Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.__)
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Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
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Preliminary Proxy Statement | ||||
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||||
| ☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement | ||||
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Definitive Additional Materials | ||||
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Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12 | ||||
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials | ||||
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 | ||||
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 19, 2025
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") ofELICIO THERAPEUTICS, INC. ("Elicio"), which will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025 , at 10:30 a.m. U.S. EasteTime. This year's annual meeting will be conducted solely via live audio webcast on the Internet. In order to attend, you must pre-register atweb.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025. Holding a virtual meeting enables greater stockholder attendance and participation from any location around the world, improves meeting efficiency and our ability to communicate effectively with our stockholders, and reduces the cost and environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Additional details regarding the Annual Meeting, the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, and information about Elicio that you should consider when you vote your shares are described in this proxy statement.
At the Annual Meeting, two people will be elected to our Board of Directors. In addition, we will ask stockholders to ratify the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 . The Board of Directors recommends the approval of each of these proposals as set forth in this proxy statement. Such other business will be transacted as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
We hope you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet. Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually or not, it is important that you cast your vote either at the time of the Annual Meeting or by proxy. You may vote over the Internet as well as by telephone or by mail. When you have finished reading this proxy statement, you are urged to vote in accordance with the instructions set forth in this proxy statement. We encourage you to vote promptly by proxy so that your shares will be represented and voted at the virtual Annual Meeting, whether or not you can attend.
Thank you for your continued support of Elicio. We look forward to seeing you virtually at the Annual Meeting.
| Sincerely, | |||||
| /s/ |
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| Chief Executive Officer and President | |||||
Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Time: 10:30 a.m. EasteTime
Date: Monday, May 19, 2025
Place: Annual Meeting to be held live via the Internet - please visitweb.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025for more details*
Purposes:
1.To elect the Board of Directors' nominees, Karen Wilson and Robert R. Ruffolo , Jr., Ph.D., FCPP, to the Board of Directors to hold office until the 2028 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
2.To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Baker Tilly US, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 .
3.To conduct any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
*This year's Annual Meeting will be held virtually through a live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, submit questions and vote during the live webcast. In order to attend, you must pre-registerat web.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025.Please refer to the additional logistical details and recommendations in the accompanying proxy statement. You may log in beginning at 10:15 a.m. U.S. EasteTime, on Monday, May 19, 2025 .
Who May Vote :
The record date for the Annual Meeting is March 24, 2025 . Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A list of our stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date will be made available to stockholders during the Annual Meeting. In addition, for the ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, the list will be available for examination by any stockholder of record for a legally valid purpose at our principal executive offices at the address listed above. Stockholders may also request to view a list of stockholders of record for the ten days prior to the Annual Meeting by sending an email to IR@elicio.com.
| By Order of the Board of Directors | |||||
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You are cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting virtually via live webcast at web.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025.Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible. You may vote over the Internet, by a toll-free telephone number, or by mailing a completed, signed, and dated proxy card or voting instruction card in the envelope provided with the proxy card or voting instruction card. Please note that any stockholder attending the virtual Annual Meeting may vote online during the Annual Meeting, even if the stockholder has already returned a proxy card or voting instruction card. Please see the instructions in the attached proxy statement and on your proxy card or voting instruction card previously received.
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PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MEETING AGENDA
| Proposals | Page | Voting Standard for Approval |
Board
Recommendation
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2025
This proxy statement, the notice of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, our form of proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 are available for viewing, printing and downloading atweb.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025. To view these materials, please have your control number available that appears on your proxy card. On this website, you can also elect to receive future distributions of our proxy statements and annual reports to stockholders by electronic delivery.
Additionally, you can find a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission , or the SEC , at www.sec.gov, or in the "SEC Filings" section of the "Investors" section of our website at www.elicio.com. You may also obtain a printed copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements, free of charge, from us by sending a written request to: Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. , c/o Corporate Secretary, 451 D Street , Suite 501, Boston, MA 02210. Exhibits will be provided upon written request and payment of an appropriate processing fee.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
We have determined that the Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, with no physical in-person meeting. We have designed our virtual format to enhance, rather than constrain stockholder access, participation and communication. The Annual Meeting will be held through a live webcast. In order to attend, you must pre-register atweb.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025.You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. If you attend the Annual Meeting online, you will be able to vote and submit questions during the meeting. You need not attend the Annual Meeting in order to vote.
You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder as of the close of business on March 24, 2025 , the record date, or hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting, use your unique link and password that was provided upon registration atweb.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025.If you are a beneficial stockholder and plan on voting at the meeting, you should contact the bank, broker, or other institution where you hold your account well in advance of the Annual Meeting if you have questions about obtaining your legal proxy.
Whether or not you participate in the Annual Meeting, it is important you vote your shares.
We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting before it begins. Online check-in will start approximately 15 minutes before the Annual Meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025 .
What if I cannot find my Control Number?
Please note that if you do not have your Control Number and you are a registered stockholder, operators at1-866-612-8937will be able to help you obtain your Control Number. You will be able to log in as a guest.
If you are a beneficial owner (that is, you hold your shares in an account at a bank, or other holder of record), you will need to contact that bank, broker, or other holder of record to obtain your Control Number prior to the Annual Meeting.
Will a list of record stockholders as of the record date be available?
A list of our record stockholders as of the close of business on the record date will be made available to stockholders during the Annual Meeting. In addition, for the ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, the list will be available for examination by any stockholder of record for a legally valid purpose at our principal executive offices at the address listed above. Stockholders may also request to view a list of stockholders of record for the ten days prior to the Annual Meeting by sending an email to IR@elicio.com.
Where can we get technical assistance?
We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual Annual Meeting, voting at the Annual Meeting or submitting questions at the Annual Meeting. If you have difficulty accessing the Annual Meeting, please call 1-866-612-8937where technicians will be available to help you.
For the Annual Meeting, how do we ask questions of management and the Board of Directors?
We plan to have a Q&A session at the Annual Meeting and will include as many stockholder questions as the allotted time permits. Stockholders may submit questions relevant to our business in advance of the Annual Meeting as well as liveduring the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder, you may submit a question in advance of the Annual Meeting atweb.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025. Questions may be submitted during the Annual Meeting through the web portal.
Appropriate questions related to the business of the Annual Meeting (the proposals being voted on) will be answered during the Annual Meeting, subject to time constraints. Additional information regarding the ability of stockholders to ask questions during the Annual Meeting, related to rules of conduct and other materials for the Annual Meeting will be available atweb.viewproxy.com/ELTX/2025.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 2025 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, there were 15,936,461 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
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Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If on March 24, 2025 your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company , then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote online at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy over the telephone, or through the internet, or vote by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If on March 24, 2025 your shares were held not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name" and the proxy card is being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account, and we invite you to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. Many stockholders of record will provide you with a control number via email or in your proxy card or voting instruction form in order to attend and vote your shares at the virtual Annual Meeting. If you did not receive a control number via email or on your proxy card or voting instruction form, you will be provided with other instructions from your broker, bank, or other stockholder of record that must be followed, including any requirement to obtain a valid legal proxy, in order for your broker, bank, or other stockholder of record to vote your shares per your instructions or to attend and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. Many brokers, banks, or other stockholders of record allow a stockholder to obtain a valid legal proxy either online or by mail, and we recommend you contact your broker, bank, or other stockholder of record to do so.
What am I voting on?
There are two matters scheduled for a vote:
•To elect the two nominees to the Board of Directors to hold office until the 2028 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
•To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Baker Tilly US, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Elicio for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 .
What if another matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting?
At the time of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.
How do I vote?
You may either vote "For" all the nominees to the Board of Directors or you may "Withhold" your vote for any nominee you specify. To ratify the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Elicio for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 , you may vote "For" or "Against" or abstain from voting.
The procedures for voting are fairly simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote at the Annual Meeting, vote by proxy over the telephone, vote by proxy through the internet, vote online at the Annual Meeting, or vote by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote at the Annual Meeting even if you have already voted by proxy.
•To voteduringthe Annual Meeting: If you are a stockholder of record as of the record date, follow the instructions in the virtual meeting portal.
•To votepriorto the Annual Meeting (until 11:59 p.m. U.S. EasteTime on May 18, 2025 ): You may vote via the Internet atwww.fcrvote.com/ELTX,by telephone, or by completing and returning the proxy card or voting instruction form, as described below.
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•To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card, that may be delivered and retuit promptly in the envelope provided. If you retuyour signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
•To vote over the telephone, dial toll-free 1-866-402-3905 using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the company number and Control Number from your proxy card. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. , U.S. EasteTime on May 18, 2025 to be counted.
•To vote through the internet prior to the Annual Meeting, go towww.fcrvote.com/ELTXand follow the instructions to submit your vote on an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the company number and Control Number from your proxy card. Your internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. U.S. EasteTime on May 18, 2025 to be counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other stockholder of record, you should have received the voting instructions from that organization rather than from us. You must follow these instructions for your bank, broker, or other stockholder of record to vote your shares per your instructions. Alternatively, many brokers and banks provide the means to grant proxies or otherwise instruct them to vote your shares by telephone and via the Internet, including by providing you with a control number via email or on your proxy card or your voting instruction form. If your shares are held in an account with a broker, bank, or other stockholder of record providing such a service, you may instruct them to vote your shares by telephone (by calling the number provided in the proxy materials) or over the Internet as instructed by your broker, bank, or other stockholder of record. If you did not receive a control number via email or on your proxy card or voting instruction form, and you wish to vote prior to or at the virtual Annual Meeting, you must follow the instructions from your broker, bank, or other stockholder of record, including any requirement to obtain a valid legal proxy. Many brokers, banks, and other stockholders of record allow a beneficial owner to obtain a valid legal proxy either online or by mail, and we recommend you contact your broker, bank, or other stockholder of record to do so.
| Internet proxy voting will be provided to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your internet access, such as usage charges from internet access providers and telephone companies. | ||||||||
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of March 24, 2025 .
If I am a stockholder of record and I do not vote, or if I retua proxy card or otherwise vote without giving specific voting instructions, what happens?
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by completing your proxy card, by telephone, through the internet or online at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
If you retua signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as applicable, "For" the election of each of the two nominees for director and, "For" the ratification of the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP as Elicio's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal December 31, 2025 . If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
If I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and I do not provide my broker or bank with voting instructions, what happens?
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, your broker, bank, or other agent may still be able to vote your shares in its discretion. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), brokers, banks, and other securities intermediaries subject to NYSE rules may use their discretion to vote your "uninstructed" shares with respect to matters considered to be "routine" under NYSE rules, but not with respect to "non-routine" matters. In this regard, Proposal 1 is considered to be "non-routine" under NYSE rules, meaning your broker may not vote your shares on this proposal in the absence of your voting instructions. However, Proposal 2 is considered to be a "routine" matter under NYSE rules, meaning if you do not retuvoting instructions to your broker by its deadline, your shares may be voted by your broker in its discretion on Proposal 2.
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If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and you do not plan to attend the Annual Meeting, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, youmustprovide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank, or other agent.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks, and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
We have engaged Alliance Advisors, LLC to act as our proxy solicitor in connection with the proposals to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to our agreement, Alliance Advisors, LLC will, among other things, provide advice regarding proxy solicitation issues and solicit proxies from our stockholders on our behalf in connection with the Annual Meeting. For these solicitation services, we will pay a fee of approximately $12,500 plus expenses.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice and Proxy Statement?
If you receive more than one Notice and Proxy Statement, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on the proxy cards to ensure all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
•You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
•You may grant a subsequent proxy by telephone or through the internet.
•You may send a timely written notice you are revoking your proxy to Elicio's Secretary at 451 D Street , Suite 501, Boston, MA 02210.
•You may attend the Annual Meeting virtually and vote online. Simply attending the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
Your most current proxy card or telephone or internet proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If your shares are held by your broker, bank, or other agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank, or other agent.
When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for next year's Annual Meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in next year's proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing no sooner than January 19, 2026 and no later than February 18, 2026 , to Megan C. Filoon , Corporate Secretary at 451 D Street , Suite 501, Boston, MA 02210. However, if our 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held before April 19, 2026 , or after July 18, 2026 , then the deadline will be ninety (90) days prior to such meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day we make our proxy materials available to our stockholders, either online or in printed form. You are also advised to review our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended ("Amended and Restated Bylaws"), which contain a description of the information required to be submitted, as well as additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.
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How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the inspector of elections appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will separately count, for the proposal to elect directors, votes "For," "Withhold" and broker non-votes; and with respect to the proposal to ratify the selection of the independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 , votes "For" and "Against," abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes. Broker non-votes on Proposals 1 and 2 will have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total for such proposals.
How Does the Board of Directors Recommend That I Vote on the Proposals?
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote as follows:
•"FOR" the election of the nominees for director; and
•"FOR" the ratification of the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 .
If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy provides that your shares will be voted by the proxy holder listed in the proxy in accordance with the proxy holder's best judgment. At the time this proxy statement was first made available, we knew of no matters that needed to be acted on at the Annual Meeting, other than those discussed in this proxy statement. None of our Named Executive Officers have any substantial interest in any matter to be acted.
What are "broker non-votes"?
As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in street name does not give voting instructions to his or her broker, bank, or other securities intermediary holding his or her shares as to how to vote on matters deemed to be "non-routine" under NYSE rules, the broker, bank, or other such agent cannot vote the shares. These un -voted shares are counted as "broker non-votes." Proposal 1 is considered to be "non-routine" under NYSE rules, and we therefore expect broker non-votes to exist in connection with Proposal 1. Proposal 2 is considered to be "routine" under NYSE rules, and we therefore do not expect broker non-votes to exist in connection with Proposal 2.
As a reminder, if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, youmustprovide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank, or other agent.
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
For the election of directors, the two nominees receiving the most "For" votes from the holders of shares present in person or virtually or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected. Only votes "For" will affect the outcome of the vote. "Withhold" votes and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome.
To be approved, Proposal No. 2, ratification of the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP as Elicio's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 , must receive "For" votes from the holders of a majority of the voting power of the votes cast in person or virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on this matter. Accordingly, abstentions will have no effect. We do not expect any broker non-votes on this matter but, if there are, broker non-votes will have no effect. However, if our stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2025, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors will reconsider its selection.
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the Annual Meeting virtually or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were 15,936,461 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.Thus, the holders of 7,968,231 shares must be present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting to have a quorum.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank, or other nominee) or if you vote online at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, (a) the person presiding over the Annual Meeting or (b) the holders of a majority of shares present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy may adjouthe Annual Meeting to another time and date.
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How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K we expect to file within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.
Is Voting Confidential?
We will keep all the proxies, ballots and voting tabulations private. We only let our Inspector of Election, a representative of Alliance Advisors, LLC , examine these documents. Management will not know how you voted on a specific proposal unless it is necessary to meet legal requirements. We will, however, forward to management any written comments you make, on the proxy card or otherwise provide.
Explanatory Note
On June 1, 2023 , Elicio Operating Company, Inc. ("Former Elicio"), completed the previously announced merger transaction in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of January 17, 2023 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among the Delaware corporation formerly known as "Angion Biomedica Corp. " ("Angion"), Arkham Merger Sub, Inc. , a wholly owned subsidiary of Angion ("Merger Sub"), and Former Elicio, pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Former Elicio, with Former Elicio surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Angion (the "Merger"). Additionally, on June 1, 2023 , Angion changed its name from "Angion Biomedica Corp. " to "Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. ".
In this proxy statement, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, "the Company", "we", "us", "our" and "Elicio" refer to the Company and its subsidiaries following the Merger, effective on June 1, 2023 , and to Former Elicio and its subsidiaries prior to the Merger. References to "Angion" means Angion prior to the Merger effective as of June 1, 2023 .
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Classified Board
Elicio's Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with each class having as nearly as possible an equal number of directors. Each class has a three-year term with the term of service of each class of directors staggered so that the term of one class expires at each annual meeting of stockholders. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors makes an effort to distribute additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The division of our Board of Directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms may delay or prevent a change of our management or a change in control of our Company. Our directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock. Any vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office. A director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the director's successor is duly elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors currently has eight members. There are two directors in the class whose term of office expires at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each of the nominees listed below is currently a director of Elicio who was nominated by the Board of Directors at the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . Ms. Karen Wilson was elected to the Board of Directors of Angion in April 2020 and has served on Elicio's Board of Directors since June 2023 . Dr. Robert R. Ruffolo , Jr. was elected to the Board of Directors of Former Elicio in 2018 and has served on Elicio's Board of Directors since June 2023 . If elected at the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees would serve until the 2028 Annual Meeting and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or, if sooner, until the director's death, resignation or removal. Elicio encourages, but does not require, its directors and nominees for director to attend the Annual Meeting.
The following is a list of our current directors, along with a brief biography of each nominee and each director whose term will continue after the Annual Meeting, including information about the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to our Board's conclusion at the time of filing of this proxy statement that each person listed below should serve as a director.
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| 65 | Chief Executive Officer, President, and Class I Director | |||||||||||||
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70 | Chair of the Board and Class III Director | ||||||||||||
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67 | Class III Director | ||||||||||||
| 40 | Class I Director | |||||||||||||
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78 | Class I Director | ||||||||||||
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74 | Class II Director | ||||||||||||
| 53 | Class III Director | |||||||||||||
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61 | Class II Director | ||||||||||||
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(1)Member of our Audit Committee.
(2)Member of our Compensation Committee.
(3)Member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee .
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Nominees for Election for a Three-Year Term Expiring at the 2028 Annual Meeting
Our Board of Directors believes that Ms. Wilson is qualified to serve as a director due to her extensive background in financial and accounting matters for public companies and her leadership experience in the life science industry.
Our Board of Directors believes that Dr. Ruffolo is qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and his technical and management expertise in product discovery and development.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2026 Annual Meeting
Our Board of Directors believes that Dr. Adams is qualified to serve as a director based on his extensive science background and professional experience.
8
Our Board of Directors believes that Dr. Venkatesan is qualified to serve as a director based on his experience serving in leadership positions in biotechnology companies, as well as the operational expertise and continuity that he brings to our Board of Directors.
Our Board of Directors believes that Ms. Ashe is qualified to serve as a director due to her extensive experience in the pharmaceutical biotechnology industry in business development and as legal counsel for business development transactions and patent matters.
Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2027 Annual Meeting
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Our Board of Directors believes that Mr. Connelly is qualified to serve as a director based on his role as our Chief Executive Officer and President and his extensive management experience in the life sciences industry.
Our Board of Directors believes that Ms. Chudnovsky is qualified to serve as a director due to her experience in the healthcare industry and her legal background.
Our Board of Directors believes that Dr. Nissenson is qualified to serve as a director due to his years of experience in the healthcare industry.
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
INDEPENDENCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As required under the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company's board of directors must qualify as "independent," as affirmatively determined by the board of directors. In addition, the Nasdaq listing standards require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company's audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committee be independent under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards, a director will only qualify as an "independent director" if, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee: (1) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries; or (2) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.
Compensation committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10C-1, a board must consider, for each member of a compensation committee of a listed company, all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to such company which is material to that director's ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member, including, but not limited to: the source of compensation of the director, including any consulting advisory or other compensatory fee paid by such company to the director; and whether the director is affiliated with the company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Our Board of Directors consults with our counsel to ensure that their determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of "independent," including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and Elicio, our senior management and our independent auditors, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that the following five directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards: Dr. Julian Adams , Ms. Carol Ashe , Dr. Robert R. Ruffolo , Jr., Ms. Karen Wilson and Dr. Allen Nissenson . In making this determination, the Board of Directors found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with Elicio. Dr. Venkatesan is not considered independent because he was an executive officer of Angion within the past three years. Mr. Connelly is not considered independent because he is an executive officer of Elicio. Ms. Chudnovsky is not considered independent because of her significant ownership of Elicio's securities.
In addition, as required by Nasdaq rules, our Board of Directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exists that, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our Board of Directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director's business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Elicio's Board of Directors is currently chaired by Dr. Julian Adams .
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Our Board of Directors has the flexibility to combine or separate the positions of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and/or to implement the role of Lead Independent Director in accordance with its determination that utilizing one or the other structure would be in the best interests of our Company. Our current Board of Directors leadership structure separates the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman. The Board of Directors believes that this separation is appropriate for the organization at this time because it allows for a division of responsibilities and the sharing of ideas between individuals having different perspectives. Our Chief Executive Officer, who is also a member of our Board of Directors, is primarily responsible for our day-to-day operations and strategic direction, while our Chairman of the Board of Directors, who is an independent member of the Board of Directors, is primarily focused on matters pertaining to corporate governance, including management oversight. While the Board of Directors believes that this is the most appropriate structure at this time, the Board of Directors retains the authority to change the Board of Directors structure, including the possibility of combining the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors position, if it deems such a change to be appropriate in the future.
ROLE OF THE BOARD IN RISK OVERSIGHT
Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of our governance and management processes. Our Board of Directors encourages management to promote a culture incorporating risk management into our corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. Management discusses strategic and operational risks at regular management meetings and conducts specific strategic planning and review sessions during the year including a focused discussion and analysis of the risks we may face. Throughout the year, senior management reviews these risks with the Board of Directors at regular Board of Directors meetings as part of management presentations focusing on particular business functions, operations or strategies, and presents the steps taken by management to mitigate or eliminate such risks.
Our Board of Directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through our Board of Directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our Board of Directors addressing risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. Our Board of Directors may delegate to the Audit Committee oversight of our risk management process. Our other committees will also consider and address risk as they perform their respective committee responsibilities. Specifically, the Audit Committee receives periodic reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to us, including operational, financial, and legal risks, and risks related to IT and cyber security. Our Audit Committee periodically discusses with management our major risk exposures, their potential financial impact on us and the steps we take to manage them. Our Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks arising from our compensation policies and programs. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with the Board of Directors organization, membership and structure, succession planning for our directors and executive officers and corporate governance. All committees report to the full Board of Directors as appropriate, including when a matter rises to the level of a material or enterprise level risk.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , the Board of Directors met seven times. Each director attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which he or she served, held during the portion of the last fiscal year for which he or she was a director or committee member. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, each director is expected to spend the time and effort necessary to properly discharge his or her responsibilities and is expected to regularly prepare for and attend meetings of the Board and all committees on which the director sits, with the understanding that, on occasion, a director may be unable to attend a meeting. A director who is unable to attend a meeting of the Board or a committee is expected to notify the Chairman of the Board or the Chair of the appropriate committee in advance of such meeting, and whenever possible, participate in such meeting via teleconference in the case of an in-person meeting.
INFORMATION REGARDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We have established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . Each of these committees operates under a charter that has been approved by our Board of Directors and members will serve on these committees until their resignation or as otherwise determined by our Board of Directors. Below is a description of each committee of the Board of Directors.
Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. The Board of Directors has determined each member of each committee meets the applicable
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Nasdaq rules and regulations regarding "independence" and each member is free of any relationship that would impair his or her individual exercise of independent judgment with regard to Elicio.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors was established by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, to oversee Elicio's corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee performs several functions, including among other things:
•appointing, engaging, compensating, retaining, and overseeing the work of any independent auditor;
•assessing the independence of our independent auditor;
•pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor;
•reviewing our financial statements and related disclosures;
•reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and financial reporting processes, systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures and code of conduct;
•reviewing and discussing with management our overall risk assessment and risk management framework;
•establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints on accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters;
•reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the results of our annual audit, our quarterly financial statements and our publicly filed reports;
•coordinating the evaluation of our financial management personnel;
•consulting with management to establish procedures and internal controls relating to cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance;
•reviewing and approving related person transactions; and
•preparing the audit committee report that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") requires in our annual proxy statement.
Our Audit Committee is composed of Karen Wilson , Allen Nissenson , M.D., and Carol Ashe . Ms. Wilson serves as the chairperson of the Audit Committee. All members of our Audit Committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Our Board of Directors has determined Ms. Wilson is an audit committee financial expert as defined under the applicable rules of the SEC and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Ms. Wilson , Dr. Nissenson , and Ms. Ashe are independent under the applicable rules of the SEC and Nasdaq. In August 2024 , Dr. Nissenson was appointed to the Audit Committee to replace Julian Adams , Ph.D.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , our Audit Committee met six times. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Audit Committee charter available to stockholders on Elicio's website.
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management of Elicio and Baker Tilly US, LLP , our independent registered public accounting firm, the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 . The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and the SEC . The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from Baker Tilly US, LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants' communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm's independence. The Audit Committee also considered the status of pending litigation, taxation matters and other areas of oversight relating to the financial reporting and audit process that the Audit Committee determined appropriate. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors the audited financial statements be included in Elicio's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 .
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The material in this report is not "soliciting material," is not deemed "filed" with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing by Elicio under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is composed of Carol Ashe , Allen Nissenson , M.D., and Robert R. Ruffolo , Jr., Ph.D. Ms. Ashe serves as the chairperson of the Compensation Committee. Each of the members of our Compensation Committee is independent under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq and is a "non-employee director" as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , our Compensation Committee met five times. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Compensation Committee charter available to stockholders on Elicio's website and our Compensation Committee's role and responsibilities set forth in the Charter include, among other things:
•reviewing, approving and making recommendations regarding our compensation policies, along with conducting periodic reviews of the adequacy of Elicio's compensation programs;
•reviewing, approving and making recommendations regarding corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer), evaluating the performance of these executive officers in light of those goals and objectives and approving the compensation of these executive officers based on such evaluations;
•retaining, and if need be, replacing any compensation or benefits consultants or other outside experts or advisors the Compensation Committee believes is necessary;
•overseeing compliance of Elicio's equity compensation plans and, subject to stockholder approval, exercising administrative responsibility over such plans, including, reviewing, approving and making recommendations regarding the issuance of stock options and other awards under our stock plans to our executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer);
•determining our policies with respect to change of control or "parachute" payments;
•reviewing and making recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding director compensation; and
•reviewing and recommending to our Board of Directors for approval, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, conducting this decision making process without the Chief Executive Officer present.
In establishing compensation amounts for executives, the Compensation Committee seeks to provide compensation that is competitive in light of current market conditions and industry practices. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee will generally review market data which is comprised of proxy disclosed data from peer companies and information from nationally recognized published surveys for the biopharmaceutical industry. The market data helps the Compensation Committee gain perspective on the compensation levels and practices at peer companies and to assess the relative competitiveness of the compensation paid to our executives. The market data thus guides the Compensation Committee in its efforts to set executive compensation levels and program targets at competitive levels for comparable roles in the marketplace. The Compensation Committee then considers other factors, such as the importance of each executive officer's role to the Company, individual expertise, experience, and performance, retention concerns and relevant compensation trends in the marketplace, in making its final compensation determinations. Typically, the Compensation Committee meets at least four times annually and with greater frequency if necessary and meets regularly in executive session. However, from time to time, various members of management and other employees as well as outside advisors or consultants may be invited by the Compensation Committee to make presentations, to provide financial or other background information or advice or to otherwise participate in Compensation Committee meetings. The Chief Executive Officer may not participate in, or be present during, any deliberations or determinations of the Compensation Committee regarding his compensation or individual performance objectives. Periodically, the Compensation Committee will review and evaluate the performance of the Compensation Committee and its members, including compliance by the Compensation Committee with its charter.
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In addition, under the charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to obtain, at the expense of Elicio, advice and assistance from compensation consultants, benefits consultants, independent legal counsel, or other advisors and other external resources the Compensation Committee considers necessary or appropriate in the performance of its duties. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility for the oversight of the work of any consultants or advisers engaged for the purpose of advising the Compensation Committee. In particular, the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain, in its sole discretion, compensation consultants to assist in its evaluation of executive and director compensation, including the authority to approve the consultant's reasonable fees and other retention terms. Under the charter, the Compensation Committee may select, or receive advice from, a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or other adviser to the Compensation Committee only after taking into consideration six factors, prescribed by the SEC and Nasdaq, that bear upon the adviser's independence.
During the past fiscal year, after taking into consideration the six factors prescribed by the SEC and Nasdaq described above, the Compensation Committee engaged Aon plc as its compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee requested that Aon:
•evaluate the efficacy of Elicio's existing compensation strategy and practices in supporting and reinforcing Elicio's long-term strategic goals;
•assist in refining Elicio's compensation strategy and in developing and implementing an executive compensation program to execute that strategy;
•assist in defining the appropriate market of Elicio's peer companies for executive compensation and practices and in benchmarking our executive compensation program against the peer group each year; and
•assist the Compensation Committee in benchmarking Elicio's director compensation program and practices against those of its peers.
Aon performs services on behalf of the Compensation Committee, relating to compensation consulting services. The Compensation Committee has authorized Aon to interact with management on behalf of the Compensation Committee, as needed in connection with advising and providing such compensation consulting services to the Compensation Committee, and Aon is included in discussions with management and, when applicable, the Compensation Committee's outside legal counsel on matters being brought to the Compensation Committee for consideration.
Our Board of Directors, at the recommendation of our Compensation Committee, has also delegated to our Chief Executive Officer the authority to determine and approve the equity compensation payable to Elicio's employees and consultants who are not "officers" (as defined in Section 16 of the Exchange Act) and who hold positions of Vice President and below.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of Julian Adams , Ph.D., Carol Ashe , and Karen Wilson . Dr. Adams serves as the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . Each of Julian Adams , Ph.D., Carol Ashe and Karen Wilson is independent under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq relating to nominating and corporate governance committee independence. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met two times. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter available to stockholders on our website and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's role and responsibilities set forth in the charter include, among other things:
•evaluating and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our Board of Directors;
•overseeing our corporate governance policies, including developing and recommending Elicio's Corporate Governance Guidelines to the Board of Directors, and reporting and making recommendations to our Board of Directors concerning governance matters, including, but not limited to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, Amended and Restated Bylaws, and the charters of our other committees;
•overseeing the performance evaluation process of the Board of Directors;
•overseeing Elicio's environmental, social and governance strategy, initiatives and policies;
•overseeing the process for executive officer succession planning (other than the Chief Executive Officer); and
•overseeing and assessing the effectiveness of the relationship between the Board of Directors and Elicio's management.
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Policy Regarding Consideration of Director Candidates Recommended by Stockholders
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Generally, stockholders who have questions or concerns should contact Elicio's Investor Relations department at IR@elicio.com. However, any stockholders who wish to address questions regarding our business directly with the Board, or any individual director, should direct his or her questions in writing to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at 451 D Street , Suite 501, Boston, MA 02210. Elicio will make every effort to ensure that communications are distributed to the Board of Directors, or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications, and that appropriate responses are provided to stockholders in a timely manner. Elicio believes its responsiveness to stockholder communications to the Board of Directors is excellent. Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board may be excluded, such as junk mail and mass mailings, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys, and solicitations or advertisements.
In addition, any material that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature may be excluded, provided that any communication that is filtered out will be made available to any outside director upon request.
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CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
Elicio has adopted the Elicio Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applying to all officers, directors, employees, and consultants. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on Elicio's website. If Elicio makes any substantive amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grants any waiver from a provision of the Code to any executive officer or director, Elicio will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on its website.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
In June 2023 , the Board of Directors adopted Angion's Corporate Governance Guidelines and, in February 2024 and March 2025 , the Board of Directors amended the Corporate Governance Guidelines, to assure the Board of Directors will have the necessary authority and practices in place to review and evaluate Elicio's business operations as needed and to make decisions that are independent of Elicio's management. The guidelines are also intended to align the interests of directors and management with those of our stockholders. The Corporate Governance Guidelines set forth the practices the Board of Directors intend to follow with respect to Board composition and selection, Board meetings and involvement of senior management, and Board committees and compensation. The Corporate Governance Guidelines may be viewed on our website.
INSIDER TRADING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
We have an insider trading compliance policy that, among other things, governs the buying and selling of our securities by all of our personnel, including directors, officers, employees and consultants and certain other covered persons. Our policy is designed to prevent violations of insider trading laws by our personnel and to avoid even the appearance of improper conduct in this regard by our personnel. The policy prohibits covered persons from purchasing or selling our securities while in possession of material non-public information (except in limited circumstances, such as pursuant to a previously established trading plan). In addition, the policy prohibits all employees (including officers and directors) and consultants from engaging in any transaction in which they may profit from short-term speculative swings in the value of our securities, including any of the following activities: (1) "short sales" (selling borrowed securities that the seller hopes can be purchased at a lower price in the future) of our securities; (2) purchasing our securities on margin or using our securities to secure margin or other loans; (3) transactions in our securities involving certain forms of hedging or monetization transactions such as zero-cost collars and forward sales contracts; and (4) transactions in publicly traded options relating to our securities (i.e., options that are not granted by us). The policy includes quarterly and other trading blackouts and sets forth the procedures covered persons must follow before transacting in our securities, including pre-clearance by our Compliance Officer, or in their absence, our Chief Financial Officer, of all transactions by executive officers and directors and certain employees and consultants, as well as members of their households.
Although we have not adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and/or other disposition of our securities by the Company, as part of the oversight of risk, the Board, or one or more of its Committees, approves any transaction, plan or arrangement by or with the Company with respect to our securities on a case-by-case basis, and as part of their procedures to review and approve any such transaction, plan or arrangement, the Board or Committee consults with legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and listing standards. A copy of our insider trading compliance policy is filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 as filed with the SEC .
CLAWBACK POLICY
In October 2023 , our Board of Directors adopted a Clawback Policy to comply with the new clawback rules and listing standards promulgated by the SEC and Nasdaq, respectively. The Clawback Policy generally provides that we will seek to recover, in the event of a required accounting restatement, excess incentive compensation received by covered officers where that compensation is based on erroneously reported financial information, regardless of fault or misconduct.
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PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected Baker Tilly US, LLP as Elicio's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 and has further directed that management submit the selection of its independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Baker Tilly US, LLP has audited Elicio's financial statements since 2023. Representatives of Baker Tilly US, LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Neither Elicio's Amended and Restated Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP as Elicio's independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is submitting the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of Elicio and its stockholders.
In deciding to appoint Baker Tilly US, LLP , the Audit Committee reviewed auditor independence issues and existing commercial relationships with Baker Tilly US, LLP and concluded that Baker Tilly US, LLP has no commercial relationship with the Company that would impair its independence for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 .
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP .
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth all fees billed for professional audit, tax and other services rendered by Baker Tilly US, LLP (1):
| Year Ended |
|||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
|
Audit Fees(2)
|
$ | 567,800 | $ | 529,000 | |||||||
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
- | 35,747 | |||||||||
|
Other(4)
|
- | - | |||||||||
| Total Fees | $ | 567,800 | $ | 564,747 | |||||||
_________________
(1)Baker Tilly US, LLP served as Former Elicio's auditor for the year ended December 31, 2022 and until the Merger. Following the Merger, Baker Tilly US, LLP served as Elicio's auditor for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
(2)Audit fees are for professional services for the audit of our financial statements, the review of quarterly interim financial statements, and for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with other regulatory filings or engagements. Fees for the year ended December 31, 2024 include services associated with registration statements and comfort letters, in addition to the 2024 audit. Fees for the year ended December 31, 2023 include services associated with the Merger and services rendered for the 2023 audit.
(3)Tax fees are for compliance and consultation.
(4)All other fees consist principally of all other permissible work performed by Baker Tilly US, LLP that does not meet the above category descriptions.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by Elicio's independent registered public accounting firm, Baker Tilly US, LLP . The policy generally pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services and tax services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of the Audit Committee's approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, explicit, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service. The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committee's members, but the decision must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee has determined that services may be pre-approved by its Chairperson, Karen Wilson .
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The Audit Committee has determined the rendering of services other than audit services by Baker Tilly US, LLP is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of Elicio's common stock as of March 24, 2025 by: (i) each director and nominee for director; (ii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) all executive officers and directors of Elicio as a group; and (iv) all those known by Elicio to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of its common stock. Percentage of ownership is based on 15,936,461 shares of common stock outstanding on March 24, 2025 . Shares of our common stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 24, 2025 , are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of that person but not for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of any other person.
| Beneficial Owner(1) | Number of Shares |
Percent of Total |
||||||||||||
| 5% and Greater Stockholders: | ||||||||||||||
|
|
6,448,914 | 38.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Named Executive Officers and Directors: | ||||||||||||||
|
|
9,656,270 | 47.9 | % | |||||||||||
|
|
45,440 | * | ||||||||||||
|
|
15,855 | * | ||||||||||||
|
|
246,031 | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||
|
|
12,860 | * | ||||||||||||
|
|
17,618 | * | ||||||||||||
|
|
10,989 | * | ||||||||||||
|
|
115,902 | * | ||||||||||||
|
|
79,911 | * | ||||||||||||
|
|
424,101 | 2.6 | % | |||||||||||
|
All current executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)(13)
|
10,624,977 | 50.9 | % | |||||||||||
_________________
*Less than one percent.
(1)This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with SEC . Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, Elicio believes that each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on 15,936,461 shares outstanding on March 24, 2025 , adjusted as required by the rules promulgated by the SEC . Unless otherwise noted below, the address for persons listed in the table is c/o Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. 451 D Street , Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
(2)Includes (i) 5,416,212 shares of our common stock held directly by GKCC, LLC and (ii) 1,032,702 shares of common stock underlying pre-funded warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 24, 2025 . Yekaterina (Katie) Chudnovsky has sole voting and investment control over the shares held by GKCC, LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares.
(3)Consists of (i) 7,356 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 , (ii) 5,416,212 shares of common stock held by GKCC, LLC of which Yekaterina (Katie) Chudnovsky has sole voting and investment control over and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares, (iii) 2,632,702 shares of common stock underlying pre-funded warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 24, 2025 held by GKCC, LLC of which Yekaterina (Katie) Chudnovsky has sole voting and investment control over and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares, and (iv) 1,600,000 shares of common stock underlying common warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 24, 2025 held by GKCC, LLC of which Yekaterina (Katie) Chudnovsky has sole voting and investment control over and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares.
(4)Consists of 45,440 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(5)Consists of 15,855 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(6)Consists of (i) 46,970 shares of our common stock held directly by Robert Connelly and (ii) 199,061 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(7)Consists of (i) 1,871 shares of our common stock held directly by Karen J. Wilson and (ii) 10,989 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(8)Consists of 17,618 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(9)Consists of 10,989 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(10)Consists of (i) 31,981 shares of our common stock held directly by Christopher Haqq , M.D., Ph.D. and (ii) 83,921 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(11)Consists of (i) 381 shares of our common stock held directly by Peter DeMuth , Ph.D. and (ii) 79,530 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
20
(12)Consists of (i) 169,270 shares of our common stock held directly by Jay R. Venkatesan , M.D., (ii) 953 shares of our common stock held by the Venkatesan Family Trust , (iii) 50,000 shares of common stock underlying common warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 24, 2025 , and (iv) 203,878 shares of our common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 24, 2025 .
(13)Consists of the shares described in footnotes 3 through 12 above.
21
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table sets forth information concerning our executive officers, including their ages, as of March 24, 2025 . Biographical information for Robert Connelly is included in Proposal No. 1.
| Age | Position(s) | |||||||||||||
| 65 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | |||||||||||||
| 53 | Chief Strategy and Financial Officer and Treasurer | |||||||||||||
| 59 | Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer | |||||||||||||
| 38 | Chief Scientific Officer | |||||||||||||
22
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following is a discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements of our named executive officers ("Named Executive Officers"). This discussion contains forward looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from currently planned programs as summarized in this discussion. As an "emerging growth company" as defined in the JOBS Act, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies.
We seek to ensure the total compensation paid to our executive officers is reasonable and competitive. Compensation of our executives is structured around the achievement of individual performance and near-term corporate targets as well as long-term business objectives. Our Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2024 were as follows:
•Robert Connelly , President, Chief Executive Officer and Director;
•Christopher Haqq , M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer; and
•Peter DeMuth , Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer.
The following table sets forth total compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ending on December 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Year |
Salary
($)
|
Option
awards(1)
($)
|
Bonus
Compensation
($)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(2)
($)
|
All other
Compensation
($)
|
Total(3)
($)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director(4)
|
2024 | 608,400 | 1,093,421 | - | 334,620 | - | 2,036,441 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 498,750 | - | - | 179,550 | - | 678,300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer(5)
|
2024 | 507,807 | 205,365 | - | 213,280 | - | 926,452 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 488,276 | - | - | 185,545 | - | 673,821 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Chief Scientific Officer(6)
|
2024 | 460,000 | 218,071 | - | 188,600 | - | 866,671 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 364,229 | - | - | 138,407 | - | 502,636 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_________________
(1)Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 2 of the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025 for the assumptions used in calculating this amount.
(2)Non-equity incentive plan compensation includes discretionary bonuses based on pre-established performance criteria. For fiscal year 2024, the bonuses were paid in February 2025 . For fiscal year 2023, the bonuses were paid in March 2024 . Please see the descriptions of the bonuses paid to our Named Executive Officers under "Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table" below, including target amounts for the discretionary annual bonuses.
(3)Except as otherwise noted, Named Executive Officers received no compensation other than salaries, bonuses, and stock option awards.
(4)Mr. Connelly became Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of the Company on June 1, 2023 , effective as of the effective time of the Merger.
(5)Dr. Haqq became Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of the Company on June 1, 2023 , effective as of the effective time of the Merger.
(6)Dr. DeMuth became Chief Scientific Officer of the Company on June 1, 2023 , effective as of the effective time of the Merger.
23
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
Effective as of the effective time of the Merger, our Board appointed Mr. Connelly as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Prior to the completion of the Merger, Mr. Connelly was Chief Executive Officer of Former Elicio. Former Elicio entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Connelly in November 2018 . The agreement provides for a base salary, which may be modified from time to time at the discretion of the Board, and an annual performance bonus awarded at the discretion of the Board. The agreement also provided for an initial option grant and a signing bonus.
In 2024, Mr. Connelly was paid a discretionary cash bonus, in connection with his contributions to Elicio in 2023, of $179,550 , which represented 90% of his target bonus of 40% of his base salary. For 2024, Mr. Connelly's target bonus percentage was increased to 55% of his base salary. In 2025, Mr. Connelly was paid a cash bonus, based on the achievement of 2024 Company corporate goals, of $334,620 , which represented 100% of his target bonus. For 2025, Mr. Connelly's target bonus percentage remains at 55% of his base salary.
Effective as of the effective time of the Merger, the Board appointed Dr. Haqq as Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of the Company. Prior to the completion of the Merger, Dr. Haqq was Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of Former Elicio. Former Elicio entered into an offer letter with Dr. Haqq in September 2019 . The agreement provides for a base salary, which may be modified from time to time at the discretion of the Board, and an annual performance bonus awarded at the discretion of the Board. The agreement also provided for an initial grant of restricted stock units, which was granted in October 2019 , pursuant to the terms of the offer letter, accelerated and vested in full upon the consummation of the Merger and were settled in Elicio common stock immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger. Additionally, under the terms of his offer letter, Dr. Haqq is also entitled to an annual allowance to be used for the rental or purchase of an apartment near Elicio's headquarters previously in Cambridge, Massachusetts and now in Boston, Massachusetts , with such annual allowance subject to applicable taxes.
In 2024, Dr. Haqq was paid a discretionary cash bonus, in connection with his contributions to Elicio in 2023, of $185,545 , which represented 90% of his target bonus of 40% of his base salary. For 2024, Dr. Haqq's bonus target remains at 40%. In 2025, Dr. Haqq was paid a cash bonus, based on the achievement of 2024 Company corporate goals and individual goals applicable to Dr. Haqq , of $213,280 , which represented 105% of his target bonus. For 2025, Dr. Haqq's bonus target remains at 40% of his base salary.
24
Effective as of the effective time of the Merger, our Board appointed Dr. DeMuth as Chief Scientific Officer of the Company. Prior to the completion of the Merger, Dr. DeMuth was Chief Scientific Officer of Former Elicio. Former Elicio entered into an employment agreement with Dr. DeMuth in April 2022 , effective January 1, 2022 . The agreement provides for a base salary, which may be modified from time to time at the discretion of the Board, and an annual performance bonus awarded at the discretion of the Board. The agreement also provided for an option grant.
In 2024, Dr. DeMuth was paid a discretionary cash bonus, in connection with his contributions to Elicio in 2023, of $138,407 , which represented 90% of his target bonus of 40% of his base salary. For 2024, Dr. DeMuth's remained at 40% of his base salary. In 2025, Dr. DeMuth was paid a cash bonus, based on the achievement of 2024 Company corporate goals and individual goals applicable to Dr. DeMuth , of $188,600 , which represented 103% of his target bonus. For 2025, Dr. DeMuth's target bonus percentage remains at 40% of his base salary.
Other Elements of Compensation
Retirement Savings and Health and Welfare Benefits
All of our full-time employees, including our Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans, including medical, dental and vision benefits; short-term and long-term disability insurance; and life and AD&D insurance, subject to their continuing employment.
25
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
We determine perquisites on a case-by-case basis and will provide a perquisite to a Named Executive Officer when we believe it is necessary to attract or retain the Named Executive Officer. In 2022 and 2023, we did not provide any perquisites or personal benefits to our Named Executive Officers not otherwise made available to our other employees.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year End
The following table lists all outstanding equity awards held by our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2024 .
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Vesting
Commencement
Date
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
Number
of
Shares
that
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
|
Market
Value of
Shares
or
Units of
Shares
that
Have
Not
Vested
($)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
27,150 | - | 9.39 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
110,937 | 36,975 | 3.86 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
- | 225,137 | 4.50 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
- | 91,600 | 5.03 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
794 | 2,826 | 13.81 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
69,375 | 30,516 | 3.86 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
- | 28,200 | 4.50 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
- | 28,200 | 5.03 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 362 | - | 4.41 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 362 | - | 4.41 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,448 | - | 4.41 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 181 | - | 4.41 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 814 | - | 4.41 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,476 | - | 9.94 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8,145 | - | 9.39 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
869 | 36 | 12.70 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
9,956 | 4,523 | 13.81 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
42,189 | 18,557 | 3.86 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
- | 29,800 | 4.50 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
342 | - | 4.50 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
- | 29,800 | 5.03 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_________________
(1)The stock option vests as to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and thereafter 1/36th of the shares subject to the award on each monthly anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the holder's continued service to Elicio through each vesting date.
(2)The stock option vests as to 1/36th of the shares subject to the award on each monthly anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the holder's continued service to Elicio through each vesting date.
(3)The stock option vested upon the Company submitting an Investigational New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for any of the Company's Amphiphile vaccine candidates prior to December 31, 2020 .
(4)The stock option vests as to 50% of the shares on the first anniversary of the vesting commencing date and 50% of the shares on the second anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the holder's continued service to Elicio through each vesting date.
(5)The stock options was fully vested as of the grant date.
(6)The stock option vests as to 1/48th of the shares subject to the award on each monthly anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the holder's continued service to Elicio through each vesting date.
26
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
In February 2024 , we entered into an executive severance plan (the "Severance Plan") covering the Named Executed Officers, superseding and replacing the severance benefits they would otherwise be entitled to receive.
Under our Severance Plan encompassing each of our Named Executive Officers, if such Named Executive Officer's employment with us is terminated without Cause (as defined in the Severance Plan), the applicable Named Executive Officer will be entitled to receive an amount equal to the product of (i) the Normal Multiplier (as defined in the Severance Plan) and (ii) the Named Executive Officer's then-current base salary. For our Named Executive Officers, the applicable severance is 9 months of continued base salary (or 12 months for Mr. Connelly ). The Named Executive Officers are also entitled to continue participating in our health benefits for their applicable Severance Period (as defined in the Severance Plan). In the case of Mr. Connelly , any outstanding unvested, time-based equity awards scheduled to vest during the 12 months following his termination date will fully vest as of the effective date of Mr. Connelly's termination of employment. In the event of a termination without Cause (as defined in the Severance Plan) or resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the Severance Plan) during the Change in Control Period (as defined in the Severance Plan), the applicable Named Executive Officer will be entitled to receive an amount equal to the product of (i) the CIC Multiplier (as defined in the Severance Pan) and (ii) the Named Executive Officer's then-current base salary and then-current target annual bonus opportunity, payable as a one-time lump sum. For our Named Executive Officers, the applicable severance is equal to 12 months of base salary (or 18 months for Mr. Connelly ). The Named Executive Officers are also entitled to continue participating in our health benefits for their applicable CIC Severance Period (as defined in the Severance Plan). Additionally, any outstanding unvested equity awards held by the Named Executive Officer under the Company's then-current outstanding equity incentive plan(s) will become fully vested as of the effective date of the Named Executive Officer's termination of employment. The foregoing severance benefits are subject to the applicable Named Executive Officer's delivery of an executed release of claims against us within 60 days following termination or such shorter time period as may be set forth, and continued compliance with the Named Executive Officer's confidentiality obligations or restrictive covenants in effect prior to termination.
Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards
Our equity awards, including stock options, are granted in connection with our yearly compensation cycle and regularly scheduled meetings of the Compensation Committee.
Typically, our practice is to make annual award grants in the first quarter of each fiscal year. Our policy is to not grant stock options or similar awards in anticipation of the release of material non-public information and to not time the release of material non-public information based on equity award grant date, but some option grants may be granted close in time to the release of material non-public information to the extent those options are being granted upon the hiring of new executive officers or in connection with annual grants being made as part of our director compensation policy.
During the year ended December 31, 2024 , we did not time the disclosure of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation, and none of our named executive officers were awarded options with an effective grant date during any period beginning four business days before the filing or furnishing of a Form 10-Q, Form 10-K, or Form 8-K that disclosed material non-public information, and ending one business day after the filing or furnishing of such reports.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We amended and restated our compensation policy for our non-employee directors ("Director Compensation Program") effective as of December 2023 . Such Director Compensation Program is subject to further amendment by the Board of Directors as appropriate. Pursuant to the Director Compensation Program, our non-employee directors receive cash compensation as follows:
•Each non-employee director will receive an annual cash retainer in the amount of $40,000 per year.
•The Non-Executive Chairperson will receive an additional annual cash retainer in the amount of $35,000 per year.
•The chairperson of the Audit Committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $15,000 per year for such chairperson's service on the Audit Committee. Each non-chairperson member of the Audit Committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $7,500 per year for such member's service on the Audit Committee.
27
•The chairperson of the Compensation Committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $10,000 per year for such chairperson's service on the Compensation Committee. Each non-chairperson member of the Compensation Committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $5,000 per year for such member's service on the Compensation Committee.
•The chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $8,000 per year for such chairperson's service on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . Each non-chairperson member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $5,000 per year for such member's service on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee .
Under the Director Compensation Program, as amended and restated by the Board of Directors in December 2023 , each non-employee director will automatically be granted an option to purchase 8,200 shares of our common stock upon the director's initial appointment or election to our Board of Directors (the "Initial Grant") and an option to purchase 4,100 shares of our common stock automatically on the date of each annual stockholder's meeting thereafter, (the "Annual Grant"), unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.
The Initial Grant will vest as to 1/36th of the underlying shares on a monthly basis over three years, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date. The Annual Grant will vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the date of the next annual stockholder's meeting to the extent unvested as of such date, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date. The exercise price per share of director options is equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date, and the director options will vest in full upon (i) a termination of service due to the director's death or Disability (as defined in the 2021 Plan) and (ii) the consummation of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan).
Each non-employee director is entitled to reimbursement from the Company for all reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket and other business expenses incurred by the non-employee director in the performance of his or her duties to the Company in accordance with the Company's applicable expense reimbursement policies and procedures as in effect from time to time.
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned by our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2024 .
|
Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
|
Option
Awards(1)
($)
|
Total(2)
($)
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
87,375 | 17,148 | 104,523 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
62,500 | 17,148 | 79,648 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
48,125 | 17,148 | 65,273 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
43,569 | 17,148 | 60,717 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
45,000 | 17,148 | 62,148 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
60,000 | 17,148 | 77,148 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
40,000 | 17,148 | 57,148 | |||||||||||||||||
_________________
(1)Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted during fiscal year 2024 as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 2 of the financial statements included in the Annual Report for the assumptions used in calculating this amount.
(2)Non-employee directors only received cash fees and stock awards as compensation for their service on the Board of Directors.
(3)As of December 31, 2024 , Dr. Adams held options to purchase 59,516 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 42,180 shares were vested.
(4)As of December 31, 2024 , Ms. Ashe held options to purchase 23,109 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 14,869 shares were vested.
(5)As of December 31, 2024 , Dr. Nissenson held options to purchase 15,089 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 10,989 shares were vested.
(6)As of December 31, 2024 , Ms. Chudnovsky held options to purchase 12,725 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 6,933 shares were vested.
(7)As of December 31, 2024 , Dr. Ruffolo held options to purchase 25,278 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 16,494 shares were vested.
(8)As of December 31, 2024 , Ms. Wilson held options to purchase 15,089 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 10,989 shares were vested.
(9)As of December 31, 2024 , Dr. Venkatesan held options to purchase 207,978 shares of our common stock, of which options to purchase 203,878 shares were vested.
28
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides certain aggregate information with respect to all of Elicio's equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2024 .
| (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Plan Category |
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
|
1,132,674 | $ | 22.33 | 298,795 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)
|
758,021 | $ | 5.78 | 562,615 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,890,695 | $ | 15.70 | 861,410 | ||||||||||||||||
_________________
(1)These plans consist of the 2021 Plan, the Second Amended and Restated 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). The 2021 Plan contains an "evergreen" provision, pursuant to which the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under such plan shall be increased on the first day of each year equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, or (ii) if our Board acts prior to the first day of the fiscal year, such lesser amount that our Board determines for purposes of the annual increase of the fiscal year. As of January 1, 2025 , the 2021 Plan was increased by 551,469 shares pursuant to such evergreen provision. The ESPP contains an "evergreen" provision, pursuant to which the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under such plan shall be increased on the first day of each year equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, or (ii) if our Board acts prior to the first day of the fiscal year, such lesser amount that our Board determines for purposes of the annual increase of the fiscal year. As of January 1, 2025 , the ESPP was increased by 1% of share outstanding shares as of December 31, 2024 pursuant to such evergreen provision.
(2)These plans consist of the Former Elicio 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, the former Elicio 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and the Elicio 2024 Inducement Incentive Award Plan for the issuance of inducement stock options granted pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4). In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed the Former Elicio 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and the Former Elicio 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Former Elicio Plans") and all stock options issued and outstanding under the Former Elicio Plans. Each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase Former Elicio common stock was adjusted with such Company stock options henceforth representing the right to purchase a number of shares of the Company's common stock based on the Merger exchange ratio of 0.0181. Any restriction on the exercise of any Former Elicio stock options assumed by the Company will continue in full force and effect and the term, exercisability, vesting schedule, accelerated vesting provisions, and any other provisions of such Former Elicio stock option will otherwise remain unchanged; provided, however, that Elicio's Board of Directors or a committee thereof will assume the responsibility and the authority of Former Elicio's Board of Directors or any committee thereof with respect to each Former Elicio stock option assumed by the Company. See Note 8 of the financial statements included in the Annual Report for descriptions of each of the equity plans.
29
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Related Person Transactions Policy and Procedures
Our Board of Directors has adopted a related party transaction policy setting forth the policies and procedures for the identification, review and approval or ratification of related party transactions. This policy covers, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we and a related party were or will be participants and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 , including purchases of goods or services by or from the related party or entities in which the related party has a material interest, indebtedness and guarantees of indebtedness. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our Audit Committee will consider all relevant facts and circumstances as appropriate, such as if the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm's length dealings with an unrelated third party, the extent of the related party's interest in the transaction, as well as taking into account the conflicts of interest and corporate opportunity provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Certain Related Person Transactions
The following is a summary of transactions since January 1, 2023 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of (x) $120,000 or (y) 1% of our total assets at December 31, 2024 , and in which any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest other than compensation and other arrangements that are described in the section titled "Executive Compensation." We also describe below certain other transactions with our directors, former directors, executive officers and stockholders.
All of the transactions set forth below were approved by a majority of our Board of Directors or our Audit Committee. We believe we have executed all of the transactions set forth below on terms no less favorable to us than we could have obtained from unaffiliated third parties. It is our intention to ensure that all future transactions between us and our officers, directors and principal stockholders and their affiliates are approved by our Audit Committee, or a majority of the members of our Board of Directors, including a majority of the independent and disinterested members of our Board of Directors, and are on terms no less favorable to us than those that we could obtain from unaffiliated third parties.
Subscription Agreements
In December 2023 , we entered into a subscription agreement (the "December Subscription Agreement") with GKCC, LLC , an entity controlled by Yekaterina (Katie) Chudnovsky , a member of our Board of Directors, and which owns greater than 20% of our shares of common stock outstanding (the "Purchaser"), providing for the issuance and sale by us to the Purchaser of an aggregate of 1,213,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a purchase price per share of $5.81 (the "December Offering"). The gross proceeds to us from the December Offering were approximately $7.0 million . The closing of the December Offering occurred in December 2023 . Upon closing of the December Offering, the Purchaser became a greater than 10% holder of our shares of common stock outstanding.
We granted the Purchaser certain customary registration rights with respect to the shares of our common stock, and, on March 29, 2024 , we filed a registration statement on Form S-3, which was amended on June 3, 2024 , with respect to such shares, which registration statement became effective on June 11, 2024 . The December Subscription Agreement contains customary terms and conditions for a transaction of this type, including certain customary indemnification rights and certain customary cash penalties on us for our failure to satisfy specified filing and effectiveness time periods.
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In March 2024 , we entered into a subscription agreement (the "March Subscription Agreement") with the Purchaser, providing for the issuance and sale by us to the Purchaser of pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,032,702 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "March Pre-Funded Warrants"), at a purchase price per March Pre-Funded Warrant of $5.81 (the "March Offering"). The March Offering closed on March 19, 2024 (the "March Offering Closing Date"). Each March Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable at any time on or after the March Offering Closing Date at an exercise price equal to $0.01 per share, subject to adjustments as provided under the terms of the March Pre-Funded Warrant. The gross proceeds to us from the March Offering were approximately $6.0 million . In connection with the March Offering, we granted the Purchaser certain customary registration rights with respect to the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the March Pre-Funded Warrants and, on June 3, 2024 filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to such shares, which registration statement became effective on June 11, 2024 . The March Subscription Agreement contains customary terms and conditions for a transaction of this type, including certain customary indemnification rights and certain customary cash penalties on us for our failure to satisfy specified filing and effectiveness time periods.
Public Offering
In July 2024 , we closed an underwritten public offering (the "July Offering") consisting of shares of our common stock, pre-funded warrants (the "July Pre-Funded Warrants") and common stock purchase warrants (the "July Common Warrants"), as further described below, in which Yekaterina (Katie) Chudnovsky , a member of our Board of Directors and holder of more than 20% of our common stock outstanding, and Jay Venkatesan , a member of our Board of Directors, along with trusts affiliated with Jay Venkatesan , participated. Ms. Chudnovsky purchased 1,600,000 July Pre-Funded Warrants and accompanying July Common Warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $7,984,000 and Mr. Venkatesan and his affiliated trusts purchased 200,000 July Pre-funded Warrants and accompanying July Common Warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $998,000 , with such July Pre-Funded Warrants and July Common Warrants subject to the terms and conditions of such securities detailed below.
The July Offering consisted of (i) 500,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "July Shares") and (ii) 1,800,000 July Pre-Funded Warrants, together with the July Common Warrants to purchase up to 2,300,000 shares of common stock. Each July Share and accompanying July Common Warrant were sold together at a combined offering price of $5.00 per July Share and accompanying July Common Warrant, and each July Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying July Common Warrant were sold together at a combined offering price of $4.99 per July Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying July Common Warrant, which represented the combined purchase price per July Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying July Common Warrant less the $0.01 per share exercise price for each such July Pre-Funded Warrant. The July Common Warrants have an exercise price of $5.00 per share, were immediately exercisable and will expire five years from the issuance date.
Senior Secured Convertible Note Financing
In August 2024 , we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the "August Securities Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which we issued a 3.0% Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note due February 15, 2026 (the "Convertible Note") in the principal amount of $20.0 million (the "Note Financing") to the Purchaser. Pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Note, the Convertible Note would mature on February 15, 2026 , unless earlier converted in accordance with the terms of the Convertible Note. Interest on the Convertible Note was to accrue and be payable quarterly in cash on the principal amount equal to 3% per annum, with the initial interest payment date to be June 30, 2025 . The Convertible Note was secured by a (i) first priority lien on substantially all assets of the Company and our subsidiaries, pursuant to a security agreement and (i) first priority lien on intellectual property of the Company, pursuant to an intellectual property security agreement. The Convertible Note was convertible into shares of Elicio common stock, in whole or in part, at the option of the Purchaser at any time, based on a Conversion Price of $5.81 per share of common stock, subject to adjustments and satisfaction of certain conversion conditions. The Convertible Note contained customary terms and covenants and customary events of default. We granted the Purchaser certain customary registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Note, and on November 13, 2024 , filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to such shares, which registration statement became effective on November 20, 2024 .
If at any time from and after the date of the August Securities Purchase Agreement and for so long as certain conversion conditions are satisfied, the closing price of the common stock on Nasdaq equals or exceeds 135% of the Conversion Price for 20 trading days in a 30 trading day period, then we had the right to require the Purchaser to convert all or any portion of the Convertible Note, including any accrued but unpaid interest into shares of common stock, as further described in the Convertible Note. In March 2025 , we exercised our right under the Convertible Note to require the Purchaser to convert the full amount of the Convertible Note, including all accrued and unpaid interest into shares of our common stock, in satisfaction in full of the Convertible Note.
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Personal Gift
In April 2025 , Ms. Chudnovsky , a member of our Board of Directors and a holder of greater than 20% of our common stock outstanding made a gift to us in the amount of $640,757 to be used for purposes of the continued development and manufacturing of our product candidates.
Support Agreements
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, executive officers, directors and stockholders of Angion entered into support agreements in favor of Elicio relating to the Merger (the "Angion Support Agreements"). The Angion Support Agreements provide, among other things, that such officers, directors and stockholders will vote all of their shares of Angion common stock: (i) in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and approving the Merger, the Merger related stock issuance proposal and reverse stock split proposal, and the other transactions and actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) against any proposal made in opposition to, or in competition with, the Merger Agreement or the Merger and (iii) against any acquisition proposal involving a third party.
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, executive officers, directors and stockholders of Elicio entered support agreements in favor of Angion relating to the Merger (the "Elicio Support Agreements"). The Elicio Support Agreements provide, among other things, that such executive officers, directors and stockholders vote all of their shares of Elicio capital stock: (i) in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and approving the Merger, the items in connection with the Merger requiring Elicio stockholder consent and the other transactions and actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) against any proposal made in opposition to, or in competition with, the Merger Agreement or the Merger and (iii) against any acquisition proposal involving a third party.
Danforth Advisors Consulting Agreement
In March 2013 , Elicio entered into a Consulting Agreement with Danforth Advisors, LLC ("Danforth"). Daniel Geffken , Former Elicio's interim Chief Financial Officer, is a managing director of Danforth. Pursuant to the agreement, Danforth provided chief financial officer services, business consulting and advisory services, including accounting and controller services that were necessary to support the management and operations of Former Elicio's business. The agreement had been amended in each of 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021 to modify the scope of services provided. The agreement terminated in August 2023 . As consideration under the agreement, Elicio paid Danforth consulting fees generally based on hourly rates as enumerated in the agreement, or for specific agreed upon fees for specific projects or services. Elicio paid Danforth approximately $0.7 million for its services in 2023. Mr. Geffken received grants of options to purchase common stock from time to time in his capacity as a consultant and, separately, received additional grants in his capacity as a member of Former Elicio's Board. Mr. Geffken did not receive any options to purchase shares of Elicio common stock in connection with his service as a consultant.
Director Independence
Our Board of Directors currently consists of eight members. Our Board of Directors has determined all of our directors, other than Dr. Venkatesan , Ms. Chudnovsky and Mr. Connelly , qualify as "independent" directors in accordance with the Nasdaq listing requirements. Dr. Venkatesan is not considered independent because he was an employee of Angion for a period of time within the prior three years. Mr. Connelly is not considered independent as he is currently an employee of Elicio. Ms. Chudnovsky is not considered independent because of her significant ownership of the Elicio's securities. In addition, as required by the Nasdaq rules, our Board of Directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our Board of Directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director's business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
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Indemnification
We provide indemnification for our directors and executive officers so that they will be free from undue conceabout personal liability in connection with their service to Elicio. Under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, we are required to indemnify our directors and executive officers to the extent not prohibited under Delaware or other applicable law. We have also entered into indemnity agreements with certain officers and directors. These agreements provide, among other things, that we will indemnify the officer or director, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for in the agreement, for expenses, losses and liabilities (including all interest, taxes, assessments and other charges in connection therewith) that he or she may incur in connection with any proceeding or in any way connected with, resulting from or relating to his or her status as a director or officer of the Company or any of our subsidiaries, and otherwise to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law and our Amended and Restated Bylaws.
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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules permitting companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements or other Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single copy of the proxy statement or other Annual Meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as "householding," potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Elicio's stockholders will be "householding" Elicio's proxy materials. A single copy of the proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be "householding" communications to your address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in "householding" and would prefer to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement, please notify your broker or Elicio. Direct your written request to Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. , Megan C. Filoon , Corporate Secretary at 451 D Street , Suite 501, Boston, MA 02210. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their addresses and would like to request "householding" of their communications should contact their brokers.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
| By Order of the Board of Directors | |||||
| /s/ |
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Secretary
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A copy of Elicio's Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 is available without charge upon written request to: Corporate Secretary, Elicio Therapeutics, Inc. , 451 D Street , Suite 501, Boston, MA 02210.
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Attachments
Disclaimer
Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
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