☐ | 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 Pursuant under § 240.14a-12 |
☒ | | | No fee required |
| | ||
☐ | | | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| | ||
☐ | | | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| | Sincerely, | |
| | ||
| | Marc H. Hedrick | |
| | President & Chief Executive Officer |
PLUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. Headquarters 4200 MARATHON BLVD. SUITE 200, AUSTIN, TX 78756 | | | MEETING LOCATION: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PSTV2024 |
(i) | elect six (6) members of our board of directors for a one- (1) year term, to hold office until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2025 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal; |
(ii) | ratify the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2024 fiscal year ending December 31, 2024; |
(iii) | provide a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers; |
(iv) | approve the fourth amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, the full text of which resolution is set out in the accompanying proxy statement under the heading “Proposal #4 - Proposal to Approve the Fourth Amendment and Restatement of the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan”; and |
(v) | transact such any other business as may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting. |
By Order of the Board, |
MARC H. HEDRICK |
President & Chief Executive Officer |
(i) | elect six (6) members of our Board for a one- (1) year term; |
(ii) | ratify the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2024 fiscal year; |
(iii) | provide a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers; |
(iv) | approve the fourth amendment and restatement of the Plus Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan; and |
(v) | transact such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
• | Submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date. |
• | Grant a subsequent proxy by telephone or through the Internet. |
• | Send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our Corporate Secretary at 4200 Marathon Blvd. Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78756, Attention: Corporate Secretary. |
• | Attend the Annual Meeting and vote online during the meeting. |
• | “FOR” the election of each listed director nominee; |
• | “FOR” ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2024 fiscal year; |
• | “FOR” approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers; |
• | “FOR” approval of the fourth amendment and restatement of the Plus Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. |
• | We may contact you using the telephone or electronic communication; |
• | Our directors, officers or other regular employees may contact you personally; or |
• | Any other third parties we may hire as agents for the sole purpose of contacting you regarding your proxy, may contact you. |
Board Size: | | | | | ||
Total Number of Directors | | | | | ||
| | Female | | | Male | |
Gender Identity | | | | | ||
Directors | | | 1 | | | 5 |
• | we have an independent Chairman of the Board; |
• | the Board is comprised of a substantial majority of independent directors (five (5) of six (6) directors are independent), and all of the Board’s standing committees are comprised entirely of independent directors; |
• | we have adopted anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies that align our directors’ and executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders; |
• | executive sessions of independent directors are held at every regular Board meeting and each standing committee meeting; and |
• | we hold an annual say-on-pay vote. |
Name | | | Audit Committee | | | Compensation Committee | | | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
An van Es-Johansson, M.D. | | | | | | | |||
Howard Clowes | | | | | | | |||
Robert Lenk, PhD(1) | | | | | | | |||
Greg Petersen | | | | | | | |||
Total meetings in 2023 | | | 4 | | | 2 | | | 2 |
| | Financial Expert | |
| | Committee Chair | |
| | Committee Member |
• | reviewing management’s and our independent auditor’s report on their assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of the end of each fiscal year; |
• | selecting our auditors and reviewing the scope of the annual audit; |
• | resolving any disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting; |
• | approving the audit fees and non-audit fees to be paid to our auditors; |
• | reviewing our financial accounting controls with the staff and the auditors; |
• | reviewing and monitoring management’s enterprise risk management assessment, including cybersecurity; |
• | reviewing and discussing with management and the auditor, our audited financial statements including our disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”; |
• | reviewing our earnings press releases as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies; |
• | reviewing and approving our annual budget; |
• | reviewing all related person transactions which are required to be reported under applicable SEC regulations; and |
• | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complains received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or audit matters. |
• | developing and implementing compensation programs for our executive officers and other employees, subject to the discretion of the full Board; |
• | establishing base salary rates, benefits and other compensation matters for each of our executive officers; |
• | administering our equity compensation plans; |
• | reviewing the relationship between our performance and our compensation policies and assessing any risks associated with such policies; |
• | reviewing and advising the Board on director compensation matters and on regional and industry-wide compensation practices and trends in order to assess the adequacy of our executive compensation programs; and |
• | reviewing and discussing compensation related disclosures with management and making a recommendation to the Board regarding the inclusion of such disclosures in our annual proxy statement or Form 10-K, as applicable. |
• | analyzing the expertise and experience of the Board and ensuring the membership of the Board consists of persons with sufficiently diverse and independent backgrounds; |
• | identifying, recruiting, evaluating and recommending to the Board individuals qualified to become members of the Board; |
• | establishing procedures for the consideration of candidates for the Board to recommended for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s consideration by Plus’s stockholders and recommending to the Board appropriate action on any such recommendation; |
• | reviewing the Board committee structure and recommending to the Board changes to such structure; |
• | reviewing and assessing the adequacy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommending any proposed changes; |
• | overseeing the annual self-evaluations of the Board and Board committees; |
• | reviewing and discussing with management disclosures in our annual proxy statement regarding director independence; and |
• | overseeing succession planning and processes for our Chief Executive Officer. |
| | Mail: | | | Chairman of the Board Plus Therapeutics, Inc. 4200 Marathon Blvd. Suite 200, Austin, TX 78756 cc: Chief Financial Officer | |
| | | | |||
| | Email: | | | Chairman@plustherapeutics.com |
Name | | | Age | | | Title |
Marc H. Hedrick, M.D. | | | 62 | | | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
Andrew Sims | | | 51 | | | Chief Financial Officer |
NEO | | | Year | | | Salary ($) | | | Option Awards ($)(1) | | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) | | | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | | | Total ($) |
Marc H. Hedrick, M.D. President and Chief Executive Officer | | | 2023 | | | 556,400 | | | 188,692 | | | 336,622 | | | 52,313 | | | 1,134,027 |
| 2022 | | | 535,000 | | | — | | | 361,928 | | | 57,723 | | | 954,651 | ||
Andrew Sims Chief Financial Officer | | | 2023 | | | 355,000 | | | 40,722 | | | 125,803 | | | 17,706 | | | 539,231 |
| 2022 | | | 305,000 | | | — | | | 125,164 | | | 16,012 | | | 446,176 | ||
Norman LaFrance, M.D.(4) Former Chief Medical Officer | | | 2023 | | | 440,000 | | | 29,244 | | | 161,700 | | | 44,321 | | | 675,265 |
| 2022 | | | 440,000 | | | — | | | 152,460 | | | 45,351 | | | 637,811 |
(1) | The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted to our NEOs during the years indicated.. In accordance with SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements which are included in Part II, Item 8 of our 2023 Annual Report. |
(2) | The amounts in this column represent annual performance-based bonuses for 2023 and 2022. For additional information, see narrative below under “Annual Bonuses and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation”. |
(3) | This column includes standard benefits, including a 401K match, and health and life insurance premiums. |
(4) | On June 11, 2024, Dr. LaFrance stepped down from his position as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer. |
• | Base salary; |
• | Annual bonuses; |
• | Annual long-term equity compensation; |
• | Personal benefits and perquisites; and |
• | Acceleration and severance agreements tied to changes in control of the Company. |
Name | | | Option Grant Date(1) | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(3) | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) Unexercisable(2)(3) | | | Option Exercise Price ($)(3) | | | Option Expiration Date |
Marc H. Hedrick, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer | | | 4/11/2014 | | | 3 | | | — | | | 267,750 | | | 4/11/2024 |
| 8/21/2014 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 157,500 | | | 8/21/2024 | ||
| 1/30/2015 | | | 3 | | | — | | | 54,000 | | | 1/30/2025 | ||
| 1/4/2016 | | | 8 | | | — | | | 21,060 | | | 1/4/2026 | ||
| 3/8/2017 | | | 13 | | | — | | | 11,625 | | | 3/8/2027 | ||
| 6/25/2020 | | | 8,170 | | | 1,164 | | | 32 | | | 6/25/2030 | ||
| 2/16/2021 | | | 4,180 | | | 1,708 | | | 55 | | | 2/16/2031 | ||
| 5/25/2021 | | | 8,649 | | | 4,736 | | | 34 | | | 5/25/2031 | ||
| | 2/15/2023 | | | 6,720 | | | 25,535 | | | 6 | | | 2/15/2033 | |
Andrew Sims Chief Financial Officer | | | 2/6/2020 | | | 2,091 | | | 576 | | | 33 | | | 2/6/2030 |
| 2/16/2021 | | | 3,154 | | | 1,288 | | | 55 | | | 2/16/2031 | ||
| 5/25/2021 | | | 4,317 | | | 2,363 | | | 34 | | | 5/25/2031 | ||
| 2/15/2023 | | | 1,451 | | | 5,510 | | | 6 | | | 2/15/2033 | ||
Norman LaFrance, M.D.(4) Former Chief Medical Officer | | | 11/11/2021 | | | 4,168 | | | 3,832 | | | 26 | | | 11/11/2031 |
| 2/15/2023 | | | 1,047 | | | 3,952 | | | 6 | | | 2/15/2033 |
(1) | For a better understanding of this table, we have included an additional column showing the grant date of the stock options. |
(2) | Unless otherwise provided, unvested stock options are subject to four- (4) year vesting (from the grant date), and all stock options have a contractual term of ten (10) years from the date of grant. Awards presented in this table contain one (1) of the following two (2) vesting provisions: |
• | With respect to an initial stock option grant to an employee, one fourth (1/4th) of the shares subject to the award vest on the one- year anniversary of the vesting start date, while an additional one thirty-sixth (1/36th) of the remaining option shares vest at the end of each month thereafter for thirty-six (36) consecutive months, or |
• | With respect to stock option grants made to an employee after one (1) full year of employment, one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the shares subject to the award vest at the end of each month thereafter for forty-eight (48) consecutive months, as measured from the vesting start date. |
(3) | We consummated a 1-for-15 reverse stock split in May 2016, a 1-for-10 reverse stock split in May 2018, a 1-for-50 reverse stock split in August 2019 and a 1-for-15 reverse stock split in May 2023. The amounts set forth in this column reflect these four reverse stock splits. |
(4) | Dr. LaFrance’s options that have vested, will expire, if not exercised, on August 10, 2024. |
| | Annual Service Retainer ($) | | | Chairperson Additional Retainer ($) | |
Board of Directors | | | 40,000 | | | 37,500 |
Audit Committee | | | 7,500 | | | 27,500 |
Compensation Committee | | | 5,000 | | | 15,000 |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | | | 5,000 | | | 10,000 |
Non-Executive Director Name(1) | | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | | | Option Awards ($)(2)(3) | | | Total ($) |
Richard J. Hawkins, Chairman | | | 95,000 | | | 7,874 | | | 102,874 |
Howard Clowes | | | 67,500 | | | 7,874 | | | 75,374 |
An van Es-Johansson, M.D. | | | 57,500 | | | 7,874 | | | 65,374 |
Robert Lenk, PhD | | | 45,000 | | | 7,874 | | | 52,874 |
Greg Petersen | | | 72,500 | | | 7,874 | | | 80,374 |
(1) | Dr. Hedrick is not included in this table as he is our Chief Executive Officer and receives no extra compensation for his service as a director. The compensation received by Dr. Hedrick in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and further described in the “Narrative Disclosures to Summary Compensation Table.” |
(2) | Amounts in this column represent awards of restricted stock options with the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The fair value was determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP based on the closing price of our Common Stock on the applicable grant date. The vesting of these stock awards are service based and subject to continued participant as Board members. |
(3) | The following table provides information regarding the aggregate number of option awards granted to our non-employee directors that were outstanding as of December 31, 2023: |
Name | | | Option Awards (#) |
Richard J. Hawkins | | | 7,110 |
Howard Clowes | | | 4,436 |
An van Es-Johansson, M.D. | | | 4,436 |
Robert Lenk, PhD | | | 4,436 |
Greg Petersen | | | 4,436 |
Year | | | Summary Compensation Table Total for CEO(1)(2) | | | Compensation Actually Paid to CEO(1)(3) | | | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-CEO NEOs(1)(2) | | | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-CEO NEOs(1)(3) | | | Value of initial fixed $100 investment based on total shareholder return (TSR): | | | Net Loss (in thousands) |
2023 | | | $1,134,027 | | | $1,572,904 | | | $607,248 | | | $790,812 | | | $6 | | | $(13,316,000) |
2022 | | | $954,651 | | | $1,640,473 | | | $541,994 | | | $805,429 | | | $30 | | | $(20,275,000) |
2021 | | | $1,667,279 | | | $1,728,722 | | | $568,898 | | | $530,436 | | | $52 | | | $(13,399,000) |
(1) | For each year shown, the Chief Executive Officer was Marc H. Hendrick, M.D. and the other NEOs were Andrew Sims and Dr. Norman LaFrance. |
(2) | Amounts in this column represent the “Total” rows set forth in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) below. |
(3) | The dollar amounts reported in these columns represent the amounts of “compensation actually paid.” The amounts are computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K by deducting and adding the following amounts from the “Total” column of the SCT (pursuant to SEC rules, fair value at each measurement date is computed in a manner consistent with the fair value methodology used to account for share-based payments in our financial statements under GAAP): |
2023 | | | CEO | | | Non-CEO NEOs |
SCT Total Compensation | | | 1,134,027 | | | 1,214,496 |
Deduct amounts reported under the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” column of the SCT | | | (188,692) | | | (69,966) |
Add Fair Value of Awards Granted in 2023 Unvested as of 12/31/2023 | | | 117,465 | | | 156,763 |
Add Change in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years Unvested as of 12/31/23 | | | 238,910 | | | 103,799 |
Add Fair Value of Awards Granted and Vested in 2023 as of the Vesting Date | | | 35,158 | | | 13,068 |
Add Change in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested during 2023 as of the Vesting Date | | | 236,036 | | | 163,464 |
Total Compensation Actually Paid | | | 1,572,904 | | | 1,581,624 |
2022 | | | CEO | | | Non-CEO NEOs |
SCT Total Compensation | | | 954,651 | | | 1,083,987 |
Add Change in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years Unvested as of 12/31/22 | | | 449,783 | | | 359,663 |
Add Change in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested during 2022 as of the Vesting Date | | | 236,039 | | | 167,207 |
Total Compensation Actually Paid | | | 1,640,473 | | | 1,610,857 |
2021 | | | CEO | | | Non-CEO NEOs |
SCT Total Compensation | | | 1,667,279 | | | 1,137,795 |
Deduct amounts reported under the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” column of the SCT | | | 773,198 | | | 673,158 |
Add Fair Value of Awards Granted in 2021 Unvested as of 12/31/2021 | | | 498,145 | | | 40,504 |
Add Change in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years Unvested as of 12/31/21 | | | 147,189 | | | 450,146 |
Add Fair Value of Awards Granted and Vested in 2021 as of the Vesting Date | | | 117,589 | | | 73,852 |
Add Change in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested during 2021 as of the Vesting Date | | | 71,718 | | | 31,733 |
Total Compensation Actually Paid | | | 1,728,722 | | | 1,060,872 |
Plan Category | | | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and rights | | | Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options and rights | | | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column(a)) |
| | (a) | | | (b) | | | (c) | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(1) | | | 10,675 | | | $170.12 | | | 6,024 |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(2) | | | 129,434 | | | $26.54 | | | 180,607 |
Total | | | 140,109 | | | $196.66 | | | 186,631 |
(1) | Represents (i) options outstanding that were issued under the 2004 Stock Option and Stock Purchase Plan which expired in August 2004 and (ii) the 2015 New Employee Incentive Plan. For more information, see “Material Features of the Amended and Restated 2015 New Employment Incentive Plan and the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan” provided in our 2023 Annual Report. |
(2) | See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included with our 2023 Annual Report for a description of the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan |
| | Beneficial Ownership | ||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | | | Shares(1) | | | Percentage |
Greater than 5% Stockholders | | | | | ||
Entities associated with AIGH Capital Management, LLC(2) | | | 569,981 | | | 9.99% |
Directors and Named Executive Officers: | | | | | ||
Marc H. Hedrick, M.D.(3) | | | 86,178 | | | 1.51% |
Andrew Sims(4) | | | 32,239 | | | * |
Norman LaFrance, M.D.(5) | | | 9,620 | | | * |
Howard Clowes(6) | | | 46,666 | | | * |
An van Es-Johansson, M.D.(7) | | | 5,561 | | | * |
Richard J. Hawkins(8) | | | 22,941 | | | * |
Greg Petersen(9) | | | 66,492 | | | 1.17% |
Robert P. Lenk, PhD(10) | | | 43,222 | | | * |
All current executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons) | | | 312,919 | | | 5.49% |
* | Less than 1%. |
(1) | Reflects beneficial ownership of common stock as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act. |
(2) | Reflects (i) AIGH Investment Partners, L.P. (“AIGH LP”) holdings of: (A) 188,537 Private Placement Shares (as defined below), (B) 915,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Pre-Funded Warrants (as defined below), (C) 1,103,537 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants (as defined below), and (D) 1,103,537 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants (as defined below) (together with the Series A Warrants, the “Common Warrants”); (ii) WVP Emerging Manager Onshore Fund, LLC – AIGH Series (“Onshore – AIGH”) holdings of: (A) Private Placement Shares, (B) 294,967 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants, and (C) 294,967 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; (iii) WVP Emerging Manager Onshore Fund, LLC – Optimized Equity Series (“Onshore – Optimized Equity”) holdings of: (A) 85,177 Private Placement Shares, (B) 85,177 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants, and (C) 85,177 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; (iv) AIGH Investment Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AIGH LLC”) holdings of: (A) 123,640 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Pre-Funded Warrants, (B) 123,640 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants, and (C) 123,640 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants. Mr. Orin Hirschman (“Mr. Hirschman”) is the Managing Member of AIGH Capital Management, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (“AIGH CM”), and president of AIGH LLC. AIGH CM is an advisor or sub-Advisor with respect to shares of the securities of the Company held by AIGH LP, Onshore – AIGH, Onshore – Optimized Equity and AIGH LLC. Mr. Hirschman has voting and investment control over the securities indirectly held by AIGH CM, directly held by AIGH LP and directly held by Mr. Hirschman and his family. The address of AIGH CM, AIGH LP, Onshore – AIGH, Onshore – Optimized Equity and AIGH LLC is 6006 Berkeley Avenue, Baltimore, |
(3) | Reflects (i) 12,425 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 12,255 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants; (iii) 12,255 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; and (iv) 49,243 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by Dr. Hedrick that will vest within 60 days of July 5, 2024. The Common Warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99%, which such limitation restricts the selling stockholder from exercising that portion of the Common Warrants that would result in the selling stockholder owning, after exercise, a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation. |
(4) | Reflects (i) 5,717 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 4,902 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants; (iii) 4,902 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; and (iv) 16,718 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Sims that will vest within 60 days of July 5, 2024. The Common Warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99%, which such limitation restricts the selling stockholder from exercising that portion of the Common Warrants that would result in the selling stockholder owning, after exercise, a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation. |
(5) | Reflects 9,620 shares of Common Stock underlying options to purchase shares of Common Stock which, if not exercised, will expire on August 10, 2024, held by our former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. LaFrance. The shares of Common Stock underlying Dr. LaFrance’s options to purchase shares of Common Stock are not included in the total number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by all of our directors and officers as a group. |
(6) | Reflects (i) 21,497 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 9,804 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants; and (iii) 9,804 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; and (iv) 5,561 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Clowes that will vest within 60 days of July 5, 2024. The Common Warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99%, which such limitation restricts the selling stockholder from exercising that portion of the Common Warrants that would result in the selling stockholder owning, after exercise, a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation. |
(7) | Reflects 5,561 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by Dr. van Es-Johansson that will vest within 60 days of July 5, 2024. |
(8) | Reflects (i) 4,903 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 4,902 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants; (iii) 4,902 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; and (iv) 8,234 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Hawkins that will vest within 60 days of July 5, 2024. The Common Warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99%, which such limitation restricts the selling stockholder from exercising that portion of the Common Warrants that would result in the selling stockholder owning, after exercise, a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation. |
(9) | Reflects (i) 36,421 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 12,255 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants; (iii) 12,255 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; and (iv) 5,561 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Petersen that will vest within 60 days of July 5, 2024. The Common Warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99%, which such limitation restricts the selling stockholder from exercising that portion of the Common Warrants that would result in the selling stockholder owning, after exercise, a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation. |
(10) | Reflects (i) 29,327 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 4,167 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series A Warrants; (iii) 4,167 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series B Warrants; and (iv) 5,561 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by Dr. Lenk that will vest within 60 days of July 5, 2024. The Common Warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99%, which such limitation restricts the selling stockholder from exercising that portion of the Common Warrants that would result in the selling stockholder owning, after exercise, a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation. |
• | the risks, costs, and benefits to us; |
• | the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated; |
• | the terms of the transaction; |
• | the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and |
• | whether the terms of the transaction are fair to the Company and are on terms no less favorable to the Company than terms that could have been reached with an unrelated third party. |
Name | | | Number of Private Placement Shares | | | Number of Pre-Funded Warrant Shares | | | Number of Series A Warrant Shares | | | Number of Series B Warrant Shares | | | Aggregate Purchase Price ($) |
Marc H. Hedrick, M.D.(1) | | | 12,255 | | | — | | | 12,255 | | | 12,255 | | | 25,000.20 |
Andrew Sims(2) | | | 4,902 | | | — | | | 4,902 | | | 4,902 | | | 10,000.08 |
Richard J. Hawkins(3) | | | 4,902 | | | — | | | 4,902 | | | 4,902 | | | 10,000.08 |
Howard Clowes(4) | | | 9,804 | | | — | | | 9,804 | | | 9,804 | | | 20,000.16 |
Robert Lenk, Ph.D.(5) | | | 4,167 | | | — | | | 4,167 | | | 4,167 | | | 8,500.16 |
Greg Petersen(6) | | | 12,255 | | | — | | | 12,255 | | | 12,255 | | | 25,000.20 |
Total: | | | 48,285 | | | — | | | 48,285 | | | 48,285 | | | $98,500.88 |
(1) | Marc H. Hedrick, M.D. serves as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board. |
(2) | Andrew Sims is our Chief Financial Officer. |
(3) | Mr. Hawkins serves as the Chairman of our Board. |
(4) | Mr. Clowes is a member of our Board. |
(5) | Dr. Lenk is a member of our Board. |
(6) | Mr. Petersen is a member of our Board. |
| | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Audit Fees(1) | | | $398,000 | | | $343,000 |
Audit Related Fees(2) | | | — | | | — |
Tax Fees(3) | | | 41,900 | | | 39,000 |
Total | | | $439,900 | | | $382,000 |
(1) | Audit fees consist of fees for professional services provided by BDO for the audit of the financial statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, the reviews of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the reviews of registration statements and issuances of consents, and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
(2) | Audit related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services, performed by BDO that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements. |
(3) | Tax fees consist of fees for professional services rendered by BDO with respect to tax compliance, tax advice, tax consulting and tax planning. |
• | Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the maximum aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under the Fourth Amended Plan is increased by 1,000,000 shares. |
• | Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the number of shares of our Common Stock issuable under the Fourth Amended Plan as incentive stock options (“ISOs”) has been increased to 1,303,334 shares. |
• | The Fourth Amended Plan extends the period during which ISOs can be granted—up until ten (10) years following the date the Fourth Amended Plan was approved by the Board. |
• | No single trigger accelerated vesting upon change in control. The Fourth Amended Plan does not provide for automatic vesting of awards upon a change in control. |
• | No liberal change in control definition. The change in control definition in the Fourth Amended Plan is not a “liberal” definition. A change in control transaction must actually occur in order for the change in control provisions in the Fourth Amended Plan to be triggered. |
• | No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Fourth Amended Plan must have an exercise or strike price equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is granted. |
• | Administration by independent committee. The Fourth Amended Plan will be administered by the members of the Compensation Committee, all of whom are “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and are “independent” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards. |
• | Material amendments require stockholder approval. Consistent with Nasdaq rules and regulations, the Fourth Amended Plan requires stockholder approval of any material revisions to the Fourth Amended Plan. In addition, certain other amendments to the Fourth Amended Plan require stockholder approval. |
• | Repricing not permitted. Repricing of stock options or stock appreciation rights and the cancellation of stock options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price greater than the current fair market value of a share in return for cash or the grant of new stock options or stock appreciation rights with a lower exercise price or the grant of other awards is prohibited without stockholder approval. |
• | No liberal share recycling. Liberal share recycling is not allowed. Shares withheld to pay the grant price or exercise price, or to satisfy a tax withholding obligation related to an award, will not again become available for awards under the Fourth Amended Plan. |
• | Limitations on dividends and dividend equivalents. Dividends and dividend equivalents on shares and awards that have not vested and accrued dividends are not paid under the Fourth Amended Plan until the underlying shares vest. |
• | Awards subject to claw back. There is a robust claw back provision under the Fourth Amended Plan. |
• | Limit on non-employee director awards and other awards. The sum of any cash compensation and the value of awards (calculating the value of any such stock awards based on the grant date fair value of such stock awards for financial reporting purposes) granted to any of our non-employee directors as compensation for services during any calendar year may not exceed $500,000 (increased to $700,000 in the calendar year of his or her initial service). |
• | Equity incentives are key to retaining key talent to drive our business forward. The Board believes that equity awards are a key element underlying our ability to retain, recruit and motivate key personnel who are critical to our ability to execute successfully, through this time of transition for our Company, and implement our business plan to develop our pipeline of therapeutics. Equity awards align the interests of our key personnel with those of our stockholders and are a substantial contributing factor to our success and the future growth of our business. |
• | Current shares available for awards are inadequate. We believe that the shares currently available for grant under the 2020 Plan will be insufficient to meet our anticipated retention and recruiting needs. As of July 5, 2024, there were 1,899 shares available for future grant under the 2020 Plan. |
| | As of July 5, 2024 | |
Total number of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding stock options | | | 336,928 |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options | | | $12.78 |
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options | | | 8.807 years |
Total number of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding full value awards | | | 0 |
Total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under the 2020 Plan | | | 1,899 |
Total number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under the 2015 New Employee Incentive Plan | | | 1,024 |
Total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding | | | 5,704,219 |
Per-share closing price of Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market | | | $1.55 |
Key Equity Metrics | | | Three-Year Average | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 |
Net Equity Burn Rate(1) | | | 2.42% | | | 1.97% | | | 0.02% | | | 5.29% |
Dilution(2) | | | 4.73% | | | 3.15% | | | 3.50% | | | 7.55% |
Overhang(3) | | | 9.39% | | | 6.85% | | | 10.40% | | | 10.92% |
(1) | Net Equity Burn Rate is calculated by dividing (i) the difference between (a) number of shares subject to equity awards granted during the year, (b) minus shares subject to awards that were cancelled or forfeited during the year, by (ii) the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. |
(2) | Dilution is calculated by dividing (i) the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding at the end of the year by (ii) the number of shares outstanding at the end of the year. |
(3) | Overhang is calculated by dividing (i) the sum of (a) the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding at the end of the year and (ii) the number of shares available for future grants by (ii) the sum of (a) the number of shares outstanding at the end of the year, (b) the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding at the end of the year and (c) the number of shares available for future grants. |
Individual or Group | | | Number of Shares Underlying Stock Option Awards |
Marc H. Hedrick, M.D. President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | | | 60,862 |
Andrew Sims Chief Financial Officer | | | 18,083 |
Norman LaFrance, M.D. Former Chief Medical Officer | | | 4,999 |
Howard Clowes Director | | | 4,436 |
An van Es-Johansson, M.D. Director | | | 4,036 |
Richard J. Hawkins Chairman of the Board | | | 7,103 |
Robert Lenk, PhD Director | | | 4,436 |
Greg Petersen Director | | | 1,769 |
All current executive officers as a group | | | 83,944 |
All current directors, who are not executive officers, as a group | | | 21,780 |
All nominees for election as a director | | | — |
Each associate of any such director, executive officer or nominee | | | — |
Each other person who received, or is to receive, 5% of such awards | | | — |
All employees, including current officers who are not executive officers, as a group | | | 20,598 |
| | By Order of the Board, | |
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| | MARC H. HEDRICK President and Chief Executive Officer |
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