Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
_______________________________
SCHEDULE 14A
_______________________________
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant |
☒ |
|
Filed by a party other than the Registrant |
☐ |
Check the appropriate box:
☐ |
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
|
☐ |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
|
☒ |
Definitive Proxy Statement |
|
☐ |
Definitive Additional Materials |
|
☐ |
Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12 |
(
__________________________________________________________
(
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☒ |
No fee required. |
|
☐ |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
☐ |
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of
1. To elect seven directors to the Corporation's Board of Directors, each to hold office for a term expiring at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal;
2. Ratification of
3. To hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation;
4. To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation;
5. To adopt the Company's 2024 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan; and
6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The foregoing items of business, including the nominees for directors, are more fully described in the Proxy Statement which is attached and made a part of this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
Shares of Common Stock can be voted at the meeting only if the holder is present at the meeting in person or by valid proxy. All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
||
/s/ |
||
Chief Executive Officer |
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
It is important that as many shares as possible be represented at the annual meeting. Please date, sign, and promptly retuthe proxy in the enclosed envelope or you may submit your proxy via the Internet or by using the toll-free number provided on your proxy card. Your proxy may be revoked by you at any time before it has been voted.
PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
The Board of Directors (the "Board") of
This proxy statement has been posted on the Internet and may be viewed at HTTPS://Nutriband.com/proxy.
The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy material and of reimbursing brokers, nominees and fiduciaries for the out-of-pocket and clerical expenses of transmitting copies of the proxy material to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons will be borne by the Company. The Company does not intend to solicit proxies other than by use of the mail, but certain officers and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries, without additional compensation, may use their personal efforts, by telephone or otherwise, to obtain proxies.
Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend our Annual Meeting, please take the time to either (i) vote by completing and mailing the proxy card enclosed with the Proxy Materials as soon as possible, (ii) vote via the Internet in accordance with the instructions on the proxy card or (iii) vote by telephone by using the toll-free number on the proxy card. If you elect to vote using the proxy card, please indicate on the card how you wish to vote, and sign and send it in the enclosed envelope. If you do retuthe proxy card and do not indicate how you wish to vote, your proxy card will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.
Annual Meeting Admission
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date may attend the Annual Meeting. If you attend, please note that you will be asked to present government-issued identification (such as a driver's license or passport) and evidence of your share ownership of our common stock on the Record Date. Such evidence of ownership can be your proxy card. If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record and you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you will be required to present proof of your ownership of our common stock on the Record Date, such as a bank or brokerage account statement or voting instruction card, to be admitted to the Annual Meeting.
Quorum and Voting
Only holders of our common stock on the close of business on the
As of the Record Date, there were 11,106,185 shares of the Company's common stock,
1
The ratification of auditors will require the vote of a simple majority of the shares of our common stock present at the Annual Meeting by person or proxy. Abstentions and withheld votes have the effect of votes against these matters. Broker non-votes (shares of record held by a broker for which a proxy is not given) will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum but will not be counted as present for purposes of determining the vote on any matter considered at the Annual Meeting.
If a shareholder specifies how the proxy is to be voted with respect to any of the proposals for which a choice is provided, the proxy will be voted in accordance with such specifications. If a shareholder fails to so specify with respect to such proposals, the proxy will be voted "FOR" the nominees for directors contained in these proxy materials, and "FOR" the appointment of
You may receive more than one copy of the proxy materials, this Proxy Statement and the proxy card or voting instruction card. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. Similarly, if you are a stockholder of record and hold shares in a brokerage account, you will receive a copy of the proxy materials and a proxy card for shares held in your name and a voting instruction card for shares held in "street name." Please follow the separate voting instructions that you received for your shares of common stock held in each of your different accounts to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before its use by delivering to our Secretary, at or before the taking of the vote at our Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending our Annual Meeting and voting at such meeting. If not revoked, the proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the stockholder's instructions indicated on the proxy card.
Discretionary Voting Power
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented for shareholder action at the Annual Meeting. On matters which may be raised at the Annual Meeting that are not covered by this proxy statement, the persons named in the proxy will have full discretionary authority to vote.
2
PROPOSAL ONE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Seven (7) directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve terms expiring at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until their successors are elected and qualified, or their earlier resignation or removal. Management's nominees are listed below. All the nominees are currently serving as directors of the Company. All directors will be elected by holders of the Company's common stock. If a nominee is unable to serve, which the Board of Directors has no reason to expect, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote for the balance of those named and, if they deem it advisable, for a substitute nominee selected by the Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE SEVEN NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED BELOW.
Nominees for Election to Our Board of Directors
Set forth below are the name, age, position of and biographical information about each nominee, all of whom are currently directors and compromise our entire Board as of the record date.
|
Age |
Position |
||
|
34 |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
||
|
51 |
Chairman of the Board, President and Secretary |
||
|
58 |
Director |
||
|
37 |
Director |
||
|
54 |
Director |
||
Stefani Mancas(2)(3) |
47 |
Director |
||
|
36 |
Director |
____________
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(3) Member of the
3
was a shareholder and member of the
Dr. Stefani Mancas graduated Summa cum Laude from the
Currently, Stefani is a tenured full Professor, and a researcher in the
4
Employee Director Compensation Table
The table below shows the cash fees paid to our directors in connection with their service on our board of directors, and the stock option awards granted, during the fiscal year ended
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
|
Fees |
Stock |
Option |
Non-Equity |
Change in |
All Other |
Total |
|||||||
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
(h) |
|||||||
|
5,000 |
10,146 |
15,146 |
|||||||||||
|
5,000 |
11,214 |
16,214 |
|||||||||||
Stefani Mancas |
5,000 |
10,146 |
15,146 |
|||||||||||
|
5,000 |
10,146 |
15,146 |
5
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors currently has three standing committees (audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance) that are chaired and composed entirely of directors who are independent under Nasdaq and rules of the
Our Board of Directors is our Company's ultimate management team, which is charged with the conduct of our business. Our Board of Directors also works with senior management and oversees its performance.
Board Composition
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. The number of directors is determined by our board of directors, subject to the terms of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Our board of directors currently consists of seven members, five of which are independent directors.
Meetings
Our Board of Directors held two meetings and acted by written consent seven times during fiscal 2024.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The board of directors has created three committees - the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each of the committees has a charter which meets the
Audit Committee
The audit committee is comprised of
Report of the Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in its charter, which include the responsibility to assist our Board in its oversight of our accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and internal audit controls and procedures, the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditor's qualifications and independence, and the performance of the independent auditor and our internal audit function. The Audit Committee is also required to prepare this report to be included in our annual Proxy Statement pursuant to the proxy rules of the
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our financial statements and for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and internal controls and procedures to provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for planning and carrying out a proper audit of our annual financial statements, reviews of our quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of each quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other procedures.
6
The Audit Committee reviews our financial reporting process. In this context, the Audit Committee:
• has reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements for the year ended
• has discussed with
• has received the written disclosures and the letter from
Based on this review and the discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended that our Board of Directors include the audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
This report is submitted on behalf of the members of the Audit Committee and shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the
(Chairman)
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee is comprised of
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The nominating and corporate governance committee, which is comprised of Dr. Mancas, as chairman,
Risk Management
The Board has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of our risks. The Compensation Committee of our Board is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee of our Board oversees management of financial risks, under its charter it is to meet periodically and at least four times per year with management to review and assess the Company's major financial risk exposures and the manner in which such risks are being monitored and controlled.
7
with the independence of the Board members and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is informed about such risks.
Independent Directors
Five of our directors,
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers serve on the board of directors or compensation committee of a company that has an executive officer who serves on our Board or compensation committee. No member of our Board is an executive officer of a company in which one of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of that company.
Conflicts of Interest
Certain conflicts of interest exist and may continue to exist between the Company and its officers and directors due to the fact that each has other business interests to which they devote their primary attention. Each officer and director may continue to do so notwithstanding the fact that management time should be devoted to the business of the Company.
Certain conflicts of interest may exist between the Company and its management, and conflicts may develop in the future. The Company has not established policies or procedures for the resolution of current or potential conflicts of interest between the Company, its officers and directors or affiliated entities. There can be no assurance that management will resolve all conflicts of interest in favor of the Company, and conflicts of interest may arise that can be resolved only through the exercise by management their best judgment as may be consistent with their fiduciary duties. Management will try to resolve conflicts to the best advantage of all concerned.
Review and approval of related party transactions
Our related parties include our directors, director nominees, executive officers, holders of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock and the foregoing persons' immediate family members. We review relationships and transactions in which the Company and our related parties are participants to determine whether such related persons have a direct or indirect material interest. As required under
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers which require us to indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by
8
Board Diversity Matrix
Our Nasdaq Board Diversity Matrix as filed with NASDAQ has been posted on the Internet and may be viewed at https://nutriband.com/diversity/.
Board Diversity Matrix FOR:
As of |
||||||||
Female |
Male |
Non-Binary |
Did Not |
|||||
Part I: Gender Identity |
||||||||
Directors |
1 |
5 |
1 |
|||||
Part II: Demographic Background |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Asian |
||||||||
Asian American |
||||||||
Hispanic or Latinx |
||||||||
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
||||||||
White |
7 |
|||||||
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
||||||||
LGBTQ+ |
1 |
|||||||
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of such securities with the
9
PROPOSAL TWO - RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS
Our Board selected
Our Board of Directors is asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of
The shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted for ratification of the appointment of
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF AND RATIFIES THE APPOINTMENT OF SADLER, GIBB & ASSOCIATES, LLC AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERERD PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
The fees billed for professional services by
Year Ended |
||||||
2024 |
2023 |
|||||
Audit fees |
$ |
118,800 |
$ |
86,640 |
||
Audit - related fees |
20,100 |
6,500 |
||||
Tax fees |
- |
- |
||||
All other fees |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
In the above table, in accordance with the
10
Executive Compensation
The table below shows the compensation for services in all capacities we paid during the years ended
|
Year |
Salary |
Bonus |
Stock |
Option/ |
Incentive |
Nonqualified |
All Other |
Total |
|||||||||
|
2024 |
150,000 |
82,110 |
25,000 |
257,110 |
|||||||||||||
CEO(1) |
2023 |
200,000 |
38,000 |
140,672 |
378,672 |
|||||||||||||
|
2024 |
150,000 |
82,110 |
25,000 |
257,110 |
|||||||||||||
President |
2023 |
200,000 |
146,672 |
346,672 |
||||||||||||||
|
2024 |
154,000 |
42,720 |
5,000 |
201,720 |
|||||||||||||
Chief Operating Officer |
2023 |
179,000 |
57,490 |
236,490 |
||||||||||||||
|
2024 |
110,000 |
52,866 |
30,000 |
192,866 |
|||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2023 |
160,000 |
- |
114,976 |
- |
- |
274,976 |
____________
(1) During the year ended
Directors Compensation |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fees |
Stock |
Option |
Non-Equity |
Change in |
All Other |
Total |
||||||||||||||
|
$ |
5,000 |
$ |
- |
$ |
10,146 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
15,146 |
|||||||
|
$ |
5,000 |
$ |
- |
$ |
11,214 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
16,214 |
|||||||
Stefani Mancas |
$ |
5,000 |
$ |
- |
$ |
10,146 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
15,146 |
|||||||
|
$ |
5,000 |
$ |
- |
$ |
10,146 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
15,146 |
Employment Agreements with Company Officers
The Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with
The Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with
11
Company during the term of the agreement,
The Employment Agreements provide for incentive payments as established by the Board of Directors, and the Employment Agreements with
Net Operating Profit Before Income Taxes |
Performance |
||
On the First |
3.5 |
% |
|
On the Next |
3.5 |
% |
|
On the Next |
3.0 |
% |
|
On all Amounts Over |
2.5 |
% |
Each of the Employment Agreements contains similar provisions for discharge for "cause", including breach of the Employment Agreement or specified detrimental conduct by the employee, in which cases accrued compensation would payable as provided in the Employment Agreements. The Agreements also provide for termination by the executives for "good reason", comprising events such as breach of the Agreement by the Company, assignment of duties inconsistent with the Executive's position, , or in the event of a change in control of the Company. In the event of a termination by the Company without cause, or by the executive for "good reason", the Company is required to pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the date of termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the executive's annual minimum salary through the date of termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) any annual incentive payment earned by the executive for a prior period to the extent not theretofore paid and not theretofore deferred, (3) any annual performance bonus payment earned by the executive for a prior period to the extent not theretofore paid and not theretofore deferred,(4) any accrued and unused vacation pay and (5) any business expenses incurred by the executive that are unreimbursed as of the date of termination;5
B. The product of (1) the performance bonus payment and (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed in the fiscal year of the Company in which the date of termination occurs as of the date of termination, and the denominator of which is 365;
C. the amount equal to the sum of (1) three (3) times the executive's annual minimum salary; (2) one (1) times the performance bonus payment and (3) one (1) times the incentive payment;
D. In the event executive is not fully vested in any retirement benefits with the Company from pension, profit sharing or any other qualified or non-qualified retirement plan, the difference between the amounts executive would have been paid if he or she had been vested on the date his/her employment was terminated and the amounts paid or owed to the executive pursuant to such retirement plans;
E. The product of (1) the incentive payment and (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed in the fiscal year of the Company in which the date of termination occurs as of the date of termination, and the denominator of which is 365; and
In addition, all stock options and warrants outstanding as of the date of termination and held by the executive shall vest in full and become immediately exercisable for the remainder of their full term; all restricted stock shall no longer be restricted to the extent permitted by law, and the Company will use its best efforts, at its sole cost to register such restricted stock as expeditiously as possible.
12
Gross-up Reimbursement on Excise Taxes Paid by Employee on Certain Payments received from Company
The Employment Agreements of
Pension Benefits
We currently have no plans that provide for payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement of our officers.
13
PROPOSAL THREE - ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and related
Our executive compensation program is designed to (1) align executive officers' interests with those of our stockholders; (2) attract, motivate and retain executive officers; and (3) reward the achievement of our annual, long-term and strategic goals.
The Board of Directors is asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our named executive officers' compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our executive compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors will ask our stockholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
"RESOLVED, that the Company's stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the
The Say-on-Pay vote is advisory, and therefore is not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officers' compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders' concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares present or represented and voting at the Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers. Abstentions are not votes cast and will have no effect on the foregoing vote. Broker non-votes are not votes cast and therefore will not affect the outcome of this Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that stockholders approve the following advisory resolution at the annual meeting:
"RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the named executive officers of
Although this vote is advisory and is not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR"
THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
14
PROPOSAL FOUR - ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE
ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Our Board at this time recommends that stockholders vote for future advisory votes on executive compensation to occur every year. We believe that annual say-on-pay votes are generally considered a corporate governance best practice and align with the voting policies and recommendations of leading institutional investors and proxy advisors.
Stockholders will be able to specify one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card: 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, or to abstain. Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board's recommendation. This advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation is not binding on the Board. Notwithstanding the Board's recommendation and the outcome of the stockholder vote, the Board may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a less frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with stockholders and the adoption of material changes to compensation programs.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE TO CONDUCT FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION EVERY YEAR.
15
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table provides information concerning the beneficial ownership of the Company's common Stock by each director, certain executive officers, by all directors and officers of the Company as a group as of
The amounts and percentage of stock beneficially owned are reported based on regulations of the
|
Shares of |
Shares of |
Total |
Percentage of |
|||||
|
1,761,667 |
245,000 |
2,006,667 |
17.89 |
% |
||||
|
820,418 |
245,000 |
1,065,418 |
9.50 |
% |
||||
Stefani Mancas |
14,125 |
25,583 |
39,708 |
* |
|||||
|
17,208 |
28,500 |
45,708 |
* |
|||||
|
15,750 |
29,333 |
45,083 |
* |
|||||
|
1,167 |
18,000 |
19,167 |
* |
|||||
Dr. |
36,612 |
240,000 |
256,612 |
2.27 |
% |
||||
|
48,893 |
143,334 |
192,227 |
1.73 |
% |
||||
|
86,335 |
179,500 |
265,835 |
2.36 |
% |
||||
|
825,000 |
1650,000 |
2,475,000 |
19.40 |
% |
||||
All officers and directors as a group (9 individuals) |
3,620,190 |
2,784,250 |
6,405,898 |
54.09 |
% |
||||
Other Beneficial Owners |
|||||||||
Vitalie Botgros(4) |
2,370,774 |
1,808,228 |
4,179,002 |
32.36 |
% |
____________
* Less than One (1%) Percent.
(1) The address for each director and officer, unless indicated otherwise, is c/o
(2) Includes 29,167 shares owned by
(3)
(4) Mr. Vitali Botgros, to the knowledge of the Company based on a his Schedule 13-D filing on
(5)
To our knowledge, all beneficial owners named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
16
Changes in Control
We are unaware of any contract or other arrangement the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of our company.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Independent Directors
Five of our directors,
Issuance of Stock Options
The following table sets forth issuance of stock options to certain officers and directors on
Date |
Title and Amount(1) |
Purchaser |
Principal |
Total Offering |
||||
|
Option to purchase 97,500 shares of common stock. |
|
NA |
|
||||
|
Option to purchase 97,500 shares of common stock. |
|
NA |
|
||||
|
Option to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock. |
|
NA |
|
||||
|
Option to purchase 70,000 shares of common stock. |
|
NA |
|
||||
|
Option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock. |
|
NA |
|
||||
|
Option to purchase 2,500 shares of common stock. |
|
NA |
|
||||
|
Option to purchase 12,500 |
|
NA |
|
Investment by Director in the Company's Private Equity Placement in
On
ITEM 14. Our Executive Officers
Set forth below is certain information with respect to our executive officers:
|
Age |
Position |
||
|
34 |
Chief Executive Officer and director |
||
|
51 |
Chairman of the Board, President and Secretary |
||
|
76 |
Chief Financial Officer |
||
|
57 |
Chief Operating Officer and President of 4P Therapeutics |
||
|
54 |
Chief Scientific Officer |
17
18
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of |
Number of |
Equity |
Options |
Options |
Number of |
Market |
Equity |
Incentive |
|||||||||||
|
23,333 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.58 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||
29,167 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.50 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
25,000 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.12 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
70,000 |
- |
- |
$ |
2.12 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
|
23,333 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.58 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||
29,167 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.50 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
25,000 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.12 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
70,000 |
- |
- |
$ |
2.12 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
|
11,667 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.16 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||
11,667 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.09 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
10,000 |
- |
- |
$ |
3.75 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
40,000 |
- |
- |
$ |
1.93 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
Gerald Goodman, CFO |
11,667 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.16 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||
23,333 |
- |
- |
$ |
4.09 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
20,000 |
- |
- |
$ |
3.75 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
49,500 |
- |
- |
$ |
1.93 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
87,500 |
(1) |
- |
- |
$ |
1.93 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Bonuses
Any bonuses granted in the future will relate to meeting certain performance criteria that are directly related to areas within the named executive's responsibilities with the Company. As we continue to grow, more defined bonus programs may be established to attract and retain our employees at all levels.
Other Director Compensation
There are no agreements or arrangements by which any directors or nominees are to receive compensation or other payments from third parties in retufor serving on the Board of Directors.
Pension Benefits
We currently have no plans that provide for payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement of our officers.
19
Director Compensation
On
|
# of Option Shs. |
Exercise Price - |
||||
|
70,000 |
$ |
2.12 |
|||
|
70,000 |
$ |
2.12 |
|||
Gerald Goodman |
49,500 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
|
40,000 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
|
40,000 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
|
20,000 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
|
20,000 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
Oleg Burea |
6,000 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
|
9,500 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
|
10,500 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
Stefani Mancas |
9,500 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
|
9,500 |
$ |
1.93 |
|||
Gerald Goodman |
87,500 |
* |
$ |
1.93 |
____________
* Reissuance of currently outstanding warrant (with no change in the number of shares covered by the warrant) held by
20
PROPOSAL FIVE - APPROVAL OF THE 2024 AMENDED AND RESTATED
STOCK OPTION PLAN
On
Reasons for Adoption of the 2024 Option Plan
One of the primary purposes of the 2024 Option Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Another important purpose of the 2024 Option Plan is to support the achievement of the Company's business objectives by providing stock-based incentives which focus Plan participants on the Company's long-term objectives and link the participants' interests with the interests of the Company's stockholders. The 2024 Option Plan is also designed to respond to applicable tax laws, accounting rules and securities regulations.
Description of the 2024 Option Plan
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the 2024 Option Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the 2024 Option Plan set forth in Annex A to this Information Statement.
Under the Plan, options may be granted which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or which are not ("Non-ISOs") intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options thereunder.
The Plan also provides for restricted stock awards to an Employee representing shares of Common Stock ("Restricted Shares") that are issued subject to such restrictions on transfer and other incidents of ownership and such forfeiture conditions as the Committee (as defined below) may determine ("Restricted Stock Awards"). In connection with issuance of any Restricted Shares, the Committee may (but shall not be obligated to) require the payment of a specified purchase price (which price may be less than Fair Market Value).
The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or a committee (the "Committee") which is appointed by the Board of Directors from those of its members who are "non-employees" of the Company as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board of Directors, or the Committee, if one is appointed, has full authority to determine the persons to be granted options or Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan and the terms of Restricted Stock Awards, the number and purchase price of the shares represented by each option, the time or times at which the options may be exercised, and the terms and provisions of each option, which need not be uniform for all options.
Key employees of the Company or its subsidiaries, as determined by the Board or Committee, and non-employee directors of and consultants to the Company or its subsidiaries are eligible to receive options or Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan. The Plan authorizes the Committee to grant, over a ten-year period, options or Restricted Stock Awards to purchase up to a maximum of 10,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, subject to adjustment as described below. If any option expires or is terminated prior to its exercise in full and prior to the termination of the Plan, the shares subject to such unexercised option shall again be available for the grant of new options under the Plan. Further, any shares used as full or partial payment by an optionee upon exercise of an option may subsequently be used by the Company to satisfy other options granted under the Plan, subject to limitations on the total number of shares authorized to be issued under the Plan. The Plan provides that the purchase price per share for ISO's may not be
21
less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of grant. The purchase price is to be paid in cash or Common Stock of the Company held for at least six (6) months and with a market value equivalent to that of the shares being acquired or, in the discretion of the Committee, any combination of these.
The term of each option will not be more than ten (10) years from the date of grant. Options granted under the Plan may be exercised only during the continuance of the Participant's employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries. The Plan permits an outstanding ISO option to be exercised after termination of employment only to the extent that the option was exercisable on the date of termination but in no event beyond the original term of the option (i) within one year by the estate or rightful heir(s) of the optionee if the optionee's employment is terminated due to the optionee's death; (ii) within one year after the date of such termination if the termination is due to the optionee's Disability (as defined in the 2021 Option Plan); or (iii) within three months after the date of such termination if the termination was due to the optionee's Retirement (as defined in the Plan) or was for reasons other than death or Disability and other than "for cause" (as defined in the Plan). Upon termination of an optionee's employment "for cause," any unexercised options held by the optionee will be forfeited. In the event of the dissolution, liquidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, to the extent it has not been previously exercised an option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. In the event of the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, the option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or, if such successor corporation does not agree to assume the option or substitute an equivalent option, the Board shall provide for the option holder to have the right to exercise the option as to all of the optioned shares, including shares as to which the option would not otherwise be exercisable.
The number of shares subject to options and the option prices will be appropriately adjusted in the event of changes in the outstanding Company Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, stock splits and combinations of shares, and the like. The Board of Directors may at any time terminate or modify the Plan, except that without further approval of the shareholders the Board may not make any changes to the Plan which would materially increase the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan, materially modify the eligibility requirements for participation in the Plan, or require shareholder approval under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Exchange Act, or the Code.
Options granted under the Plan may be in the form of "incentive stock options" which qualify as such under Section 422 of the Code or non-qualified stock options which do not meet the criteria for incentive stock options under Section 422. The tax treatment of stock options qualifying as incentive stock options may be more favorable to employees than that afforded to non-qualified stock options. Options granted under the Plan are, generally, transferable only by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee only by the optionee or by his legal representative in the event of his Disability. In its sole discretion, however, the Committee may permit an optionee to make certain transfers of non-qualified stock options, provided that the transfers are to "family members" and are not for value, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences associated with the 2024 Option Plan
The following discussion of tax considerations relates only to certain
Generally, upon the exercise of an ISO, the optionee will recognize no income for
22
the shares so acquired before the applicable holding period expires). By contrast, upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the employer corporation is entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the income recognized by the employee, subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code in the case of highly compensated employees.
Required Stockholder Vote
The approval of the 2024 Stock Option Plan providing for the reservation of [+++] shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to options granted thereunder requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's Common Stock.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
SUCH RATIFICATION.
23
ANNUAL REPORTS
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
A copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (including financial statements and schedules thereto) for the fiscal year ended
Forward-Looking Statements
This Proxy Statement may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Securities Exchange Act and other federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts, including statements regarding our strategy, outlook, operations, prospects, aspirational purpose, causes, values, and related commitments, goals or targets, other initiatives, plans, targets, objectives or goals are forward-looking. We use words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "future," "intends," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties.
24
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholders Proposals for the fiscal 2025 Annual Meeting
The Company expects its next annual meeting to occur in
For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in next year's proxy statement (as described in the preceding paragraph), but is instead sought to be presented directly at the 2025 Annual Meeting, the federal securities laws require stockholders to give advance notice of such proposals. The required notice must (pursuant to Rule 14a-4 of the Exchange Act) be given a reasonable time before we expect to mail proxy statements for our 2025 Annual Meeting. Accordingly, with respect to the Company's 2025 Annual Meeting of stockholders, notice must be provided to the
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD
Mail can be addressed to Directors in care of the
PROXY SOLICITATION
The solicitation of the enclosed proxy is being made on behalf of the Board of Directors and the cost of preparing and mailing the Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and form of proxy to shareholders is to be borne by the Company.
Chief Executive Officer
25
ANNEX A
2024 AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN
This AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN (the "Plan") is hereby established by
1. Purpose
The proper execution of the duties and responsibilities of the executives, directors, and key employees of
2. Definitions
The following terms wherever used herein shall have the meanings set forth below.
"Board of Directors" or "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Committee" shall mean a committee to be appointed by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) of the Plan.
"Common Stock" shall mean the shares of common stock of the Corporation, including both the voting and any non-voting classes of stock.
"Corporation" shall mean
"Employee" shall mean a common law employee of the Corporation or a Parent or a Subsidiary.
"Employment" means periods during which an Employee qualifies as an Employee.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Fair Market Value" of the Common Stock on any date shall be (a) the average on that date of the high and low prices of a share of Common Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market; or (b) such other value as the Board reasonably determines is a more accurate indication of the fair market value of the Common Stock.
"Immediate Family Member" shall mean each of (a) the children, step children or grandchildren of the Employee to whom the Option is granted, (b) the spouse or any parent of the Employee to whom the Option is granted, (c) any trust solely for the benefit of any such family members, and (iv) any partnership or other entity in which such family members are the only partners or other equity holders.
"Incentive Stock Option" shall mean any Option granted pursuant to the Plan that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and which satisfies the requirements of Section 422(b) of the Code.
"Nonstatutory Stock Option" shall mean any Option granted pursuant to the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
Annex A-1
"Option" or "Stock Option" shall mean a right granted pursuant to the Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock, and shall include the terms "Incentive Stock Option" and "Nonstatutory Stock Option".
"Optionee" shall mean an Employee who is granted an Option under this Plan.
"Option Agreement" shall mean a written agreement representing Options granted pursuant to the Plan, as contemplated by Section 7 of the Plan.
"Option Holder" means the Optionee or, if applicable, the person to whom the Optionee's rights under the Option Agreement shall have been validly transferred.
"Parent" shall mean a "parent company" of the Corporation, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
"Plan" shall mean the
"Restricted Share" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
"Restricted Stock Award" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
"Share" shall mean a share of the Common Stock of the Corporation that is subject to an Option or Restricted Stock Award, as adjusted in accordance with Section 9 of the Plan.
"Subsidiary" shall mean a "subsidiary corporation" of Corporation or a Parent, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Effective Date of the Plan
The Plan shall become effective upon stockholder approval pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, provided that such approval is received before the expiration of one year from the date the Plan is approved by the Board of Directors, and provided further that the Board of Directors may grant Options pursuant to the Plan prior to stockholder approval if such Options by their terms are contingent upon subsequent stockholder approval of the Plan.
4. Administration
(a) Procedure.
(i) Administration With Respect to Directors and Officers. With respect to grants of Options to Employees who are also officers or directors of the Corporation, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board, if the Board may administer the Plan in compliance with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor thereto ("Rule 16b-3") with respect to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan, or (B) a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to permit the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3 with respect to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3 with respect to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan.
(ii) Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted by Rule 16b-3, the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to directors, non-director officers and Employees who are neither directors nor officers.
(iii) Administration With Respect to Other Employees. With respect to grants of Options to Employees who are neither directors nor officers of the Corporation, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee designated by the Board, which committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy the legal requirements relating to the administration of incentive stock option plans, if any, of the
Annex A-2
of the Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Board. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board (or the Committee) shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options or Restricted Stock Awards; (ii) to determine, upon review of relevant information the fair market value of the Common Stock in each class; (iii) to determine the exercise price per Share of Options to be granted, which exercise price shall be determined in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan and the price of Restricted Shares; (iv) to determine the regular, full-time Employees and non-employee directors or other consultants to whom, and the time or times at which, Options or Restricted Stock Awards shall be granted and the number of Shares to be represented by each Option or Restricted Stock Award; (v) to interpret the Plan; (vi) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (vii) to determine the rules and provisions of each Option or Restricted Stock Award granted (which need not be identical) and, with the consent of the holder thereof, modify or amend each Option or Restricted Stock Award; (viii) to accelerate or defer (with the consent of the Option Holder) the exercise date of any Option, consistent with the provisions of Section 7 of the Plan; (ix) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Corporation any instrument required to effectuate the grant of an Option or Restricted Stock Award previously granted by the Board or Committee; and (x) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(c) Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. The Board or Committee shall have the power to issue a restricted stock award to an Employee or non-employee director or consultant representing shares of Common Stock ("Restricted Shares") that are issued subject to such restrictions on transfer and other incidents of ownership and such forfeiture conditions as the Board or Committee may determine ("Restricted Stock Awards"). In connection with issuance of any Restricted Shares, the Board or Committee may (but shall not be obligated to) require the payment of a specified purchase price (which price may be less than Fair Market Value). Grant of a Restricted Stock Award shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available for purposes of the Plan by the number of Restricted Shares included in the Restricted Stock Award.
(d) Effect of Board's Decision. All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Board (or the Committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan) shall be final and binding on all Optionees, Option Holders of any Options and holders of Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan.
5. Participation in the Plan
(a) Participation in the Plan shall be limited to those Employees who are designated for payroll purposes as full-time, permanent employees of the Corporation and any Parent or Subsidiary and those persons who shall be designated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors as participants in the Plan. The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuation of Employment, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the Corporation's right to terminate his or her employment at any time, with or without cause.
(b) A member of the Board of Directors or consultant who is not also an Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan but shall not be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options hereunder.
6. Stock Subject to the Plan
(a) Subject to Section 9 of the Plan, there shall be reserved for the granting of Options pursuant to the Plan and for issuance and sale pursuant to such Options or Restricted Stock Awards 1,400,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustments as provided in Section 7(d) of the Plan, plus an automatic annual increase to be added on
Annex A-3
Stock again shall (unless the Plan shall have been terminated) be available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of Options pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, Shares issued under the Plan and later repurchased by the Corporation shall not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan.
(b) Proceeds from the purchase of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of Options granted pursuant to the Plan or from Restricted Stock Awards shall be used for the general business purposes of the Corporation.
7. Terms and Conditions of Options
(a) Options granted hereunder may be either Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options and may be for the purchase of either voting or non-voting Common Stock, all as determined by the Board of Directors or Committee at its discretion and as designated in the terms of the Option Agreement. However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the Shares with respect to which Options designated as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Corporation) exceeds
(b) The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Board of Directors or Committee at the time of the grant, but shall be subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option:
(A) which is granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) which is granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant.
(ii) In the case of Nonstatutory Stock Option
(A) which is granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be as determined by the Board of Directors or Committee.
(B) granted to any other person, the per Share exercise price shall be as determined by the Board of Directors or Committee.
For purposes of this Section 7(b), in the event that an Option is amended to reduce the exercise price, the date of grant of such Option shall thereafter be considered to be the date of such amendment.
If the Board of Directors or Committee does not establish a specific exercise price per share at the time of grant, the exercise price per share shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Options.
(c) Each Option, subject to the other limitations set forth in the Plan, may extend for a period of up to but not exceeding 10 years from the date on which it is granted. The term of each Option shall be determined by the Board of Directors or Committee at the time of grant of the Option and specified in the Option Agreement, provided that if no term is specified by the Board or Committee the term of the Option shall be the maximum term permitted under this Section measured from the date on which it is granted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the case of an Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary, (a) if the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Incentive Stock Option Agreement, or (b) if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years and one (1) day from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement.
Annex A-4
(d) The Board of Directors or Committee may provide in the Option Agreement that the right to exercise each Option for the number of shares subject to each Option shall vest in the Optionee over such period of time as the Board or Committee, in its discretion, shall determine for each Optionee.
(e) Options shall be nontransferable and nonassignable and may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed in any manner, except that (1) Options may be transferred by testamentary instrument or by the laws of descent and distribution, and (2) subject to the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement or any other terms and conditions imposed by the Board of Directors or Committee from time to time, Options may be transferred in accordance with Section 7(l) of the Plan if the applicable Option Agreement or other action of the Board or Committee expressly provides that the Options are transferable.
(f) Upon voluntary or involuntary termination of an Optionee's active Employment for any reason (including disability), his Option and all rights thereunder shall terminate effective at the close of business on the date the Optionee ceases to be an active, regular employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, except (1) to the extent previously exercised and (2) as provided in Sections 7 (g), (h), (i) and (j) of the Plan.
(g) In the event an Optionee takes a leave of absence from the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary for personal reasons or as a result of entry into the armed forces of
(h) If an Optionee's Employment terminates as a result of his or her total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Option Holder may exercise his or her Option within no more than the twelve (12) month period beginning on the date of his or her termination of Employment (to the extent the Option Holder was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of the Optionee's termination of Employment and provided that in no event may any Option be exercised after the expiration of the term of the Option), after which the Option shall lapse.
(i) If an Optionee dies during the term of his or her Option without the Option having been fully exercised, the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or the person who inherits the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance shall have the right within one (1) year of the Optionee's death to purchase the number of Shares of Common Stock that the deceased Optionee was entitled to purchase at the date of death, after which the Option shall lapse, provided that in no event may any Option be exercised after the expiration of the term of the Option.
(j) If an Optionee terminates employment without having fully exercised the Option due to the Optionee's retirement at or after age 60 and with the consent of the Corporation, then the Option Holder shall have the right within ninety (90) days of the Optionee's termination of Employment to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock that the Option Holder was entitled to purchase at the date of termination of the Optionee's Employment, after which the Option shall lapse, provided that in no event may any Option be exercised after the expiration of the term of the Option. The Board of Directors or Committee may cancel an Option during the ninety day period referred to in this paragraph, if the Optionee engages in employment or activities contrary, in the opinion of the Board or Committee, to the best interests of the Corporation. The Board or Committee shall determine in each case whether a termination of Employment shall be considered a retirement with the consent of the Corporation, and, subject to applicable law, whether a leave of absence shall constitute a termination of Employment. Any such determination of the Board or Committee shall be final and conclusive, unless the Committee is overruled by the Board.
(k) The granting of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall not constitute or be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, on the part of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to retain or employ the Optionee for any specified period.
(l) The Board of Directors or Committee may provide, in the original grant of a Nonqualified Stock Option or in an amendment or supplement to a previous grant, that some or all of the Nonqualified Stock Options granted under the Plan are transferable by the Optionee to an Immediate Family Member of the Optionee, provided that (i) the Option Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, expressly so provides or the Board or
Annex A-5
Committee otherwise designates the Option as transferable, (ii) the transfer by the Optionee is a bona fide gift without consideration, (iii) the transfer is irrevocable, (iv) the Optionee and any such transferee provides such documentation or other information concerning the transfer or the transferee as the Board of Directors or Committee or any Employee of the Corporation acting on behalf of the Board or Committee may from time to time request, and (v) the Optionee or the Option Holder complies with all of the terms and conditions (including, without limitation, any further restrictions or limitations) included in the Option Agreement. Any Nonqualified Stock Option transferred in accordance with the terms and conditions provided in this Section 7(l) shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to such Nonqualified Stock Option prior to the transfer. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the Corporation shall not be required to honor any exercise by an Immediate Family Member of an Option transferred in accordance with the terms and conditions provided in this Section 7(l) unless and until payment or provision for payment of any applicable withholding taxes has been made.
(m) In addition to the general terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7 in respect of Options granted pursuant to the Plan, Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the following additional terms and conditions:
(i) "Incentive Stock Options" shall be granted only to individuals who, at the date of grant of the Option, are regular, full-time Employees of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary;
(ii) No Employee who owns beneficially more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation shall be eligible to be granted an "Incentive Stock Option", unless the exercise price per Share is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date of grant of the Option and the Option, by its terms, is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date the Option is granted.
(iii) To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock in respect of which an Option is exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (and taking into account all "incentive stock option" plans of the Corporation and its subsidiaries) exceeds
(iv) Any other terms and conditions specified by the Committee that are not inconsistent with the Plan, except that such terms and conditions must be consistent with the requirements for "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code.
8. Methods of Exercise of Options
(a) An Optionee (or other Option Holder, if any, entitled to exercise an Option hereunder) desiring to exercise an Option granted pursuant to the Plan as to all or part of the Shares of Common Stock covered by the Option shall (i) notify the Corporation in writing at its principal office to that effect, specifying the number of Shares of Common Stock to be purchased and the method of payment therefor, and (ii) make payment or provision for payment for the shares of Common Stock so purchased in accordance with this Section 8. Such written notice may be given by means of a facsimile transmission. If a facsimile transmission is used, the Option Holder should mail the original executed copy of the written notice to the Corporation promptly thereafter. An Option may not be exercised for as fraction of a share of Common Stock.
(b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Board of Directors and may consist entirely of cash, check, promissory note, other shares of Common Stock which (i) either have been owned by the Option Holder for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised, or any combination of such methods of payment, or such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under the laws of
Annex A-6
(c) An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Corporation in accordance with the terms of the Option by the Option Holder and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the Corporation. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board of Directors, consist of any consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(b) of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Corporation or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Corporation) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote (in the case of voting stock) or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the optioned Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Corporation shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option. In the event that the exercise of an Option is treated in part as the exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the Corporation shall issue a separate stock certificate evidencing the Shares of each class treated as acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and a separate stock certificate evidencing the Shares of each class treated as acquired upon exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and shall identify each such certificate accordingly in its stock transfer records. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 9 of the Plan.
(d) An Option Holder at any time may elect in writing to abandon an Option in respect of all or part of the number of Shares of Common Stock as to which the Option shall not have been exercised.
(e) Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
9. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger
Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Corporation, the number of Shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option, and the number of Shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well as the price per Share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Corporation; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Corporation shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board of Directors, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Corporation of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.
In the event of the proposed dissolution, liquidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, the Board shall notify the Optionee or other Option Holder at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, the Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. In the event of the merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless such successor corporation does not agree to assume the Option or to substitute an equivalent option, in which case the Board shall, in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide for the Option Holder to have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the optioned Shares, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. If the Board makes an Option fully exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Board shall notify the Optionee or other Option Holder that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
10. Time of Granting Options
The date of grant of an Option shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Board of Directors or Committee makes the determination granting such Option. Notice of the determination shall be given to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
Annex A-7
11. Amendments and Discontinuance of the Plan
(a) The Board of Directors shall have the right at any time and from time to time to amend, modify, or discontinue the Plan in such respects as the Board may deem advisable; provided that, unless approved by the Corporation's shareholders in accordance with Section 15, no such amendment, modification, or discontinuance of the Plan shall (i) revoke or alter the terms of any valid Option previously granted pursuant to the Plan, (ii) increase the number of shares of Common Stock to be reserved for issuance and sale pursuant to Options granted pursuant to the Plan, (iii) change the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of Options granted pursuant to the Plan to any single individual, (iv) decrease the price determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(b), (v) change the class of persons to whom Options may be granted pursuant to the Plan, (vi) provide for Options exercisable more than 10 years after the date granted, (vii) if the Corporation has a class of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act at the time of such revision or amendment, any material increase in the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan.
(b) Shareholder Approval. If any amendment requiring shareholder approval under Section 15(a) of the Plan is made at a time when any class of equity securities by the Corporation is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such shareholder approval shall be solicited as described in Section 15 of the Plan.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee or other Option Holder and the Board of Directors, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Option Holder and the Corporation.
12. Plan Subject to Governmental Laws and Regulations
The Plan and the grant and exercise of Options and grant of Restricted Stock Awards pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to all applicable governmental laws and regulations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board of Directors may in its sole and absolute discretion make such changes in the Plan as may be required to conform the Plan to such laws and regulations. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Restricted Shares pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto or the issuance of the Restricted Shares pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Corporation with respect to such compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an Option or issuance of Restricted Shares pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, the Corporation may require the person exercising such Option or receiving such Restricted Shares to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
13. Reservation of Shares
The Corporation, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
The inability of the Corporation to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Corporation's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Corporation of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
14. Option Agreements and Restricted Stock Awards
Options and Restricted Stock Awards shall be evidenced by written option or restricted stock award agreements in such form as the Committee shall determine from time to time.
Annex A-8
15. Shareholder Approval
(a) This Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Corporation within twelve (12) months before or after the date this Plan is adopted.
(b) The required approval of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be solicited substantially in accordance with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
16. Term of Plan
The Plan shall become effective upon the approval by the shareholders of the Corporation as described in Section 15 of the
[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.]
Annex A-9
ANNEX B
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF NUTRIBAND INC.
Annex B-1
Annex B-2
Attachments
Disclaimer
Yes, condemn CEO's murder, but know why people feel rage toward health insurers | Opinion
UnitedHealth Group agrees to $69 million settlement over low-performing retirement plan options
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News