Blueprint

Monopar Therapeutics Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) are committed to maintaining the highest standards of business conduct and ethics. This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) reflects the business practices and principles of behavior that support this commitment. We expect every employee, officer and non-employee director to read and understand this Code and its application to the performance of his or her business responsibilities. References in this Code to employees are intended to cover staff, supervisors, managers, officers and, as applicable, non-employee directors.

Officers, managers and other supervisors are expected to develop in staff a sense of commitment to the spirit, as well as the letter, of this Code. Supervisors are also expected to ensure that all agents and contractors conform to Code standards when working for or on behalf of the Company. The compliance environment within each supervisor’s assigned area of responsibility will be a factor in evaluating the quality of that individual’s performance. In addition, any employee who makes an exemplary effort to implement and uphold our legal and ethical standards will be recognized for that effort in his or her performance review. Nothing in this Code alters the at-will employment policy of the Company.

This Code addresses conduct that is particularly important to proper dealings with the people and entities with whom we interact, but reflects only a part of our commitment. From time to time we may adopt additional policies and procedures with which our employees, officers and non-employee directors are expected to comply, if applicable to them. However, it is the responsibility of each employee to apply common sense, together with his or her own highest personal ethical standards, in making business decisions where there is no stated guideline in this Code.

Action by members of your immediate family, significant others or other persons who live in your household (referred to in this Code as “family members”) also may potentially result in ethical issues to the extent that they involve the Company’s business. For example, acceptance of inappropriate gifts by a family member from one of our suppliers could create a conflict of interest and result in a Code violation attributable to you. Consequently, in complying with this Code, you should consider not only your own conduct, but also that of your immediate family members, significant others and other persons who live in your household.

YOU SHOULD NOT HESITATE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER ANY CONDUCT MAY VIOLATE THIS CODE, VOICE CONCERNS OR CLARIFY GRAY AREAS. SECTION 20 BELOW DETAILS THE COMPLIANCE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU. IN ADDITION, YOU SHOULD BE ALERT TO POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF THIS CODE BY OTHERS AND REPORT SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS, WITHOUT FEAR OF ANY FORM OF RETALIATION, AS FURTHER DESCRIBED IN SECTION 20. Violations of this Code will not be tolerated. Any employee who violates the standards in this Code may be subject to disciplinary action, which, depending on the nature of the violation and the history of the employee, may range from a warning or reprimand to and including termination of employment and, in appropriate cases, civil legal action or referral for regulatory or criminal prosecution.

It is the policy of the Company to promote high standards of integrity by conducting our affairs in an honest and ethical manner. The integrity and reputation of the Company depends on the honesty, fairness and integrity brought to the job by each person associated with us. Unyielding personal integrity is the foundation of corporate integrity.

Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation of this Code. Our success depends upon each employee’s operating within legal guidelines and cooperating with local, national and international authorities. We expect employees to understand the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to their business units and areas of responsibility. We hold periodic training sessions to ensure that all employees comply with the relevant laws, rules and regulations associated with their employment, including laws prohibiting insider trading (which are discussed in further detail in Section 3 below). While we do not expect you to memorize every detail of these laws, rules and regulations, we want you to be able to determine when to seek advice from others. If you do have a question in the area of legal compliance, it is important that you not hesitate to seek answers from your supervisor or the Compliance Officer (as further described in Section 20).

Disregard of the law will not be tolerated. Violation of domestic or foreign laws, rules and regulations may subject an individual, as well as the Company, to civil and/or criminal penalties. You should be aware that conduct and records, including emails, are subject to internal and external audits and to discovery by third parties in the event of a government investigation or civil litigation. It is in everyone’s best interests to know and comply with our legal obligations.

Employees who have access to confidential (or “inside”) information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except to conduct our business. All non- public information about the Company or about companies with which we do business is considered confidential information. To use material non-public information in connection with buying or selling securities, including “tipping” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information, is not only unethical, it is illegal. Employees must exercise the utmost care when handling material inside information.

Our employees are expected to comply with the applicable laws in all countries to which they travel, in which they operate and where we otherwise do business, including laws prohibiting bribery, corruption or the conduct of business with specified individuals, companies or countries. The fact that, in some countries, certain laws are not enforced or that violation of those laws is not subject to public criticism will not be accepted as an excuse for noncompliance. In addition, we expect employees to comply with U.S. laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct of business by its citizens and corporations outside the U.S.

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The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits directly or indirectly giving anything of value to a government official to obtain or retain business or favorable treatment and requires the maintenance of accurate books of account, with all company transactions being properly recorded;

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U.S. Embargoes, which generally prohibit U.S. companies, their subsidiaries and their employees from doing business with countries, or traveling to, subject to sanctions imposed by the U.S. government (including, for example, Belarus, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela), as well as specific companies and individuals identified on lists published by the U.S. Treasury Department;

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U.S. Export Controls, which restrict exports from the U.S. and re-exports from other countries of goods, software and technology to many countries, and prohibits transfers of U.S.-origin items to denied persons and entities; and

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Anti-boycott Regulations, which prohibit U.S. companies from taking any action that has the effect of furthering or supporting a restrictive trade practice or boycott imposed by a foreign country against a country friendly to the U.S. or against any U.S. person.

Antitrust laws are designed to protect the competitive process. These laws are based on the premise that the public interest is best served by vigorous competition and will suffer from illegal agreements or collusion among competitors. Antitrust laws generally prohibit:

Certain kinds of information, such as pricing, production and inventory, should not be exchanged with competitors, regardless of how innocent or casual the exchange may be and regardless of the setting, whether business or social. In addition, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Act declares "unfair methods of competition in commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce" unlawful. It is a violation of that Act to engage in deceptive, unfair or unethical practices and to make misrepresentations in connection with sales activities.

Antitrust laws impose severe penalties for certain types of violations, including criminal penalties and potential fines and damages of millions of dollars, which may be tripled under certain circumstances. Understanding the requirements of antitrust and unfair competition laws of the various jurisdictions where we do business can be difficult, and you are urged to seek assistance from your supervisor or the Compliance Officer whenever you have a question relating to these laws.

Federal law imposes criminal liability on any person or company that contaminates the environment with any hazardous substance that could cause injury to the community or environment. Violation of environmental laws can involve monetary fines and imprisonment. We expect employees to comply with all applicable environmental laws.

It is our policy to conduct our business in an environmentally responsible way that minimizes environmental impacts. We are committed to minimizing and, if practicable, eliminating the use of any substance or material that may cause environmental damage, reducing waste generation and disposing of all waste through safe and responsible methods, minimizing environmental risks by employing safe technologies and operating procedures, and being prepared to respond appropriately to accidents and emergencies.

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Providing a safe, violence-free workplace. Violent or threatening behavior is strictly prohibited by anyone on Company premises or engaged in a Company-related activity. This behavior includes, but is not limited to, threats of any kind; intimidating or physically aggressive actions; excessive arguing or swearing; defacing Company property; sabotage; demonstrated pattern of refusing to follow Company policies; and possession of weapons or firearms on Company premises. All reports of workplace violence will be taken with the upmost seriousness and will be investigated promptly and thoroughly.

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Providing a workplace that is free from unlawful harassment, bullying and discrimination. Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender reassignment or other classes protected by applicable law. We will not tolerate conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. No employee will be disadvantaged for reporting this type of conduct in good faith to Human Resources or the Compliance Officer.

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Providing an environment free from combative, verbally abusive or disrespectful behavior. These behaviors can create a climate of fear, hostility, distraction and unproductivity. Such incidents should be reported to your Supervisor or to Human Resources. All reports will be investigated thoroughly and, if found to be valid, may lead to disciplinary action including termination.

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Providing equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. We do not discriminate on any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. This applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, disciplinary action, and social and recreational programs.

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Creating a fully inclusive and stimulating environment in which our workforce is free to innovate to meet the needs of our customers around the world. We respect employment laws wherever we operate in the world, including international labor standards, laws governing freedom of expression and rights of association, privacy and equal opportunities.

We respect the rights of our employees to manage their personal affairs and investments and do not wish to impinge on their personal lives. At the same time, employees should avoid conflicts of interest that occur when their personal interests may interfere in any way with the performance of their duties or the best interests of the Company. A conflicting personal interest could result from an expectation of personal gain now or in the future or from a need to satisfy a prior or concurrent personal obligation. We expect our employees to be free from influences that conflict with the best interests of the Company or might deprive the Company of their undivided loyalty in business dealings. Even the appearance of a conflict of interest where none actually exists can be damaging and should be avoided. Whether or not a conflict of interest exists or will exist can be unclear. Conflicts of interest are prohibited unless specifically authorized as described below.

If you have any questions about a potential conflict or if you become aware of an actual or potential conflict, and you are not an officer or director of the Company, you should discuss the matter with your supervisor or the Compliance Officer. Supervisors may not authorize conflict of interest matters or make determinations as to whether a problematic conflict of interest exists without first seeking the approval of the Compliance Officer and providing the Compliance Officer with a written description of the activity. If the supervisor is involved in the potential or actual conflict, you should discuss the matter directly with the Compliance Officer. Officers and directors may seek authorizations and determinations from the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Although no list can include every possible situation in which a conflict of interest could arise, the following are examples of situations that may, depending on the facts and circumstances, involve problematic conflicts of interests:

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Employment by (including consulting for) or service on the board of a competitor, customer or supplier or other service provider. Activity that enhances or supports the position of a competitor to the detriment of the Company is prohibited, including employment by or service on the board of a competitor. Employment by or service on the board of a customer or supplier or other service provider is generally discouraged and you must seek authorization in advance if you plan to take such a position.

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Owning, directly or indirectly, a significant financial interest in any entity that does business, seeks to do business or competes with us. In addition to the factors described above, persons evaluating ownership in other entities for conflicts of interest will consider the size and nature of the investment; the nature of the relationship between the other entity and the Company; the employee’s access to confidential information and the employee’s ability to influence the Company’s decisions. If you would like to acquire a financial interest of that kind, you must seek approval in advance.

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Soliciting or accepting gifts, favors, loans or preferential treatment from any person or entity that does business or seeks to do business with us. See Section 12 for further discussion of the issues involved in this type of conflict.

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Conducting our business transactions with your family member or a business in which you have a significant financial interest. Material related-party transactions approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and involving any executive officer or director will be publicly disclosed as required by applicable laws and regulations.

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Exercising supervisory or other authority on behalf of the Company over a co-worker who is also a family member. The employee’s supervisor and/or the Compliance Officer will consult with the Human Resources department to assess the advisability of reassignment.

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Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees or their family members by the Company could constitute an improper personal benefit to the recipients of these loans or guarantees, depending on the facts and circumstances. Some loans are expressly prohibited by law and applicable law requires that our Board of Directors approve all loans and guarantees to employees. As a result, all loans and guarantees by the Company must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

You may not take personal advantage of opportunities for the Company that are presented to you or discovered by you as a result of your position with us or through your use of corporate property or information, unless authorized by your supervisor, the Compliance Officer or the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, as described in Section 8. Even opportunities that are acquired privately by you may be questionable if they are related to our existing or proposed lines of business. Significant participation in an investment or outside business opportunity that is directly related to our lines of business must be pre- approved. You may not use your position with us or corporate property or information for improper personal gain, nor should you compete with us in any way.

The integrity of our records and public disclosure depends upon the validity, accuracy and completeness of the information supporting the entries to our books of account. Therefore, our corporate and business records should be completed accurately and honestly. The making of false or misleading statements and entries, whether they relate to financial results or test results, is strictly prohibited. Our records serve as a basis for managing our business and are important in meeting our obligations to customers, suppliers, creditors, employees and others with whom we do business. As a result, it is important that our books, records and accounts accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, our assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, as well as all transactions and changes in assets and liabilities. We require that:

Our accounting records are also relied upon to produce reports for our management, stockholders and creditors, as well as for governmental agencies. In particular, we rely upon our accounting and other business and corporate records in preparing the periodic and current reports that we file with the SEC. Securities laws require that these reports provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure and fairly present our financial condition and results of operations. Employees who collect, provide or analyze information for or otherwise contribute in any way in preparing or verifying these reports should strive to ensure that our financial disclosure is accurate and transparent and that our reports contain all of the information about the Company that would be important to enable stockholders and potential investors to assess the soundness and risks of our business and finances and the quality and integrity of our accounting and disclosures.

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no employee may take or authorize any action that would cause our financial records or financial disclosure to fail to comply with generally accepted accounting principles, the rules and regulations of the SEC or other applicable laws, rules and regulations;

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all employees must cooperate fully with our Finance Department, as well as our independent registered public accounting firm and legal counsel, respond to their questions with candor and provide them with complete and accurate information to help ensure that our books and records, as well as our reports filed with the SEC, are accurate and complete; and

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no employee should knowingly make (or cause or encourage any other person to make) any false or misleading statement in any of our reports filed with the SEC or knowingly omit (or cause or encourage any other person to omit) any information necessary to make the disclosure in any of our reports accurate in all material respects.

Any employee who becomes aware of any departure from these standards has a responsibility to report his or her knowledge promptly to a supervisor, the Compliance Officer or one of the other compliance resources described in Section 20.

We strive to outperform our competition fairly and honestly. Advantages over our competitors are to be obtained through superior performance of our products and services, not through unethical or illegal business practices. Acquiring proprietary information from others through improper means, possessing trade secret information that was improperly obtained, or inducing improper disclosure of confidential information from past or present employees of other companies is prohibited, even if motivated by an intention to advance our interests. If information is obtained by mistake that may constitute a trade secret or other confidential information of another business, or if you have any questions about the legality of proposed information gathering, you must consult your supervisor or the Compliance Officer, as further described in Section 20.

You are expected to deal fairly with our customers, suppliers, employees and anyone else with whom you have contact in the course of performing your job. Be aware that the Federal Trade Commission Act (the “FTC Act”) provides that “unfair methods of competition in commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce, are declared unlawful.” It is a violation of the FTC Act to engage in deceptive, unfair or unethical practices and to make misrepresentations in connection with sales activities.

Employees involved in procurement have a special responsibility to adhere to principles of fair competition in the purchase of products and services by selecting suppliers based exclusively on normal commercial considerations, such as quality, cost, availability, service and reputation, and not on the receipt of special favors.

Gifts, hospitality and other benefits may not be offered, provided or accepted by any employee in the course of business without the express permission of the Compliance Officer, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and must be consistent with customary business practices and not (a) of more than token or nominal monetary value, (b) in cash or cash equivalent, (c) susceptible of being construed as a bribe or kickback, (d) made or received on a regular or frequent basis, (e) pose a potential conflict of interest, or (f) in violation of any laws, regulations, or industry guidance. This principle applies to our transactions everywhere in the world, even where the practice is widely considered “a way of doing business.” Employees should not accept gifts or entertainment that may reasonably be deemed to affect their judgment or actions in the performance of their duties. Our customers, suppliers and the public at large should know that our employees’ judgment is not for sale.

The Company is further committed to interacting with healthcare professionals in an ethical and professional manner, in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Offering anything of value to a healthcare professional intended to influence that person to recommend or purchase a product or service that may be reimbursed through a government-funded system is strictly prohibited by law and Company policy. Employees must avoid engaging in any activity that would inappropriately influence a healthcare professional’s medical judgment or treatment decisions. Meals and other nominally-valued items allowable under Company policy must be entered into our expense management system for accurate tracking and reporting purposes.

Under some statutes, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (further described in Section 4), giving anything of value to a government official to obtain or retain business or favorable treatment is a criminal act subject to prosecution and conviction. Discuss with your supervisor or the Compliance Officer any proposed entertainment or gifts if you are uncertain about their appropriateness.

Political contributions are highly regulated and violations are subject to serious penalties. Accordingly, employees should not make any political contributions on behalf of the Company anywhere in the world. This includes financial and in-kind contributions made by the Company. If you engage in personal political activity, you must do so on your own time with your own resources. Be careful to separate your own political activities from those of the Company and do not use Company property or equipment for personal political purposes, because even the appearance of a Company contribution of time or resources could be viewed as a violation.

The Company is committed to quality and integrity in all its research, development, and manufacturing operations. Each employee is responsible for knowing and abiding by the laws and regulations that apply to these activities, including without limitation, good laboratory practices, good clinical practices, good manufacturing practices, good distribution practices, and applicable country-specific regulation. The Company will not tolerate the falsification or fabrication of research, clinical or manufacturing data.

The Company is committed to complying with all applicable laws, rules and regulation for the countries in which it markets products. No employee, or consultant acting on behalf of the Company, may promote a product for use before the product is approved for such use. This limitation however, does not restrict the appropriate exchange of scientific information in medical forums and upon specific unsolicited request for such information. The promotion of approved Company products shall be done in a factually accurate and balanced manner, shall not be false nor misleading in any way, and facilitated by only those unaltered materials reviewed and approved by an internal cross-functional committee.

All employees are expected to protect our assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have an effect on our profitability. Our property, such as office supplies, lab equipment, computer equipment, buildings and products, are expected to be used only for legitimate business purposes, although incidental personal use may be permitted. You may not, however, use our corporate name, any brand name or trademark owned or associated with the Company or any letterhead stationery for any personal purpose.

If you receive authorization to access another entity’s internal computer system or other resource, you must make a permanent record of that authorization so that it may be retrieved for future reference, and you may not exceed the scope of that authorization.

Unsolicited bulk email is regulated by law in a number of jurisdictions. If you intend to send unsolicited bulk email to persons outside of the Company, either while acting on our behalf or using our computing or communications equipment or facilities, you should contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer for approval.

All data residing on or transmitted through our computing and communications facilities, including email and word processing documents, is the property of the Company and subject to inspection, retention and review by the Company, with or without an employee’s or third party’s knowledge, consent or approval, in accordance with applicable law. Any misuse or suspected misuse of our assets must be immediately reported to your supervisor or the Compliance Officer.

One of our most important assets is our confidential information. As an employee of the Company, you may learn of information about the Company that is confidential and proprietary. You also may learn of information before that information is released to the general public. Employees who have received or have access to confidential information should take care to keep this information confidential. Confidential information includes non-public information that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed, such as business, marketing and service plans, financial information, product architecture, source codes, inventions, chemical structures, designs, databases, customer lists, pricing strategies, personnel data, personally identifiable information pertaining to our employees, customers or other individuals (including, for example, names, addresses, telephone numbers and social security numbers), and similar types of information provided to us by our customers, suppliers and partners. This information may be protected by patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws.

In addition, because we interact with other companies and organizations, there may be times when you learn confidential information about other companies before that information has been made available to the public. You must treat this information in the same manner as you are required to treat our confidential and proprietary information. There may even be times when you must treat as confidential the fact that we have an interest in, or are involved with, another company.

You are expected to keep confidential and proprietary information confidential unless and until that information is released to the public through approved channels (usually through a press release, an SEC filing or a formal communication from a member of senior management, as further described in Section 18). Every employee has a duty to refrain from disclosing to any person confidential or proprietary information about us or any other company learned in the course of employment here, until that information is disclosed to the public through approved channels. This policy requires you to refrain from discussing confidential or proprietary information with outsiders and even with other Company employees, unless those fellow employees have a legitimate need to know the information in order to perform their job duties. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information could also be illegal and result in civil liability and/or criminal penalties.

You should also take care not to inadvertently disclose confidential information. Materials that contain confidential information, such as memos, notebooks, computer disks and laptop computers, should be stored securely. Unauthorized posting or discussion of any information concerning our business, information or prospects on the Internet is prohibited. You may not discuss our business, information or prospects in any non-Company hosted public “chat room,” web log (“blog”), or other similar electronic environment, regardless of whether you use your own name or a pseudonym. Be cautious when discussing sensitive information in public places like elevators, airports, restaurants and “quasi-public” areas within the Company. All Company emails, voicemails and other communications are presumed confidential and

It is our policy to disclose material information concerning the Company to the public only through specific limited channels to avoid inappropriate publicity and to ensure that all those with an interest in the Company will have equal access to information. All inquiries or calls from the press and financial analysts should be referred to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Scientific Officer or Chief Financial Officer. We have designated these individuals as our official spokespersons for financial matters, marketing, technical and other related information. Unless they have made a specific exception, these designees are the only people who may communicate with the press on behalf of the Company. You also may not provide any information to the media about us off the record, for background, confidentially or secretly.

Any waiver of this Code for executive officers (including, where required by applicable laws, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller (or persons performing similar functions)) or directors may be authorized only by our Board of Directors or, to the extent permitted by the rules of Nasdaq, a committee of the Board of Directors and will be disclosed to stockholders as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To facilitate compliance with this Code, we have established the position of Compliance Officer to oversee this program. The Compliance Officer is a person to whom you can address any questions or concerns. Our Chief Financial Officer serves as our Compliance Officer. In addition to fielding questions or concerns with respect to potential violations of this Code, the Compliance Officer is responsible for:

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updating this Code as needed and alerting employees to any updates, with appropriate approval of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, to reflect changes in the law, Company operations and in recognized best practices, and to reflect Company experience; and otherwise promoting an atmosphere of responsible and ethical conduct.

Your most immediate resource for any matter related to this Code is your supervisor. He or she may have the information you need or may be able to refer the question to another appropriate source. There may, however, be times when you prefer not to go to your supervisor. In these instances, you should feel free to discuss your concern with the Compliance Officer. If you are uncomfortable speaking with the Compliance Officer because he or she works in your department or is one of your supervisors, please contact the Chief Executive Officer. Of course, if your concern involves potential misconduct by another person and relates to questionable accounting or auditing matters, you may report that violation directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

If you encounter a situation or are considering a course of action and its appropriateness is unclear, discuss the matter promptly with your supervisor or the Compliance Officer; even the appearance of impropriety can be very damaging and should be avoided.

If you are aware of a suspected or actual violation of Code standards by others, you have a responsibility to report it. You are expected to promptly provide a compliance resource with a specific description of the violation that you believe has occurred, including any information you have about the persons involved and the time of the violation. Whether you choose to speak with your supervisor or the Compliance Officer, you should do so without fear of any form of retaliation. We will take prompt disciplinary action against any employee who retaliates against you, including termination of employment.

Supervisors must promptly report any complaints or observations of Code violations to the Compliance Officer. If you believe your supervisor has not taken appropriate action, you should contact the Compliance Officer directly. The Compliance Officer will investigate all reported possible Code violations promptly and with the highest degree of confidentiality that is possible under the specific circumstances. Neither you nor your supervisor may conduct any preliminary investigation, unless authorized to do so by the Compliance Officer. Your cooperation in the investigation will be expected. As needed, the Compliance Officer will consult with the Human Resources department and/or the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. It is our policy to employ a fair process by which to determine violations of this Code.

With respect to any complaints or observations of violations that may involve accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing concerns, the Compliance Officer shall promptly inform the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall be responsible for supervising and overseeing the inquiry and any investigation that is undertaken.

If any investigation indicates that a violation of this Code has probably occurred, we will take such action as we believe to be appropriate under the circumstances. If we determine that an employee is responsible for a Code violation, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, termination of employment and, in appropriate cases, civil action or referral for criminal prosecution. Appropriate action may also be taken to deter any future Code violations.