Preliminary Revised Proxy Statement (Form PRER14A)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)
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| Filed by a Party other than the Registrant | ☐ |
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| ☒ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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| ☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Under §240.14a-12 |
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NOTICE OF 2025 ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
| WHEN | ||
| WHERE | ||
| PURPOSE OF MEETING AND AGENDA |
At the 2025 Annual Meeting, stockholders will vote: 1. to elect the Class II director named in the Proxy Statement to a three-year term; 2. to ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2025; 3. to approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio in the range of 1-for-2 to 1-for-15 to be determined at the discretion of our Board of Directors, whereby each outstanding 2 to 15 shares would be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of our common stock, to enable the Company to comply with the 4. to approve the 5. to authorize one or more adjournments of the Annual Meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal described above. |
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| WHO CAN VOTE | Stockholders of record at the close of business on |
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| VOTING | Your vote is very important. Please submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. | |
| ADMISSION TO THE ANNUAL MEETING | All of our stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting. If you attend, you will need to bring valid, government-issued photo identification. The doors to the meeting room will be closed promptly at the start of the meeting. |
| * | We currently intend to hold the Annual Meeting in person. However, in the event we determine it is not possible or advisable to hold the Annual Meeting in person, we will publicly announce alternative arrangements for the Annual Meeting as promptly as practicable before the Annual Meeting. Please monitor our website at www.nmtc1.com for updated information. |
Sincerely,
President and Chief Executive Officer
January , 2025
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Our Board of Directors (the "Board") solicits your proxy on our behalf for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") and at any postponement or adjournment of the Annual Meeting for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") and the accompanying Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Notice"). The Annual Meeting will be held at our principal executive offices at
We currently intend to hold the Annual Meeting in person. However, in the event we determine it is not possible or advisable to hold the Annual Meeting in person, we will publicly announce alternative arrangements for the Annual Meeting as promptly as practicable before the Annual Meeting. Please monitor our website at www.nmtc1.com for updated information.
Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references in this Proxy Statement to "we," "our," "us," or the "Company" are to
Purpose of the Annual Meeting
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. In addition, we will consider any other matters that are properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. We are not aware of any other matters to be submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy, who are officers of the Company, have the authority in their discretion to vote the shares represented by the proxy.
Record Date; Quorum
Only holders of record of the Company's common stock, par value of
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting as of the record date must be present, in person or by proxy duly authorized at the Annual Meeting in order to hold the Annual Meeting and conduct business. This presence is called a quorum. Your shares are counted as present at the Annual Meeting if you are present and vote in person at the Annual Meeting or if you have properly submitted a proxy.
Voting Rights; Required Vote
Each holder of shares of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held as of the close of business on
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. If on
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the
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Votes Required to Adopt Proposals. Each director will be elected by a plurality of the votes of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. This means that the individual nominated for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting receiving the highest number of "FOR" votes will be elected. You may either vote "FOR" the nominee or "WITHHOLD" your vote with respect to the nominees. You may not cumulate votes in the election of directors. Approval of Proposals 2, 4 and 5 will be obtained if the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting vote "FOR," in the case of Proposals 2, 4 and 5. Approval of Proposal 3, or the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, will be obtained if holders of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting vote "FOR" the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.
A proxy submitted by a stockholder may indicate that the shares represented by the proxy are not being voted with respect to a particular matter. In addition, a broker may not be permitted to vote on shares held in street name on a particular matter in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock (broker non-vote). The shares subject to a proxy which are not being voted on a particular matter because of either stockholder withholding or broker non-votes will count for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on Proposals 1 and 3. For Proposals 2, 4 and 5, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome unless you retuyour proxy or attend the Annual Meeting and select "ABSTAIN", which will have the same effect as an "AGAINST" vote.
The Board recommends a vote "FOR" the director nominee listed in this Proxy Statement, "FOR" the ratification of
Voting Instructions; Voting of Proxies
If you are a stockholder of record, you may:
| ● | Vote in person - we will provide a ballot to stockholders who attend the Annual Meeting and wish to vote in person. Submitting a proxy will not prevent a stockholder from attending the Annual Meeting, revoking their earlier-submitted proxy, and voting in person. |
| ● | Vote through the Internet - you may vote through the Internet. To vote by Internet, you will need to use a control number provided to you in the materials with this Proxy Statement and follow the additional steps when prompted. The steps have been designed to authenticate your identity, allow you to give voting instructions, and confirm that those instructions have been recorded properly. |
| ● | Vote by telephone - if you received your annual meeting materials by paper delivery, you may vote by telephone as indicated on your enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card. To vote by telephone, you will need to use a control number provided to you in the materials with this Proxy Statement and follow the voting instructions. |
| ● | Vote by mail - complete, sign and date the accompanying proxy card and retuit as soon as possible before the Annual Meeting in the envelope provided. |
Votes submitted through the Internet or by telephone must be received by
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All proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions specified on the proxy card. If you sign a physical proxy card and retuit without instructions as to how your shares should be voted on a particular proposal at the Annual Meeting, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our Board stated above.
If you do not vote and you hold your shares in street name, and your broker does not have discretionary power to vote your shares, your shares may constitute "broker non-votes".
If you receive more than one proxy card, your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. To make certain all of your shares are voted, please complete, sign and retueach proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Expenses of Soliciting Proxies
We will pay the expenses associated with soliciting proxies. Following the original distribution and mailing of the solicitation materials, we or our agents may solicit proxies by mail, electronic mail, telephone, facsimile, by other similar means, or in person. Our directors, officers and other employees, without additional compensation, may solicit proxies personally or in writing, by telephone, e-mail or otherwise. Following the original distribution and mailing of the solicitation materials, we will request brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward copies of those materials to persons for whom they hold shares and to request authority for the exercise of proxies. In such cases, we, upon the request of the record holders, will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses.
Revocability of Proxies
A stockholder of record who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time before the closing of the polls by the inspector of elections at the Annual Meeting by:
| ● | delivering to our Secretary (by any means, including facsimile) a written notice stating that the proxy is revoked; |
| ● | signing and delivering a proxy bearing a later date; |
| ● | voting again through the Internet or by telephone; or |
| ● | attending and voting at the Annual Meeting (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy). |
Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee and you wish to revoke a proxy, you must contact that firm to revoke or change any prior voting instructions.
Voting Results
Voting results will be tabulated and certified by the inspector of elections appointed for the Annual Meeting. The preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. The final results will be tallied by the inspector of elections and filed with the
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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF CLASS II DIRECTOR
Our Board is divided into three classes. Members of each class serve staggered three-year terms. Our Class II director will stand for election at this meeting. The terms of office of directors in Class III and Class I do not expire until the annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Director Nominee
Our Board has nominated
From 2004 to 2008,
Continuing Directors
The following table provides information regarding the directors who are serving for terms that end following the Annual Meeting as of
| AGE | TITLE | CLASS | ||||
| 63 | Director | Class III | ||||
| 66 | Director | Class III | ||||
| 69 | Director and Chairman | Class I |
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We believe that
We believe that
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We believe that
Non-Employee Director Compensation
The Compensation Committee establishes and oversees our director compensation program. Director compensation is established with a view to attract highly qualified non-management directors and fairly compensate non-management directors for their time and effort on behalf of stockholders. In consultation with
Our non-employee directors receive a mix of cash and share-based compensation intended to encourage non-employee directors to continue to serve on our Board, further align the interests of the directors and stockholders, and attract new non-employee directors with outstanding qualifications. Directors who are employees or officers of the Company do not receive any additional compensation for Board service.
2025 Compensation
As part of its review of director compensation in consultation with
The non-employee director policy provides that on the date of each annual stockholder meeting of the Company, each director automatically receives an equity award with an aggregate value on the date of grant equal to
2024 Compensation
For service during 2024, each of our non-employee directors receive an annual retainer of
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The following table provides compensation information for the fiscal year ended
| Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) |
Total ($) |
|||||||
| 169,000 | 169,000 | |||||||
| 119,000 | 119,000 | |||||||
| 120,500 | 120,500 |
| (1) | These represent amounts earned in fiscal year 2024. |
As a named executive officer of the Company, compensation paid to
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF
THE NOMINATED CLASS II DIRECTOR.
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BOARD AND COMMITTEE INFORMATION
We are committed to good corporate governance practices. These practices provide an important framework within which our Board and management pursue our strategic objectives for the benefit of our stockholders.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board is currently chaired by
Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
Our Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers its risk oversight function directly through the Board as a whole. The Board's risk oversight is administered primarily through the following:
| ● | review and approval of an annual business plan; |
| ● | review of a summary of risks and opportunities at meetings of the Board; |
| ● | review of business developments, business plan implementation and financial results; |
| ● | oversight of internal controls over financial reporting; and |
| ● | review of employee compensation and its relationship to our business plans. |
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that the Company's Board consist of a majority of independent directors, as determined under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq. Based upon information requested from and provided by each proposed director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, the Company believes that each current member of the Board qualifies as an "independent director" as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the
Structure and Operation of the Board
Because our Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq, the Company is subject to the Nasdaq listing requirements regarding committee matters. The Company currently has the following committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The nominating and corporate governance committee reviews, evaluates and seeks out candidates qualified to become Board members. The Board includes individuals with a diversity of experience, including scientific, business, financial and academic backgrounds. Nominations may be submitted by directors, officers, employees, stockholders and others for recommendation to the Board. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Company's nominating and corporate governance committee also consults with the Board and the Chief Executive Officer concerning director candidates. The nominating and corporate governance committee's charter is available on our website, www.nmtc1.com, under Investors - Governance.
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The responsibilities of the Company's nominating and corporate governance committee include the following:
| ● | reviewing, evaluating and seeking out candidates qualified to become members of the Board; |
| ● | reviewing committee structure and recommending directors for appointment to committees; |
| ● | developing, reevaluating (not less frequently than every three years) and recommending the selection criteria for board and committee membership; |
| ● | establishing procedures to oversee evaluation of the board, its committees, individual directors and management; and |
| ● | developing and recommending guidelines on corporate governance. |
The current members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are
The nominating and corporate governance committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board, from time to time, regarding the appropriate skills and characteristics required of members of our Board in the context of the current make-up of the Board, the operations of the Company and the long-term interests of stockholders. The committee does not have a specific diversity policy underlying its nomination process, although it seeks to ensure the Board includes directors with diverse backgrounds, qualifications, skills and experience relevant to our business.
In the case of an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the nominating and corporate governance committee will generally re-nominate incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the committee's criteria for membership on the Board, continue to make important contributions to the Board and consent to continue their service on the Board.
If a vacancy on the Board occurs or the Board increases in size, the nominating and corporate governance committee will actively seek individuals that satisfy the committee's criteria for membership on the Board and the committee may rely on multiple sources for identifying and evaluating potential nominees, including referrals from our current directors and management. In 2024, the nominating and corporate governance committee did not employ a search firm or pay fees to other third parties in connection with identifying or evaluating Board nominee candidates.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider recommendations of director nominees by stockholders so long as such recommendations are sent on a timely basis and are otherwise in accordance with our Amended and Restated Bylaws and applicable law. See "Additional Information - Stockholder Proposals to be Presented at Next Annual Meeting" for additional information. The nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate nominees recommended by stockholders against the same criteria that it uses to evaluate other nominees. We did not receive any nominations of directors by stockholders for the 2025 Annual Meeting.
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee's charter is available on our website, www.nmtc1.com, under Investors - Governance. The responsibilities of the compensation committee include the following:
| ● | fixing salaries of executive officers and reviewing salary plans for other executives in senior management positions; |
| ● | reviewing and making recommendations with respect to the compensation and benefits for the Company's non-employee directors, including through equity-based plans; |
| ● | evaluating the performance of the Company's chief executive officer and other senior executives and assisting the Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions; |
| ● | administering the Company's incentive compensation, deferred compensation and equity-based plans pursuant to the terms of the respective plans; and |
| ● | evaluating risks associate with and potential consequences of our compensation policies and practices, as applicable to all of our employees. |
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Historically, the non-employee directors and the compensation committee, have typically made any significant adjustments to annual compensation, determined bonus and equity awards and established new performance objectives at one or more meetings held during the first quarter of the fiscal year. Generally, the process consists of two related elements: the determination of compensation levels and the establishment of performance objectives for the current year. For executives other than the Chief Executive Officer, the compensation committee solicits and considers evaluations and recommendations submitted to the Committee by the Chief Executive Officer. In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the evaluation of his performance is conducted by the Compensation Committee, which determines any adjustments to his compensation as well as awards to be granted. The Chief Executive Officer may not be present during these discussions.
The current members of the compensation committee include
To qualify as independent to serve on the Company's compensation committee, the listing standards of Nasdaq require a director not to accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the Company, other than for service on the Board, and that the Board consider whether a director is affiliated with the Company and, if so, whether such affiliation would impair the director's judgment as a member of the Company's compensation committee. The Board has concluded that the members of the compensation committee meet the requirements for independence under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq and the
To fulfill its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and obtain advice from advisors. For fiscal year 2024, the Compensation Committee hired
Audit Committee
The audit committee reviews with management and the Company's independent public accountants the Company's financial statements, the accounting principles applied in their preparation, the scope of the audit, any comments made by the independent accountants upon the financial condition of the Company and its accounting controls and procedures and such other matters as the audit committee deems appropriate. The audit committee's charter is available on our website, www.nmtc1.com, under Investors - Governance.
The audit committee currently consists of three directors:
The functions of the audit committee include:
| ● | selecting our independent auditors; |
| ● | reviewing the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by our independent auditors; |
| ● | reviewing and evaluating our audit and control functions; and |
| ● | reviewing and overseeing compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. |
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Board has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our code of business conduct and ethics, or waivers of these provisions, in public filings. A copy of the code of business conduct and ethics is available on our website, www.nmtc1.com, under Investors - Governance.
Insider Trading and Hedging Policy
The Company's Insider Trading Policy is designed to create reasonable processes to prevent the Company and its directors, officers, employees and specified other persons from insider trading and any appearance of improper conduct. The Company, pursuant to the terms of its Insider Trading Policy, prohibits all directors, officers, employees, and certain contractors from engaging in hedging transactions including prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds with respect to the Company's securities.
Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
As required by the listing standards adopted by Nasdaq as a result of
The recovery period under this policy is three full years preceding the date our Board or a committee thereof as directed by the Board concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that an accounting restatement is required. If applicable, the Company will provide the current or former Section 16 officer with a written demand for repayment or retuand the method thereof. If such repayment or retuis not made when due, the policy provides that the Company will take all reasonable and appropriate actions to recover such erroneously awarded compensation from such person.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth expectations for directors, director independence standards, Board structure and functions and other policies for the governance of the Company.
The Company currently does not meet the diversity objectives of Nasdaq Rule 5605(f)(2)(D). Our
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Board Meetings and Attendance
Board Meetings in 2024
The Board meets regularly throughout the year and holds special meetings and acts by written consent from time to time. During fiscal year 2024, the Board held six meetings.
Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which each served during the period of his or her service in 2024. The independent members of the Board also meet separately to discuss such matters as the independent directors consider appropriate. All of our directors attended the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We do not have a policy regarding attendance by directors at the Company's annual meetings of stockholders.
Committee Meetings in 2024
During fiscal year 2024, the audit committee held four meetings, the compensation committee held six meetings, and the nominating and corporate governance committee held one meeting.
Communications with Directors
Stockholders and interested parties who wish to communicate with our Board, non-management members of our Board as a group, or a specific member of our Board (including our Chairman) may do so by letters addressed to the attention of our Secretary,
All communications by letter addressed to the attention of our Secretary will be reviewed by the Secretary and provided to the members of the Board unless such communications are unsolicited items, sales materials and other routine items and items unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The information contained in the following report is not considered to be "soliciting material," "filed" or incorporated by reference in any past or future filing by us under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act unless and only to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference.
The audit committee has reviewed and discussed with our management and
The audit committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
Audit Committee:
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders are being asked to ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
Service Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
The Audit Committee retained Baker Tilly to audit the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended
| FEE CATEGORY | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | ||||||
| Audit fees | $ | 259,414 | $ | 235,764 | ||||
| Audit-related fees | 155,667 | (1) | 119,175 | (1) | ||||
| Tax fees | - | - | ||||||
| All other fees | - | - | ||||||
| Total fees | $ | 415,081 | $ | 354,939 |
| (1) | Audit-related fees represent fees for services relating to comfort letters, consents and registration statement filings by the Company. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit services and permitted non-audit and tax services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. The policy generally provides for pre-approval of specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services and tax services. Pre-approval may also be given as part of the Audit Committee's approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, explicit, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service. The Audit Committee must pre-approve all services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL NO. 2.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
VOTE TO APPROVE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL
General
The Board has unanimously approved an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse split of the Company's Common Stock any time prior to the first anniversary of its approval by the stockholders at a ratio in the range of 1-for-2 to 1-for-15, to be determined at the discretion of the Board, whereby each outstanding 2 to 15 shares would be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of the Company's Common Stock. A form of the certificate of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation for the reverse stock split (the "Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment") is attached hereto as Appendix A. The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The Board has recommended that the proposed Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment to effect the reverse stock split be presented to the Company's stockholders for approval. If the Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment is approved by a majority of the Company's stockholders, the Board will have discretion to determine, as it deems to be in the best interest of the Company's stockholders, the specific ratio to be used within the range described above and the timing of the reverse stock split, which must occur any time prior to the first anniversary of its approval by the stockholders. The Board believes that stockholder approval of the range of reverse stock split ratios (as opposed to approval of a single reverse stock split ratio) provides the Board with maximum flexibility to achieve the purpose of a reverse stock split, as discussed below, and therefore is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The Board may, in its discretion, determine not to effect the reverse stock split if it determines, subsequent to obtaining stockholder approval, that such action is not in the best interests of the Company. By voting in favor of the reverse stock split, you are expressly authorizing the Board to determine not to proceed with, and abandon, the reverse stock split if it should so decide.
Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split
The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "NMTC".
For the Common Stock to continue trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Company must comply with various listing standards, including that our Common Stock maintain a minimum bid price of
As previously disclosed, on
The Company has not regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by the end of the applicable compliance period, and intends to request a hearing before a
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The Board is asking the stockholders to grant it the authority, at its discretion, to effect a reverse stock split, which the Board believes is an effective way to increase the minimum bid price of our Common Stock proportionately by reducing the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock and put us in a position to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The Board further believes that the increased market price of our Common Stock expected as a result of implementing the reverse stock split may improve marketability and liquidity of our Common Stock and may encourage trading.
In evaluating whether or not to recommend that stockholders authorize the reverse stock split, in addition to the considerations described above, the Board took into account various negative factors associated with a reverse stock split. These factors include: the negative perception of reverse stock splits held by some investors, analysts, and other stock market participants; the fact that the stock price of some companies that have effected reverse stock splits has subsequently declined, with a corresponding decline in market capitalization; the adverse effect on liquidity that might be caused by a reduced number of shares outstanding; and the costs associated with implementing a reverse stock split. Conversely, we believe the current low market price of our Common Stock impairs its acceptability to important segments of the institutional investor community and the investing public. Many investors look upon low-priced stock as unduly speculative in nature and, as a matter of policy, avoid investment in such stocks. We believe that the low market price of our Common Stock has reduced the effective marketability of our shares because of the reluctance of many brokerage firms to recommend low-priced stock to their clients. Further, a variety of brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage individual brokers within those firms from dealing in low-priced stocks. Some of those policies and practices pertain to the payment of brokers' commissions and to time-consuming procedures that function to make the handling of low-priced stocks unattractive to brokers from an economic standpoint. In addition, the structure of trading commissions also tends to have an adverse impact upon holders of low-priced stock because the brokerage commission on a sale of low-priced stock generally represents a higher percentage of the sales price than the commission on a relatively higher-priced issue.
The Board believes that maintaining the listing of the Company's Common Stock on Nasdaq is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board believes that the delisting of the Company's Common Stock from Nasdaq would impair our ability to raise additional funds and result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for the Company's Common Stock, among other things. See "Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting" below for more information.
Determination of the Reverse Stock Split Ratio
Our Board only intends to implement the reverse stock split to the extent it believes necessary to maintain the Company's listing on Nasdaq. In determining the ratio to be used, the Board will consider various factors, including but not limited to:
| ● | the potential impact and anticipated benefits to the Company and its stockholders; |
| ● | market conditions and existing and expected market price of the Company's Common Stock at such time; |
| ● | existing and expected marketability of the Common Stock; |
| ● | the number of shares that will be outstanding after the reverse stock split; | |
| ● | the stockholders' equity at such time; and |
| ● | the trading volume of the Company's Common Stock at such time. |
Impact of the Reverse Stock Split, if Implemented
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as previously corrected (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), currently authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock. On
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As a matter of
If approved and effected, the reverse stock split will automatically apply to all shares of the Company's Common Stock, and each stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of the Company's Common Stock. However, except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares, as described below, or as a result of adjustments to the conversion prices of certain convertible securities, as described below, the reverse stock split will not affect any stockholder's percentage ownership or proportionate voting power.
Based on the Company's capitalization as of
| ● | the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock issued and outstanding would be reduced from 30,816,499 shares to between approximately 2,054,433 shares and 15,408,249 shares; |
| ● | the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options would be reduced from 2,814,096 to between approximately 187,606 shares and 1,407,048 shares (and the respective exercise prices of the options would increase by a factor equal to the inverse of the split ratio); |
| ● | the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants would be reduced from 7,045,875 to between approximately 469,725 shares and 3,522,937 shares (and the respective exercise prices of the warrants would increase by a factor equal to the inverse of the split ratio); |
| ● | the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of outstanding restricted stock units would be reduced from 1,129,766 to between approximately 75,317 shares and 564,883 shares; |
| ● | the aggregate number of shares of the Company's Common Stock reserved for issuance, in connection with future awards under the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan would be reduced from 297,461 to between approximately 19,830 shares and 148,730 shares; |
| ● | the number of shares of the Company's authorized Common Stock would remain unchanged at 100,000,000 shares; |
| ● | the 10,000,000 shares of the Company's authorized preferred stock would remain unchanged; and |
| ● | the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock that are authorized, but unissued and unreserved, would increase from 50,850,428 to between approximately 75,425,216 shares and 96,723,364 shares; and the par value of the Company's Common Stock and preferred stock would remain unchanged at |
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The following table contains approximate information relating to our Common Stock immediately following the reverse stock split under certain possible exchange ratios, based on share information as of
| Pre-Reverse Split |
1-for-2 | 1-for-5 | 1-for-10 | 1-for-15 | ||||||||||||||||
| Number of authorized shares of Common Stock | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of outstanding shares of Common Stock | 30,816,499 | 15,408,249 | 6,163,299 | 3,081,649 | 2,054,433 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options | 2,814,096 | 1,407,048 | 562,819 | 281,409 | 187,606 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants | 7,045,875 | 3,522,937 | 1,409,175 | 704,587 | 469,725 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon settlement of outstanding restricted stock units | 1,129,766 | 564,883 | 225,953 | 112,976 | 75,317 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance in connection with future awards under the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan | 297,461 | 148,730 | 59,492 | 29,746 | 19,830 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of shares of Common Stock authorized, but unissued and unreserved | 50,850,428 | 75,425,216 | 90,170,087 | 95,085,046 | 96,723,364 |
See also "Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting" and "-Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split-Treatment of Fractional Shares" below for additional information regarding the potential impact of the reverse stock split.
Anti-Takeover and Dilutive Effects
The number of authorized shares of our Common Stock and preferred stock will not be reduced as a result of the reverse stock split. The Common Stock and preferred stock that is authorized but unissued provide the Board with flexibility to effect, among other transactions, public or private financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and the granting of equity incentive awards. However, these authorized but unissued shares may also be used by the Board, consistent with and subject to its fiduciary duties, to deter future attempts to gain control of us or make such actions more expensive and less desirable. Following stock split, our Board would continue to have the authority to issue additional shares from time to time without further action by the stockholders except as may be required by applicable law or regulations. The Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment is not being recommended in response to any specific effort of which we are aware to obtain control of us, nor does our Board have any present intent to use the authorized but unissued Common Stock or preferred stock to impede a takeover attempt.
The Company expects to require additional financing to fund its ongoing activities. Other than the foregoing, and except for the Company's obligation to issue Common Stock upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, we have no specific plan, commitment, arrangement, understanding or agreement, either oral or written, regarding the issuance of Common Stock subsequent to the reverse stock split at this time.
Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting
A reverse stock split may negatively impact the market for our Common Stock.
Factors such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of our Common Stock after the proposed reverse stock split will be equal to or greater than the total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split or that the per share market price of our Common Stock following the reverse stock split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding before the reverse stock split. A decline in the market price of our Common Stock after the reverse stock split may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split, and the liquidity of our Common Stock could be adversely affected following such a reverse stock split.
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In addition, the reverse stock split may increase the number of stockholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares). Any stockholder who owns fewer than 200 to 1,500 shares of Common Stock, depending on the final ratio, prior to the reverse stock split will own fewer than 100 shares of Common Stock following the reverse stock split. Stockholders who hold odd lots typically experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares and may have greater difficulty in effecting sales. Furthermore, some stockholders may cease being stockholders of the Company following the reverse stock split. Any stockholder who owns fewer than 2 to 15 shares of Common Stock, depending on the final ratio, prior to the reverse stock split will own less than one share of Common Stock following the reverse stock split and therefore such stockholder will receive cash equal to the market value of such fractional share and cease being a stockholder of the Company, as further described below under "-Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split-Treatment of Fractional Shares".
The market price of our Common Stock will also be based on our performance and other factors, including those factors listed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Nasdaq may delist the Company's Common Stock, which could seriously harm the liquidity of the Common Stock and the Company's ability to raise capital.
On
If we cease to be eligible to trade on Nasdaq:
| ● | We may have to pursue trading in |
| ● | Shares of our Common Stock could be less liquid and marketable, thereby reducing the ability of stockholders to purchase or sell our shares as quickly and as inexpensively as they have done historically; |
| ● | Our Common Stock may be deemed a "penny stock," and transactions in our Common Stock would be more difficult and cumbersome; |
| ● | We may be unable to access capital on favorable terms or at all, as companies trading on alternative markets may be viewed as less attractive investments with higher associated risks, such that existing or prospective institutional investors may be less interested in, or prohibited from, investing in our Common Stock; and |
| ● | The market price of the Common Stock may further decline. |
A reverse stock split would increase the Company's authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, which could negatively impact a potential investor if they purchased shares of Common Stock.
Because the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock will not be reduced proportionately, the reverse stock split will increase the Board's ability to issue authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder action. The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and relative voting power and may cause a decline in the trading price of the Common Stock. The Company could use the shares that are available for future issuance in dilutive equity financing transactions, or to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or delay or prevent changes in control or changes in or removal of management, including transactions that are favored by a majority of the stockholders or in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then-current market prices or benefit in some other manner.
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The Company expects to require additional financing to fund its ongoing activities. Other than the foregoing, and except for the Company's obligation to issue Common Stock upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, the Company has no specific plan, commitment, arrangement, understanding or agreement, either oral or written, regarding the issuance of Common Stock subsequent to the reverse stock split at this time.
Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split
When and if the Board decides to implement the reverse stock split at any time before the first anniversary of its approval by the stockholders, the Company will promptly file the Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the
After the reverse stock split effective date, our Common Stock will have a new CUSIP number, which is a number used to identify securities, and stock certificates with the old CUSIP number will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP number using the procedures described below.
Exchange of Stock Certificates
As soon as practicable after the effective date of the reverse stock split, stockholders holding certificated shares will be notified that the reverse stock split has been effected.
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A TRANSMITTAL FORM FROM THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
STOCKHOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROMPTLY SURRENDER CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF TRANSMITTAL FORMS IN ORDER TO AVOID HAVING SHARES POSSIBLY BECOMING SUBJECT TO ESCHEAT LAWS.
Stockholders whose shares are held by their stockbroker do not need to submit old share certificates for exchange. Their accounts will automatically reflect the new quantity of shares based on the selected reverse stock split ratio. Beginning on the reverse stock split effective date, each certificate representing pre-split shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-split shares.
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Treatment of Fractional Shares
To avoid the existence of fractional shares of Common Stock after the reverse stock split, fractional shares that would be created as a result of the reverse stock split will be rounded down to the next whole share and the stockholder will receive cash equal to the market value of the fractional share, determined by multiplying such fraction by the closing sales price of the Company's Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq on the last trading day before the reverse stock split effective date (as adjusted to give effect to the reverse stock split). The ownership of a fractional share will not give the holder any voting, dividend or other right except to receive the cash payment therefor. If a stockholder is entitled to a cash payment in lieu of any fractional share, a check will be mailed to the stockholder's registered address as soon as practicable after the reverse stock split effective date. By signing and cashing the check, stockholders will warrant that they owned the shares of Common Stock for which they received such cash payment.
No Appraisal Rights
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders do not have a right to dissent and are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the proposed Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment to effect the reverse stock split, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion of certain
This discussion addresses the
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Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding the
Exchange Pursuant to Reverse Stock Split
No gain or loss will be recognized by a stockholder upon such stockholder's exchange of pre-reverse stock split shares for post-reverse stock split shares pursuant to the reverse stock split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of fractional shares, further described in "-Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares" below. The aggregate tax basis of the post-reverse stock split shares received in the reverse stock split, including any fractional share deemed to have been received, will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged therefor, and the holding period of the post-reverse stock split shares will include the holding period of the pre-reverse stock split shares.
Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares
A stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional post-reverse stock split share should generally be treated as having received such fractional share pursuant to the reverse stock split and then as having exchanged such fractional share for cash in a redemption of such fractional share. The amount of any gain or loss should be equal to the difference between the ratable portion of the tax basis of the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged in the reverse stock split that is allocated to such fractional share and the cash received in lieu thereof. In general, any such gain or loss will constitute a long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder's holding period for such pre-reverse stock split shares exceeds one year at the time of the reverse stock split. Deductibility of capital losses by holders is subject to limitations. Depending on a stockholder's individual facts and circumstances, it is possible that cash received in lieu of a fractional share could be treated as a distribution under Section 301 of the Code, so stockholders should consult their own tax advisors as to that possibility and the resulting tax consequences to them in that event.
The Company will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the reverse stock split.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the approval of the reverse stock split. Abstentions are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL NO. 3.
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PROPOSAL NO. 4
VOTE TO APPROVE 2025 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Our stockholders are being asked to approve the
Our Board believes that it is in the best interest of us and our stockholders for the Company to be in a position to offer equity awards to executive officers, key employees, outside directors, consultants and advisors in accordance with the terms of the 2025 Plan. We have relied upon and anticipate continuing to rely upon the equity incentive program to a disproportionate degree in lieu of cash compensation to our executive officers. We intend to recruit additional employees and consultants and retain our existing employees and consultants, and the equity available under the Company's existing incentive plans is not sufficient to support the equity compensation of such consultants and employees. This provides our Board with the discretion to pay a portion of annual bonus payments in the form of equity versus cash. Our Board believes that the structure of these agreements benefits stockholders by providing additional incentive to the executives regarding value creation. The life sciences market is highly competitive, and our results are largely attributable to the talents, expertise, efforts and dedication of our employees and consultants. Our compensation program, including the granting of equity compensation, is a crucial way to attract and recruit new employees and consultants and retain existing employees and consultants, with equity compensation serving as our primary recruitment, retention and motivational tool as opposed to cash compensation.
We are often competing for highly-skilled talent with many companies that offer aggressive equity compensation to their executive and key professional positions, with many of our competitors having evergreen plans that allow automatic replenishment of the equity share pool on an annual basis. We do not currently have enough shares in the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2017 Plan") and the 2021 Inducement Plan (the "Inducement Plan") to assist with recruitment and retention of the necessary talent and the evergreen provision in our 2017 Plan does not provide for a sufficient annual increase of new shares to grant. We are therefore requesting stockholder approval for a larger share pool together with an evergreen provision to provide for annual increases in the share pool that will accommodate future equity awards needed to achieve our recruiting and retention goals. Our approval of the new 2025 Plan, with a greater total share pool and evergreen provision, is intended to enable us to position our pay at a competitive opportunity level, while reducing emphasis on cash compensation.
The full text of the proposed 2025 Plan is set forth on Appendix B to this proxy statement.
Requested Shares
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, if this Proposal 4 is approved by our stockholders, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2025 Plan will not exceed the sum of (1) 3,000,000, (2) the number of shares of our common stock available for grant of new awards under the 2017 Plan and (3) any shares subject to outstanding stock awards under the 2017 Plan that are forfeited or otherwise returned to the share reserve. In addition, the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan would automatically increase on
At
The following table provides certain additional information regarding our equity incentive program.
| As of 2024 |
||||
| Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options | 2,814,096 | |||
| Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options | $ | 3.13 | ||
| Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options | 7.4 | |||
| Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2017 Plan | 129,671 | |||
| Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the Inducement Plan | 167,790 | |||
| Total number of shares of common stock subject to unvested restricted stock units | 1,091,960 | |||
| Total number of shares of common stock outstanding | 30,841,830 |
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We are committed to using the shares available under the 2025 Plan prudently to advance the Company's interests.
We continue to believe that equity awards such as stock options and other types of stock awards are a vital part of our overall compensation program. Our compensation philosophy reflects broad-based eligibility for equity incentive awards, and we grant awards to substantially all of our employees. However, we recognize that equity awards dilute existing stockholders, and, therefore, we must responsibly manage our use of equity compensation.
We are committed to effectively monitoring our equity compensation share reserve, including our burate, to ensure that we maximize stockholders' value by granting the appropriate number of equity incentive awards necessary to attract, reward, and retain employees.
Summary of the 2025 Plan
The material features of the 2025 Plan are described below. The following description of the 2025 Plan is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the 2025 Plan. Stockholders are urged to read the actual text of the 2025 Plan in its entirety, which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B. If our stockholders approve the 2025 Plan, a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the shares in the share reserve of the 2025 Plan will be filed with the
Awards
The 2025 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options ("ISOs"), nonstatutory stock options ("NSOs"), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards and other forms of awards to employees, directors and consultants, including employees and consultants of the Company's affiliates.
Authorized Shares
Initially, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2025 Plan after it becomes effective will not exceed (1) 3,000,000 and (2) any shares subject to outstanding stock awards under the 2017 Plan that are forfeited or otherwise returned to the share reserve. In addition, the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan would automatically increase on
Shares subject to stock awards granted under the 2025 Plan that expire or terminate without being exercised in full or that are paid out in cash rather than in shares do not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2025 Plan. If any shares of common stock issued pursuant to a stock award are forfeited back to or repurchased or reacquired by the Company (1) because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; (2) to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an award; or (3) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an award, the shares that are forfeited or repurchased or reacquired will revert to and again become available for issuance under the 2025 Plan.
Our Board, or a duly authorized committee of our Board, will administer the 2025 Plan and is referred to as the "plan administrator". Our Board has determined that the Compensation Committee will be the plan administrator. The plan administrator may also delegate to one or more of the Company's officers the authority to: (1) designate employees (other than officers) to receive specified stock awards; and (2) determine the number of shares subject to such stock awards. Under the 2025 Plan, the plan administrator has the authority to determine award recipients, grant dates, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted, the applicable fair market value, and the provisions of each stock award, including the period of exercisability and the vesting schedule applicable to a stock award.
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Under the 2025 Plan, the plan administrator also generally has the authority to effect, with the consent of any materially adversely affected participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase, or strike price of any outstanding option or stock appreciation right; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding option or stock appreciation right and the grant in substitution therefore of other awards, cash, or other consideration; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under
Eligibility and Participation
All current and prospective eligible employees and consultants and all current non-employee directors are eligible to be granted non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards and other stock-based awards under the 2025 Plan. As of
Types of Awards
Stock Options. ISOs and NSOs are granted under stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for stock options, within the terms and conditions of the 2025 Plan; provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2025 Plan vest at the rate specified in the stock option agreement as determined by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2025 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. Unless the terms of an optionholder's stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder's service relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates ceases for any reason other than disability, death, or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. This period may be extended in the event that exercise of the option is prohibited by applicable securities laws. If an optionholder's service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 18 months following the date of death. If an optionholder's service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months following the cessation of service. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate upon the termination date. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include: (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order; (2) a broker-assisted cashless exercise; (3) the tender of shares of common stock previously owned by the optionholder; (4) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO; or (5) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator. Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options or stock appreciation rights generally are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to approval of the plan administrator or a duly authorized officer, an option may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement, or other divorce or separation instrument.
Tax Limitations on ISOs. The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an award holder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed
Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted stock unit awards are granted under restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. Restricted stock unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our Board and permissible under applicable law. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate by the plan administrator, or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock unit awards that have not vested will be forfeited once the participant's continuous service ends for any reason.
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Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards are granted under restricted stock award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. A restricted stock award may be awarded in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order, past or future services to us, or any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our Board and permissible under applicable law. The plan administrator determines the terms and conditions of restricted stock awards, including vesting and forfeiture terms. If a participant's service relationship with the Company ends for any reason, it may receive any or all of the shares of common stock held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights are granted under stock appreciation right agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the purchase price or strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of common stock on the date of grant. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2025 Plan vests at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the plan administrator. Stock appreciation rights may be settled in cash or shares of common stock or in any other form of payment as determined by our Board and specified in the stock appreciation right agreement.
The plan administrator determines the term of stock appreciation rights granted under the 2025 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. If a participant's service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause, disability, or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of three months following the cessation of service. This period may be further extended in the event that exercise of the stock appreciation right following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws. If a participant's service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases due to disability or death, or a participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, stock appreciation rights generally terminate immediately upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
Performance Awards. The 2025 Plan permits the grant of performance awards that may be settled in stock, cash or other property. Performance awards may be structured so that the stock or cash will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period. Performance awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the common stock.
The performance goals may be based on any measure of performance selected by our Board. The performance goals may be based on company-wide performance or performance of one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and may be either absolute or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by our Board at the time the performance award is granted, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude the effects of items that are "unusual" in nature or occur "infrequently" as determined under
Other Stock Awards. The plan administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to common stock. The plan administrator will set the number of shares under the stock award (or cash equivalent) and all other terms and conditions of such awards.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid to any non-employee director with respect to any calendar year, including awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such non-employee director, will not exceed
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Changes to Capital Structure
In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split, reverse stock split, or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to: (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan; (2) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year; (3) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs; and (4) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.
Corporate Transactions
The following applies to stock awards under the 2025 Plan in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the 2025 Plan), unless otherwise provided in a participant's stock award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates or unless otherwise expressly provided by the plan administrator at the time of grant.
In the event of a corporate transaction, any stock awards outstanding under the 2025 Plan may be assumed, continued or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the stock award may be assigned to the successor (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume, continue or substitute for such stock awards, then (i) with respect to any such stock awards that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, or current participants, the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such stock awards will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the corporate transaction), and such stock awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such stock awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the corporate transaction), and (ii) any such stock awards that are held by persons other than current participants will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, except that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such stock awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the corporate transaction.
In the event a stock award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a corporate transaction, the plan administrator may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such stock award may not exercise such stock award but instead will receive a payment equal in value to the excess (if any) of (i) value of the property that Participant would have received upon the exercise of the award, over (ii) any per share exercise price payable by such holder, if applicable. In addition, any escrow, holdback, eaout or similar provisions in the definitive agreement for the corporate transaction may apply to such payment to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of common stock.
Change in Control. Awards granted under the 2025 Plan may be subject to acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a change in control (as defined in the 2025 Plan) as may be provided in the applicable stock award agreement or in any other written agreement between us or any affiliate and the participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will automatically occur.
Term
Awards under the 2025 Plan may not be made after
The terms of each stock option shall be decided by the plan administrator provided that no stock options shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date such stock option is granted (or in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder, no more than five years after the date such stock option is granted.)
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Amendment and Termination
Subject to the rules referred to in the balance of this paragraph, our Board may, without stockholder approval, at any time amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the 2025 Plan, or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise. Except as required to comply with applicable law, no such amendment may materially reduce the rights of a participant with respect to awards previously granted without the consent of such participant.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion of the principal
The
Incentive Stock Options. The grant or exercise of an ISO generally has no income tax consequences for the optionee or us. No taxable income results to the optionee upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. However, the amount by which the fair market value of the stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price is an adjustment item and will be considered income for purposes of alternative minimum tax.
The aggregate fair market value of common stock (determined at the time of grant) with respect to which ISOs can be exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year cannot exceed
The sale of common stock received pursuant to the exercise of an option that satisfied all of the ISO requirements, as well as the holding period requirement described below, will result in a long-term capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the exercise price. To receive ISO treatment, an optionee must be an employee of the Company (or certain affiliates) at all times during the period beginning on the date of the grant of the ISO and ending on the day three months before the date of exercise, and the optionee must not dispose of the common stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an option either (i) within two years from the date the ISO was granted, or (ii) within one year from the date of exercise of the ISO. Any gain or loss realized upon a subsequent disposition of the shares of common stock will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss to the optionee (depending on the applicable holding period). The Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction upon such exercise of an ISO, or upon a subsequent disposition of the shares of common stock, unless such disposition occurs prior to the expiration of the holding period described above.
In general, if the optionee does not satisfy the foregoing holding periods, any gain (in an amount equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise (or, with respect to officers subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the date that sale of such common stock would not create liability, referred to as Section 16(b) liability, under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act) minus the exercise price, or the amount realized on the disposition minus the exercise price) will constitute ordinary income. In the event of such a disposition before the expiration of the holding periods described above, subject to the limitations under Code Sections 162(m) and 280G, the Company is generally entitled to a deduction at that time equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee and any gain in excess of the amount recognized by the optionee as ordinary income would be taxed to the optionee as short-term or long-term capital gain (depending on the applicable holding period).
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Non-Qualified Stock Options. In general, an optionee will realize no taxable income upon the grant of an NSO and the Company will not receive a deduction at the time of such grant unless the option has a readily ascertainable fair market value (as determined under applicable tax law) at the time of grant. Upon exercise of an NSO, an optionee generally will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price. Upon a subsequent sale of the stock by the optionee, the optionee will recognize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending upon his or her holding period for the stock. Subject to the limitations under Code Sections 162(m) and 280G, the Company will generally be allowed a deduction equal to the amount recognized by the optionee as ordinary income.
Code Section 162(m). Compensation of persons who are "covered employees" of the Company is subject to the tax deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code. The exemption from Section 162(m)'s deduction limit for performance-based compensation has been repealed, effective for taxable years beginning after
Parachute Payments. In the event that the payment or vesting of any award under the 2025 Plan is accelerated because of a change in ownership (as defined in Code Section 280G(b)(2)) and such payment of an award, either alone or together with any other payments made to certain participants, constitute parachute payments under Code Section 280G, then subject to certain exceptions, a portion of such payments would be nondeductible to the Company and the participant would be subject to a 20% excise tax on such portion of the payment.
Code Section 409A. Code Section 409A provides that all amounts deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan are includible in a participant's gross income to the extent such amounts are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, unless certain requirements are satisfied. If the requirements are not satisfied, in addition to current income inclusion, interest at the underpayment rate plus 1% will be imposed on the participant's underpayments that would have occurred had the deferred compensation been includible in gross income for the taxable year in which first deferred or, if later, the first taxable year in which such deferred compensation is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The amount required to be included in income is also subject to an additional 20% tax. While most awards under the 2025 Plan are anticipated to be exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A, awards that are not exempt are intended to comply with Code Section 409A.
New Plan Benefits
Under the 2025 Plan, the terms and number of options or other awards to be granted in the future are to be determined in the discretion of the plan administrator.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote as of the record date at the Annual Meeting is required for the approval of this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the matter.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR"APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL NO. 4.
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PROPOSAL NO. 5
VOTE TO APPROVE ADJOURNMENT OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL
The Board has approved the submission to the stockholders of a proposal to approve one or more adjournments of the Annual Meeting in the event that there is not a sufficient number of votes at the Annual Meeting to approve Proposal 3. In order to permit proxies that have been timely received to be voted for such adjournments, we are submitting this proposal as a separate matter for your consideration. If it is necessary to adjouthe Annual Meeting, the adjournment is for a period of less than 30 days and the record date remains unchanged, no notice of the time and place of the reconvened meeting will be given to stockholders, other than an announcement made at the Annual Meeting.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote as of the record date at the Annual Meeting is required for the approval of this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the matter.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL NO. 5.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of
| ● | each person, or group of affiliated persons, who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Common Stock; |
| ● | each of our named executive officers; |
| ● | each of our directors; and |
| ● | all of our current executive officers and directors as a group. |
The table lists applicable percentage ownership based on 30,857,923 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the
Except as otherwise noted below, the address for persons listed in the table is c/o
| Number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned |
Percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned(1) |
|||||||
| Greater than 5% Stockholders: | ||||||||
|
c/o 2 |
2,438,126 | 7.9 | % | |||||
|
c/o Special Situations Funds |
2,387,500 | 7.7 | % | |||||
|
|
2,059,922 | 6.6 | % | |||||
| Directors and Named Executive Officers: | ||||||||
| 1,395,484 | 4.4 | % | ||||||
| 124,973 | * | |||||||
| 234,649 | * | |||||||
| 200,919 | * | |||||||
| 295,100 | * | |||||||
| 183,186 | * | |||||||
| All Current Directors and Officers as a Group (8 persons)(11) | 2,906,272 | 8.9 | % |
| (1) |
Based on 30,857,923 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of |
| (2) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by |
31
| (3) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by |
| (4) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by |
| (5) | Includes 171,082 restricted stock units and 798,799 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options that have vested or vest within 60 days of |
| (6) | Includes 60,748 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options that have vested or vest within 60 days of |
| (7) | Includes 125,623 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options that have vested or vest within 60 days of |
| (8) | Includes 114,283 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options that have vested or vest within 60 days of |
| (9) | Includes 28,742 restricted stock units and 141,896 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options that have vested or vest within 60 days of |
| (10) | Includes 108,186 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options that have vested or vest within 60 days of |
| (11) | Includes 232,693 restricted stock units and 1,476,963 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, in each case that have vested or vest within 60 days of |
| * | Less than 1% |
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table provides information regarding our executive officers as of
| Age | Position(S) | |||
| 60 | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | |||
| 66 | Chief Financial Officer | |||
| 53 | Chief Operating Officer | |||
| 62 | Chief Technology Officer | |||
| 57 | Business Development Director, Medical Sales Liaison |
See "Proposal No. 1 - Election of Class II Director" for biographical and other information regarding
33
34
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023
The following table shows the compensation earned or received during the fiscal years ended
| Year | Salary ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(1) |
Option Awards ($)(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 521,856 | 683,402 | (1) | 562,175 | 228,312 | 1,995,745 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | 2023 | 506,655 | 145,485 | (1) | 84,090 | 253,328 | 989,558 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 256,364 | - | 366,056 | 89,727 | 712,147 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Operating Officer | 2023(3) | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 316,764 | 117,129 | (1) | 95,368 | 69,292 | 598,553 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | 2023 | 307,538 | 19,875 | (1) | 11,488 | 51,256 | 390,157 |
| (1) | Amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units. |
| (2) | Amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards, calculated in accordance with FASB Topic 718, excluding the impact of potential forfeitures. For a discussion of the weighted-average assumptions used in the valuation of option awards under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, you should refer to the "Stock Options" section in Note 8 to the Company's financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended |
| (3) |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
The compensation program for the Company's named executive officers for fiscal year 2024 had three components: base salary, annual cash bonus and stock option and RSU grants.
Base Salary. We have entered into employment agreements or offer letters with each of our named executive officers that establish annual base salaries, which are reviewed periodically by our Compensation Committee in order to compensate our named executive officers for the satisfactory performance of duties to the Company. Annual base salaries are intended to provide a fixed component of compensation to our named executive officers, reflecting their skill sets, experience, roles and responsibilities. Base salaries for our named executive officers have generally been set at levels deemed necessary to attract and retain individuals with superior talent.
There was a 3% increase for cost of living adjustments for the Company's named executive officers for fiscal year 2024, as compared to fiscal year 2023.
Non-Equity Incentive Plan. In fiscal year 2024, each of the Company's named executive officers had a target bonus, set forth as a percentage of annual base salary. In fiscal year 2024, target bonuses for
In
35
Equity Grants. Our equity-based incentive awards which are mainly comprised of stock options are designed to align our interests with those of our employees and consultants, including our named executive officers. Our compensation committee has responsibility for granting equity-based incentive awards to our named executive officers. Our compensation committee has not established policies and practices regarding timing of equity awards in relation to the release of material nonpublic information and does not time the public release of such information based on equity award grant dates nor for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. Our compensation committee does not consider material nonpublic information in setting terms of equity awards, such as grant size or vesting conditions. Vesting of equity awards is generally tied to continuous service with us and serves as an additional retention measure.
Our executives generally are awarded an initial new hire grant upon commencement of employment. Additional grants may occur periodically in order to specifically incentivize executives with respect to achieving certain corporate goals or to reward executives for exceptional performance.
In connection with
In
In
Employment Agreement and Arrangements
We have an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer,
The Amended Employment Agreement also entitles
36
Pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, regardless of the manner in which
In the event of
In the event of a Termination for Good Reason by
If within 12 months following or three months prior to the effective date of a change in control, the Company terminates
Under the Amended Employment Agreement, "Termination for Cause" means a termination of
37
Under the Amended Employment Agreement, "Termination for Good Reason" means a termination of
On
On
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
For a discussion of payments to
38
Each of
Under both the Volker Offer Letter and
Under both the Volker Offer Letter and
2017 Equity Incentive Plan
In
Corporate Transactions. The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan provides that in the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions, including: (1) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) the sale or disposition of more than 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) the consummation of a merger or consolidation where we do not survive the transaction, and (4) the consummation of a merger or consolidation where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our Common Stock outstanding before such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction, unless otherwise provided in an award agreement or other written agreement between us and the award holder, the plan administrator may take one or more of the following actions with respect to such stock awards:
| ● | arrange for the assumption, continuation, or substitution of a stock award by a successor corporation; |
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| ● | arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us to a successor corporation; |
| ● | accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the stock award and provide for its termination before the transaction; |
| ● | arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us; |
| ● | cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award before the transaction in exchange for a cash payment, or no payment, as determined by the Board; or |
| ● | make a payment, in the form determined by our Board, equal to the excess, if any, of the value of the property the participant would have received on exercise of the awards before the transaction over any exercise price payable by the participant in connection with the exercise. |
The plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards or portions of stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in the same manner and is not obligated to treat all participants in the same manner. In the event of a change in control, awards granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan will not receive automatic acceleration of vesting and exercisability, although this treatment may be provided for in an award agreement. Under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, a change in control is defined to include (1) the acquisition by any person or company of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our then outstanding stock, (2) a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction in which our stockholders immediately before the transaction do not own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity (or the parent of the surviving entity), (3) a sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets other than to an entity more than 50% of the combined voting power of which is owned by our stockholders, and (4) an unapproved change in the majority of the Board.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year - End 2024
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding option awards held by our named executive officers as of
| GRANT DATE |
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS EXERCISABLE (#) |
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS UNEXERCISABLE (#) |
OPTION EXERCISE PRICE ($) |
OPTION EXPIRATION DATE |
||||||||||||
| 166,667 | (1) | - | 6.42 | |||||||||||||
| 397,750 | (2) | 19,097 | 5.97 | |||||||||||||
| 34,312 | (3) | 57,188 | 1.59 | |||||||||||||
| - | (4) | 526,303 | 1.25 | |||||||||||||
| 56,250 | (5) | 3,750 | 4.71 | |||||||||||||
| 11,667 | (6) | 3,889 | 5.97 | |||||||||||||
| 4,687 | (7) | 7,813 | 1.59 | |||||||||||||
| - | (8) | 89,283 | 1.25 | |||||||||||||
| - | (9) | 324,560 | 1.32 |
| (1) | 25% of the shares underlying the option vested on |
40
| (2) | 25% of the shares underlying the option vested on |
| (3) | 25% of the shares underlying the option vested on |
| (4) | 25% of the shares underlying the options vest on |
| (5) | 25% of the shares underlying the option vested on |
| (6) | 25% of the shares underlying the option vested on |
| (7) | 25% of the shares underlying the options vested on |
| (8) | 25% of the shares underlying the options vest on |
| (9) | 25% of the shares underlying the options vest on |
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding restricted stock units held by our named executive officers as of
| GRANT DATE |
NUMBER OF SHARES OF STOCK THAT HAVE NOT VESTED (#) |
MARKET VALUE OF SHARES OF STOCK THAT HAVE NOT VESTED ($) |
||||||||
| 20,834 | (1) | $ | 20,626 | |||||||
| 34,313 | (2) | 33,970 | ||||||||
| 663,497 | (3) | 656,862 | ||||||||
| 1,250 | (1) | $ | 1,238 | |||||||
| 4,688 | (2) | 4,641 | ||||||||
| 113,717 | (3) | 112,580 |
| (1) | 50% of the shares underlying the restricted stock units vest on the first anniversary of the grant date; the remaining vest monthly in equal increments over a 24 month period thereafter. |
| (2) | 50% of the shares underlying the restricted stock units vest on the first anniversary of the grant date; the remaining vest quarterly in equal installments on the last day of each quarter over the next 8 quarters, beginning on |
| (3) | 25% of the shares underlying the restricted stock units vest on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, beginning on |
41
Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information
Pursuant to Item 402(x) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, we are providing the following information regarding option awards granted to
| Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying the Award |
Exercise Price of the Award ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair Value of the Award (1) |
Percentage Change in the Closing Market Price of the Securities Underlying the Award Between the Trading Day Ending Immediately Prior to the Disclosure of MNPI and the Trading Day Beginning Immediately Following the Disclosure of Material Nonpublic Information |
||||||||||||||
| 526,303 | 1.25 | 562,175 | 13.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
| 89,283 | 1.25 | 95,368 | 13.4 | % |
| (1) | Amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards, calculated in accordance with FASB Topic 718, excluding the impact of potential forfeitures. For a discussion of the weighted-average assumptions used in the valuation of option awards under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, you should refer to the "Stock Options" section in Note 8 to the Company's financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended |
Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio
As a "smaller reporting company", we are not required to provide information relating to the ratio of total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees, as required by the Investor Protection and Securities Reform Act of 2010, which is part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth certain information as of
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 2,411,536 | $ | 3.41 | 129,671 | (1) | |||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 420,560 | $ | 1.43 | 167,790 | (2) | |||||||
| Total | 2,814,096 | $ | 3.13 | 297,461 |
| (1) | Consists of shares available under the |
| (2) | Consists of shares available under the |
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PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
Pay Versus Performance Table
| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($)(1) |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($)(2) |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($)(3) |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($)(4) |
Total Shareholder Return ($) |
Net Loss ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 1,995,745 | 1,923,606 | 655,350 | 593,882 | $ | 24.75 | 12,318,110 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 989,558 | 716,284 | 423,936 | 362,534 | $ | 22.25 | 11,859,491 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 1,186,410 | 539,030 |
384,604 |
269,850 | $ | 42.25 | 9,999,613 |
| (1) | Reflects the amount reported in the "Total" column of the Summary Compensation Table for |
| (2) | Amounts reported reflect CAP for |
| Year | Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($) |
Less | Reported Value of Equity Awards ($)(a) |
Plus | Equity Award Adjustments ($)(b) |
Equals | CAP for PEO ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 1,995,745 | 1,245,577 | 1,173,438 | 1,923,606 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 989,558 | 229,575 | (43,699 | ) | 716,284 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 1,186,410 | 525,000 | (122,381 | ) |
539,030 |
| (a) | Amounts reflect the grant date fair value of equity awards as reported in the "Option Awards" and "Stock Awards" columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. |
| (b) | The equity award adjustments were calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and include: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; and (iii) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments for |
43
| Year | Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Year and Outstanding and Unvested at Year End ($) |
Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards ($) |
Change in Fair Value to the Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted in Vested in the Year ($) |
Total Equity Award Adjustments ($) |
||||||||||||
| 2024 | 1,067,786 | 33,277 | 72,375 | 1,173,438 | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 116,489 | (94,850 | ) | (65,337 | ) | (43,699 | ) | |||||||||
| 2022 | 422,500 | (284,353 | ) | (260,527 | ) | (122,380 | ) |
| (3) | Reflects the average amount reported in the "Total" column of the Summary Compensation Table for our other NEOs as a group (excluding |
| (4) | Amounts reported reflect CAP for the other NEOs as a group (excluding |
| Year | Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) |
Less | Average Reported Value of Equity Awards ($) |
Plus | Average Equity Award Adjustments ($)(a) |
Equals | Average CAP for Non-PEO NEOs ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 655,350 | 289,277 | 227,808 | 593,882 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 423,936 | 78,407 | 17,006 | 362,534 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 384,604 | 59,588 | (55,166 | ) | 269,850 |
| (a) | See note (b) to footnote (2) above for an explanation of the equity award adjustments made in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments for the other NEOs as a group (excluding |
| Year | Average Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Year and Outstanding and Unvested at Year End ($) |
Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards ($) |
Average Change in Fair Value to the Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted in Vested in the Year ($) |
Total Average Equity Award Adjustments ($) |
||||||||||||
| 2024 | 216,947 | 2,907 | 7,954 |
227,808 |
||||||||||||
| 2023 | 39,784 | (13,742 | ) | (9,037 | ) | 17,006 | ||||||||||
| 2022 | 47,954 | (55,859 | ) | (47,261 | ) | (55,166 | ) |
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Analysis of Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table
The Company is providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay versus Performance table, including CAP, as required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The compensation committee utilizes several performance measures to align executive compensation with Company performance, and only some of those Company measures are presented in the Pay versus Performance table above and the graphs below. The compensation committee has not previously used or considered CAP as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K to set target compensation amounts or align our NEO compensation to Company performance. See "Executive Compensation" for a discussion of how the compensation committee designs our compensation program and sets target compensation amounts.
45
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following includes a summary of transactions since
2024 Private Placement
On
Indemnification Agreements
Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions limiting the liability of directors, and our bylaws provides that we indemnify each of our directors to the fullest extent permitted under
Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Parties
To assist the Company in complying with its disclosure obligations and to enhance the Company's disclosure controls, the Board approved a formal policy in
Specifically, the policy establishes a process for identifying related persons and procedures for reviewing and approving such related person transactions. In addition, directors and executive officers are required to complete an annual questionnaire in connection with the Company's proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders, which includes questions regarding related person transactions, and such persons also are required to provide written notice to the Company or outside legal counsel of any updates to such information prior to the annual meeting.
The Audit Committee and/or the independent directors of the Board review such proposed business transactions to ensure that the Company's involvement in such transactions is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm's length dealings with an unrelated third party and is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
46
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Forward-Looking Statements
This Proxy Statement contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words "may," "might," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "objective," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "target," "seek," "contemplate," "continue" and "ongoing," or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this Proxy Statement, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Forward-looking statements include statements about:
| ● | the timing of and our ability to maintain regulatory clearance of our cortical strip and grid electrode technology; |
| ● | our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory clearance for our RF ablation system; |
| ● | our ability to successfully commercialize our technology in |
| ● | our ability to achieve or sustain profitability; |
| ● | our ability to raise additional capital and to fund our operations; |
| ● | our ability to access available, additional capital on acceptable terms or at all or when needed; |
| ● | the clinical utility of our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode including technology under development; |
| ● | our ability to develop additional applications of our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology with the benefits we hope to offer as compared to existing technology, or at all; |
| ● | the results of our development and distribution relationship with |
| ● | the performance, productivity, reliability and regulatory compliance of our third party manufacturers of our cortical strip, grid electrode and depth electrode technology; |
| ● | our ability to develop future generations of our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology; |
| ● | our future development priorities; |
| ● | our ability to obtain reimbursement coverage for our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology; |
| ● | our expectations about the willingness of healthcare providers to recommend our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology to people with epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, essential tremors, chronic pain due to failed back surgeries and other related neurological disorders; |
| ● | our future commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; |
| ● | our ability to comply with applicable regulatory requirements; |
| ● | our ability to maintain our intellectual property position; |
| ● | our expectations regarding international opportunities for commercializing our cortical strip, grid and depth electrode technology under including technology under development; |
| ● | our estimates regarding the size of, and future growth in, the market for our technology, including technology under development; and |
| ● | our estimates regarding our future expenses and needs for additional financing. |
47
Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate, and management's beliefs and assumptions are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. You should refer to the "Risk Factors" section of our annual report on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Proxy Statement will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Proxy Statement. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. You should, however, review the factors and risks and other information we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the
Stockholder Proposals to be Presented at Next Annual Meeting
Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Brought Before an Annual Meeting. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that for stockholder nominations to our Board or other proposals to be considered at an annual meeting, the stockholder must give timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary at
To be timely for the Company's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on
Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in our Proxy Materials. Stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and intended to be presented at our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by us not later than
To comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the company's nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act not earlier than the close of business on
In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company's nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b).
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10 percent of our Common Stock to file initial reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the
48
"Householding" - Stockholders Sharing the Same Address
The
We expect that a number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be "householding" our annual report on Form 10-K and proxy materials. A single set of an annual report on Form 10-K and other proxy materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from one or more of the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be "householding" communications to your address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. Stockholders may revoke their consent at any time by contacting your broker.
Upon written or oral request, we will undertake to promptly deliver a separate copy of the annual report on Form 10-K and other proxy materials to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of any of those documents was delivered. To receive a separate copy of the annual report on Form 10-K and other proxy materials, now or in the future, you may write our Chief Financial Officer at
Any stockholders who share the same address and currently receive multiple copies of our annual report on Form 10-K and other proxy materials who wish to receive only one copy in the future can contact their bank, broker or other holder of record to request information about "householding" or our Chief Financial Officer at the address or telephone number listed above.
Available Information
We will mail without charge, upon written request, a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
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OTHER MATTERS
Our Board does not presently intend to bring any other business before the Annual Meeting and, so far as is known to the Board, no matters are to be brought before the Annual Meeting except as specified in the Notice of the Annual Meeting. As to any business that may arise and properly come before the Annual Meeting, however, it is intended that proxies, in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.
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Appendix A
CERTIFICATE OF
AMENDMENT TO THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is
SECOND: The Board of Directors of the Corporation has duly adopted resolutions proposing and declaring advisable that the Certificate of Incorporation be amended as set forth herein and calling for the consideration and approval thereof at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation;
THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by deleting the Paragraph A of ARTICLE IV in its entirety and inserting the following in lieu thereof:
"The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock". The total number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is One Hundred Ten Million (110,000,000) shares, each with a par value of
FOURTH: Pursuant to a resolution of Board of Directors of the Corporation, this Certificate of Amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Company for their approval, and was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.
FIFTH: This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation shall have an Effective Time of [ ], 2025 at
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
| By: | ||
| Title: |
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Appendix B
2025 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: [ ], 2025
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: [ ], 2025
1. GENERAL.
(a) Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plans. The Plan is the successor to and continuation of the Prior Plans. As of the Effective Date, (i) no additional awards may be granted under the Prior Plans; (ii) any Returning Shares will become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan; and (iii) all outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plans will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plans (except to the extent such outstanding awards result in Returning Shares that become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan). All Awards granted under this Plan will be subject to the terms of this Plan.
(b) Plan Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of Employees, Directors and Consultants, to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by which such persons may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.
(c) Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) SARs; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) RSU Awards; (vi) Performance Awards; and (vii) Other Awards.
(d) Adoption Date; Effective Date. The Plan will come into existence on the Adoption Date, but no Award may be granted prior to the Effective Date.
2. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Share Reserve. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(c) and any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards will not exceed the sum of (i) 3,000,000 shares, plus (ii) the number of Returning Shares, if any, as such shares become available from time to time. In addition, subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock will automatically increase on
(b) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2(a) and subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is 9,000,000 shares.
(c) Share Reserve Operation.
(i) Limit Applies to Common Stock Issued Pursuant to Awards. For clarity, the Share Reserve is a limit on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards and does not limit the granting of Awards, except that the Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy its obligations to issue shares pursuant to such Awards. Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by, as applicable, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, NYSE American Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
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(ii) Actions that Do Not Constitute Issuance of Common Stock and Do Not Reduce Share Reserve. The following actions do not result in an issuance of shares under the Plan and accordingly do not reduce the number of shares subject to the Share Reserve and available for issuance under the Plan: (1) the expiration or termination of any portion of an Award without the shares covered by such portion of the Award having been issued; (2) the settlement of any portion of an Award in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than Common Stock); (3) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award; or (4) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.
(iii) Reversion of Previously Issued Shares of Common Stock to Share Reserve. The following shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant to an Award and accordingly initially deducted from the Share Reserve will be added back to the Share Reserve and again become available for issuance under the Plan: (1) any shares that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; (2) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award; and (3) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.
3. ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS.
(a) Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to the terms of the Plan, Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.
(b) Specific Award Limitations.
(i) Limitations on Incentive Stock Option Recipients. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or a "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation" thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code).
(ii) Incentive Stock Option
(iii) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options Granted to Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder may not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless (i) the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Option and (ii) the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant of such Option.
(iv) Limitations on Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs. Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any "parent" of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 405) unless the stock underlying such Awards is treated as "service recipient stock" under Section 409A because the Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction (such as a spin off transaction) or unless such Awards otherwise comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A.
(c) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is the number of shares specified in Section 2(b).
(d) Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any fiscal year, including Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director, will not exceed (i)
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4. OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Each Option and SAR will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. Each Option will be designated in writing as an Incentive Stock Option or Nonstatutory Stock Option at the time of grant; provided, however, that if an Option is not so designated, then such Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The shares purchased upon exercise of each type of Option will be accounted for separately. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents. The terms and conditions of separate Options and SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option Agreement and SAR Agreement will conform (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) Term. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Incentive Stock Options granted to Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant of such Award or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.
(b) Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and, if applicable, 424(a) of the Code.
(c) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Exercise Price for Options. In order to exercise an Option, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the procedures specified in the Option Agreement or otherwise provided by the Company. The Board has the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and as determined by the Board, by one or more of the following methods of payment to the extent set forth in the Option Agreement:
(i) by cash or check, wire, bank draft or money order (or an electronic equivalent thereof) payable to the Company;
(ii) pursuant to a "cashless exercise" program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the
(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the Participant free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such delivery is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment, (3) such delivery would not violate any Applicable Law or agreement restricting the redemption of the Common Stock, (4) any certificated shares are endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate, and (5) such shares have been held by the Participant for any minimum period necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment as a result of such delivery;
(iv) by a "net exercise" arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) such shares used to pay the exercise price will not be exercisable thereafter and (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such net exercise is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment; or
(v) in any other form of consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and permissible under Applicable Law.
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(d) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Appreciation Distribution for SARs. In order to exercise any SAR, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the SAR Agreement. The appreciation distribution payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR will not be greater than an amount equal to the excess of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents that are vested and being exercised under such SAR, over (ii) the strike price of such SAR. Such appreciation distribution may be paid to the Participant in the form of Common Stock or cash (or any combination of Common Stock and cash) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the SAR Agreement.
(e) Transferability. Options and SARs may not be transferred to third party financial institutions for value. The Board may impose such additional limitations on the transferability of an Option or SAR as it determines. In the absence of any such determination by the Board, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply, provided that except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration and provided, further, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer:
(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Board may permit transfer of an Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participant's request, including to a trust if the Participant is considered to be the sole beneficial owner of such trust (as determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while such Option or SAR is held in such trust, provided that the Participant and the trustee enter into a transfer and other agreements required by the Company.
(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the execution of transfer documentation in a format acceptable to the Company and subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order.
(f) Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option or SAR as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Options and SARs will cease upon termination of the Participant's Continuous Service.
(g) Termination of Continuous Service for Cause. Except as explicitly otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant's Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participant's Options and SARs will terminate and be forfeited immediately upon such termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising any portion (including any vested portion) of such Awards on and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in such forfeited Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the forfeited Award, or any consideration in respect of the forfeited Award.
(h) Post-Termination Exercise Period Following Termination of Continuous Service for Reasons Other than Cause. Subject to Section 4(i), if a Participant's Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR to the extent vested, but only within the following period of time or, if applicable, such other period of time provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)):
(i) three months following the date of such termination if such termination is a termination without Cause (other than any termination due to the Participant's Disability or death);
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(ii) 12 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participant's Disability;
(iii) 18 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participant's death; or
(iv) 18 months following the date of the Participant's death if such death occurs following the date of such termination but during the period such Award is otherwise exercisable (as provided in (i) or (ii) above).
Following the date of such termination, to the extent the Participant does not exercise such Award within the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period (or, if earlier, prior to the expiration of the maximum term of such Award), such unexercised portion of the Award will terminate, and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the terminated Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the terminated Award, or any consideration in respect of the terminated Award.
(i) Restrictions on Exercise; Extension of Exercisability. A Participant may not exercise an Option or SAR at any time that the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant's Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause and, at any time during the last thirty days of the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period: (i) the exercise of the Participant's Option or SAR would be prohibited solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law, or (ii) the immediate sale of any shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise would violate the Company's Trading Policy, then the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period will be extended to the last day of the calendar month that commences following the date the Award would otherwise expire, with an additional extension of the exercise period to the last day of the next calendar month to apply if any of the foregoing restrictions apply at any time during such extended exercise period, generally without limitation as to the maximum permitted number of extensions; provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)).
(j) Non-Exempt Employees. No Option or SAR, whether or not vested, granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, will be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, any vested portion of such Award may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant of such Award in the event of (i) such Participant's death or Disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which such Award is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) such Participant's retirement (as such term may be defined in the Award Agreement or another applicable agreement or, in the absence of any such definition, in accordance with the Company's then current employment policies and guidelines). This Section 4(j) is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.
(k) Whole Shares. Options and SARs may be exercised only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock or their equivalents.
5. AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award and RSU Award will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement and RSU Award Agreement will conform (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Form of Award.
(1) RSAs. To the extent consistent with the Company's Bylaws, at the Board's election, shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may be (A) held in book entry form subject to the Company's instructions until such shares become vested or any other restrictions lapse, or (B) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant will have voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award.
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(2) RSUs. An RSU Award represents a Participant's right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units subject to the RSU Award. As a holder of an RSU Award, a Participant is an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company's unfunded obligation, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock in settlement of such Award and nothing contained in the Plan or any RSU Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or any other person. A Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any RSU Award (unless and until shares are actually issued in settlement of a vested RSU Award).
(ii) Consideration.
(1) RSA. A Restricted Stock Award may be granted in consideration for (A) cash or check, wire, bank draft or money order payable to the
(2) RSU. Unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time of grant, an RSU Award will be granted in consideration for the Participant's services to the Company or an Affiliate, such that the Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company (other than such services) with respect to the grant or vesting of the RSU Award, or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the RSU Award. If, at the time of grant, the Board determines that any consideration must be paid by the Participant (in a form other than the Participant's services to the Company or an Affiliate) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock in settlement of the RSU Award, such consideration may be paid in any form of consideration as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.
(iii) Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards will cease upon termination of the Participant's Continuous Service.
(iv) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant's Continuous Service terminates for any reason, (1) the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant under their Restricted Stock Award that have not vested as of the date of such termination as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and (2) any portion of his or her RSU Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon such termination and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the RSU Award, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the RSU Award, or any consideration in respect of the RSU Award.
(v) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award, as determined by the Board and specified in the Award Agreement.
(vi) Settlement of RSU Awards. An RSU Award may be settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or cash (or any combination thereof) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the RSU Award Agreement. At the time of grant, the Board may determine to impose such restrictions or conditions that delay such delivery to a date following the vesting of the RSU Award.
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(b) Performance Awards. With respect to any Performance Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, the other terms and conditions of such Award, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be determined by the Board.
(c) Other Awards. Other forms of Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards provided for under Section 4and the preceding provisions of this Section 5. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete discretion to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Awards.
6. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan and the maximum number of shares by which the Share Reserve may annually increase pursuant to Section 2(a); (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 2(b); and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and exercise price, strike price or purchase price of the Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock shall be created in order to implement any Capitalization Adjustment. The Board shall determine an appropriate equivalent benefit, if any, for any fractional shares or rights to fractional shares that might be created by the adjustments referred to in the preceding provisions of this Section 6.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company's right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company's repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service; provided, however, that the Board may determine to cause some or all Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.
(c) Corporate Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction, except as set forth in Section 11, unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of an Award.
(i) Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, any surviving or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation's parent company) may assume or continue any or all Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar awards for Awards outstanding under the Plan (including but not limited to awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of the Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or the successor's parent company, if any), in connection with such Corporate Transaction. A surviving or acquiring corporation (or its applicable parent) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an Award or substitute a similar award for only a portion of an Award, or may choose to assume or continue the Awards held by some, but not all Participants. The terms of any assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board.
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(ii) Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction (referred to as the "Current Participants"), the vesting of such Awards (and, with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the time when such Awards may be exercised) will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) that the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction). Awards so accelerated will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction). With respect to the vesting of Performance Awards that (a) will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and (b) have multiple vesting levels depending on the level of performance, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or unless otherwise provided by the Board, the vesting of such Performance Awards will accelerate at 100% of the target level upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction in which the Awards are not assumed, continued or substituted for in accordance with Section 6(c)(i). With respect to the vesting of cash-settled Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii), such cash payment will be made no later than 30 days following the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction or such later date as required by Section 409A of the Code.
(iii) Awards Held by Persons other than Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by persons other than Current Participants, such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Corporate Transaction.
(iv) Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an Award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Corporate Transaction, the Board may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such Award may not exercise such Award but will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value, at the effective time, to the excess, if any, of (1) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Award (including, at the discretion of the Board, any unvested portion of such Award), over (2) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.
(d) Appointment of Stockholder Representative. As a condition to the receipt of an Award under this Plan, a Participant will be deemed to have agreed that the Award will be subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on the Participant's behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.
(e) No Restriction on Right to Undertake Transactions. The grant of any Award under the Plan and the issuance of shares pursuant to any Award does not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, rights or options to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for the Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
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7. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in subsection (c) below.
(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine from time to time (1) which of the persons eligible under the Plan will be granted Awards; (2) when and how each Award will be granted; (3) what type or combination of types of Award will be granted; (4) the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person will be permitted to receive an issuance of the Common Stock or other payment pursuant to an Award; (5) the number of shares of Common Stock or cash equivalent with respect to which an Award will be granted to each such person; (6) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award; and (7) the terms of any Performance Award that is not valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock, including the amount of cash payment or other property that may be earned and the timing of payment.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.
(iv) To accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award Agreement stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.
(v) To prohibit the exercise of any Option, SAR or other exercisable Award during a period of up to 30 days prior to the consummation of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock including any Corporate Transaction, for reasons of administrative convenience.
(vi) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not Materially Impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.
(vii) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable; provided, however, that stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the extent required by Applicable Law. Except as provided above, rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan will not be Materially Impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
(viii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.
(ix) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that, a Participant's rights under any Award will not be Materially Impaired by any such amendment unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
(x) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.
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(xi) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit and facilitate participation in the Plan by, or take advantage of specific tax treatment for Awards granted to, Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside
(xii) To effect, at any time and from time to time, subject to the consent of any Participant whose Award is Materially Impaired by such action, (1) the reduction of the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR; (2) the cancellation of any outstanding Option or SAR and the grant in substitution therefor of (A) a new Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Other Award, under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company, covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (B) cash and/or (C) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board); or (3) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.
(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to another Committee or a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will 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. Each Committee may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with Committee or subcommittee to which it has delegated its authority hereunder and may, at any time, revest in such Committee some or all of the powers previously delegated. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with any Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance. To the extent an Award is intended to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act that is available under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, the Award will be granted by the Board or a Committee that consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3) under the Exchange Act and thereafter any action establishing or modifying the terms of the Award will be approved by the Board or a Committee meeting such requirements to the extent necessary for such exemption to remain available.
(d) Effect of Board's Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board or any Committee in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(e) Delegation to an Officer. The Board or any Committee may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, other types of Awards) and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the resolutions or charter adopted by the Board or any Committee evidencing such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will be granted on the applicable form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Board or the Committee, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the Board nor any Committee may delegate to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) the authority to determine the Fair Market Value.
8. TAX WITHHOLDING.
(a) Withholding Authorization. As a condition to acceptance of any Award under the Plan, a Participant authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to such Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including), any sums required to satisfy any
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(b) Satisfaction of Withholding Obligation. To the extent permitted by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any
(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes; No Liability to Claims. Except as required by Applicable Law the Company has no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Award. Furthermore, the Company has no duty or obligation to waor otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award and will not be liable to any holder of an Award for any adverse tax consequences to such holder in connection with an Award. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant (i) agrees to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from such Award or other Company compensation and (ii) acknowledges that such Participant was advised to consult with their own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Award and has either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, each Participant acknowledges any Option or SAR granted under the Plan is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise or strike price is at least equal to the "fair market value" of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the
(d) Withholding Indemnification. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, in the event that the amount of the Company's and/or its Affiliate's withholding obligation in connection with such Award was greater than the amount actually withheld by the Company and/or its Affiliates, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company and/or its Affiliates harmless from any failure by the Company and/or its Affiliates to withhold the proper amount.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
(b) Use of Proceeds from Sales of the Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(c) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action approving the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
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(d) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award is reflected in the records of the Company.
(e) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that a Participant may have with respect to any Award (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant's agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state or foreign jurisdiction in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be. Further, nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award will constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or service or confer any right or benefit under the Award or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of the Award Agreement and/or Plan.
(f) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant's regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board may determine, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.
(g) Execution of Additional Documents. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, the Participant agrees to execute any additional documents or instruments necessary or desirable, as determined in the Plan Administrator's sole discretion, to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award, or facilitate compliance with securities and/or other regulatory requirements, in each case at the Plan Administrator's request.
(h) Electronic Delivery and Participation. Any reference herein or in an Award Agreement to a "written" agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company's intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access). By accepting any Award the Participant consents to receive documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through any on-line electronic system established and maintained by the Plan Administrator or another third party selected by the Plan Administrator. The form of delivery of any Common Stock (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.
(i) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company's securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Law and any clawback policy that the Company otherwise adopts, to the extent applicable and permissible under Applicable Law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a Participant's right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a "resignation for good reason," or for a "constructive termination" or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.
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(j) Securities Law Compliance. A Participant will not be issued any shares in respect of an Award unless either (i) the shares are registered under the Securities Act; or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Each Award also must comply with other Applicable Law governing the Award, and a Participant will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with Applicable Law.
(k) Transfer or Assignment of Awards; Issued Shares. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the form of Award Agreement, Awards granted under the Plan may not be transferred or assigned by the Participant. After the vested shares subject to an Award have been issued, or in the case of Restricted Stock and similar awards, after the issued shares have vested, the holder of such shares is free to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares provided that any such actions are in compliance with the provisions herein, the terms of the Trading Policy and Applicable Law.
(l) Effect on Other Employee Benefit Plans. The value of any Award granted under the Plan, as determined upon grant, vesting or settlement, shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating any Participant's benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company's or any Affiliate's employee benefit plans.
(m) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may also establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals will be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.
(n) Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes "deferred compensation" under Section 409A is a "specified employee" for purposes of Section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a "separation from service" (as defined in Section 409A without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months and one day following the date of such Participant's "separation from service" or, if earlier, the date of the Participant's death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
(o) Choice of Law. This Plan and any controversy arising out of or relating to this Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the
10. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency, as may be deemed to be necessary, having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary or advisable for the lawful issuance and sale of the Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell the Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant is not eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of the Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any Applicable Law.
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11. ADDITIONAL RULES FOR AWARDS SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A.
(a) Application. Unless the provisions of this Section 11of the Plan are expressly superseded by the provisions in the form of Award Agreement, the provisions of this Section 11shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Award Agreement for a Non-Exempt Award.
(b) Non-Exempt Awards Subject to Non-Exempt Severance Arrangements. To the extent a Non-Exempt Award is subject to Section 409A due to application of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, the following provisions of this subsection (b) apply.
(i) If the Non-Exempt Award vests in the ordinary course during the Participant's Continuous Service in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Award Agreement, and does not accelerate vesting under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, in no event will the shares be issued in respect of such Non-Exempt Award any later than the later of: (i) December 31st of the calendar year that includes the applicable vesting date, or (ii) the 60th day that follows the applicable vesting date.
(ii) If vesting of the Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with the Participant's Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award as of the date of grant, then the shares will be earlier issued in settlement of such Non-Exempt Award upon the Participant's Separation from Service in accordance with the terms of the Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, but in no event later than the 60th day that follows the date of the Participant's Separation from Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued the Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to "specified employees," as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant's Separation from Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant's death that occurs within such six month period.
(iii) If vesting of a Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with a Participant's Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were not in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are not a part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award on the date of grant, then such acceleration of vesting of the Non-Exempt Award shall not accelerate the issuance date of the shares, but the shares shall instead be issued on the same schedule as set forth in the Grant Notice as if they had vested in the ordinary course during the Participant's Continuous Service, notwithstanding the vesting acceleration of the Non-Exempt Award. Such issuance schedule is intended to satisfy the requirements of payment on a specified date or pursuant to a fixed schedule, as provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(a)(4).
(c) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Employees and Consultants. The provisions of this subsection (c) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of any Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction if the Participant was either an Employee or Consultant upon the applicable date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award.
(i) Vested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Vested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction:
(1) If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the settlement of the Vested Non-Exempt Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Alternatively, the Company may instead provide that the Participant will receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control.
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(2) If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute each Vested Non-Exempt Award. The shares to be issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity's discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of the Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.
(ii) Unvested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Unvested Non-Exempt Award unless otherwise determined by the Board pursuant to Section 11(e).
(1) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Acquiring Entity shall assume, continue or substitute any Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity's discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.
(2) If the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue any Unvested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then such Award shall automatically terminate and be forfeited upon the Corporate Transaction with no consideration payable to any Participant in respect of such forfeited Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Board may in its discretion determine to elect to accelerate the vesting and settlement of the Unvested Non-Exempt Award upon the Corporate Transaction, or instead substitute a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant, as further provided in subsection (e)(ii) below. In the absence of such discretionary election by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be forfeited without payment of any consideration to the affected Participants if the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue the Unvested Non-Exempt Awards in connection with the Corporate Transaction.
(3) The foregoing treatment shall apply with respect to all Unvested Non-Exempt Awards upon any Corporate Transaction, and regardless of whether or not such Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control.
(d) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Non-Employee Directors. The following provisions of this subsection (d) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of a Non-Exempt Director Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction.
(i) If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the vesting and settlement of any Non-Exempt Director Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued to the Participant in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award. Alternatively, the Company may provide that the Participant will instead receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control pursuant to the preceding provision.
(ii) If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Non-Exempt Director Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity's discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.
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(e) If the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt Award, then the provisions in this Section 11(e) shall apply and supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement with respect to the permitted treatment of such Non-Exempt Award:
(i) Any exercise by the Board of discretion to accelerate the vesting of a Non-Exempt Award shall not result in any acceleration of the scheduled issuance dates for the shares in respect of the Non-Exempt Award unless earlier issuance of the shares upon the applicable vesting dates would be in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.
(ii) The Company explicitly reserves the right to earlier settle any Non-Exempt Award to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, including pursuant to any of the exemptions available in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).
(iii) To the extent the terms of any Non-Exempt Award provide that it will be settled upon a Change in Control or Corporate Transaction, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Change in Control or Corporate Transaction event triggering settlement must also constitute a Section 409A Change in Control. To the extent the terms of a Non-Exempt Award provides that it will be settled upon a termination of employment or termination of Continuous Service, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the termination event triggering settlement must also constitute a Separation From Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued to a Participant in connection with a "separation from service" such Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to "specified employees," as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of the Participant's Separation From Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant's death that occurs within such six month period.
(iv) The provisions in this subsection (e) for delivery of the shares in respect of the settlement of an RSU Award that is a Non-Exempt Award are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that the delivery of the shares to the Participant in respect of such Non-Exempt Award will not trigger the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be so interpreted.
12. SEVERABILITY.
If all or any part of the Plan or any Award Agreement is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any portion of the Plan or such Award Agreement not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of the Plan or any Award Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
13. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of: (i) the Adoption Date, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the Company's stockholders. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
14. DEFINITIONS.
As used in the Plan, the following definitions apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) "Acquiring Entity" means the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) in connection with a Corporate Transaction.
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(b) "Adoption Date" means the date the Plan is first approved by the Board or Compensation Committee.
(c) "Affiliate" means, at the time of determination, any "parent" or "subsidiary" of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Board may determine the time or times at which "parent" or "subsidiary" status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(d) "Applicable Law" means any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (including under the authority of any applicable self-regulating organization such as the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, or the
(e) "Award" means any right to receive Common Stock, cash or other property granted under the Plan (including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, an RSU Award, a SAR, a Performance Award or any Other Award).
(f) "Award Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award. The Award Agreement generally consists of the Grant Notice and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Award and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice.
(g) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company (or its designee). Any decision or determination made by the Board shall be a decision or determination that is made in the sole discretion of the Board (or its designee), and such decision or determination shall be final and binding on all Participants.
(h) "Capitalization Adjustment" means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(i) "Cause" has the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between a Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Participant's dishonest statements or acts with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any current or prospective customers, suppliers, vendors or other third parties with which such entity does business; (ii) the Participant's commission of (A) a felony or (B) any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; (iii) the Participant's failure to perform the Participant's assigned duties and responsibilities to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company which failure continues, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, after written notice given to the Participant by the Company; (iv) the Participant's gross negligence, willful misconduct or insubordination with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; or (v) the Participant's material violation of any provision of any agreement(s) between the Participant and the Company relating to noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure and/or assignment of inventions. The determination that a termination of the Participant's Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Board with respect to Participants who are executive officers of the Company and by the Company's Chief Executive Officer with respect to Participants who are not executive officers of the Company. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.
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(j) "Change in Control" or "Change of Control" means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events; provided, however, to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal income tax consequences to the Participant in connection with an Award, also constitutes a Section 409A Change in Control:
(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the
(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;
(iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv) individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply.
(k) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(l) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee and any other committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board or Compensation Committee in accordance with the Plan.
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(m) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(n) "Company" means
(o) "Compensation Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(p) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a "Consultant" for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company's securities to such person.
(q) "Continuous Service" means that the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant's Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, such Participant's Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company's leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law. In addition, to the extent required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A, the determination of whether there has been a termination of Continuous Service will be made, and such term will be construed, in a manner that is consistent with the definition of "separation from service" as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(r) "Corporate Transaction" means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Corporate Transaction shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the
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(s) "Director" means a member of the Board.
(t) "determine" or "determined" means as determined by the Board or the Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion.
(u) "Disability" means, with respect to a Participant, such Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
(v) "Effective Date" means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date this Plan (as amended from time to time) is approved by the Company's stockholders.
(w) "Employee" means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an "Employee" for purposes of the Plan.
(x) "Employer" means the Company or the Affiliate of the Company that employs the Participant.
(y) "Entity" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(z) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(aa) "Exchange Act Person" means any natural person, Entity or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that "Exchange Act Person" will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities.
(bb) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the value of the Common Stock (as determined on a per share or aggregate basis, as applicable) determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.
(ii) If there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
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(iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, or if otherwise determined by the Board, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(cc) Reserved.
(dd) "Governmental Body" means any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (iii) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (iv) self-regulatory organization (including the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, and the
(ee) "Grant Notice" means the notice provided to a Participant that he or she has been granted an Award under the Plan and which includes the name of the Participant, the type of Award, the date of grant of the Award, number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award or potential cash payment right, (if any), the vesting schedule for the Award (if any) and other key terms applicable to the Award.
(ff) "Incentive Stock Option" means an option granted pursuant to Section 4of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(gg) "Materially Impair" means any amendment to the terms of the Award that materially adversely affects the Participant's rights under the Award. A Participant's rights under an Award will not be deemed to have been Materially Impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not Materially Impair the Participant's rights. For example, the following types of amendments to the terms of an Award do not Materially Impair the Participant's rights under the Award: (i) imposition of reasonable restrictions on the minimum number of shares subject to an Option or SAR that may be exercised; (ii) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (iii) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option in a manner that disqualifies, impairs or otherwise affects the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (iv) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with or qualify it for an exemption from, Section 409A; or (v) to comply with other Applicable Laws.
(hh) "Non-Employee Director" means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(ii) "Non-Exempt Award" means any Award that is subject to, and not exempt from, Section 409A, including as the result of (i) a deferral of the issuance of the shares subject to the Award which is elected by the Participant or imposed by the Company, or (ii) the terms of any Non-Exempt Severance Agreement.
(jj) "Non-Exempt Director Award" means a Non-Exempt Award granted to a Participant who was a Director but not an Employee on the applicable grant date.
(kk) "Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement" means a severance arrangement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company that provides for acceleration of vesting of an Award and issuance of the shares in respect of such Award upon the Participant's termination of employment or separation from service (as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code (and without regard to any alternative definition thereunder) ("Separation from Service") and such severance benefit does not satisfy the requirements for an exemption from application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(9) or otherwise.
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(ll) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means any option granted pursuant to Section 4of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(mm) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(nn) "Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(oo) "Option Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of the Option grant. The Option Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Option and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Option and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(pp) "Optionholder" means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
(qq) "Other Award" means an award valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant) that is not an Incentive Stock Option, Nonstatutory Stock Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Performance Award.
(rr) "Other Award Agreement" means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Award grant. Each Other Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ss) "Own", "Owned", "Owner" or "Ownership" means that a person or Entity will be deemed to "Own," to have "Owned," to be the "Owner" of, or to have acquired "Ownership" of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(tt) "Participant" means an Employee, Director or Consultant to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.
(uu) "Performance Award" means an Award that may vest or may be exercised or a cash award that may vest or become earned and paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and which is granted under the terms and conditions of Section 5(b) pursuant to such terms as are approved by the Board. In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash or other property may be used in payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock.
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(vv) "Performance Criteria" means one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; total stockholder return; retuon equity or average stockholder's equity; retuon assets, investment, or capital employed; stock price; margin (including gross margin); income (before or after taxes); operating income; operating income after taxes; pre-tax profit; operating cash flow; sales or revenue targets; increases in revenue or product revenue; expenses and cost reduction goals; improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; economic value added (or an equivalent metric); market share; cash flow; cash flow per share; share price performance; debt reduction; customer satisfaction; stockholders' equity; capital expenditures; debt levels; operating profit or net operating profit; workforce diversity; growth of net income or operating income; billings; product development goals; financing; regulatory milestones, including approval of a product; stockholder liquidity; corporate governance and compliance; product commercialization; intellectual property; personnel matters; progress of internal research; progress of partnered programs; partner satisfaction; budget management; data from clinical studies, partner or collaborator achievements; internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; investor relations, analysts and communication; manufacturing achievements (including obtaining particular yields from manufacturing runs and other measurable objectives related to process development activities); employee retention; strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property); establishing relationships with commercial entities with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Company's products; supply chain achievements; co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; individual performance goals; corporate development and planning goals; and other measures of performance selected by the Board or Committee whether or not listed herein.
(ww) "Performance Goals" means, for a Performance Period, one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of items that are "unusual" in nature or occur "infrequently" as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company's bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board may establish or provide for other adjustment items in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or in such other document setting for the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established. In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Award.
(xx) "Performance Period" means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant's right to vesting or exercise of an Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.
(yy) "Plan" means this
(zz) "Plan Administrator" means the person, persons, and/or third-party administrator designated by the Company to administer the day to day operations of the Plan.
(aaa) "Post-Termination Exercise Period" means the period following termination of a Participant's Continuous Service within which an Option or SAR is exercisable, as specified in Section 4(h).
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(bbb) Reserved.
(ccc) "Prior Plans" means the
(ddd) "Prospectus" means the document containing the Plan information specified in Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
(eee) "Restricted Stock Award" or "RSA" means an Award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5(a).
(fff) "Restricted Stock Award Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. The Restricted Stock Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Restricted Stock Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ggg) "Returning Shares" means shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plans and that following the Effective Date: (A) are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (B) are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; (C) are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; (D) are withheld or reacquired to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price; or (E) are withheld or reacquired to satisfy a tax withholding obligation.
(hhh) "RSU Award" or "RSU" means an Award of restricted stock units representing the right to receive an issuance of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5(a).
(iii) "RSU Award Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of an RSU Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an RSU Award grant. The RSU Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the RSU Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the RSU Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each RSU Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(jjj) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(kkk) "Rule 405" means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(lll) "SAR Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a SAR evidencing the terms and conditions of a SAR grant. The SAR Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the SAR and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the SAR and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each SAR Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(mmm) "Section 409A" means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder.
(nnn) "Section 409A Change in Control" means a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company's assets, as provided in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
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(ooo) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(ppp) "Share Reserve" means the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in Section 2(a).
(qqq) "Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means a right to receive the appreciation on the Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 4.
(rrr) "Subsidiary" means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.
(sss) "Ten Percent Stockholder" means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
(ttt) "Trading Policy" means the Company's policy permitting certain individuals to sell Company shares only during certain "window" periods and/or otherwise restricts the ability of certain individuals to transfer or encumber Company shares, as in effect from time to time.
(uuu) "Unvested Non-Exempt Award" means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had not vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of any Corporate Transaction.
(vvv) "Vested Non-Exempt Award" means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of a Corporate Transaction.
* * * *
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