The Committee shall make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Article 3).

     11.2 Acceleration Upon a Change in Control. Notwithstanding Section 11.1, and except as may otherwise be provided in any applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement entered into between the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary, or other Company affiliate and a Participant, if a Change in Control occurs and a Participant’s Awards are not converted, assumed, or replaced by a successor entity, then immediately prior to the Change in Control such Awards shall become fully exercisable and all forfeiture restrictions on such Awards shall lapse. Upon, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control, the Committee may cause any and all Awards outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the future, including but not limited to the date of such Change in Control, and shall give each Participant the right to exercise such Awards during a period of time as the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine. In the event that the terms of any agreement between the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary, or other Company affiliate and a Participant contains provisions that conflict with and are more restrictive than the provisions of this Section 11.2, this Section 11.2 shall prevail and control and the more restrictive terms of such agreement (and only such terms) shall be of no force or effect.

     11.3 Outstanding Awards — Other Changes. In the event of any other change in the capitalization of the Company or corporate change other than those specifically referred to in this Article 11, the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, make such adjustments in the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to Awards outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per share grant or exercise price of each Award as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.

     11.4 No Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Committee under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to an Award or the grant or exercise price of any Award.

ARTICLE 12

ADMINISTRATION

     12.1 Committee. Unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee as set forth below, the Plan shall be administered by the full Board, and for such purposes the term “Committee” as used in this Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board. The

Board, at its discretion or as otherwise necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or to the extent required by any other applicable rule or regulation, shall delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee. The Committee shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board each of whom is a Non-Employee Director, and with respect to awards that are intended to be Performance-Based Awards, an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to all Awards granted to Independent Directors and for purposes of such Awards the term “Committee” as used in this Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (b) the Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 12.5. Appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board.

     12.2 Action by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to assist in the administration of the Plan.

     12.3 Authority of Committee. Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:

          (a) Designate Participants to receive Awards;

          (b) Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;

          (c) Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Stock to which an Award will relate;

          (d) Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any reload provision, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines; provided, however, that the Committee shall not have the authority to accelerate the vesting or waive the forfeiture of any Performance-Based Awards;

          (e) Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

          (f) Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

          (g) Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

          (h) Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

          (i) Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement; and

          (j) Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

     12.4 Decisions Binding. The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

     12.5 Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards to Participants other than (a) senior executives of the Company who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (b) Covered Employees, or (c) officers of the Company (or members of the Board) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Committee may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 12.5 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee.

     12.6 Amendment or Exchange of Awards. The Committee may (i) amend any Award to reduce the per share exercise price of such an Award below the per share exercise price as of the date the Award is granted and (ii) grant an Award in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of an Award having a higher per share exercise price.

ARTICLE 13

EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATE

     13.1 Effective Date. The Plan is effective as of the day prior to the Public Trading Date (the “Effective Date”).

     13.2 Expiration Date. The Plan will expire on, and no Incentive Stock Option or other Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan after, the tenth anniversary of the date this Plan is approved by the Board. Any Awards that are outstanding on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 14

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION

     14.1 Amendment, Modification, And Termination. With the approval of the Board, at any time and from time to time, the Committee may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that (a) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, and (b) stockholder approval is required for any amendment to the Plan that increases the number of shares of Stock available under the Plan.

     14.2 Awards Previously Granted. No termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant.

ARTICLE 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     15.1 No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.

     15.2 No Stockholders Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to shares of Stock covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such shares of Stock.

     15.3 Withholding. The Company or any Parent or Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of this Plan. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the return of shares of Stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of shares of Stock which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award (or which may be repurchased from the Participant of such Award within six months (or such other period as may be determined by the Committee) after such shares of Stock were acquired by the Participant from the Company) in order to satisfy the Participant’s federal, state, local and foreign income and payroll tax liabilities with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of the Award shall be limited to the number of shares of Stock which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.

     15.4 No Right to Employment or Services. Nothing in the Plan or any Award

Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to terminate any Participant’s employment or services at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

     15.5 Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

     15.6 Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

     15.7 Relationship to other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits pursuant to any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

     15.8 Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

     15.9 Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

     15.10 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional shares of Stock or whether such fractional shares of Stock shall be eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.

     15.11 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such

exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

     15.12 Government and Other Regulations. The obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Stock or otherwise shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by government agencies as may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any of the shares of Stock paid pursuant to the Plan. If the shares of Stock paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares of Stock in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.

     15.13 Section 409A. To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the adoption of the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the adoption of the Plan the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the adoption of the Plan), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance.

     15.14 Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE AND
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

     Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Participant”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Stock”), set forth below (the “Option”). This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Stock Option Agreement”) and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement.

Participant:
Grant Date:
Exercise Price per Share:		$
Total Exercise Price:		$
Total Number of Shares Subject to the Option:		shares
Expiration Date:

Type of Option:		o          Incentive Stock Option	o	Non-Qualified Stock Option
Vesting Schedule:		[To be specified in individual agreements]

     By his or her signature, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Plan or relating to the Option.

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

PARTICIPANT

By:

By:

Print Name:

Print Name:

Title:

Address:

Address:

EXHIBIT A
TO STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant an Option under the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of Stock indicated in the Grant Notice.

ARTICLE I.

GENERAL

     1.1 Defined Terms. Wherever the following terms are used in this Agreement they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and the Grant Notice.

          (a) “Administrator” shall mean the Committee responsible for conducting the general administration of the Plan in accordance with Article 12 of the Plan; provided that if the Participant is an Independent Director, “Administrator” shall mean the Board.

          (b) “Termination of Consultancy” shall mean the time when the engagement of the Participant as a Consultant to the Company or to a Parent or Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding: (a) terminations where there is a simultaneous employment or continuing employment of the Participant by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, and (b) terminations where there is a simultaneous reestablishment of a consulting relationship or continuing consulting relationship between the Participant and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Consultancy, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Consultancy. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to terminate a Consultant’s service at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in writing.

          (c) “Termination of Directorship” shall mean the time when the Participant, if he or she is or becomes an Independent Director, ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement. The Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Directorship with respect to Independent Directors.

          (d) “Termination of Employment” shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship between the Participant and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or retirement; but excluding: (a) terminations where there is a simultaneous reemployment or continuing employment of the Participant by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, and (b) terminations where there is a simultaneous establishment of a consulting relationship or continuing consulting relationship between the Participant and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of

whether a particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Employment; provided, however, that, if this Option is an Incentive Stock Option, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in its discretion, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Employment if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section.

          (e) “Termination of Services” shall mean the Participant’s Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.

     1.2 Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

ARTICLE II.

GRANT OF OPTION

     2.1 Grant of Option. In consideration of the Participant’s past and/or continued employment with or service to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company irrevocably grants to the Participant the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of the number of shares of Stock set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Unless designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option in the Grant Notice, the Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option to the maximum extent permitted by law.

     2.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price of the shares of Stock subject to the Option shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice, without commission or other charge; provided, however, that the price per share of the shares of Stock subject to the Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Participant owns (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code), the price per share of the shares of Stock subject to the Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date.

     2.3 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the Option by the Company, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice, or this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary and the Participant.

ARTICLE III.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

     3.1 Commencement of Exercisability.

          (a) Subject to Sections 3.2, 3.3, 5.8 and 5.10, the Option shall become vested and exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.

          (b) No portion of the Option which has not become vested and exercisable at the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Consultancy shall thereafter become vested and exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant.

     3.2 Duration of Exercisability. The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative. Each such installment which becomes vested and exercisable pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice shall remain vested and exercisable until it becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

     3.3 Expiration of Option. The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

          (a) The expiration of [ten years] from the Grant Date;

          (b) If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Participant owned (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time the Option was granted, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code), the expiration of five years from the Grant Date;

          (c) The expiration of [three months] from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Services, unless such termination occurs by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability; or

          (d) The expiration of [one year] from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Services by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability.

     [The Participant acknowledges that an Incentive Stock Option exercised more that three months after the Participant’s Termination of Employment, other than by reason of death or Disability, will be taxed as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.]

     3.4 Special Tax Consequences. The Participant acknowledges that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options, including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the Option and such other options shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent necessary to comply with the limitations imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code. The Participant further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking the Option and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted, as determined under Section 422(d) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

ARTICLE IV.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

     4.1 Person Eligible to Exercise. Except as provided in Section 5.2(b), during the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise the Option or any portion thereof. After the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased the Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

     4.2 Partial Exercise. Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

     4.3 Manner of Exercise. The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company (or any third party administrator or other person or entity designated by the Company) of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3:

          (a) An exercise notice in a form specified by the Administrator, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Administrator;

          (b) The receipt by the Company of full payment for the shares of Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised, including payment of any applicable withholding tax, which may be in one or more of the forms of consideration permitted under Section 4.4;

          (c) Any other written representations as may be required in the Administrator’s reasonable discretion to evidence compliance with the Securities Act or any other applicable law, rule, or regulation; and

          (d) In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to specify all conditions of the manner of exercise, which conditions may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.

     4.4 Method of Payment. Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Participant:

          (a) Cash;

          (b) Check;

          (c) With the consent of the Administrator, delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale

to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate exercise price; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale;

          (d) With the consent of the Administrator, surrender of other shares of Stock which (A) in the case of shares of Stock acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised;

          (e) With the consent of the Administrator, surrendered shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised; or

          (f) With the consent of the Administrator, property of any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration.

     4.5 Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates. The shares of Stock deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued shares of Stock or issued shares of Stock which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such shares of Stock shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

          (a) The admission of such shares of Stock to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Stock is then listed;

          (b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares of Stock under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;

          (c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;

          (d) The receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares of Stock, including payment of any applicable withholding tax, which may be in one or more of the forms of consideration permitted under Section 4.4; and

          (e) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.

     4.6 Rights as Stockholder. The holder of the Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company in respect of any shares of Stock purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such shares of Stock shall have been issued by the Company to such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the shares of Stock are issued, except as provided in Section 11.1 of the Plan.

ARTICLE V.

OTHER PROVISIONS

     5.1 Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Committee or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Option.

     5.2 Option Not Transferable.

          (a) Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, the Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Stock underlying the Option have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares of Stock have lapsed. Neither the Option nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

          (b) Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, during the lifetime of Participant, only Participant may exercise the Option or any portion thereof. After the death of Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

     5.3 Adjustments. The Participant acknowledges that the Option is subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Article 11 of the Plan.

     5.4 Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the address given beneath the signature of the Company’s authorized officer on the Grant Notice, and any notice to be given to Participant shall be addressed to Participant at the address given beneath Participant’s signature on the Grant Notice. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.4, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice which is required to be given to Participant shall, if Participant is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to exercise his or her Option pursuant to Section 4.1 by written notice under this Section 5.4. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

     5.5 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

     5.6 Governing Law; Severability. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

     5.7 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

     5.8 Amendments, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Committee or the Board, provided, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely effect the Option in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.

     5.9 Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 5.2, this Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

     5.10 Notification of Disposition. If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, Participant shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any shares of Stock acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years from the Grant Date with respect to such shares of Stock or (b) within one year after the transfer of such shares of Stock to the Participant. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by Participant in such disposition or other transfer.

     5.11 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Option and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

     5.12 Not a Contract of Employment. Nothing in this Agreement, the Grant Notice, or the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

     5.13 Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all exhibits thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

     5.14 Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, this Agreement or the Grant Notice, the Plan, this Agreement and the Grant Notice shall be interpreted in accordance with, and

incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”). The Committee may, in its discretion, adopt such amendments to the Plan, this Agreement or the Grant Notice or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD GRANT NOTICE AND
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

     Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (“Participant”), the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Shares”). This Restricted Stock Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Restricted Stock Agreement”) (including without limitation the Restrictions on the Shares set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement) and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Restricted Stock Agreement.

Participant:
Grant Date:
Total Number of Shares of Restricted Stock:		shares
Purchase Price:		$
Vesting Schedule:

     By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Restricted Stock Agreement and this Grant Notice. Participant has reviewed the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Restricted Stock Agreement and the Plan. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator of the Plan upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Restricted Stock Agreement.

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.:				PARTICIPANT:
By:				By:
Print Name:				Print Name:
Title:
Address:				Address:

EXHIBIT A
TO RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD GRANT NOTICE

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

     Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is attached, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) has granted to Participant the right to purchase the number of shares of Restricted Stock under the 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), as set forth in the Grant Notice.

ARTICLE I.

GENERAL

     1.1 Definitions. All capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition shall have the meanings ascribed in the Plan and the Grant Notice.

     1.2 Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

ARTICLE II.

AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK

     2.1 Award of Restricted Stock.

          (a) Award. In consideration of the Participant’s agreement to remain in the service or employ of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, and for other good and valuable consideration which the Committee has determined exceeds the aggregate par value of the Stock subject to the Award (as defined below), as of the Grant Date, the Company issues to the Participant the Award described in this Agreement (the “Award”). The number of shares of Restricted Stock (the “Shares”) subject to the Award is set forth in the Grant Notice. The Participant is an Employee, Director or other Eligible Individual.

          (b) Purchase Price; Book Entry Form. The purchase price of the Shares is set forth on the Grant Notice. The Shares will be issued in uncertificated form. At the sole discretion of the Committee, the Shares will be issued in either (i) uncertificated form, with the Shares recorded in the name of the Participant in the books and records of the Company’s transfer agent with appropriate notations regarding the restrictions on transfer imposed pursuant to this Agreement, and upon vesting and the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in Section 2.2(d), the Company shall cause certificates representing the Shares to be issued to the Participant; or (ii) certificate form pursuant to the terms of Sections 2.1(c) and (d).

          (c) Legend. Certificates representing Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall, until all restrictions on transfer imposed pursuant to this Agreement lapse or shall have been removed and new certificates are issued, bear the following legend (or such other legend as shall be determined by the Committee):

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN VESTING REQUIREMENTS AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE UNDER THE TERMS OF THAT CERTAIN RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT, DATED [___, 200_], BY AND BETWEEN CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND THE REGISTERED OWNER OF SUCH SHARES, AND SUCH SHARES MAY NOT BE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OFFERED, TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH AGREEMENT.”

          (d) Escrow. The Secretary of the Company or such other escrow holder as the Committee may appoint may retain physical custody of the certificates representing the Shares until all of the restrictions on transfer imposed pursuant to this Agreement lapse or shall have been removed; in such event the Participant shall not retain physical custody of any certificates representing unvested Shares issued to him.

     2.2 Restrictions.

          (a) Forfeiture. Any Award which is not vested as of the date the Participant ceases to be an employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or other Eligible Individual shall thereupon be forfeited immediately and without any further action by the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Restrictions” shall mean the restrictions on sale or other transfer set forth in Section 3.2 and the exposure to forfeiture set forth in this Section 2.2(a).

          (b) Vesting and Lapse of Restrictions. Subject to Section 2.2(a), the Award shall vest and Restrictions shall lapse in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth on the Grant Notice.

          (c) Tax Withholding; Conditions to Issuance of Certificates. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including without limitation Section 2.1(b)):

               (i) No new certificate shall be delivered to the Participant or his legal representative unless and until the Participant or his legal representative shall have paid to the Company the full amount of all federal and state withholding or other taxes applicable to the taxable income of Participant resulting from the grant of Shares or the lapse or removal of the Restrictions.

               (ii) The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for any Shares prior to the fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (A) the admission of the Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Common Stock is then listed, (B) the completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other governmental regulatory body, which the Committee shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem necessary and advisable, (C) the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable and (D) the lapse of any such reasonable period of time following the date the Restrictions lapse as the Committee may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.

ARTICLE III.

OTHER PROVISIONS

     3.1 Section 83(b) Election. Participant understands that Section 83(a) of the Code taxes as ordinary income the difference between the amount, if any, paid for the shares of Common Stock and the Fair Market Value of such shares at the time the Restrictions on such shares lapse. Participant understands that, notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Participant may elect to be taxed at the time of the Grant Date, rather that at the time the Restrictions lapse, by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (an “83(b) Election”) with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the Grant Date. In the event Participant files an 83(b) Election, Participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the amount, if any, paid for the shares of Common Stock and the Fair Market Value of such shares as of the Grant Date. Participant further understands that an additional copy of such 83(b) Election form should be filed with his or her federal income tax return for the calendar year in which the date of this Agreement falls. Participant acknowledges that the foregoing is only a summary of the effect of United States federal income taxation with respect to the award of Restricted Stock hereunder, and does not purport to be complete. PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING THE PARTICIPANT’S 83(b) ELECTION, AND THE COMPANY HAS DIRECTED PARTICIPANT TO SEEK INDEPENDENT ADVICE REGARDING THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY, STATE OR FOREIGN COUNTRY IN WHICH PARTICIPANT MAY RESIDE, AND THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPANT’S DEATH.

     3.2 Restricted Stock Not Transferable. No Shares or any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect; provided, however, that this Section 3.2 notwithstanding, with the consent of the Committee, the Shares may be transferred to certain persons or entities related to Participant, including but not limited to members of Participant’s family, charitable institutions or trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are members of Participant’s family or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee, pursuant to any such conditions and procedures the Committee may require.

     3.3 Rights as Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided herein, upon the Grant Date the Participant shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Shares, subject to the Restrictions herein, including the right to vote the Shares and the right to receive any cash or stock dividends paid to or made with respect to the Shares; provided, however, that at the discretion of the Company, and prior to the delivery of Shares, the Participant may be required to execute a stockholders agreement in such form as shall be determined by the Company.

     3.4 Not a Contract of Employment. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

     3.5 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

     3.6 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Awards are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

     3.7 Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Committee or the Board, provided, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely effect the Award in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.

     3.8 Notices. Notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the Participant to his address shown in the Company records, and to the Company at its principal executive office.

     3.9 Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan and 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan, of our report dated April 21, 2006, except for Note 10, as to which the date is October 4, 2006, with respect to the financial statements of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-135821), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Diego, California
October 23, 2006