Proxy Statement – Form DEF 14A
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF CORMEDIX INC.
The 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
1.To elect seven directors to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
2.To approve on a non-binding advisory basis the compensation of our named executive officers for 2023;
3.To approve an amendment to the Amended and Restated 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 3,360,000shares;
4.To ratify the appointment of
5.To act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment, postponement or continuation thereof.
These matters are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.
Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
This year, the meeting will take place virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CRMD2024. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to vote by proxy by following the instructions contained in the accompanying proxy statement. You may revoke your proxy in the manner described in the proxy statement at any time before it has been voted at the Annual Meeting. Any stockholder attending the Annual Meeting may vote during the meeting even if he or she has returned a proxy. Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, we hope that you will vote as soon as possible.
We are pleased to take advantage of the
Dated:
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/ |
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Corporate Secretary |
Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this proxy statement that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "believe," "can," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "will," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "will," "would," and similar expressions or variations intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's expectations as of the date of this proxy statement and involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, events or circumstances to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in the section titled "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider all of the information in this proxy statement. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this proxy statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this filing or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements. We advise you to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our future Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file with or furnish to the
WEBSITES
Website addresses referenced in this proxy statement are inactive textual references only, and the content on the referenced websites specifically does not constitute a part of this proxy statement.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Q:Why are you holding a virtual meeting?
A:Our Board of Directors (the "Board") will hold a virtual Annual Meeting because it believes that the virtual format will provide stockholders enhanced access to, participation in and communication in the Annual Meeting regardless of their geographic location. The audio of the entire Annual Meeting will be available for one year on the Company's website after the meeting.
Q:How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
A:You can access the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CRMD2024. You must enter the 16-digit control number found on your Notice of Internet Availability or Proxy Card. If you are a beneficial owner, you must contact your bank, broker or other institution where you hold your account if you have questions about obtaining your control number.
Q:How can I ask questions during the Annual Meeting?
A:The virtual format of the Annual Meeting allows stockholders to communicate with us during the Annual Meeting so they can ask questions of our management. Stockholder questions may be submitted in the field provided in the web portal during the Annual Meeting for consideration. Detailed guidelines for submitting written questions during the Annual Meeting are available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CRMD2024. You can also submit questions in advance of the Annual Meeting by visiting www.proxyvote.com.
Q:What if I need technical assistance during the Annual Meeting?
A:If you encounter any difficulties accessing the Annual Meeting during the check-in or meeting time, you should call 1-800-586-1548 (US) or 303-562-9288 (International) for technical assistance.
Q:Who may vote at the meeting?
A:The Board has set
Q:What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
A:If your shares of common stock are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent,
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other holder of record, you are considered the "beneficial owner" of shares held in street name. In that case, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials has been forwarded to you by your broker, bank, or other holder of record who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, nominee, trustee or other holder of record on how to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card you receive from your broker, nominee, trustee or other holder of record.
Q:What is the quorum requirement for the meeting?
A:A majority of our outstanding shares of stock, including shares of Series E preferred stock and Series G preferred stock, entitled to vote as of the record date must be present at the meeting in order for us to hold the meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. Your shares will be counted as present at the meeting if you:
•are present and entitled to vote at the meeting;
•properly submitted a proxy card or voter instruction card in advance of or at the meeting; or
•do not provide your broker with instructions on how to vote, but the broker submits the proxy nonetheless (a broker non-vote).
If you are present virtually or by proxy at the meeting, but abstain from voting on any or all proposals, your shares are still counted as present and entitled to vote. The proposals listed in this proxy statement identify the votes needed to approve or ratify the proposed actions.
Q:What proposals will be voted on at the meeting?
A:The proposals to be voted on at the meeting are as follows:
1.To elect the seven directors named in the proxy statement to serve until our next annual meeting or until their successors have been elected and qualified;
2.To approve on a non-binding advisory basis the compensation of our named executive officers for 2023;
3.To approve an amendment to the Amended and Restated 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 3,360,000shares; and
4.To ratify the appointment of
We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the meeting. As of the record date, we are not aware of any other matters to be submitted for consideration at the meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy card or voter instruction card will vote the shares they represent in their discretion.
Q:How may I vote my shares personally at the meeting?
A:If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent,
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Q:How can I vote my shares without attending the meeting?
A:Whether you hold shares directly as a registered stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may vote without attending the meeting. If your shares are held by a broker, trustee or other nominee, they should send you instructions that you must follow in order to have your shares voted. If you hold shares in your own name, you may vote by proxy in any one of the following ways:
•Via the Internet by accessing the proxy materials on the secure website https://www.proxyvote.com and following the voting instructions on that website;
•Via telephone by calling toll free 1-800-690-6903 in
•By requesting that printed copies of the proxy materials be mailed to you pursuant to the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and completing, dating, signing and returning the proxy card that you receive in response to your request.
The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders' identities by use of a control number to allow stockholders to vote their shares and to confirm that stockholders' instructions have been properly recorded. Voting via the Internet or telephone must be completed by
Q:How can I change my vote after submitting it?
A:If you are a stockholder of record, you can revoke your proxy before your shares are voted at the meeting by:
•Filing with our Corporate Secretary at
•Duly executing a later-dated proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it either before the meeting or live at the meeting and before the taking of the vote, to our Corporate Secretary at
•Attending the meeting and voting online during the virtual meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CRMD2024 with your control number (although attendance at the meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy); or
•If you voted by telephone or via the Internet, voting again by the same means by
If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker, nominee, trustee or other holder of record. You may also vote at the meeting if you obtain a legal proxy from them as described in the answer to a previous question.
Q:Where can I find the voting results of the meeting?
A:We will announce the voting results at the Annual Meeting. We will publish the results in a Form 8-K filed with the
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PROXY STATEMENT
2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This proxy statement has been prepared by, delivered and solicited on behalf of the management of
Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on
This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
In accordance with the rules of the
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SOLICITATION, VOTING AND ATTENDING
Who Can Vote
You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting and vote your common stock or Series E preferred stock or Series G preferred stock if you held shares as of the close of business on
Counting Votes
Consistent with
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"Broker non-votes" are proxies received from banks, brokerage firms or other nominees holding shares on behalf of their clients who have not been given specific voting instructions from their clients with respect to non-routine matters.
Assuming the presence of a quorum at the meeting:
•The election of directors will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast for each director nominee. This means that the seven nominees receiving the highest number of "FOR" votes will be elected as directors. Withheld votes and broker non-votes, if any, are not treated as votes cast, and therefore will have no effect on the proposal to elect directors.
•The advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers for 2023 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, are not treated as votes cast, and therefore will have no effect on the proposal to approve our executive compensation.
•The ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. In this context, abstentions, if any, are not treated as votes cast, and therefore will have no effect on this proposal.
•The approval of an amendment to the Amended and Restated 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. Under applicable Nasdaq Global Market rules and guidance, in the context of stockholder approval of an equity compensation plan, abstentions, if any, are treated as votes cast, and therefore will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal.
With respect to "routine" matters, such as the ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm, a bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee has the authority (but is not required) under the rules governing self-regulatory organizations, or SRO rules, including the Nasdaq Global Market, on which our common stock is listed, to vote its clients' shares if the clients do not provide instructions. When a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee votes its clients' shares on routine matters without receiving voting instructions, these shares are counted both for establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting and in determining the number of shares voted FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAINING with respect to such routine matters.
With respect to "non-routine" matters, such as the election of directors, the advisory vote to approve the compensation paid by the Company to its executive officers and the advisory vote to approve the frequency of the vote on executive compensation, a bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee is not permitted under the SRO rules to vote its clients' shares if the clients do not provide instructions. The bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee will so note on the voting instruction form, and this constitutes a "broker non-vote." Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum. Broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and, accordingly, will have no effect on any "non-routine" proposal.
Because the proposal for the advisory vote to approve the compensation paid by the Company to its executive officers requires a majority of votes cast for approval, and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast, a broker non-vote will have no effect on these proposals. While the election of directors is a non-routine matter, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, which means that the seven nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. As a result, votes withheld and broker non-votes have no effect on the election of directors.
In summary, if you do not vote your proxy, your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee may either:
•cast a vote on routine matters;
•cast a "broker non-vote" on non-routine matters; or
•leave your shares unvoted altogether.
We strongly encourage you to provide instructions to your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee by voting your proxy. This action ensures that your shares will be voted in accordance with your wishes at the meeting.
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Cost of this Proxy Solicitation
We will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, our directors and employees might solicit proxies personally and by telephone. None of these individuals will receive any additional compensation for this. We plan to retain a proxy solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee. We will, upon request, reimburse banks, brokerage firms and other nominees for their expenses in sending proxy materials to their principals and obtaining their proxies.
Attending the Annual Meeting
To attend the Annual Meeting, you will need to access www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CRMD2024 and enter your control number that is printed on your Notice of Internet Availability or Proxy Card. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held by a bank or broker, i.e., in "street name", you may vote them at the Annual Meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the bank or broker and deliver such legal proxy to the inspector of election to obtain a control number for access to the Annual Meeting.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our bylaws provide that the number of directors constituting the Board shall be not less than five nor more than nine. The Board may establish the number of directors within this range. There are seven directors presently serving on our Board. In
The Board proposes the seven nominees listed below for election to the Board for a one-year term. The Board has determined that directors
Director Nominees with Terms Expiring in 2024
The following table sets forth information concerning our director nominees as of
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Age |
Director Since |
Position(s) with |
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65 |
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Director |
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59 |
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Director |
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70 |
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Director |
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79 |
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Director and Chairman of the Board |
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68 |
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Director |
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48 |
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Director and Chief Executive Officer |
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57 |
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Director |
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on cystic fibrosis and other rare, inflammatory diseases.
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executive of
Vote Required
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. This means that the seven nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected.
Recommendation
The Board recommends that stockholders vote FOR the election of the seven nominees for election to the Board each for a one-year term.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2 - NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR 2023
As required under Section 14A of the Exchange Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the Board is submitting a "say on pay" proposal for stockholder consideration. While the vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers is non-binding and solely advisory in nature, the Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinion of our stockholders and will review and consider the voting results. At our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, a frequency of every year for casting advisory votes on named executive officer compensation. The advisory vote on named executive officer compensation will occur every year until the next vote on the frequency of stockholder votes on named executive officer compensation, which will occur at our 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Our executive officers are compensated based on performance, and in a manner consistent with our strategy, competitive practice, sound corporate governance principles, and our Company's and our stockholders' interests. We believe our compensation program is strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our Company and our stockholders. Compensation of our executive officers is designed to enable us to attract and retain talented and experienced senior executives to lead our Company successfully in a competitive environment.
The compensation of the Named Executive Officers is described on pages 37 through 43 of this proxy statement.
We are asking stockholders to vote on the following resolution:
"RESOLVED, that the stockholders of
As indicated above, the stockholder vote on this resolution will not be binding on our Company or the Board and will not be construed as overruling or determining any decision by us or by the Board. The vote will not be construed to create or imply any change to our fiduciary duties or those of the Board, or to create or imply any additional fiduciary duties for our Company or the Board.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast on this Proposal No. 2 is required to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers for 2023, as disclosed in this proxy statement.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends stockholders vote, on an advisory basis, FOR our named executive officer compensation for 2023.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3 - APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED 2019 OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On
In this Proposal No. 3, we are asking our stockholders to approve the Plan Amendment. A full text of the Plan Amendment is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
As of
As more fully described below under the section titled "Summary of the 2022 Plan," as of
Description of Changes
The terms of the 2022 Plan after approval of the Plan Amendment are the same as the 2022 Plan, except that 3,360,000 additional shares of our common stock will be available for issuance under the 2022 Plan on or after the effective date of the Plan Amendment, all of which may be granted in the form of incentive stock options.
Vote Required
Provided there is a quorum for the meeting, approval of the Plan Amendment requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this Proposal No. 3. Broker non-votes, if any, are not treated as votes cast, and therefore will have no effect on this Proposal No. 3 to approve the Plan Amendment. Under applicable Nasdaq Global Market rules and guidance, in the context of stockholder approval of an equity compensation plan, abstentions, if any, are treated as votes cast, and therefore will have the same effect as a vote against this Proposal No. 3.
Recommendation
Our Board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the Plan Amendment.
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Summary of the 2022 Plan
Following is a summary of the principal features of the 2022 Plan after giving effect to the Plan Amendment. For additional information, please refer to the specific provision of the full text of the 2022 Plan attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form S-8 filed on
Key Provisions
Following are the key provisions of the 2022 Plan after giving effect to the Plan Amendment:
Provisions of the 2022 Plan |
Description |
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Eligible Participants: |
Employees, non-employee directors, and consultants of our Company, any related entity, and any successor entity that adopts the 2022 Plan. |
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Share Reserve: |
Subject to adjustment as described below, the maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock which may be issued pursuant to all awards (including incentive stock options) is 8,160,000shares. In addition, any shares subject to outstanding grants under the Prior Plan that are forfeited, canceled or expire, or are settled in cash shall be available for issuance under the 2022 Plan. |
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The reserved shares will be reduced by one share for each share granted pursuant to stock rights awarded under the 2022 Plan. |
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The 2022 Plan does not permit "liberal" share recycling of any awards. Accordingly, any shares tendered or withheld to pay the exercise price or to satisfy tax obligations will be deemed issued and therefore not available for new grants under the 2022 Plan. |
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Award Types: |
•Incentive and nonqualified stock options •Stock appreciation rights (referred to as "SARs") •Restricted stock awards •Restricted stock unit awards (referred to as "RSUs") •Dividend equivalent rights •Other rights or benefits |
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Vesting: |
Determined by our Board or by the Compensation Committee, or another committee if appointed by our Board, or their respective delegates. |
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No Dividends on Unvested Awards: |
Any payment of accumulated dividends or dividend equivalent rights on an outstanding award is contingent on the actual vesting or payment, as applicable, of such award. |
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Repricing: |
Other than pursuant to an equitable adjustment as described below, or in connection with a corporate transaction, the plan administrator will not, without the approval of the Company's stockholders, (a) lower the exercise price of an option or SAR, (b) cancel an option or SAR when the exercise price per share exceeds the fair market value of a share in exchange for cash or another award, or (c) take any other action with respect to an option or SAR that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal |
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2022 Plan Termination Date: |
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Determination of Shares to be Available for Issuance
As of
If this Proposal No. 3 is approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the maximum aggregate number of new shares that may be issued under the 2022 Plan will be 8,160,000 shares, subject to adjustment as described below. In addition, shares subject to outstanding grants under the Prior Plan that are forfeited, canceled or expire, or are settled in cash shall also be available for issuance under the 2022 Plan. When deciding on the number of shares to be available for awards under the Plan Amendment, the Board considered a number of factors, including the number of shares currently available under the 2022 Plan, the Company's past share usage ("burate"), the number of shares needed for future awards, a dilution analysis, the current and future accounting expenses associated with the Company's equity award practices, and stockholder perspectives.
Dilution Analysis
The proposed share authorization is a request to amend the 2022 Plan so that 3,360,000 additional shares will be available for awards under the 2022 Plan on or after the effective date of the Plan Amendment.
The table below shows our potential dilution (referred to as "overhang") levels based on our fully diluted shares of common stock and our request for 3,360,000 new shares to be available for awards under the 2022 Plan. The request for 3,360,000 additional shares to be reserved under the 2022 Plan represents 4.3% of the fully diluted shares of our common stock, as described in the table below. The Board believes that this number of shares of common stock under the 2022 Plan represents a reasonable amount of potential equity dilution, which will allow us to continue awarding stock rights, and that such stock rights are an important component of the Company's equity compensation program.
Potential Overhang
Stock Options Outstanding as of |
7,766,462 |
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Weighted Average Exercise Price of Stock Options Outstanding as of |
$ |
4.99 |
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Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of Stock Options Outstanding as of |
7.6 years |
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Outstanding Full Value Awards as of |
352,903 |
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Total Equity Awards Outstanding as of |
8,119,365 |
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Shares Available for Grant under the 2022 Plan as of |
1,025,328 |
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Additional Shares Requested under the 2022 Plan |
3,360,000 |
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Total Potential Overhang under the 2022 Plan |
12,504,693 |
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Shares of Common Stock Outstanding as of |
57,760,964 |
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Warrants and Convertible Equity Shares as of |
7,900,647 |
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Fully Diluted Shares of Common Stock |
78,166,304 |
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Potential Dilution to Stockholders of 2022 Plan's Reserve as a Percentage of Fully Diluted Shares of Common Stock |
16.0 |
% |
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(1)Represents the number of outstanding stock option awards under the 2022 Plan and the Prior Plan.
(2)The Full Value Awards are comprised of time-based restricted stock units granted to employees and non-employee directors under the 2022 Plan and the Prior Plan.
(3)Any shares covered by awards under the Prior Plan that are forfeited, canceled or expire, or are settled in cash will be added to the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2022 Plan.
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Based on our current equity award practices, the Board estimates that the authorized shares under the 2022 Plan may be sufficient to provide us with an opportunity to grant stock rights for approximately two or three years. This is only an estimate, and circumstances could cause the share reserve to be used more quickly or more slowly. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, the future price of our common stock, the mix and grant value of cash, options and full value awards provided as long-term incentive compensation, grant amounts provided by our competitors, payout of performance-based awards in excess of target in the event of superior performance, hiring activity, and promotions during the next few years.
Share Usage
The table below sets forth the following information regarding the awards granted under the 2022 Plan and the Prior Plan: (i) the share usage for each of the last three calendar years and (ii) the average share usage rate over the last three calendar years. The share usage for each specified year has been calculated as (i) the sum of (x) all stock options granted in the applicable year, (y) all time-based stock units and stock awards granted in the applicable year, and (z) all performance-based stock units and stock awards granted in the applicable year at target value, divided by (ii) the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the applicable year.
Dividend equivalents are not included in the share usage calculation because none have been granted.
Share Usage Table
Element |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
Three-Year |
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Time-Based Stock Units and Stock Awards Granted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
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Total Full Value Awards |
50,000 |
207,469 |
0 |
- |
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Stock Options Granted: |
2,536,200 |
1,627,850 |
1,664,700 |
- |
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Total Full Value Awards and Stock Options Granted |
2,586,200 |
1,835,319 |
1,664,700 |
- |
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Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding at |
50,902,931 |
40,274,273 |
37,666,081 |
- |
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Share Usage |
5.08 |
% |
4.56 |
% |
4.42 |
% |
4.69 |
% |
As noted in the table above, we used an average of 4.69% of the weighted average shares outstanding on an annual basis for awards granted over the past three years under the 2022 Plan and the Prior Plan.
The Board believes that the Company's executive compensation program, and particularly the granting of stock rights, allows us to align the interests of employees, consultants and directors who are selected to receive awards with those of our stockholders. The Board believes that awards granted pursuant to the 2022 Plan are a vital component of our compensation program and, accordingly, that it is important that an appropriate number of shares of stock be authorized for issuance under the 2022 Plan.
Administration
The 2022 Plan is administered by our Board or by the Compensation Committee. With respect to awards to our officers or directors, the 2022 Plan is administered in a manner to satisfy applicable laws and that permits such grants and related transactions to be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The plan administrator has the full authority to select recipients of the grants, determine whether and to what extent grants are awarded, establish additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures to accommodate rules or laws of applicable non-
Available Shares
Subject to adjustment as described below, the maximum aggregate number of additional shares which may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2022 Plan will be 8,160,000 shares of our common stock. In addition, any shares subject to outstanding grants under the Prior Plan that are forfeited, canceled or expire, or are settled in cash shall be available for issuance under the 2022 Plan. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options (as described below) will not exceed 8,160,000shares.
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In addition, any shares covered by an award that is forfeited, canceled, or expires, or is settled in cash, under the 2022 Plan will be deemed to have not been issued for purposes of determining the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the 2022 Plan. Any shares covered by a Prior Plan award that is forfeited, canceled or expires, or is settled in cash, after the effective date of the Plan Amendment, will be added to the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2022 Plan. In the event any option or other award granted under the 2022 Plan or a Prior Plan is exercised through the tendering of shares (either actually or through attestation), or in the event tax withholding obligations are satisfied by tendering or withholding shares for any stock right, any shares so tendered or withheld will not again available for awards under the 2022 Plan. With respect to exercise of a stock-settled SAR, the total number of Shares subject to such SAR will be counted against the share reserve, notwithstanding that only the net number of such shares were issued. Shares of common stock we reacquire on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of options will not be available for awards under the 2022 Plan.
Shares awarded pursuant to awards granted upon the assumption of or in substitution for outstanding awards previously granted by a company that the Company acquires or with which it merges (referred to as "Substitute Awards") will not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the 2022 Plan, nor will shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the shares available for awards under the 2022 Plan. In the event that a company acquired by the Company or a related entity, or of which the Company or related entity combines, has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate) may be used for awards under the 2022 Plan and will not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the 2022 Plan. However, awards using such available shares will not be made after the date awards could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and will only be made to individuals who were not employees, consultants, or non-employee directors of the Company prior to such acquisition or combination.
Limit on Non-Employee Director Awards
The maximum number of shares subject to awards granted during a single fiscal year to any non-employee director, taken together with any cash fees paid during the fiscal year to the non-employee director, in respect of the director's service as a member of the Board during such year, will not exceed
Eligibility and Types of Awards
The 2022 Plan permits us to grant stock awards, including stock options (including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options), SARs, restricted stock, RSUs and dividend equivalent rights or other rights or benefits, to our employees, directors, and consultants.
Stock Options
A stock option may be an incentive stock option within the meaning of, and qualifying under, Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (referred to as the "Code"), or a nonqualified stock option. However, only our employees (or employees of our parent or subsidiaries, if any) may be granted incentive stock options. Incentive and nonqualified stock options are granted pursuant to option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the 2022 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant except with respect to Substitute Awards. Options granted under the 2022 Plan will become exercisable at the rate specified by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator determines the term of the stock options granted under the 2022 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years, except in the case of certain incentive stock options, as described below. Unless the terms of an optionholder's stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder's relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability or death, the optionholder may exercise any options otherwise exercisable as of the date of termination, but only during the post-termination exercise period designated
16
in the optionholder's stock option award agreement. The optionholder's stock option award agreement may provide that upon the termination of the optionholder's relationship with us for cause, the optionholder's right to exercise his or her options will terminate concurrently with the termination of the relationship. If an optionholder's service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases due to disability or death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or his or her estate or person who acquired the right to exercise the award by bequest or inheritance may exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months following such date. The option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the option within the applicable time periods is prohibited by applicable securities laws or such longer period as specified in the stock option award agreement but in no event beyond 30 days immediately following 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 (a) cash or check, (b) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (c) the tender of common stock previously owned by the optionholder, (d) a net exercise of the option, and (e) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, awards generally are not transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees (or to employees of our parent company and subsidiaries, if any). To the extent that the aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of shares of our common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under any of our equity plans exceeds
Stock Appreciation Rights
SARs may be granted under the 2022 Plan either concurrently with the grant of an option or at a later time determined by the plan administrator, or alone, without reference to any related stock option. The plan administrator determines both the number of shares of common stock related to each SAR and the exercise price for an SAR, within the terms and conditions of the 2022 Plan, provided that the exercise price of an SAR cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock subject thereto on the date of grant. In the case of an SAR granted concurrently with a stock option, the number of shares of common stock to which the SAR relates will be reduced in the same proportion that the holder of the stock option exercises the related option.
The plan administrator will determine whether to deliver cash in lieu of shares of common stock upon the exercise of an SAR. If common stock is issued, the number of shares of common stock that will be issued upon the exercise of an SAR is determined by dividing (a) the number of shares of common stock as to which the SAR is exercised multiplied by the amount of the appreciation in such shares, by (b) the fair market value of a share of common stock on the exercise date.
If the plan administrator elects to pay the holder of the SAR cash in lieu of shares of common stock, the holder of the SAR will receive cash equal to the fair market value on the exercise date of any or all of the shares that would otherwise be issuable.
The exercise of an SAR related to a stock option is permissible only to the extent that the stock option is exercisable under the terms of the 2022 Plan on the date of surrender. Any incentive stock option surrendered will be deemed to have been converted into a non-statutory stock option immediately prior to such surrender.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock awards are awards of shares of our common stock that are subject to established terms and conditions. The plan administrator sets the terms of the restricted stock awards, including the size of the restricted stock award, the price (if any) to be paid by the recipient and the vesting schedule and criteria (which may include
17
continued service to us for a period of time or the achievement of performance criteria). If a participant's service terminates before the restricted stock is fully vested, all of the unvested shares generally will be forfeited to, or repurchased by, us.
Restricted Stock Units
An RSU is a right to receive stock, cash equal to the value of a share of stock or other securities or a combination of the three at the end of a set period or the attainment of performance criteria. No stock is issued at the time of grant. The plan administrator sets the terms of the RSU award, including the size of the RSU award, the consideration (if any) to be paid by the recipient, vesting schedule, and criteria and form (stock or cash) in which the award will be settled. If a participant's service terminates before the RSU is fully vested, the unvested portion of the RSU award generally will be forfeited to us.
Dividend Equivalent Rights
Dividend equivalent rights entitle the recipient to compensation measured by ordinary dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of common stock. No cash dividends or dividend equivalents will accrue or be paid in respect of any stock options or SARs.
Rights as a Stockholder; No Dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights on Unvested Awards
Except as otherwise provided in any award agreement or as required by applicable law, a participant will not have any rights of a stockholder with respect to any of the shares granted under an award of restricted stock (including the right to vote or receive dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto). No dividends or dividend equivalent rights will be paid in respect of any unvested award of restricted stock, unless and until such shares vest.
In the case of awards other than restricted stock, except as otherwise provided in any award agreement, a participant will not have any rights of a stockholder. No dividends or dividend equivalent rights will be paid with respect to any of the shares granted pursuant to such award agreement until the award vests and is paid.
Performance-Based Compensation
The 2022 Plan establishes procedures for our Company to grant performance-based awards, meaning awards structured such that the vesting or other realization of the award will be subject to the achievement of certain performance criteria established by the plan administrator for a specified performance period. The plan administrator will determine the duration of the performance period, the performance criteria on which performance will be measured, and the amount and terms of payment and vesting upon achievement of such criteria.
The business measures that may be used to establish the performance criteria may include, but will not be limited to, one of, or any combination of, the following:
The business measures that may be used to establish the performance criteria may include, but are not limited to, one of, or combination of, the following:
A.Net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);
B.Earnings per share;
C.Net sales;
D.Net operating profit;
E.Retumeasures (including, but not limited to, retuon assets, capital, equity, or sales);
H.Earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization;
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I.Gross or operating margins;
J.Productivity ratios;
K.Share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return);
L.Expense targets or ratios;
M.Charge-off levels;
N.Improvement in or attainment of revenue levels;
O.Margins;
P.Operating efficiency;
Q.Operating expenses;
R.Economic value added;
S.Improvement in or attainment of expense levels;
T.Improvement in or attainment of working capital levels;
U.Debt reduction;
V.Capital targets;
W.Regulatory, clinical, or manufacturing milestones; and
X.Consummation of acquisitions, dispositions, projects or other specific events or transactions.
Deferrals
The plan administrator may establish one or more programs that permit participants to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of common stock that would otherwise be due to the participant in connection with an award under the 2022 Plan. The plan administrator will establish the rules and procedures applicable to any such deferrals.
Adjustments
Subject to any required action by the our stockholders, the number of shares of common stock covered by each outstanding stock right, and the number of shares of common stock which have been authorized for issuance under the 2022 Plan but as to which no stock rights have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan, the exercise or purchase price of each such outstanding stock right, as well as any other terms that the plan administrator determines require adjustment will be proportionately adjusted for (i) any increase or decrease in the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, combination or reclassification of the shares, or similar transaction affecting the shares, (ii) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by us, or (iii) any other transaction with respect to the our common stock including a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation (including a spin-off or other distribution of stock or property), reorganization, liquidation (whether partial or complete) or any similar transaction; provided, however that conversion of any of our convertible securities will not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment will be made by the plan administrator and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive. Except as the plan administrator determines, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, will affect, and no adjustment by reason hereof will be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of common stock subject to a stock right. No adjustments will be made for dividends paid in cash or in property other than our common stock.
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Corporate Transactions
Unless otherwise set forth in an award agreement, if a corporate transaction occurs and participants' awards remain outstanding after the corporate transaction, or are assumed by, or converted to similar awards in the corporate transaction, and the participant incurs an involuntary separation from service other than for cause during a period specified by the plan administrator, (i) all outstanding options and SARs will automatically accelerate and become fully exercisable, (ii) any restrictions and conditions on outstanding restricted stock will immediately lapse, and (iii) awards of RSUs or of other rights or benefits will become payable. Awards that are based on performance goals will vest and be payable as determined by the plan administrator.
Unless otherwise set forth in an award agreement, if a corporate transaction occurs and participants' awards do not remain outstanding after the corporate transaction, and are not assumed by, or converted to similar awards in the corporate transaction, (i) all outstanding options and SARs will immediately vest and become exercisable, (ii) any restrictions on restricted stock will immediately lapse, and (iii) awards of RSUs or of other rights or benefits will become payable as of the date of the corporate transaction. Awards that are based on performance goals will vest and be payable as determined by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator may establish such other terms relating to the effect of a corporate transaction on awards as the plan administrator deems appropriate. In addition to other actions, in the event of a corporate transaction, the plan administrator may take any one or more of the following actions with respect to any or all outstanding awards, without the consent of any participant: (i) the plan administrator may determine that outstanding awards will be assumed by, or replaced with awards that have comparable terms by, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation); (ii) the plan administrator may determine that outstanding options and SARs will automatically accelerate and become fully exercisable, and the restrictions and conditions on outstanding restricted stock will immediately lapse; (iii) the plan administrator may determine that participants will receive a payment in settlement of outstanding awards of RSUs or of other rights or benefits, in such amount and form as may be determined by the plan administrator; (iv) the plan administrator may require that participants surrender their outstanding options and SARs in exchange for a payment by the Company, in cash or shares as determined by the plan administrator, in an amount equal to the amount, if any, by which the then fair market value of the shares subject to the participant's unexercised options and SARs exceeds the exercise price, and (v) after giving participants an opportunity to exercise all of their outstanding options and SARs, the plan administrator may terminate any or all unexercised options and SARs at such time as the plan administrator deems appropriate. If the per share fair market value of the shares does not exceed the per share exercise price, the Company will not be required to make any payment to the participant upon surrender of the option or SAR.
For purposes of the 2022 Plan, "corporate transaction" means any of the following transactions:
(i)a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state in which the Company is incorporated;
(ii)the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(iii)the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(iv)any reverse merger or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse merger (including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse merger) in which the Company is the surviving entity but (A) the shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such merger are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, or (B) in which securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such merger or the initial transaction culminating in such merger; or
(v)acquisition in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities. Any acceleration, surrender, termination, settlement or conversion shall take place as of the date of a corporate transaction or such other date as the plan administrator may specify.
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Amendment and Termination; No Repricing
Our Board generally may amend, suspend, or terminate the 2022 Plan. However, it may not amend, suspend, or terminate the 2022 Plan without stockholder approval (obtained within 12 months before or after a related Board resolution) for certain actions, such as an increase in the number of shares reserved under the 2022 Plan (other than pursuant to an equitable adjustment), modifications to the provisions of the 2022 Plan regarding the grant of incentive stock options, modifications to the provisions of the 2022 Plan regarding the exercise prices at which shares may be offered pursuant to options, or extension of the 2022 Plan's expiration date.
Other than pursuant to an equitable adjustment as described above or in connection with a corporate transaction, the plan administrator will not, without the approval of the Company's stockholders, (a) lower the exercise price of an option or SAR, (b) cancel an option or SAR when the exercise price per share exceeds the fair market value of one share in exchange for cash or another award, or (c) take any other action with respect to an option or SAR that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal
Clawback/Repayment
All awards will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (i) any applicable clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or Compensation Committee and as in effect from time to time; and (ii) applicable law. Further, to the extent that the participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the participant should otherwise have received under the terms of the award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the participant may be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company.
Tax Withholding
Our Board may require a participant to satisfy any federal, state, local, or foreign income tax withholding obligation or other tax-related liabilities relating to a stock award by (a) causing the participant to tender a cash payment, (b) withholding shares of common stock from the shares of common stock deliverable to the participant in connection with the award, (c) delivering to the Company already-owned shares of common stock, provided the delivery of such shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences as the plan administrator determines (d) selling shares of common stock from the shares of common stock deliverable to the participant in connection with the award, (e) retaining from salary or other amounts payable to the participant, and/or (f) any other means that the plan administrator determines both to comply with applicable laws and be consistent with the purposes of the 2022 Plan.
Summary of Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 2022 Plan
The following summary is intended only as a general guide to certain
Incentive Stock Options
A participant recognizes no taxable income for regular income tax purposes as a result of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option qualifying under Section 422 of the Code.
If a participant holds stock acquired through exercise of an incentive stock option for more than two years from the date on which the option was granted and more than one year after the date the option was exercised for those shares, any gain or loss on a disposition of those shares (a "qualifying disposition") will be a long-term capital gain or loss. Upon such a qualifying disposition, we will not be entitled to any income tax deduction.
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If a participant disposes of shares within two years after the date of grant of the option or within one year after the date of exercise of the option (a "disqualifying disposition"), the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the option exercise date and the exercise price (not to exceed the gain realized on the sale if the disposition is a transaction with respect to which a loss, if sustained, would be recognized) will be taxed to the participant as ordinary income at the time of disposition. Any gain in excess of that amount will be a capital gain. If a loss is recognized, there will be no ordinary income, and such loss will be a capital loss. To the extent the participant recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying disposition, generally our Company will be entitled (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, Section 162(m) and other provisions of the Code limiting the deduction of compensation, and the satisfaction of a tax-reporting obligation) to a corresponding income tax deduction in the tax year in which the disqualifying disposition occurs.
The difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date of an incentive stock option is treated as an adjustment in computing the participant's alternative minimum taxable income and may subject the participant to alternative minimum tax liability for the year of exercise. Special rules may apply after exercise for (a) sales of the shares in a disqualifying disposition, (b) basis adjustments for computing alternative minimum taxable income on a subsequent sale of the shares, and (c) tax credits that may be available to participants subject to the alternative minimum tax.
Non-Statutory Stock Options
Options not designated or qualifying as incentive stock options will be non-statutory stock options. A participant generally recognizes no taxable income upon the grant of such an option so long as (a) the exercise price is no less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and (b) the option (and not the underlying stock) at such time does not have a readily ascertainable fair market value. Upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, the participant normally recognizes ordinary income in the amount of the difference between the option exercise price and the then-fair market value of the shares purchased, and withholding of income and employment taxes will apply if the participant is or was an employee. Generally, the Company will be entitled (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, Section 162(m) and other provisions of the Code limiting the deduction of compensation, and the satisfaction of a tax-reporting obligation) to an income tax deduction in the tax year in which such ordinary income is recognized by the participant.
Upon the disposition of stock acquired by the exercise of a non-statutory stock option, any recognized gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the exercise date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss, which will be short-term or long-term gain or loss, depending on the holding period of the stock.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A participant recognizes no taxable income upon the receipt of an SAR. Upon the exercise of an SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the underlying shares of common stock on the exercise date over the exercise price. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. The Company generally should be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant in connection with the exercise of the SAR (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, Section 162(m) and other provisions of the Code limiting the deduction of compensation, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation).
Restricted Stock
A participant acquiring restricted stock generally will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the "determination date" (as defined below) and their purchase price, if any. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. The "determination date" is the date on which the participant acquires the shares unless they are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and are not transferable, in which case the determination date is the earliest of (a) the date the shares become transferable, (b) the date the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, or (c) the date the shares are acquired if the participant makes a timely election under Code Section 83(b). If the shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and not transferable when issued, the participant may elect, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code, to have the date of acquisition be the determination date by filing an election with the
22
acquired. Upon the taxable disposition of shares acquired pursuant to a restricted stock award, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the determination date, will generally be taxed as capital gain or loss; however, for any shares returned to our Company pursuant to a forfeiture provision, a participant's loss may be computed based only on the purchase price (if any) of the shares and may not take into account any income recognized by reason of a Section 83(b) election. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year. Our Company generally will be entitled (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, Section 162(m) and other provisions of the Code limiting the deduction of compensation, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a corresponding income tax deduction in the year in which the ordinary income from restricted stock is recognized by the participant.
Restricted Stock Units
No taxable income is recognized upon receipt of an RSU award. In general, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year in which the units vest and are settled in an amount equal to any cash received and the fair market value of any nonrestricted shares received. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. Our Company generally will be entitled (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, Section 162(m) and other provisions of the Code limiting the deduction of compensation, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to an income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant. In general, the deduction will be allowed for the taxable year in which such ordinary income is recognized by the participant.
Dividend Equivalent Rights
A recipient of dividend equivalent rights generally will recognize ordinary income at the time the dividend equivalent right is paid. If required, income and employment tax must be withheld on the income recognized by the participant. Our Company will generally be entitled (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, Section 162(m) and other provisions of the Code limiting the deduction of compensation, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to an income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant.
Other Awards
Our Company generally will be entitled to an income tax deduction in connection with an award under the 2022 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant at the time the participant recognizes such income (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, Section 162(m) and other provisions of the Code limiting the deduction of compensation, and the satisfaction of a tax-reporting obligation). Participants typically are subject to income (and employment) tax and recognize such tax at the time that an award is granted, exercised, vests or becomes nonforfeitable, unless the award provides for a further deferral.
Section 409A
Section 409A of the Code ("Section 409A") imposes certain requirements on nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. These include requirements on an individual's election to defer compensation and the individual's selection of the timing and form of distribution of the deferred compensation. Section 409A also generally provides that adverse tax consequences will apply unless distributions must be made on or following the occurrence of certain events (e.g., the individual's separation from service, a predetermined date, or the individual's death). Section 409A imposes restrictions on an individual's ability to change his or her distribution timing or form after the compensation has been deferred.
Certain awards under the 2022 Plan may be subject to the requirements of Section 409A in form and in operation, but are designed to meet the conditions under Section 409A for avoiding its adverse tax consequences. For example, RSUs that provide for a settlement date following the vesting date may be subject to Section 409A. If an award under the 2022 Plan is subject to Section 409A and fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A, the recipient of that award may recognize ordinary income on the amounts deferred under the award, to the extent vested, which may be before the compensation is actually or constructively received. Also, if an award that is subject
23
to Section 409A fails to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, Section 409A imposes an additional 20% federal penalty tax on the participant's compensation recognized as ordinary income, as well as interest on such deferred compensation.
Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Code imposes a
* * *
The foregoing is only a summary, based on the current Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated by the
New Plan Benefits
We cannot currently determine the benefits or number of shares subject to awards that may be granted in the future to participants under the 2022 Plan because awards under the 2022 Plan are discretionary. The plan administrator has full discretion to determine the amount of the awards to be made to participants under the 2022 Plan, subject to the limits described above for non-employee directors. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to participants under the 2022 Plan.
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PROPOSAL NO. 4 - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee of our Board has appointed the firm
Representatives of
Vote Required
Ratification of the appointment of
Recommendation
The Board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information about the Board of Directors and its Committees
Board of Directors Composition
Our Board currently consists of seven members. Directors elected at this meeting and each subsequent annual meeting will be elected for one-year terms or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
We separate the positions of Chairman, currently held by independent director
Board Diversity Matrix
The tables below provide certain highlights of the composition of our Board members and nominees as of
Board Diversity Matrix (as of |
||||
Total Number of Directors |
7 |
|||
Female |
Male |
Non-Binary or |
Did Not |
|
Part I: Gender Identity |
||||
Directors |
1 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
Part II: Demographic Background |
||||
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Asian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hispanic or Latinx |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
White |
1 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LGTBQ+ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Board Diversity Matrix (as of |
||||
Total Number of Directors |
8 |
|||
Female |
Male |
Non-Binary or |
Did Not |
|
Part I: Gender Identity |
||||
Directors |
1 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
Part II: Demographic Background |
||||
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Asian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hispanic or Latinx |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
White |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LGTBQ+ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
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Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") Considerations
We are a forward-thinking biopharmaceutical company dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs. As an emerging company, we recognize that we have the opportunity to develop corporate social responsibility policies and practices that reflect our values as a company and our commitment to our employees and the broader medical community with a strategic focus on the following areas:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:We are focused on promoting diversity in our workforce and creating an equitable and inclusive workplace where all our employees feel supported and are empowered to succeed. We believe that this will provide us with a competitive advantage, driving creative and innovative thinking and ultimately enhancing our business. We value diversity in thought, skills, background, and experiences and are working toward creating a diverse Board and leadership team that will advance our business and contribute to our success.
Employee Wellness:We believe that our employees are key to our success. We are dedicated to investing in our employees and workplace culture. As part of this effort, we offer benefits and financial wellness programs to our full-time employees, including offering a 401(k) match program, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and educational programs to help employees understand how to manage their finances. We also offer several programs to promote the health and wellbeing of our employees, including an employee assistance program, and disease management and prevention programs.
Environmental:We strive to engage all employees in community service activities, including ones that promote environmental awareness. The company utilizes waste management programs to minimize ecological impact.
Governance:We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics (the "Code of Conduct"), which applies to all of our employees (including officers), non-employee directors and certain consultants as designated by the Company, and outlines our commitment to ethical and compliant business practices. We promote compliance with all relevant government laws, rules, and regulations, honest and ethical conduct, protection of company assets, and fair dealings and timely and accurate disclosures in all company reporting. All employees are required to understand, comply with, and report any suspected violations of the Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct is reviewed by management and the Board periodically to ensure it is appropriate in scope and achieves the objectives above.
Selection of Nominees for our Board of Directors
To be considered as a director nominee, an individual must have, among other attributes: high personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; commitment to our Company and its stockholders; an inquisitive and objective perspective and mature judgment; and availability to perform all Board and committee responsibilities. In addition to these minimum requirements, the
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Board Committees
Our Board has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a
Our Board has undertaken a review of the independence of our directors and has determined that (i) all current directors, except
Each of the above-referenced committees operates pursuant to a formal written charter. The charters for each committee, which have been adopted by our Board, contain a detailed description of the respective committee's duties and responsibilities and are available on our website at www.cormedix.com under the "Investors - Corporate Governance" tab.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of our corporate financial statements and reporting and our external audits, including, among other things, our internal controls and audit functions, the results and scope of the annual audit and other services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm and our compliance with legal matters that have a significant impact on our financial statements. The Audit Committee also consults with our management and our independent registered public accounting firm prior to the presentation of financial statements to stockholders and, as appropriate, initiates inquiries into aspects of our financial affairs. The Audit Committee is responsible for establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and for the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. In addition, the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, retention, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, including approving services and fee arrangements. All related party transactions will be approved by the Audit Committee before we enter into them.
Both our independent registered public accounting firm and internal financial personnel regularly meet with, and have unrestricted access to, the Audit Committee.
The Board has determined that each of
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves our compensation policies and all forms of compensation to be provided to our executive officers, including, among other things, annual salaries, bonuses, and other incentive compensation arrangements. The Compensation Committee also reviews and makes recommendations to our Board regarding changes in director compensation. In addition, the Compensation Committee administers our equity compensation plans, including granting stock options to our executive officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves employment agreements with executive officers and other compensation policies and matters. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee has the power to form and delegate authority to subcommittees and to delegate authority to one or more members of the Compensation Committee.
28
Since 2016, the Company and the Compensation Committee have periodically engaged
Each member of the Compensation Committee is a non-employee director, as defined pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Nominating and Governance Committee
Information Regarding Meetings of the Board and Committees
The business of our Company is under the general oversight of our Board as provided by the laws of
Risk Oversight
Our Board is responsible for our Company's risk oversight and administers its risk oversight responsibilities by delegating certain business and governance activities to the appropriate committees for more detailed consideration and evaluation.
Our Board has delegated its primary risk oversight responsibilities to the Audit Committee. In fulfilling that role, the Audit Committee focuses on our general risk-management strategy, the most significant risks facing our Company, and ensures that risk-mitigation strategies are implemented by management. The Audit Committee also has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to limit, monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govethe process by which risk assessment and management are undertaken. The Compensation Committee oversees risks related to our compensation and benefit plans and policies to ensure sound pay practices that do not cause risks to arise that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company.
Our management is responsible for the day-to-day identification, evaluation, management, and mitigation of the Company's risk exposures. The Company manages these enterprise risks through a variety of policies, programs, committees, and internal controls designed to protect the Company's assets, operations, and reputation, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Stockholder Proposals
Our stockholders may submit a proposal to be considered for a vote at an annual meeting of stockholders. If you wish to submit a proposal for consideration, you should adhere to the following procedures as prescribed in our bylaws and Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act ("Rule 14a-8").
29
Our bylaws establish procedures for stockholder nominations for elections of directors and bringing business before any annual meeting of stockholders. A stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at an annual meeting or propose business to be properly brought before an annual meeting only if written notice of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination or nominations or propose such business has been delivered to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year's annual meeting. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior year's annual meeting, the stockholder notice must be given not more than 120 days nor less than the later of 90 days prior to the date of the annual meeting or, if it is later, the 10th day following the date on which the date of the annual meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed by us.
A stockholder's notice must set forth: (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on our books, and of such beneficial owner, and (ii) the class and number of shares of our Company that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; and (d) any additional information reasonably requested by the Board.
Notwithstanding anything in the previous paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no public announcement by us naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice required by the bylaws will also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is delivered to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by us.
In addition to satisfying the above requirements under our bylaws, to comply with the
The chairperson of the meeting has the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with the bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination will be disregarded.
Under Rule 14a-8, a stockholder who intends to present a proposal at an annual meeting of stockholders and who wishes the proposal to be included in the proxy materials for that meeting must submit the proposal in writing to us so that it is received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office not less than 120 calendar days before the date our proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year's annual meeting. Any proposals received after such deadline will be considered untimely under Rule 14a-8. Please refer to Rule 14a-8 for the requirements that apply to these proposals.
Stockholders who wish to do so may communicate directly with the Board or specified individual directors by writing to:
Board of Directors (or name of individual director)
c/o Corporate Secretary
30
We will forward all communications from stockholders to the full Board, to non-management directors, to an individual director or to the chairperson of the Board committee that is most closely related to the subject matter of the communication, except for the following types of communications: (i) communications that advocate that we engage in illegal activity; (ii) communications that, under community standards, contain offensive or abusive content; (iii) communications that have no relevance to our business or operations; and (iv) mass mailings, solicitations and advertisements. The Corporate Secretary will determine when a communication is not to be forwarded. Our acceptance and forwarding of communications to directors does not imply that directors owe or assume any fiduciary duties to persons submitting the communications.
Stock Ownership Requirements
We adopted stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors in
Hedging and Pledging Policies
We have adopted an insider trading policy that includes provisions restricting our directors, officers and employees from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions involving our securities and prohibits our directors, officers and employees from engaging in short sales of our securities. Our insider trading policy also strongly discourages our directors, officers and employees from holding our securities in margin accounts or otherwise pledging our securities as collateral for loans.
Clawback Policy
In compliance to Nasdaq listing standards relating to clawback policies, we adopted the Compensation Recoupment Policy in
For mandatory clawbacks, the Compensation Recoupment Policy applies to our executive officers with respect to compensation that is granted, earned or vested based wholly or in part upon attainment of a financial reporting measure and any such compensation attained on or after
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information concerning our current executive officers as of
|
Age |
Position(s) with |
||
|
48 |
Chief Executive Officer |
||
|
47 |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
||
|
64 |
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary |
||
|
45 |
Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Strategy & Operations Officer |
||
|
43 |
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer |
See the biography for
Dr.
31
On
32
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned as of
•each person known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock;
•each director;
•each of our Named Executive Officers; and
•all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
This table is based upon the information supplied by our Named Executive Officers, directors and principal stockholders and from Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the
Common Stock |
|||||
|
Shares |
% |
|||
5% or Greater Stockholders |
|||||
|
3,507,695 |
6.4 |
% |
||
|
2,946,531 |
5.4 |
% |
||
|
2,825,335 |
5.2 |
% |
||
Directors: |
|||||
|
218,473 |
* |
|||
|
102,500 |
* |
|||
|
147,750 |
* |
|||
|
327,034 |
* |
|||
|
235,650 |
* |
|||
|
61,866 |
* |
|||
Named Executive Officers: |
|||||
|
701,030 |
1.2 |
|||
|
583,268 |
1.0 |
|||
|
333,761 |
* |
|||
|
529,464 |
* |
|||
|
415,041 |
* |
|||
|
0 |
* |
|||
All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)(16) |
3,126,373 |
5.2 |
% |
____________
*Less than 1%
(1)Based upon 57,760,964shares of our common stock outstanding on
33
(2)Based solely on information contained in the Statement on Schedule 13G filed with the
(3)Based solely on information contained in Amendment No. 1 to the Statement on Schedule 13G filed with the
(4)Based solely on information contained in the Statement on Schedule 13G filed with the
(5)Consists of (i) 53,473shares of our common stock, and (ii) 165,000shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(6)Consists of 102,500shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(7)Consists of (i) 15,250shares of our common stock, and (ii) 132,500shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(8)Consists of (i) 151,034shares of our common stock held directly, (ii) 30,000shares of our common stock held by
(9)Consists of (i) 75,498shares of our common stock held directly, (ii) 2,000shares of our common stock held by
(10)Consists of (i) 11,000shares of our common stock, and (ii) 50,866shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(11)Consists of (i) 184,363shares of our common stock, and (ii) 516,667shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(12)Consists of (i) 10,434shares of our common stock, and (ii) 572,834shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(13)Consists of (i) 13,011shares of our common stock, and (ii) 320,750shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(14)Consists of (i) 7,200shares of our common stock, and (ii) 522,264shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(15)Consists of (i) 7,897shares of our common stock, and (ii) 407,144shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(16)Consists of the following held by our directors and executive officers (i) 584,112shares of our common stock, and (ii) 2,542,261shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.
34
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Director Compensation in Fiscal 2023
The following table shows the compensation earned by each of our non-employee directors for the year ended
|
Fees Earned |
Option |
Total |
|||
|
65,242 |
69,420 |
134,662 |
|||
|
78,000 |
69,420 |
147,420 |
|||
|
72,000 |
69,420 |
141,420 |
|||
|
72,000 |
69,420 |
141,420 |
|||
|
122,543 |
69,420 |
191,963 |
|||
|
93,000 |
69,420 |
162,420 |
|||
|
43,587 |
158,995 |
202,582 |
____________
(1)The amounts included in this column are the dollar amounts representing the full grant date fair value of each stock option award calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and do not represent the actual value that may be recognized by the directors upon option exercise. For information on the valuation assumptions used in calculating these amounts, see Note 7 to our audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2)As of
(3)Effective
Director Compensation Plan
The Board, following the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and, based on advice of
The 2023 compensation program is set forth below in the table. Each year we make an annual grant of stock options to each non-employee director with respect to 20,000shares and we make an initial grant of stock options to new non-employee directors with respect to 25,000shares, prorated as appropriate. On
Cash |
Stock |
|||||
Annual Fee |
$ |
55,000 |
||||
First Election to Board |
25,000 |
(1) |
||||
Annual Grant, Prorated in First Year Following Election to the Board |
20,000 |
(2) |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Board Chair |
$ |
45,000 |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Audit Chair |
$ |
23,000 |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Compensation Chair |
$ |
18,000 |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Nomination and Governance Chair |
$ |
14,000 |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Audit Committee Non-Chair Members |
$ |
10,000 |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Compensation Committee Non-Chair Members |
$ |
7,000 |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Nomination and Governance Committee Non-Chair Members |
$ |
5,000 |
||||
Additional Annual Fee - Strategic Committee Members |
$ |
15,000 |
____________
(1)Vests one third each on the date of grant and the first and second anniversary date of grant.
(2)Vests monthly over one year after the grant date.
35
We maintain a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, pursuant to which our non-employee directors may defer all of their cash director fees and restricted stock units. Any cash fees due to a participating director will be converted into a number of shares of our common stock by dividing the dollar amount of fees payable by the closing price of our common stock on the date such fees would be payable, and the director's unfunded account is credited with the shares. The shares that accumulate in a director's account will be paid to the director on the tenth business day in January following the year in which the director's service terminates for whatever reason, other than death, in which case the account will be paid within 30 days of the date of death to the designated beneficiary, as applicable. In the event of a change in control of our Company, the director would receive cash in an amount equal to the number of shares in the account multiplied by the fair market value of our common stock on the change in control date, and the payment would be accelerated to five business days after the effective date of the change in control.
36
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation earned by our Named Executive Officers in the years ended
|
Fiscal |
Salary |
Stock |
Option |
Non-Equity |
All Other |
Total |
||||||||
|
2023 |
616,962 |
- |
1,388,400 |
401,700 |
52,370 |
(2) |
2,459,342 |
|||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2022 |
378,461 |
701,245 |
1,273,500 |
305,760 |
32,223 |
2,691,189 |
||||||||
|
2023 |
389,135 |
- |
433,875 |
156,000 |
52,140 |
(2) |
1,031,150 |
|||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2022 |
393,462 |
- |
305,900 |
389,485 |
47,697 |
1,136,544 |
||||||||
|
2023 |
389,577 |
- |
694,200 |
156,800 |
- |
1,240,577 |
||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer |
|||||||||||||||
|
2023 |
375,000 |
- |
433,875 |
112,500 |
333,207 |
1,254,582 |
||||||||
Former Executive Vice President and General Counsel and Head of Regulatory, Compliance and Legal |
2022 |
375,000 |
- |
428,260 |
195,075 |
12,146 |
(4) |
1,010,481 |
____________
(1)The amounts included in this column are the dollar amounts representing the full grant date fair value of each award calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and do not represent the actual value that may be recognized by the Named Executive Officers upon option exercise.
(2)Represents premiums paid by us for health benefits and 401(k) plan employer match.
(3)
(4)
(5)Represents premiums paid by us for health benefits,
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers
On
Dr.
On
On
37
writing at least 90 days before the expiration of the then-current term that the term will not be renewed.
Until
In connection with her departure, the Company and
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The following provisions of the employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers are identical except where noted.
In the event that a Named Executive Officer's employment is terminated during the term of his or her employment agreement by the Company other than for "cause" (other than as a result of death or disability), or by the Named Executive Officer for Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement), the Named Executive Officer will, subject to execution of a general release of claims, be entitled to: (i) a continuation of base salary for a period of nine months; except that
Non-Compete Covenants
Each of our Named Executive Officers is prohibited from engaging in any business involving the development or commercialization of a preventive anti-infective product that would be a direct competitor of DefenCath/Neutrolin or a product containing taurolidine or any other product being actively developed or produced by us within
Equity Plan
The Company maintains the
38
2023 Equity Awards
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2023
The following table contains certain information concerning unexercised options for the Named Officers as of
|
Stock Awards |
Option |
Option |
Equity |
Equity |
||||||||
Number of |
Number of |
||||||||||||
|
125,000 |
375,000 |
3.38 |
|
103,735 |
(3) |
390,044 |
||||||
100,000 |
300,000 |
4.43 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
|
101,917 |
20,750 |
5.63 |
|
- |
- |
|||||||
101,917 |
20,750 |
4.08 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
30,000 |
10,000 |
8.32 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
93,750 |
31,250 |
5.56 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
50,000 |
50,000 |
4.03 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
31,250 |
93,750 |
4.43 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
|
77,500 |
2,500 |
3.57 |
|
- |
- |
|||||||
7,500 |
2,500 |
8.32 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
10,500 |
10,500 |
4.03 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
60,000 |
60,000 |
5.45 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
50,000 |
150,000 |
4.43 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
|
60,000 |
- |
7.92 |
|
- |
- |
|||||||
24,764 |
- |
5.63 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
50,000 |
- |
4.08 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
50,000 |
- |
5.63 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
70,000 |
- |
8.32 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
100,000 |
- |
5.56 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
105,000 |
- |
4.03 |
|
- |
- |
||||||||
62,500 |
- |
4.43 |
|
- |
- |
____________
(1)Vesting based on continued employment over four years.
39
(2)Fair market value of the shares that could be acquired based on the closing sale price per share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on
(3)Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of our common stock. The restricted stock units vest as follows: 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date, 30% on the second anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 20% on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date.
(4)
Potential Payments on a Qualifying Termination
If the severance payments called for in our employment agreements for
|
Cash |
COBRA |
Accelerated |
Total |
||||
|
618,000 |
42,831 |
437,544 |
1,098,375 |
||||
|
927,000 |
64,246 |
532,544 |
1,230,790 |
||||
|
292,500 |
31,863 |
0 |
324,363 |
||||
|
292,500 |
31,863 |
0 |
324,363 |
||||
|
294,003 |
0 |
475 |
294,578 |
||||
|
294,003 |
0 |
475 |
294,578 |
____________
(1)With respect to outstanding stock options, represents the difference between the fair market value of the shares that could be acquired based on the closing sale price per share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on
Pursuant to
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of
Plan Category |
Number of |
Weighted |
Number of |
|||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) |
6,365,243 |
(2) |
$ |
5.44 |
3,108,929 |
|||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
- |
$ |
- |
- |
||||
Total |
6,365,243 |
3,108,929 |
____________
(1)Our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by our stockholders on
(2)Consist of 6,211,508 underlying stock options and 153,735 underlying restricted stock units.
(3)Applicable to shares underlying outstanding stock options only.
40
Pay Versus Performance
As required by Item 402(v) of SEC Regulation S-K, the following information is presented to disclose the relationship between executive compensation actually paid ("CAP"), as calculated under the applicable
The methodology for calculating amounts presented in the columns "CAP to PEO" and "Average CAP to Non-PEO NEOs," including details regarding the amounts that were deducted from, and added to, the Summary Compensation Table totals to arrive at the values presented for CAP, are provided in the footnotes to the table.
The calculations and analysis below do not necessarily reflect the Company's approach to aligning executive compensation with performance. For information concerning the Company's compensation philosophy and how the Company aligns executive compensation with financial performance, refer to the Executive Compensation discussion beginning on page 37 of this proxy statement.
Pay Versus Performance Table
In accordance with applicable
Year |
SCT |
CAP - PEO |
SCT |
CAP - PEO |
SCT |
CAP - PEO |
Average |
Average CAP |
Value of |
Net |
|||||||||||||||||||||
2023 |
$ |
N/A |
$ |
N/A |
$ |
1,031,150 |
$ |
751,925 |
$ |
2,459,432 |
$ |
1,867,545 |
$ |
1,247,579 |
$ |
813,213 |
$ |
50.61 |
$ |
(46,339 |
) |
||||||||||
2022 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
1,136,544 |
$ |
798,472 |
$ |
2,691,189 |
$ |
3,212,105 |
$ |
933,723 |
$ |
408,809 |
$ |
56.80 |
$ |
(29,702 |
) |
||||||||||
2021 |
$ |
2,596,172 |
$ |
917,222 |
$ |
1,423,302 |
$ |
721,720 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
1,491,339 |
$ |
880,523 |
$ |
61.24 |
$ |
(28,210 |
) |
____________
(1)For 2021, Khoso Baluch and
(a)2023:
(b)2022:
(c)2021:
(2)The dollar amounts reported in this column are the amounts of total compensation reported for each PEO for each corresponding fiscal year in the "Total" column of the SCT.
41
(3)The dollar amounts shown for CAP are computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and do not reflect the cash and/or equity value transferred to the PEO or Non-PEO NEOs during the applicable year. These amounts reflect total compensation as reported in the SCT with certain adjustments as described below:
Year |
Reported |
Reported |
Equity Award |
CAP |
||||||||||
2022 Baluch |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
||||||||||
2021 Baluch |
$ |
2,596,172 |
$ |
(1,698,080 |
) |
$ |
19,130 |
$ |
197,222 |
|||||
2023 David |
$ |
1,031,150 |
$ |
(433,875 |
) |
$ |
154,650 |
$ |
751,925 |
|||||
2022 David |
$ |
1,136,543 |
$ |
(305,900 |
) |
$ |
(32,171 |
) |
$ |
798,472 |
||||
2021 David |
$ |
1,423,302 |
$ |
(951,895 |
) |
$ |
250,313 |
$ |
721,720 |
|||||
2023 Todisco |
$ |
2,459,432 |
$ |
(1,388,400 |
) |
$ |
796,513 |
$ |
1,867,545 |
|||||
2022 Todisco |
$ |
2,691,189 |
$ |
(1,974,745 |
) |
$ |
2,495,661 |
$ |
3,212,105 |
|||||
2021 Todisco |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
____________
(a)The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" columns in the SCT for the applicable year.
(b)The equity award adjustments for each covered fiscal year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following, as applicable: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted during the covered fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the covered fiscal 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 covered fiscal year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in any prior fiscal year that vest at the end of or during the covered fiscal year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the covered fiscal year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the covered fiscal year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the covered fiscal year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:
Year |
Year End |
Year over |
Fair Value |
Year over |
Fair Value |
Value of |
Total Equity |
||||||||||||||||||
2022 Baluch |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
||||||||||||||||||
2021 Baluch |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
348,805 |
$ |
(31,566 |
) |
$ |
(298,109 |
) |
$ |
- |
$ |
19,130 |
|||||||||
2023 David |
$ |
230,466 |
$ |
(131,827 |
) |
$ |
108,469 |
$ |
(41,596 |
) |
$ |
(102,862 |
) |
$ |
- |
$ |
154,650 |
||||||||
2022 David |
$ |
225,917 |
$ |
(120,207 |
) |
$ |
76,475 |
$ |
(10,862 |
) |
$ |
(111,358 |
) |
$ |
- |
$ |
(32,171 |
) |
|||||||
2021 David |
$ |
505,309 |
$ |
(477,922 |
) |
$ |
194,574 |
$ |
28,352 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
250,313 |
||||||||||
2023 Todisco |
$ |
737,490 |
$ |
(349,287 |
) |
$ |
347,100 |
$ |
61,210 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
796,513 |
||||||||||
2022 Todisco |
$ |
2,495,661 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
2,495,661 |
|||||||||||
2021 Todisco |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
42
Year |
Average |
Average |
Average |
Average |
||||||||||
2023 |
$ |
1,247,579 |
$ |
(564,038 |
) |
$ |
129,672 |
$ |
813,213 |
|||||
2022 |
$ |
933,723 |
$ |
(346,686 |
) |
$ |
(178,228 |
) |
$ |
408,809 |
||||
2021 |
$ |
1,491,339 |
$ |
(1,047,724 |
) |
$ |
436,908 |
$ |
880,523 |
____________
(a)The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" columns in the SCT for the applicable year.
(b)The equity award adjustments for each covered fiscal year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following, as applicable: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted during the covered fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the covered fiscal 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 covered fiscal year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in any prior fiscal year that vest at the end of or during the covered fiscal year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the covered fiscal year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the covered fiscal year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the covered fiscal year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:
Year |
Year End |
Year over |
Fair Value |
Year over |
Fair Value |
Value of |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
2023 |
$ |
184,373 |
$ |
(35,079 |
) |
$ |
154,291 |
$ |
(114,857 |
) |
$ |
(59,056 |
) |
$ |
- |
$ |
129,672 |
||||||||
2022 |
$ |
180,734 |
$ |
(38,409 |
) |
$ |
90,653 |
$ |
(103,301 |
) |
$ |
(307,905 |
) |
$ |
- |
$ |
(178,228 |
) |
|||||||
2021 |
$ |
430,986 |
$ |
(115,355 |
) |
$ |
119,408 |
$ |
37,577 |
$ |
(35,708 |
) |
$ |
- |
$ |
436,908 |
(4)The dollar amounts reported in this column are the average amounts of total compensation reported for the Non-PEO NEOs for each corresponding fiscal year in the "Total" column of the SCT.
(5)Total Shareholder Retushown in this table assumes
43
Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table
In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing graphic descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table.
CAP v. TSR
The following graph illustrates a comparison of CAP to our PEOs, the average CAP to our Non-PEO NEOs and the Company's cumulative TSR over the two-year period from 2021 through 2023.
CAP v. Net Income
The following graph illustrates a comparison of CAP to our PEOs, the average CAP to our Non-PEO NEOs and the Company's Net Income over the two-year period from 2021 through 2023.
44
AUDITOR AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
Based on the review and discussions referred to in the foregoing paragraph, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
All members of our Audit Committee are independent under
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Audit Committee Report by reference therein.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving in advance any audit and any permissible non-audit engagement or relationship between us and our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more designated members of the Audit Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals, provided such approvals are presented to the Audit Committee at a subsequent meeting. If the Audit Committee elects to establish pre-approval policies and procedures regarding non-audit services, the Audit Committee must be informed of each non-audit service provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. Audit Committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services will not be required if the engagement for the services is entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service provided and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee's responsibilities under the Exchange Act to our management. Audit Committee pre-approval of non-audit services (other than review and attestation services) also will not be required if such services fall within available exceptions established by the
45
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Related Party Transactions
We had no related person transactions in 2023, and no related person transactions are currently proposed.
Procedures for Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, after reviewing each such transaction for potential conflicts of interests and other improprieties. Our policies and procedures for review and approval of transactions with related persons are in writing in our Code of Conduct and Ethics available on our website at www.cormedix.com under the "Investors - Corporate Governance" tab.
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
Stockholders may send any communications regarding our Company's business to the Board in care of our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices located at
DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders who intend to present proposals at the Company's 2025 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 must ensure that such proposals are received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company at our principal executive offices no later than
In accordance with our bylaws, stockholder proposals, including stockholder nominations for candidates for election as directors, that are intended to be presented by stockholders at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders but not submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement for our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8, must be received by us no earlier than
46
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
The
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
INSTRUCTIONS TO CORMEDIX INC. 2024 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING
To attend the Annual Meeting, stockholders will need to access www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CRMD2024 and enter your control number found on your Notice of Internet Availability or Proxy Card.
47
APPENDIX A
AMENDMENT No. 1
TO THE
AMENDED & RESTATED
2019 OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
This Amendment No. 1 (this "Amendment") to the
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 16 of the Plan, the Company's board of directors (the "Board") may amend the Plan at any time except that an amendment that increases the total number of Shares (as defined in the Plan) that may be issued pursuant to the Plan requires approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of the adoption of Board resolutions authorizing such amendment (the date on which such stockholder approval is obtained being the "Amendment Effective Date");
WHEREAS, at the
WHEREAS, upon further consideration, the Board, acting by unanimous written consent in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company's organizational documents, determined to further increase the total number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the Plan by 3,360,000, from 4,800,000 to 8,160,000, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Board now desires to amend the Plan, effective as of the Amendment Effective Date, to increase the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan from 4,800,000 to 8,160,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended, effective as of the Amendment Effective Date and subject to the Amendment Effective Date occurring before
1.Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms that are not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan.
2.Amendment to the Plan.
The first sentence of Section 4(a) of the Plan is hereby amended in its entirety as of the Amendment Effective Date to read as follows:
"Subject to adjustment as described in Section 3(b) and Section 13 below, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards granted on or after the Restatement Effective Date (including Incentive Stock Options) is 8,160,000 Shares."
The first sentence of Section 4(b) of the Plan is hereby amended in its entirety as of the Amendment Effective Date to read as follows:
"Any Shares covered by an Award (or portion of an Award) which is forfeited, canceled or expires (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), or is settled in cash, shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, except that the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted on or after the Restatement Effective Date is 8,160,000 Shares."
A-1
3.Ratification and Confirmation. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Plan is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects and remains valid and in full force and effect.
4.Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
5.Headings. Section headings are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of this Amendment.
* **
A-2
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2024 Annual Meeting: The Notice, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. V57282-P18184
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