UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
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
MONOPAR
THERAPEUTICS INC.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ No fee
required.
☐ Fee computed on table below per
Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)
Title of each class
of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)
Aggregate number of
securities to which transaction applies:
(3)
Per unit price or
other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)
Proposed maximum
aggregate value of transaction:
☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary
materials.
☐ Check box if any part of the fee is
offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify
the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form
or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)
Amount previously
paid:
(2)
Form, Schedule or
Registration Statement No.:
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on June 30, 2021 at 10:00am Central Time
Dear
Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Monopar Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”),
which will be held on June 30, 2021, at 10:00am Central Time at the
Company’s headquarters at 1000 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette, IL
60091 (the “Annual
Meeting”). Only
stockholders who held stock at the close of business on the record
date, May 3, 2021, may vote at the Annual Meeting, including any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to
consider and vote upon: (1) the election of six
directors named herein to our Board of Directors to serve until our
next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified; (2) the ratification of the selection of BPM
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the
year ending December 31, 2021; and (3) to approve an amendment
to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan to remove certain individual award
limits and other provisions related to I.R.C. Section 162(m) and to
update the limit on Incentive Stock Options. No other items of
business are expected to be considered, and no other director
nominees will be entertained, at the Annual
Meeting.
The
accompanying Proxy Statement more fully describes the details of
the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. After careful
consideration, our Board of Directors has unanimously approved the
proposals and recommends that you vote FOR each of the six director
nominees, FOR the ratification of the selection of BPM LLP and FOR
the amendment of the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan. In accordance with
Delaware law, a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting will be accessible during normal business hours for ten
days prior to the meeting at our corporate headquarters at 1000
Skokie Blvd., Suite 350, Wilmette, IL 60091.
We are pleased to make use of the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that allow
companies to furnish proxy statements to their stockholders via the
Internet. We believe the ability to deliver materials
electronically allows us to provide our stockholders with the
information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and
reducing the environmental impact from the distribution of our
Annual Meeting materials. The Proxy Statement and Annual Report on
Form 10-K are available at www.monopartx.com
in the “Annual Meeting”
subsection of the “Investors” tab. You may contact us
toll free at (888) 517-6366 or by email at info@monopartx.com in
order to obtain directions to be able to attend the meeting and
vote in person on the Proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement,
or to request that a copy of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report
be provided to you by paper or electronic mail. If you do not
request that a copy of our Annual Meeting materials be sent to you
prior to June 16, 2021, you will not receive a
copy.
Sincerely,
Chandler
D. Robinson, MD MBA MSc
Chief
Executive Officer and Director
April
30, 2021
We intend to hold the Annual Meeting in person. However, we are
sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our management,
directors and stockholders may have regarding the evolving COVID-19
pandemic and the related protocols that federal, state and local
governments may impose. As a result, we may decide to hold the
Annual Meeting in a different location or solely by means of remote
communication (i.e., a virtual-only meeting). Any such change
will be announced via a press release that will be filed as
additional soliciting material with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as soon as reasonably practicable before the Annual
Meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE VOTE YOUR
PROXY PROMPTLY SO YOUR SHARES CAN BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
YOU CAN VOTE BY INTERNET OR BY REQUESTING (IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED
ONE), COMPLETING, SIGNING AND RETURNING A PROXY CARD AS INSTRUCTED
IN THE MATERIALS.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF
MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 30,
2021:
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2020 are available at monopartx.com in the
“Annual Meeting” subsection of the
“Investors” tab.
1000
Skokie Blvd., Suite 350 ● Wilmette, IL ● 60091
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MONOPAR
THERAPEUTICS INC.
1000
Skokie Blvd., Suite 350
Wilmette,
IL 60091
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR
2021
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held on June 30, 2021 at
10:00am
Central Time
at
Monopar Therapeutics Inc.
1000
Skokie Blvd.
Wilmette,
IL 60091
This
Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with Monopar
Therapeutics Inc.’s (“Monopar” or the
“Company”) 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be
held on June 30, 2021, at 10:00am Central Time (the “Annual
Meeting”) at the Company’s headquarters located at 1000
Skokie Blvd., Wilmette, IL 60091. The Notice regarding the
Availability of Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access
this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report”) is
first being mailed on or about May 3, 2021. Pursuant to the rules
promulgated by the SEC, we have elected to provide access to our
Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K primarily by
notifying you of the availability of our materials on the Internet,
instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to
stockholders. The Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K
are available at www.monopartx.com in
the “Annual Meeting” subsection of the
“Investors” tab. We will pay all of the costs of
distributing this Proxy Statement.
The
Notice instructs you as to how you may access and review important
information contained in this Proxy Statement. If you receive a
Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our
Annual Meeting materials, you may request a printed copy by
following the instructions in the Notice.
Shares
Outstanding and Voting Rights
Only
holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on
May 3, 2021 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On April 16, 2021, 12,569,933
shares of common stock were issued and outstanding and we expect
the same or a similar number to be issued and outstanding as of the
Record Date.
Each
share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters to be
voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Holders of common stock do not
have the right to cumulative voting in the election of
directors.
Quorum and Vote of Monopar Stockholders Required
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a
valid meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares on the Record Date
will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at our
Annual Meeting and any postponement or adjournment thereof, though
the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” or the
“Board”) may fix a new record date for purposes of a
postponed or adjourned meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes (as
described below) will be counted towards a
quorum.
The
required vote for each of the proposals expected to be acted upon
at the Annual Meeting, present in person or represented by proxy,
and the treatment of abstentions under each proposal are described
below:
Proposal No. 1 — Election of directors. Directors are elected
by a plurality of the votes cast, with the six nominees obtaining
the greatest number of affirmative votes being elected as
directors. As a result, abstentions and broker non-votes will have
no effect on the vote outcome.
Proposal No. 2 — Ratification of the Audit Committee’s
selection of the independent registered public accounting firm.
This proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on
the proposal (meaning the number of shares voted “for”
this proposal must exceed the number of shares voted
“against” such proposal). As a result, abstentions and
broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote
outcome.
Proposal No. 3 — Approve an amendment to the 2016 Stock
Incentive Plan to remove certain individual award limits and other
provisions related to I.R.C. Section 162(m) and to update the limit
on Incentive Stock Options. This proposal must be approved by a
majority of the votes cast on the proposal (meaning the number of
shares voted “for” this proposal must exceed the number
of shares voted “against” such proposal). As a result,
abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote
outcome.
1
Voting and Revocation of
Proxies
The proxy
accompanying this Proxy Statement is solicited on behalf of the
Board of Directors of Monopar for use at the Annual
Meeting.
If you are a
stockholder of record of Monopar as of the Record Date referred to
above, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or via proxy by
mail using the proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is
counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person
if you have already voted by proxy. Voting in person at the Annual
Meeting will revoke a previous vote by proxy.
●
If you hold shares in your name as
the stockholder of record, you may vote those shares in person at
the Annual Meeting. Proof of identification will be required to
vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting, we highly recommend that you submit a proxy for
your shares in advance as described above, so your vote will be
counted even if you later decide not to
attend.
●
If your shares are held in the name
of a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need proof of
ownership to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. A recent brokerage
statement or letter from a bank or broker is an example of proof of
ownership. You may vote those shares in person at the Annual
Meeting only if you obtain a proxy from your nominee that gives you
the right to vote the shares and present it along with your ballot
at the Annual Meeting. To do this, you should contact your
nominee
●
To vote on the
Internet if your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or
other nominee, go to the website indicated on the Notice to
complete an electronic voting instruction form. You will be asked
to provide Monopar’s number and a control number from the
Notice. Your vote must be received by 1:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on
June 30, 2021 to be counted.
●
To vote by mail using the proxy
card if you hold shares in your name as the stockholder of record,
simply mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it promptly
in the postage-paid envelope provided. If we receive your signed
proxy card before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as
you direct. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker
or other nominee, you will need to request a voting instruction
form as described in the Notice in order to submit your voting
instructions by mail. Please do so well in advance to allow
sufficient time.
If
your shares are held by your broker as your nominee (that is, in
“street name”), you will need to provide voting
instructions to your broker to vote your Monopar shares, either by
Internet or mail as described above. If you do not give
instructions to your broker, your broker can vote your Monopar
shares with respect to “discretionary” items but not
with respect to “non-discretionary” items.
The proposals relating to the election of directors (Proposal
No. 1) and the approval of an amendment to the 2016 Stock
Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 3)
are non-discretionary items.
On non-discretionary items for which you do not give your
broker instructions, your broker will not vote your shares and,
accordingly, the shares will be treated as broker non-votes if
the broker submits a proxy. A “broker non-vote”
occurs when a bank, broker or other nominee holding shares for a
beneficial owner submits a proxy for the Annual Meeting without
voting on a particular proposal, because the bank, broker or other
nominee has not received instructions from the beneficial owner and
does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that
proposal.
All properly
executed proxies that are not revoked will be voted at the Annual
Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual
Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained in the proxy.
If a holder of our common stock executes and returns a proxy and
does not specify otherwise, the shares represented by that proxy
will be voted “FOR” Proposal No. 1 electing the
six nominees to our Board of Directors; “FOR” Proposal
No. 2 ratifying the selection of BPM LLC as the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for
the year ending December 31, 2021; and “FOR” Proposal
No. 3 amending the 2016 Stock Incentive
Plan.
Our
stockholders of record may change their votes at any time before
their proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting in one of three ways.
First, a stockholder of record can send a written notice to the
Secretary of Monopar stating that the stockholder would like to
revoke its proxy. Second, a stockholder of record can submit new
proxy instructions on a new proxy card. Third, a stockholder of
record can attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Attendance
alone will not revoke a proxy, but attending and voting will revoke
a proxy.
If a
”street name” stockholder has instructed a broker or
other nominee to vote its shares of common stock, that stockholder
must follow directions received from its broker or other nominee to
change those instructions.
Solicitation of Proxies
The
solicitation of your proxy is made by Monopar. In addition to
solicitation by mail, the Company’s directors, officers,
employees and agents may solicit proxies from our stockholders by
personal interview, telephone or otherwise. Arrangements will also
be made with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries who are record holders of Monopar’s common stock
for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial
owners of Monopar’s common stock. Monopar will pay the cost
of soliciting proxies, including reimbursing applicable brokers,
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses they incur in
connection with the forwarding of solicitation
materials.
2
PROPOSAL NO. 1 – ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
Nomination
of Directors
Your
vote is requested in favor of six nominees named herein to our
Board of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
Our
Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the number of directors
shall be fixed by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
or more of the voting power of the Company. Our Board of Directors
is currently fixed at six members.
Directors typically
are elected for a period of one year and thereafter serve until the
next annual meeting at which the nominee is reelected or a
successor is duly elected by our stockholders, or until his or her
successor is duly elected and qualified. Each nominee for election
has agreed to serve if elected, and we have no reason to believe
that any nominee will be unavailable to serve.
Nominees
The
following table sets forth the name, age and positions of each of
our director nominees as of the date of this Proxy Statement. Each
of the nominees listed below is currently a director of Monopar and
has been elected to serve until our next annual meeting of
stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected
and qualified.
Name
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Positions
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Director Since
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Christopher M. Starr, PhD
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68
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Executive Chairman, Director, Member of the Plan Administration
Committee
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December 2014
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Chandler D. Robinson, MD MBA MSc
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37
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Chief Executive Officer, Director
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December 2014
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Andrew P. Mazar, PhD
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59
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Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Chief
Scientific Officer, Director
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December 2014
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Raymond W. Anderson, MBA
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79
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Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, Chair of the Compensation
Committee and Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, Member of the Plan Administration Committee
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April 2017
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Michael J. Brown, MSc
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64
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Director, Member of the Audit Committee, Member of the Compensation
Committee, Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, Member of the Plan Administration Committee
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December 2014
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Arthur J. Klausner, MBA
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61
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Director, Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, Member of the Audit Committee, Member of the
Compensation Committee
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August 2017
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3
Business Experience and Directorships
The following describes
the background of our directors.
Christopher
M. Starr, PhD - Executive Chairman and Board Member
Dr.
Starr is a co-founder and has been our Executive Chairman and a
Board Member of ours and our predecessor, Monopar Therapeutics,
LLC, since its inception in December 2014. Dr. Starr was the
co-founder and served as the chief executive officer
(“CEO”) at Raptor Pharmaceuticals
(“Raptor”) (Nasdaq: RPTP), from its inception in 2006
through December 2014 and continued to serve Raptor as a member of
its board of directors until Raptor was sold to Horizon Pharma plc
in October 2016. The principal business of Raptor was the
development and commercialization of treatments for rare diseases.
Dr. Starr was also a co-founder of BioMarin Pharmaceutical
(“BioMarin”) (Nasdaq: BMRN) in 1997 where he last
served as Vice President of Research and Development until 2006.
BioMarin is a fully-integrated multinational biopharmaceutical
company. Dr. Starr earned a B.S. from Syracuse University and a
Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the State
University of New York Health Science Center, in Syracuse, New
York.
Dr.
Starr’s board qualifications include over 25 years of
executive experience in funding and operating public and private
biopharmaceutical companies. We believe Dr. Starr’s
experience qualifies him to serve as the executive chairman of our
Board.
Chandler
D. Robinson, MD MBA MSc - Chief Executive Officer and Board
Member
Dr.
Robinson is a co-founder and has been our CEO and a Board Member of
ours and our predecessor, Monopar Therapeutics, LLC, since its
inception in December 2014. Since 2010, Dr. Robinson has been, and
continues to be, a manager of Tactic Pharma, which he co-founded
and led as CEO until it became a holding company in April 2014.
Tactic Pharma acquired and developed preclinical and clinical stage
biopharmaceutical compounds. From 2009 to 2010 Dr. Robinson
conducted research at Northwestern University on a drug candidate
currently being developed to treat Wilson’s disease, which
was acquired by Tactic Pharma in 2010 and sold in 2014. Among his
previous experiences, Dr. Robinson in 2008 worked at Onyx
Pharmaceuticals, an oncology biopharmaceutical company, in their
Nexavar marketing division, from 2008 to 2009 as a co-manager of a
healthcare clinic in San Jose CA, from 2004 to present as Founder
and President of an undergraduate research focused non-profit now
in its 15th year, and from 2006 to 2007 as part of a quantitative
internal hedge-fund style team at Bear Stearns investment bank. He
was previously on the board of Wilson Therapeutics (acquired by
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.), a biopharmaceutical company, and is
currently on the board of Northwestern University’s Chemistry
of Life Processes Institute. Dr. Robinson graduated summa cum laude
from Northwestern University, earned a master’s degree in
International Health Policy and Health Economics from the London
School of Economics on a Fulbright Scholarship, an MBA from
Cambridge University on a Gates Scholarship through Bill
Gates’ Trust, and an MD from Stanford
University.
Dr.
Robinson’s extensive leadership and management experience
along with his medical and business degrees and his entrepreneurial
and strategic vision and knowledge of Monopar’s product
candidates and operations led to the conclusion that he should
serve as a member of our Board.
Andrew
P. Mazar, PhD – Executive Vice President of Research and
Development, Chief Scientific Officer and Board Member
Dr.
Mazar is a co-founder and has been our Chief Scientific Officer and
a Board Member of ours and our predecessor, Monopar Therapeutics,
LLC, since its inception in December 2014. Dr. Mazar became our
Executive Vice President of Research and Development effective as
of November 1, 2017. Dr. Mazar has founded or co-founded eight
start-up companies to commercialize new drug discoveries, including
Tactic Pharma, formerly a biopharmaceutical company, where he
worked since 2010, and which acquired and developed preclinical and
clinical stage compounds. Dr. Mazar has founded or advised several
start-up companies over the past five years including Tactic
Pharma, Valence Therapeutics (a biopharmaceutical company), Wilson
Therapeutics (a biopharmaceutical company), Panther Biotechnology
(a biopharmaceutical company), Lung Therapeutics Inc. (a
biopharmaceutical company), Actuate Therapeutics (an oncology
biopharmaceutical company), AvidTox (a biopharmaceutical company)
and Tempus (a biopharmaceutical company). Prior to joining Tactic
Pharma in 2010 and the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute at
Northwestern University in 2009, Dr. Mazar was the Chief Scientific
Officer at Attenuon, LLC, a biopharmaceutical company in San Diego
from 2000 to 2009. Dr. Mazar is the previous Chair of the National
Cancer Institute Nanotechnology Alliance Animal Model working group
(2011-2015) and has been a member of the National Heart, Lung and
Blood Institute Scientific Review Board (SRB) for the SMARTT
program since 2011. Dr. Mazar is currently a member of the
editorial board of Clinical Cancer Research and the External
Advisory Board for NewCures at Northwestern University. Dr. Mazar
earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Illinois
College of Medicine.
Dr.
Mazar’s extensive experience in leadership positions in the
biopharmaceutical industry led to the conclusion that he should
serve as a member of our Board.
Michael
J. Brown, MSc – Board Member
Mr.
Brown has been a Board Member of ours and our predecessor, Monopar
Therapeutics, LLC since its inception in December 2014. Since 1994,
Mr. Brown has served as Chairman, and since 1996 as CEO, of Euronet
Worldwide Inc. (“Euronet”) (Nasdaq: EEFT) which offers
payment and transaction processing and distribution solutions to
financial institutions, retailers, service providers and individual
consumers. Mr. Brown has been President of Euronet since December
2014. Mr. Brown has also served on the boards of Euronet’s
predecessor companies. He has an M.S. in molecular and cellular
biology.
Mr.
Brown’s extensive leadership and management experience,
including strategic planning, business development, and financing
strategies led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member
of our Board.
4
Raymond
W. Anderson, MBA, MS – Board Member
Mr.
Anderson has been a Board Member of Monopar since April 2017. Mr.
Anderson served as a board member, chair of the audit committee and
member of the compensation committee at Raptor, a biopharmaceutical
company, from its founding in 2006 to its acquisition in 2016. Mr.
Anderson worked at Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc., a
dermatological prescription drug formulation company, from
July 2003 until he retired in June 2010. He most recently served as
Dow’s Managing Director from January 2009 to June 2010, and
previously served as Dow’s Chief Financial Officer and Vice
President, Finance and Administration. Prior to joining Dow in
2003, Mr. Anderson was Chief Financial Officer for Transurgical,
Inc., a private ultrasound surgical system company. Prior to that,
Mr. Anderson served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial
Officer at BioMarin, a biopharmaceutical company, from June 1998 to
January 2002. Mr. Anderson holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University,
an M.S. in administration from George Washington University and a
B.S. in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy.
Mr.
Anderson’s background and experience as a finance executive
in the biopharmaceutical industry and his qualification as an
“audit committee financial expert” under SEC and Nasdaq
rules led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our
Board.
Arthur
J. Klausner, MBA – Board Member
Mr.
Klausner has been a Board Member of Monopar since August 2017.
Since 2018 Mr. Klausner has served as President, CEO, and a
Director of the start-up drug development company Goldilocks
Therapeutics, Inc. Mr. Klausner has been a consultant to the
biopharmaceutical industry since 2009. He served as Chief Executive
Officer of Gem Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Gem”) from
September 2012 until Gem’s drug development assets were
acquired by us in 2017. In addition to his role at Gem, Mr.
Klausner served as CEO of Jade Therapeutics Inc.
(“Jade”) from September 2012 until December 2015.
Jade’s focus was on the development of proprietary,
cross-linked hyaluronic acid formulations for ophthalmic
applications until its March 2016 acquisition by EyeGate
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: EYEG). Previously, Mr. Klausner
spent a total of 18 years at the life science venture capital firms
Domain Associates and Pappas Ventures. Mr. Klausner currently
serves on the life science investment review board for the New York
University Innovation Venture Fund. He received his M.B.A. from the
Stanford University Graduate School of Business and his B.A. in
biology from Princeton University.
Mr.
Klausner’s extensive leadership and management experience in
the biopharmaceutical industry led to the conclusion that he should
serve as a member of our Board.
Audit Committee
Our
Audit Committee consists of Mr. Anderson, Mr. Klausner and Mr.
Brown, who are independent members as defined by Nasdaq rules
applicable to audit committees and the SEC under Rule 10A-3 under
the Exchange Act. Mr. Anderson serves as chair of the Audit
Committee and is a financial expert as defined by Nasdaq and the
SEC.
The
functions of our Audit Committee include, among other duties and
responsibilities:
●
to oversee the
integrity of the Company’s financial statements;
●
to assure the
quality of the accounting and financial reporting processes of the
Company;
●
to assure the
effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over
financial reporting;
●
to assist with the
Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements;
●
to review and
discuss with management and the independent registered public
accounting firm the Company’s annual and quarterly SEC
reports including the audit of the annual financial statements and
the reviews of the quarterly financial statements and related
disclosures;
●
to be directly
responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and
oversight of the work of the independent registered public
accounting firm and any other independent registered public
accounting firm performing other audit, review, or attest services
for the Company;
●
to review and
discuss with the Company’s management the risk assessment and
risk management policies of the Company;
●
to oversee systems
and procedures for the receipt, retention and resolution of
complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal
financial controls or auditing matters and for the confidential and
anonymous submission by Company employees of concerns regarding
potential fraud or questionable financial, accounting, internal
financial controls or auditing matters;
●
to periodically
review and update the financial-related sections of the
Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the
“Code”) and review programs established to monitor
compliance with and to improve employees’ knowledge of the
Code;
●
to review and
approve or disapprove any transaction required to be disclosed
according to SEC regulations between the Company and any related
party and to oversee the Company’s policies and procedures
for judgments as to related party transactions; and
●
to prepare the
Audit Committee’s report required by SEC rules.
The
Audit Committee is governed by a written charter. The Audit
Committee Charter can be found in the Corporate Governance section
of the Investors section of our website at www.monopartx.com.
Information on our website is NOT incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement. The Audit Committee Charter complies with the
guidelines established by Nasdaq.
5
As
required by its charter, the Audit Committee conducts a
self-evaluation at least annually. The Audit Committee also
annually reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter,
including the Audit Committee’s role and responsibilities,
and recommends and submits a reviewed charter including any
proposed changes to the Board for annual approval of a new
charter.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Our
Corporate Governance and Nominating (“CG&N”)
Committee consists of Mr. Klausner, Mr. Brown and Mr. Anderson who
are independent members. Mr. Klausner serves as the chair of the
CG&N Committee.
The
functions of our CG&N committee include, among other duties and
responsibilities:
●
to oversee the
composition of the Board to ensure that qualified individuals,
meeting the criteria of applicable rules and regulations, serve as
members of the Board and its committees
●
to identify, review
and evaluate individuals qualified to serve on the Board consistent
with criteria approved by the Board as vacancies arise, and seeking
out, to the extent reasonably possible, nominees to enhance the
racial and gender diversity, expertise and independence of the
Board;
●
to consider
recommendations for Board nominees and proposals appropriately
submitted by our stockholders pursuant to the procedures described
in our Bylaws and/or proxy statement and to establish any policies,
requirements, criteria and procedures, including policies and
procedures to facilitate stockholder communications with the Board,
and to recommend to the Board appropriate action on any such
proposal or recommendation;
●
to consider and
assess the independence of directors, including whether a majority
of the Board continue to be independent from management in both
fact and appearance, as well as within the meaning prescribed by
the listing standards of Nasdaq;
●
to recommend to our
Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors and to
each of the Board's committees;
●
to oversee an
annual evaluation of the Board;
●
to review and make
recommendations to the Board with respect to management succession
planning;
●
to oversee and
evaluate compliance by the Board and management of the Company with
the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the
Corporate Compliance Program;
●
to develop and
recommend to the Board corporate governance principles and
guidelines; and
●
to oversee the
evaluation and procurement of D&O insurance and other
indemnification coverage for directors and officers.
Given
the significant voting control exercised by certain of our existing
stockholders, the CG&N Committee has not adopted a formal
policy with respect to the consideration of nominees recommended by
our stockholders, has not adopted any specific minimum
qualifications for director nominees and has not adopted any formal
processes for identifying and evaluating nominees. Pursuant to its
charter, the CG&N Committee will consider all aspects of each
candidate's qualifications and skills with the goal of ensuring, to
the extent reasonably possible, that the Board has diversity of
experience and perspectives as well as race, gender, geography, and
areas of expertise. As vacancies arise, the CG&N Committee will
seek to identify, review and evaluate individuals qualified to
serve on the Board consistent with the above criteria along with
criteria approved by the Board and to seek out nominees to enhance
the relevant experience, expertise, diversity and needed
qualifications of the Board. Stockholders desiring to recommend
director nominees for consideration may send communications to the
CG&N Committee to the care of our Corporate Secretary at 1000
Skokie Blvd., Suite 350, Wilmette, IL 60091.
The
CG&N Committee is governed by a written charter. The CG&N
Committee Charter can be found in the Corporate Governance section
of the Investors section of our website at www.monopartx.com.
Information on our website is NOT incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement. The CG&N Committee Charter complies with the
guidelines established by Nasdaq. The charter of the CG&N
Committee grants the CG&N Committee full access to all of our
books, records, facilities and personnel, as well as authority to
obtain, at our expense, advice and assistance from internal and
external legal, accounting or other advisors and consultants and
other external resources that the CG&N Committee considers
necessary or appropriate in the performance of its
duties.
As
required by its charter, the CG&N Committee conducts a
self-evaluation at least annually. The CG&N Committee also
annually reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter,
including the CG&N Committee’s role and responsibilities,
and recommends and submits a reviewed charter including any
proposed changes to the Board for annual approval of a new
charter.
Compensation Committee
Our
Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Anderson, Mr. Brown and Mr.
Klausner who are independent members defined by Nasdaq rules
applicable to compensation committee members. Mr. Anderson serves
as the chair of the Compensation Committee.
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Compensation Committee did
not engage an independent third-party compensation expert, however
the Compensation Committee subscribed to a well-known, reputable
compensation survey consisting of 1,000 biotechnology, medical
device and pharmaceutical companies, as one of the tools for
benchmarking compensation of our senior management. The functions
of our Compensation Committee include, among other duties and
responsibilities:
●
to annually review
and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to our CEO's
and senior management’s compensation;
●
to recommend our
CEO's compensation including salary, non-equity incentive bonuses
and long-term equity compensation for Board (excluding our CEO)
review and approval;
●
to review and
approve, or make recommendations to our Board with respect to, the
compensation of our other executive officers including salary,
non-equity bonuses and long-term equity compensation;
●
to oversee an
evaluation of our senior executives;
●
to review and make
recommendations to our Board with respect to non-employee director
compensation including Board and committee fees and equity
compensation; and
●
to prepare the
annual Compensation Committee report to the extent required by SEC
rules, when such requirement becomes applicable to us.
6
The
Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter. The
Compensation Committee Charter can be found in the Corporate
Governance section of the Investors section of our website at
www.monopartx.com. Information on our website is NOT incorporated
by reference in this Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee
Charter complies with the guidelines established by
Nasdaq.
As
required by its charter, the Compensation Committee conducts a
self-evaluation at least annually. The Compensation Committee also
annually reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter,
including the Compensation Committee’s role and
responsibilities, and recommends and submits a reviewed charter
including any proposed changes to the Board for annual approval of
a new charter.
Plan Administrator Committee
Our
Plan Administrator Committee consists of Dr. Starr, Mr. Brown and
Mr. Anderson who are independent members. The Plan Administrator
Committee does not have a charter, but the functions of the Plan
Administrator Committee include, among other duties and
responsibilities:
●
to appoint
individuals responsible for the day-to-day administration of the
Plan including the issuance and routing of stock option grant and
other stock-based award agreements based upon Plan Administrator
Committee-approved grants and related recordkeeping and accounting
functions;
●
pursuant to the
Plan, to grant “performance based” and “time
based” stock-based awards to our employees and consultants,
with the exception of our officers, senior executives and
non-employee directors (which are exclusively determined by the
Compensation Committee of our Board);
●
to determine the
number of shares of common stock and the type of awards granted
under the Plan to awardees other than our officers, senior
executives and non-employee directors; and
●
to determine
restrictions and terms of awards including modifications or
amendments to awards to awardees, other than our officers, senior
executives and non-employee directors, under the Plan.
Board and Committee Meetings; Annual Meeting
Attendance
In the
year ended December 31, 2020, there were five meetings of the Board
of Directors and nine unanimous written actions by Directors. There
were five Audit Committee meetings, two Compensation Committee
meetings, one CG&N Committee meeting and six unanimous written
actions by the Plan Administrator Committee in 2020. All Board
Members attended 100% of the total meetings of the Board and of the
committees on which they served in 2020. The Company does not
currently have a policy with regard to Board Members’
attendance at annual meetings of stockholders. All of our Board
Members attended last year’s annual meeting of
stockholders.
Independence of the Board of Directors
We
believe it is important to have independent directors on our Board
who can make decisions without being influenced by personal
interests. Consistent with these considerations, after review of
all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each
Director, or any of his family members, and us, our senior
management and our independent registered public accounting firm,
our Board has affirmatively determined that the following directors
are independent Directors within the meaning of the applicable
Nasdaq listing standards: Dr. Starr, Mr. Brown, Mr. Anderson and
Mr. Klausner. In making this determination, our Board found that
none of the Directors had a material or other disqualifying
relationship with us. Dr. Robinson, our President and Chief
Executive Officer, is not an independent Director by virtue of his
employment relationship with us, and similarly Dr. Mazar by virtue
of his employment relationship with us is not an independent
Director.
There
are no family relationships among any of our Directors or executive
officers.
Vote Required
Directors are
elected by a plurality of the votes cast, with the six nominees
obtaining the greatest number of affirmative votes being elected as
Directors, even if less than a majority. As a result, abstentions
and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote
outcome.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
7
PROPOSAL NO. 2 – RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF
THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our Audit Committee has selected BPM LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2021 and has further directed that we submit the
selection of BPM LLP for ratification by our stockholders at the
Annual Meeting.
We are not required to submit the selection of
our independent registered public accounting firm for stockholder
approval but are submitting our selection of BPM LLP for
stockholder ratification as a matter of good corporate governance.
If the stockholders do not ratify this selection, the Audit
Committee will reconsider its selection of BPM LLP. Even if the
selection is ratified, our Audit Committee may direct the
appointment of a different independent registered public accounting
firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines
that the change would be in our best interests.
Representatives of BPM LLP are expected to be present
at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
All audit, audit-related, tax and other services rendered by BPM
LLP have been and will be reviewed, pre-approved and performance
monitored by the Audit Committee. Audit and permissible non-audit
services may be pre-approved by the Audit Committee delegate
represented by Mr. Anderson, its chair, or Mr. Klausner, an Audit
Committee member, if Mr. Anderson is not available. Pre-approval
decisions are reported by the chair/delegate to the Audit Committee
promptly but not later than the next scheduled Audit Committee
meeting.
In its review of BPM LLP's services, the Audit Committee considers,
among other factors, the possible impact of the performance of such
services on the independence of BPM LLP. The Audit Committee has
determined that the services performed by BPM LLP for the year
ended December 31, 2020 were compatible with maintaining the
independence of BPM LLP. Additional information concerning the
Audit Committee and its activities can be found in the following
sections of this Proxy Statement: "Board Committees" and "Report of
the Audit Committee."
BPM LLP
has audited our financial statements since 2015.
Fees
for Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The
following is a summary of the aggregate fees recorded by us on a
generally accepted accounting principles basis for the audit and
other services rendered by BPM LLP, our independent registered
public accounting firm, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
|
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
Description of Services Provided by BPM LLP
|
|
|
Audit Fees: These services relate to review or audit of our
financial statements.*
|
$224,367
|
$196,292
|
Audit-Related
Fees: These services relate to
assurance and services reasonably related to or derivative from the
performance of the audit or review of our financial
statements.
|
40,913
|
96,684
|
Tax Compliance Fees: These services relate to the preparation of our
federal, state and foreign tax returns and other
filings.
|
12,030
|
11,695
|
Tax Consulting and Advisory
Services: These services
primarily relate to the area of tax strategy and minimizing our
Federal, state, local and foreign taxes.
|
—
|
—
|
All
Other Fees
|
—
|
—
|
*Includes audit
fees related to the audit of the prior year-end financial
statements and the current year’s quarterly
reviews.
Vote
Required
Ratification of the selection of the independent registered public
accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast. Because abstentions are not counted as votes cast for
or against this proposal, they will have no effect on the outcome
of the vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL
NO. 2.
8
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The
primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in
its oversight responsibility to the stockholders, potential
stockholders, the investment community and others relating to: (1)
the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (2) the
quality of the accounting and financial reporting processes of the
Company; (3) the effectiveness of the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting; (4) the Company’s
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and (5) the
qualifications, independence, compensation and performance of the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm BPM
LLP.
In
fulfilling its responsibilities for the 2020 financial statements,
the Audit Committee took the following actions:
●
analyzed, reviewed
and discussed the audited and reviewed financial statements with
management and BPM LLP;
●
reviewed and
discussed with BPM LLP various communications that they provided to
the Audit Committee, including the matters required to be discussed
by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s
(“PCAOB”) Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees;
and
●
received from and
discussed with BPM LLP their written disclosures and letter
required by PCAOB standards regarding their independence and
further discussed directly with BPM LLP their independence from the
Company.
Based
on the review and discussions referred to in the foregoing
paragraphs and other additional procedures, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board that the 2020 audited financial
statements, including the footnotes thereto and the
Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other sections which
have financial content, be included in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for filing
with the SEC.
Audit
Committee
/s/
Raymond W. Anderson, Chair
/s/
Michael J. Brown
/s/
Arthur J. Klausner
9
PROPOSAL NO. 3 – APPROVAL OF AN
AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Purpose of the Proposal
Monopar’s
Board is requesting stockholder approval of an amendment
(“the 2016 3rd Plan
Amendment”) to the Monopar Therapeutics Inc. 2016 Stock
Incentive Plan, as previously amended (“the 2016
Plan”), inclusive of the 2016 3rd Plan Amendment
referred to as “the Amended 2016 Plan”.
The
differences between the terms of the 2016 Plan and the Amended 2016
Plan being presented for approval pursuant to this Proposal No. 3
are the removal of certain calendar-year individual award limits
and other provisions related to I.R.C. Section 162(m) and an
updated aggregate limit on Incentive Stock Options.
Why the Board Believes You Should Vote FOR Proposal No.
3
Background
Section
162(m) generally limits the deductibility of compensation paid to
certain “covered employees” of a publicly held
corporation to $1 million per year. Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act (the “Act”) was implemented, payments of qualified
performance-based compensation made to covered employees were
exempt from the $1 million annual limitation. The Act eliminated
the exemption for qualified performance-based
compensation.
Amendments
The
Amended 2016 Plan deletes the limitations on the maximum numbers of
certain types of awards that were intended to be eligible for the
Section 162(m) performance-based compensation exemption and that
could be granted to any employee in any calendar year. These
limitations applied to all stock options and stock appreciation
rights granted to employees, as well as stock awards and other
stock-based awards and cash awards that were intended to qualify
for the performance-based compensation exemption. The Amended 2016
Plan also deletes various other references to the 162(m) exemption,
but retains general provisions that provide the ability to grant
awards based on performance conditions.
The
Amended 2016 Plan also limits the aggregate number of Incentive
Stock Options to the maximum aggregate number of shares subject to
all awards under the plan.
We
believe deleting the 2016 Plan’s limitations on stock option
and stock appreciation rights grants allows our Board greater
flexibility in granting equity awards to new hires and for annual
grants to employees, which may help attract and retain talent. The
limits had previously been included in the 2016 Plan to ensure
availability of the former exemption under Section 162(m) for
qualified performance-based compensation, which is no longer
available for future awards. If the individual limits remained in
the plan, it would unduly restrict the Board’s flexibility in
determining the appropriate mix of equity compensation, as the
individual limits applied only to stock options and stock
appreciation rights, but not other types of awards or all awards in
the aggregate.
We also
note that the individual limits had not been updated in connection
with prior amendments to the 2016 Plan, which increased the total
authorized shares from 700,000 to 1.6 million, and then from 1.6
million to 3.1 million. Similarly, the aggregate limit on
incentives stock options had not been increased as the total plan
limit had been increased.
The
Amended 2016 Plan does not impact the total number of shares that
may be granted under the 2016 Plan or make any other changes
thereto.
Attracting and Retaining Talent
●
A talented, motivated and effective management team and workforce
are essential to the Company’s continued progress. Equity
compensation has been an important component of total compensation
at the Company because it is effective at getting employees to
think and act like owners.
●
Our equity grant practices are broad-based so that employees at all
levels of the organization are personally invested in the
Company’s future.
●
100% of employees receive equity grants as part of their new hire
compensation packages and, as determined by performance, annual
grants.
●
We anticipate the need to hire new employees and we will need to
incentivize both new and existing employees to continue advancing
the Company’s goals that create long-term stockholder value.
As our employee headcount and competition for top talent increases,
so too will the requirements for our equity compensation
program.
Board and Stockholder Approval
In
April 2016, our Board and stockholders holding more than a majority
of our outstanding stock at the time approved the Monopar
Therapeutics Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan. In March 2017, the
2016 Stock Incentive Plan Administrator as delegated by the Board,
effected the 70-for-1 stock split for the 2016 Plan which increased
the stock option pool from 10,000 to 700,000 and changed the stock
options granted in 2016 and in February 2017 by a 70-for-1 factor.
No other features were changed on the outstanding stock options
granted.
The
2016 Plan was amended and restated in October 2017, which was
approved by stockholders holding more than a majority of the
Company’s outstanding common stock, in order to increase the
maximum aggregate grants under the Plan from 700,000 to 1,600,000
shares of stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights,
RSUs and other stock-based awards.
10
The 2016 Plan was
subsequently amended and restated in June 2020, which was approved
by stockholders, in order to increase the maximum aggregate grants
under the Plan from 1,600,000 to 3,100,000 shares of stock awards,
stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs and other
stock-based awards.
As of
April 16, 2021, the closing price of Monopar’s common stock
as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $5.31 per share, and a
total of 12,569,933 shares of Monopar’s common stock were
outstanding.
Description of the Amended 2016 Stock
Incentive Plan
The
material features of the Amended 2016 Plan are described below. The
following description of the Amended 2016 Plan is a summary only
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text
of the Amended 2016 Plan. Stockholders are urged to read the actual
text of the Amended 2016 Plan in its entirety, which is attached to
this Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
Share Reserve
The
total number of shares that may be issued under the Amended 2016
Plan will not exceed 3,100,000 shares reserved under the 2016 Stock
Incentive Plan.
Administration
The
2016 Plan provides that the administrator of the Plan will be our
Board, a committee designated by our Board, or an individual
designee (the “Administrator”). On February 28, 2018,
our independent directors approved the appointment of a committee
(the “Plan Administrator Committee”) consisting of
three independent, non-employee directors (Dr. Starr, Mr. Brown,
and Mr. Anderson) to serve as the Administrator of the Plan. The
Plan Administrator Committee requires a quorum of at least two of
the three members on all decisions. The Administrator has exclusive
authority, consistent with laws and the terms of the 2016 Plan, to
designate recipients of options and other stock-based awards to be
granted thereunder and to determine the number and type of
stock-based awards and the number of shares subject thereto, with
the exception of officers, senior executives and non-employee
directors (which are exclusively determined by the Compensation
Committee of the Board). Prior to the formation of the Plan
Administrator Committee, Mr. Brown was the Board-representative
Administrator of the 2016 Plan.
Eligibility
Under
the 2016 Plan, awards may be granted only to our non-employee
directors, employees and consultants or any employees of our
subsidiaries; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may
be granted only to our employees and employees of our subsidiaries
(within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code). Awards
outstanding as of April 16, 2021, consist of 72% of grants to
executive officers and Acting Chief Medical Officer, 24% of grants
to non-employee directors and 4% of grants to non-officer
employees. As of April 16, 2021, we have four non-employee
directors, eleven employees and one consultant that are eligible
for awards.
Pricing
Under the 2016
Plan, prior to the Company becoming listed on Nasdaq, the per share
exercise price for the shares to be issued upon exercise of an
option was determined by the Administrator, fair market value was
set by our Board as determined by third party valuation reports or
by recent financings as a private company, except that the per
share exercise price may be no less than 100% of the fair value per
share on the grant date. As a Nasdaq-listed company, fair market
value is determined by the closing price of our common stock on the
grant date.
Options
The per
share exercise price for the shares to be issued upon exercise of
an option shall be determined by the Administrator, except that the
per share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the fair
market value per share on the grant date, except with respect to
conversion awards. Subject to Section 15 of the 2016 Plan, the
exercise price of an option may not be reduced without shareholder
approval, nor may outstanding options be cancelled in exchange for
cash, other awards or options with an exercise price that is less
than the exercise price of the original option without shareholder
approval. Options granted under the 2016 Plan shall vest and/or be
exercisable at such time and in such installments during the period
prior to the expiration of the option’s term as determined by
the Administrator and as specified in the option agreement. The
Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the
ability to exercise any option granted under the 2016 Plan subject
to continued active employment (or retention in the case of a
consultant or director), the passage of time and/or such
performance requirements as deemed appropriate by the
Administrator. At any time after the grant of an option, the
Administrator may reduce or eliminate any restrictions surrounding
any participant’s right to exercise all or part of the
option. Stock options generally expire after ten
years.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A Stock
Appreciation Right is a right that entitles the awardee to receive,
in cash or shares (as determined by the Administrator), value equal
to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the fair market value of
a specified number of shares at the time of exercise over (ii) the
aggregate exercise price of the right, as established by the
Administrator on the grant date. Stock Appreciation Rights may be
granted to awardees either alone (“freestanding”) or in
addition to or in tandem with other awards granted under the 2016
Plan and may, but need not, relate to a specific option granted
under the 2016 Plan. In 2020, we did not grant any Stock
Appreciation Rights under the Plan.
Stock Awards
Each
Stock Award agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the
number of shares subject to such stock award or a formula for
determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the shares, if
any, and the means of payment for the shares, (iii) the performance
criteria, if any, and level of
achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number
of shares granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such
terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or
forfeiture of the shares as may be determined from time to time by
the Administrator, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the
Stock Award, and (vi) such further terms and conditions, in each
case not inconsistent with the 2016 Plan, as may be determined from
time to time by the Administrator. In 2020, we did not grant any
Stock Awards under the Plan.
11
Other Stock-Based Awards
An
“Other Stock-Based Award” means any other type of
equity-based or equity-related award not otherwise described by the
terms of the 2016 Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of
unrestricted shares), as well as any cash bonus based on the
attainment of qualifying performance criteria, in such amount and
subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall
determine. Such awards may involve the transfer of actual shares to
participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on
the value of shares or pursuant to attainment of a performance
goal. In 2020, we issued restricted stock units.
Limited Transferability
Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, an award may not be
sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred or disposed of
in any manner other than by beneficiary designation, will or by the
laws of descent or distribution, including but not limited to any
attempted assignment or transfer in connection with the settlement
of marital property or other rights incident to a divorce or
dissolution, and any such attempted sale, assignment or transfer
shall be of no effect prior to the date an Award is vested and
settled. The Administrator may only make an award transferable to
an awardee’s family member or any other person or entity
provided the awardee does not receive consideration for such
transfer. If the Administrator makes an award transferable, either
as of the grant date or thereafter, such award shall contain such
additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems
appropriate, and any transferee shall be deemed to be bound by such
terms upon acceptance of such transfer.
Change of Control
In the
event of a change of control, unless otherwise determined by the
Administrator as of the grant date of a particular award (or
subsequent to the grant date), the following acceleration,
exercisability and valuation provisions shall apply: (i) on the
date that such change of control occurs, any or all options and
Stock Appreciation Rights awarded under the 2016 Plan not
previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable
and vested; (ii) except as may be provided in an individual
severance or employment agreement (or severance plan) to which an
awardee is a party, in the event of an awardee’s termination
of employment within two (2) years after a change of control for
any reason other than because of the awardee’s death,
retirement, disability or termination for cause, each option and
Stock Appreciation Right held by the awardee (or a transferee) that
is vested shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the third
(3rd) anniversary of such termination of employment (or any later
date until which it would remain exercisable under such
circumstances by its terms) or the expiration of its original term;
(iii) on the date that such change of control occurs, the
restrictions and conditions applicable to any or all Stock Awards
and Other Stock-Based Awards shall lapse and such awards shall be
fully vested. Unless otherwise provided in an award at the grant
date, upon the occurrence of a change of control, any
performance-based award shall be deemed fully earned at the target
amount as of the date on which the change of control occurs. All
Stock Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards and cash awards shall be
settled or paid within thirty (30) days of vesting hereunder; (iv)
the Administrator, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the
occurrence of a change of control of the Company, each option and
Stock Appreciation Right outstanding shall terminate within a
specified number of days after notice to the participant, and/or
that each participant shall receive, with respect to each share
subject to such option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal
to the excess of the fair market value of such share immediately
prior to the occurrence of such change of control over the exercise
price per share of such option and/or Stock Appreciation Right;
such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or
property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the
transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Administrator, in
its discretion, shall determine, and if there is no excess value,
the Administrator may, in its discretion, cancel such
awards.
Adjustments
In the
event of (i) a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, stock
split, reverse stock split, share combination, or recapitalization
or similar event affecting our capital structure or (ii) a merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, separation,
spin-off, reorganization, liquidation, disaffiliation, or similar
event affecting us or any of our subsidiaries, the Administrator or
our Board may in its discretion make such substitutions or
adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable. In the case of
share changes, such adjustments shall be mandatory in order to
avoid material impairment of any outstanding award; provided,
however, the Administrator or the Board shall retain discretion to
determine the appropriate and equitable substitutions and
adjustments that will be made to avoid such material
impairment.
Amendment and Termination
Our
Board may amend, alter or discontinue the 2016 Plan or any award
agreement, but any such amendment shall be subject to approval of
our stockholders in the manner and to the extent required by
applicable law.
U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences
The
following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax
consequences under the Internal Revenue Code of 1989 (“the
Code”) to participants and us with respect to participation
in the Amended 2016 Plan. This summary is not intended to be
exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any local,
state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside.
The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and
therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the
tax consequences to any participant may depend on his or her
particular situation, each participant should consult the
participant’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local
and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or
the disposition of stock acquired the Amended 2016 Plan. The
Amended 2016 Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section
401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any of the provisions of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Our ability to
realize the benefit of any tax deductions described below depends
on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of
reasonableness, the provisions of the Code and the satisfaction of
our tax reporting obligations.
12
Non-statutory Stock Options (“NSOs”)
Generally,
there is no taxation upon the grant of an NSO if the stock option
is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
the underlying stock on the grant date. Upon exercise, a
participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if
any, of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date
of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. If the
participant is employed by us or one of our subsidiaries, that
income will be subject to withholding taxes. The
participant’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to
their fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock
option, and the participant’s capital gain holding period for
those shares will begin on that date. Subject to the requirement of
reasonableness, the provisions of the Code and the satisfaction of
a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax
deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the
participant.
Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”)
The Amended 2016 Plan provides for the grant of
stock options that are intended to qualify as “incentive
stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under
the Code, a participant generally is not subject to ordinary income
tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. If the participant holds
a share received upon exercise of an ISO for more than two years
from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year
from the date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to
as the required holding period, the difference, if any, between the
amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that
share and the participant’s tax basis in that share will be
long-term capital gain or loss. If, however, a participant
disposes of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end
of the required holding period, which is referred to as a
disqualifying disposition,
the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the
year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess, if any,
of the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the
stock option over the exercise price. However, if the sales
proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the
date of exercise of the
stock option, the amount of ordinary income recognized by the
participant will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale.
If the amount realized on a disqualifying disposition exceeds
the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the
stock option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital
gain, depending on whether
the holding period for the share exceeds one year. For purposes of
the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market
value of a share of stock
acquired upon exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of the stock option generally will be an
adjustment included in the participant’s alternative minimum
taxable income for the year in which the stock option is exercised.
If, however, there is a disqualifying disposition of the share in
the year in which the stock option is exercised, there will be no
adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to
that share. In computing alternative minimum taxable income, the
tax basis of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO is increased
by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to
that share for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year the
stock option is exercised. We are not allowed a tax deduction with
respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a
share acquired upon exercise of an ISO after the required holding
period. If there is a disqualifying disposition of a share,
however, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to
the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant, subject to
the requirement of reasonableness and the provisions of the Code,
and provided that either the employee includes that amount in
income or we timely satisfy our reporting requirements with respect
to that amount.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Generally,
if a stock appreciation right is granted with an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant
date, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the
fair market value of the stock or cash received upon such exercise.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of the
Code, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will
generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable
ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation
right.
Restricted Stock Awards
Generally,
the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary
income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if
any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount
paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the
stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the
employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have
the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not
recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the
recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if
any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes
vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the
stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal
Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the
stock award, to recognize ordinary income, as of the date the
recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted
over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock. The
recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon
the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted
stock award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any
ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or
when the stock becomes vested. Subject to the requirement of
reasonableness, the provisions of the Code and the satisfaction of
a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax
deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the
recipient of the restricted stock award.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards (“RSUs”)
Generally,
the recipient of an RSU award structured to comply with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception to Section
409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the time the
stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient
in exchange for the stock. To comply with the requirements of
Section 409A of the Code, the stock subject to an RSU award may
generally only be delivered upon one of the following events: a
fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death,
disability or a change in control. If delivery occurs on another
date, unless the RSU award otherwise complies with or qualifies for
an exception to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code
(including delivery upon achievement of a performance goal), in
addition to the tax treatment described above, the recipient will
owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss
upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from an RSU
award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary
income recognized when the stock is delivered. Subject to the
requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of the Code and the
satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be
entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income
realized by the recipient of the RSU award.
13
All
awards under the Amended 2016 Plan are made at the discretion of
our Plan Administrator Committee or our Board (upon Compensation
Committee recommendation), as applicable, and no awards have been
granted under the Amended 2016 Plan subject to stockholder approval
of this Proposal No. 3. Therefore, the benefits and amounts that
will be received or allocated under the Amended 2016 Plan are not
determinable at this time.
We have
already granted our annual equity compensation awards for 2021 to
our employees and do not have any current plans to issue additional
awards that are in excess of the individual award limits that are
being removed from the Amended 2016 Plan at this time. However, if
the Amended 2016 Plan is approved, we will have the flexibility to
do so if our Board and/or the applicable committee determines it is
appropriate to grant awards in excess of the limits in the
future.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation
Plans
The
following table provides information as of December 31, 2020, with respect to shares
of our common stock that may be issued under existing equity
compensation plans.
All of our equity compensation plans have been
approved by our security holders.
Plan Category
|
|
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights
|
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and
Rights
|
|
Number
of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity
Compensation Plans
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
(1)
|
|
1,298,643
|
|
$4.47
|
|
1,777,768
|
(1) The Monopar Therapeutics Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive
Plan.
Vote
Required
The
amendment to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan must be approved by a
majority of the votes cast on the proposal. As a result,
abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote
outcome.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO.
3.
14
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight
We have
structured our Board in a way that we believe effectively serves
our objectives of corporate governance and management oversight. We
separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Executive
Chairman of the Board in recognition of the differences between the
two roles. We believe that the Chief Executive Officer should be
responsible for Monopar’s day-to-day leadership and
performance, while our Executive Chairman of the Board should work
with our Chief Executive Officer and the rest of our Board to help
set our strategic direction and provide guidance to, and oversight
of our Chief Executive Officer. Our Executive Chairman sets the
agenda for Board meetings and presides over them.
Pursuant to our
Audit Committee Charter, our Audit Committee is responsible for the
oversight of our risk management programs, and
specifically:
●
Risk assessment and
risk management. The Audit Committee shall review (at least
annually or as needed due to specific circumstances) with the
Company’s management and the independent registered public
accounting firm the Company’s policies, procedures and
current status with respect to risk assessment and risk management
including steps taken by management to monitor, mitigate and manage
risk exposures; and
●
The Audit Committee
review shall also include the Company’s major financial risk
exposures and other major risk exposures as assigned by the Board
to the Audit Committee for oversight. The Audit Committee shall
review with the Company’s senior management our overall
anti-fraud programs and controls. The Audit Committee shall
consider the risk of the Company’s management’s ability
to override the Company’s internal controls.
Director
Compensation for the Year Ended December 31, 2020
The
following table sets forth the compensation of our non-employee
directors during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Name
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
|
|
Stock Awards ($) (1)
|
|
Option Awards ($) (2)
|
|
All Other Compensation ($)
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher M.
Starr, Ph.D.
|
|
120,000
|
|
16,667
|
|
48,749
|
|
—
|
|
185,416
|
Michael J.
Brown
|
|
62,000
|
|
16,667
|
|
48,749
|
|
—
|
|
127,416
|
Raymond W.
Anderson
|
|
72,500
|
|
16,667
|
|
48,749
|
|
—
|
|
137,916
|
Arthur J.
Klausner
|
|
64,500
|
|
16,667
|
|
48,749
|
|
—
|
|
129,916
|
(1) The
amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair
value of stock-based awards granted during the year ended December
31, 2020, to the non-employee directors, computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718. The fair value of restricted stock units
are based upon the closing price on the date of grant. For a
discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 4 to our consolidated
financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed on March 25, 2021
(2) The
amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair
value of stock-based awards granted during the year ended December
31, 2020, to the non-employee directors, computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718. The fair value of stock options is
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note
4 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2021.
As of
December 31, 2020, our non-employee directors held the following
number of stock options(1):
Name
|
|
Aggregate Number of Shares Subject to Stock Options
|
|
|
|
Christopher M. Starr, Ph.D.
|
|
199,746
|
Michael J. Brown
|
|
52,770
|
Raymond W. Anderson
|
|
52,770
|
Arthur J. Klausner
|
|
52,770
|
(1) There were no unvested restricted stock units as of December
31, 2020.
15
The table below
reflects the non-equity fee schedule for non-employee directors for
2020. Long-term equity compensation is determined annually
utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model along with review of
peer group companies.
|
|
|
|
Board Member
|
|
Independent
Board Member Base Fee
|
40,000
|
Additional
Fee for Executive Chairman of the Board
|
80,000
|
|
|
Committees
|
|
Committee
fees are in addition to the base Board Member fee.
|
|
|
Audit Committee
|
|
Audit
Committee Chair
|
15,000
|
Audit
Committee Member
|
10,000
|
|
|
Compensation Committee
|
|
Compensation
Committee Chair
|
12,500
|
Compensation
Committee Member
|
7,000
|
|
|
Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee
(CG&N)
|
|
CG&N
Committee Chair
|
7,500
|
CG&N
Committee Member
|
5,000
|
*Paid
quarterly in arrears.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We
have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is
applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons
performing similar functions. It also applies to all of our
employees and our non-employee directors. Our Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.monopartx.com
and will be provided to any person without charge upon request.
Information on our website is NOT incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement.
16
Our current executive officers, their respective ages as of the
date of this Proxy Statement and positions are set forth in the
following table. Biographical information regarding each executive
officer (other than Dr. Robinson and Dr. Mazar) is set forth
following the table. Biographical information for Dr. Robinson and
Dr. Mazar is set forth above under Proposal No. 1 (Election of
Directors).
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions
|
Chandler
D. Robinson, MD MBA MSc
|
|
37
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer, Director
|
Andrew P. Mazar, Ph.D.
|
|
59
|
|
Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Chief
Scientific Officer, Director
|
Kim R.
Tsuchimoto
|
|
58
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
|
Patrice Rioux, MD, Ph.D.
|
|
70
|
|
Acting Chief Medical Officer
|
Kim
R. Tsuchimoto – Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Tsuchimoto has been our Chief Financial Officer since June
2015. Ms. Tsuchimoto spent over nine years at Raptor, a
biopharmaceutical company, as its Chief Financial Officer from
Raptor’s inception in May 2006 until September 2012, as
Raptor’s Vice President of International Finance, Tax &
Treasury from September 2012 to February 2015, and lastly as
Raptor’s Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis
and Internal Controls from February to May 2015. Prior to Raptor,
Ms. Tsuchimoto spent eight years at BioMarin, a biopharmaceutical
company, and its predecessor, Glyko, Inc., where she held the
positions of Vice President-Treasurer, Vice President-Controller
and Controller. Ms. Tsuchimoto received a B.S. in Business
Administration from San Francisco State University. She holds an
inactive California Certified Public Accountant
license.
Patrice
Rioux, MD, Ph.D. – Acting Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Rioux has been our Acting Chief Medical Officer since December
2016. Dr. Rioux has been performing development,
medical/regulatory, and clinical consulting services through his
consulting company, pRx Consulting, LLC from June 2004 to the
present. Dr. Rioux received his medical education at Faculté
de Médecine Pitié-Salpetriere, Université Paris VI,
Paris, France, his Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics at Faculté
des Sciences, Université Paris VII, France and his Degree of
Pharmacology (pharmacokinetics and clinical pharmacology) at
Faculté de Médecine Pitié-Salpetriere.
17
Summary
Compensation Table
The following table sets forth for the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, the compensation of the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and the Company's two highest compensated
executive officers whose compensation exceeded $100,000 during our
last fiscal year.
Name and Positions
|
|
Fiscal Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
Stock Awards
($) (1)(2)
|
|
Option Awards
($) (1)(2)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
($) (3)
|
|
All Other
Compensation (4)
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chandler D. Robinson, MD, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
|
2020
|
|
504,488
|
|
—
|
|
347,752
|
|
637,924
|
|
98,400
|
|
—
|
|
1,588,564
|
|
|
2019
|
|
386,250
|
|
62,494
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
37,506
|
|
55,000
|
|
541,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew P. Mazar, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Research &
Development, Chief Scientific Officer and Director
|
2020
|
|
438,008
|
|
—
|
|
100,182
|
|
293,381
|
|
41,000
|
|
—
|
|
872,571
|
|
|
2019
|
|
360,500
|
|
21,746
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
28,254
|
|
55,000
|
|
465,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kim R. Tsuchimoto, Chief Financial Officer
|
2020
|
|
218,004
|
|
14,980
|
|
63,654
|
|
186,411
|
|
40,300
|
|
—
|
|
523,349
|
|
|
2019
|
|
141,625
|
|
8,901
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
11,099
|
|
21,600
|
|
183,225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) The
amounts in these columns represent the aggregate grant date fair
value of restricted stock units and stock options awarded,
respectively, during the applicable year to the named executive
officers, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The fair
value of restricted stock units reflected in the Stock Awards
column is based upon the closing price on the date of grant. The
fair value of stock options in the Option Awards column is
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note
4 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2021.
(2) In
2020, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto were granted stock
options to purchase up to 70,000, 32,193 and 20,455 shares of our
common stock, respectively, at an exercise price of $14.35 per
share, as discussed below in the section “Outstanding Equity
Awards at Fiscal Year End”. Based upon the Black-Scholes
valuation model for stock option compensation expense, the value of
Dr. Robinson’s, Dr. Mazar’s and Ms. Tsuchimoto’s
stock options was $637,924, $293,381, and $186,411, respectively.
The stock options vest 6/48ths on June 30, 2020 and 1/48th per
month thereafter.
In
2020, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto were granted
26,895, 7,748 and 4,923 restricted stock units which vest 25% on
January 1, 2021, January 1, 2022, January 1, 2023 and January 1,
2024. Based upon the closing price on the date of grant, the value
of Dr. Robinson’s, Dr. Mazar’s and Ms.
Tsuchimoto’s restricted stock units was $347,752, $100,182,
and $63,654, respectively.
(3) In
2020 and 2019, non-equity incentive plan represents partial
fulfillment of pre-set 2019 and 2020 corporate and individual
goals, respectively.
(4) For
2019, All Other Compensation consisted of the following: for Dr.
Robinson, Dr. Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto in lieu of Benefits of
$55,000, $55,000 and $21,600, respectively.
In determining our CEO’s, other executive officers’ and
non-employee directors’ compensation, the Compensation
Committee reviewed the Company’s 2020 peer group (as
developed and recommended by the Chair of the Compensation
Committee and accepted by the Compensation Committee) used for the
base salary analysis and equity compensation. Non-equity bonuses
for our CEO and other executive officers were determined based upon
the partial achievement of pre-set 2020 goals. In 2020, an
additional bonus was granted to Ms. Tsuchimoto in recognition for
an increased time commitment which commenced in mid-2019. In
determining long-term equity compensation for our CEO, other
executive officers and non-employee directors, the Compensation
Committee determined the Company’s 2020 peer group’s
median value of the Black-Scholes fair value of the combined
restricted stock units and stock option awards as reported in the
peer companies’ proxy statements for each position of
interest. The Company then issued equity awards as recommended by
the Compensation Committee and approved by our Board. The
Compensation Committee develops and recommends compensation only
for our CEO, other executive officers and non-employee directors
for review and approval by our Board. The CEO is recused from
discussion and determining his compensation, but is involved in
determining the compensation of other executive officers and
non-employee directors. The CSO is recused from discussion and
determination of his compensation in the Board review and approval
of the Compensation Committee’s recommendation.
18
In
December 2016, we entered into an employment agreement with Dr.
Robinson for his role as our chief executive officer. Although we
have been paying Dr. Robinson as our employee since January 1,
2016, we did not enter into a formal employment agreement until
December 2016. Dr. Robinson’s employment agreement is for an
indefinite term (for at-will employment). The agreement was amended
and restated on November 1, 2017.
Under
his 2017 employment agreement, Dr. Robinson received a $375,000 per
year base salary, which may be adjusted from time to time in
accordance with normal business practice and in our sole
discretion. In addition, Dr. Robinson is eligible for an annual
performance bonus, of up to 50% of his base salary, based on
achieving pre-set, written goals as recommended by our Compensation
Committee and approved by our Board. Until we obtained retirement
and healthcare benefits for our eligible employees and Dr. Robinson
elected to opt-in to such benefits, Dr. Robinson was entitled to an
additional salary of at least $4,583.33 per month (or such greater
amount as determined by our Board) in lieu of such benefits.
Effective January 1, 2019, the Board approved a cost of living
increase resulting in a new base salary for Dr. Robinson of
$386,250 plus the continuation of payments in lieu of benefits. In
March 2019, the Board awarded to Dr. Robinson a bonus of $7,500
related to 2018 performance. In January 2020, the Board approved a
performance bonus to Dr. Robinson which included $37,506 for the
partial achievement of preset 2019 goals plus $62,494 in
recognition for the achievement of an initial public offering of
Monopar’s stock on Nasdaq. Effective January 1, 2020, the
Board approved a new base salary for Dr. Robinson of $504,488 with
taxable benefits of zero. Effective November 1, 2020, we began to
offer health insurance in which Monopar covers 80% of the premium
for all employees. In February 2021, the Board awarded to Dr.
Robinson a bonus of $98,400 related to the partial achievement of
pre-set 2020 non-equity incentive plan goals.
On
November 1, 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with Dr.
Mazar for his role as our Executive Vice President of Research and
Development and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Mazar’s
employment agreement is for an indefinite term (for at-will
employment). Under his 2017 employment agreement, Dr. Mazar
received a $350,000 per year base salary, which may be adjusted
from time to time in accordance with normal business practice and
in our sole discretion. In addition, Dr. Mazar is eligible for an
annual performance bonus, of up to 40% of his base salary, based on
achieving pre-set, written goals as recommended by our Compensation
Committee and approved by our Board. Until we obtained retirement
and healthcare benefits for our eligible employees, as discussed
above, and Dr. Mazar elected to opt-in to such benefits, Dr. Mazar
is entitled to an additional salary of at least $4,583.33 per month
(or such greater amount as determined by our Board) in lieu of such
benefits. Effective January 1, 2019, the Board approved a cost of
living increase resulting in a new base salary for Dr. Mazar of
$360,500. In March 2019, the Board awarded to Dr. Mazar a bonus of
$5,600 related to 2018 performance. In January 2020, the Board
approved a performance bonus to Dr. Mazar which included $28,254
for the partial achievement of preset 2019 goals plus $21,746 in
recognition for the achievement of an initial public offering of
Monopar’s stock on Nasdaq. Effective January 1, 2020, the
Board approved a new base salary for Dr. Mazar of $438,008 with
taxable benefits of zero. In February 2021, the Board awarded to
Dr. Mazar a bonus of $41,000 related to the partial achievement of
pre-set 2020 non-equity incentive plan goals.
On
November 1, 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms.
Tsuchimoto for her role as our Chief Financial Officer. Ms.
Tsuchimoto’s employment agreement is for an indefinite term
(for at-will employment). The agreement was amended on March 1,
2018. Under her employment agreement, Ms. Tsuchimoto received a
$137,500 per year base salary to reflect 50% time, which may be
adjusted from time to time in accordance with normal business
practice and in our sole discretion. Ms. Tsuchimoto was entitled to
an additional salary of up to $1,800 per month in lieu of medical,
dental and vision benefits until such time the Company has such
benefit plans in place. In addition, Ms. Tsuchimoto is eligible for
an annual performance bonus, of up to 40% of her base salary, based
on achieving pre-set, written goals as recommended by our
Compensation Committee and approved by our Board. Effective January
1, 2019, the Board approved a cost of living increase resulting in
a new base salary for Ms. Tsuchimoto of $141,625. In March 2019,
the Board awarded to Ms. Tsuchimoto a bonus of $2,200 related to
2018 performance. In January 2020, the Board approved a performance
bonus to Ms. Tsuchimoto which included $11,099 for the partial
achievement of preset 2019 goals plus $8,901 in recognition for the
achievement of an initial public offering of Monopar’s stock
on Nasdaq. In January 2020, Ms. Tsuchimoto received an additional
bonus of $14,980 in recognition of additional hours worked
commencing in mid-2019 for the remainder of 2019. Effective January
1, 2020, the Board approved a new base salary for Ms. Tsuchimoto of
$218,004 with taxable benefits of zero. In February 2021, the Board
awarded to Ms. Tsuchimoto a bonus of $40,300 related to the partial
achievement of pre-set 2020 non-equity incentive plan
goals.
19
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31,
2020
The
following table sets forth outstanding stock option awards held by
named executive officers as of December 31, 2020.
Name
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)(5)
|
Chandler D. Robinson, M.D.,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
17,500(1)
|
|
|
52,500(1)
|
|
$14.35
|
|
February 11, 2030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,031(2)
|
|
|
68,469(2)
|
|
$6.00
|
|
August 27, 2028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,500(3)
|
|
|
3,500(3)
|
|
$0.001
|
|
February 19, 2027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,000(4)
|
|
|
—(4)
|
|
$0.001
|
|
April 3, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,895
|
|
164,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew P. Mazar, Ph.D.,
Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief
Scientific Officer and Director
|
8,048(1)
|
|
|
24,145(1)
|
|
$14.35
|
|
February 11, 2030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,096(2)
|
|
|
63,204(2)
|
|
$6.00
|
|
August 27, 2028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,500(3)
|
|
|
3,500(3)
|
|
$0.001
|
|
February 19, 2027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,000(4)
|
|
|
—(4)
|
|
$0.001
|
|
April 3, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,748
|
|
47,418
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kim R. Tsuchimoto,
Chief Financial Officer
|
5,114(1)
|
|
|
15,341(1)
|
|
$14.35
|
|
February 11, 2030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,762(2)
|
|
|
19,338(2)
|
|
$6.00
|
|
August 27, 2028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,540(3)
|
|
|
980(3)
|
|
$0.001
|
|
February 19, 2027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,000(4)
|
|
|
—(4)
|
|
$0.001
|
|
April 3, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,923
|
|
30,129
|
(1)
Dr. Robinson, Dr.
Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto were granted stock option awards on
February 11, 2020, which commenced vesting on January 1, 2020, and
vested 6/48ths on the six-month anniversary of vesting commencement
date (June 30, 2020) and vest 1/48th per month
thereafter.
(2)
Dr. Robinson, Dr.
Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto were granted stock option awards on August
28, 2018 which commenced vesting on October 1, 2018 and vested 6/51
on the six-month anniversary of vesting commencement date (March
31, 2019) and vest 1/51 per month thereafter.
(3)
Dr. Robinson, Dr.
Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto were granted stock option awards on
February 20, 2017 which vested 6/48ths on the six-month anniversary
of grant date (August 20, 2017) and 1/48th per month
thereafter.
(4)
Dr. Robinson, Dr.
Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto were granted stock option awards on April
4, 2016 which vested 50% on the grant date (April 4, 2016), 25% on
the six-month anniversary of the grant date (October 4, 2016) and
25% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date (April 3,
2017).
(5)
The value of RSUs
shown in the table that have not yet vested was calculated using
$6.12, the closing price of our common stock on December 31,
2020.
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Each of
Dr. Robinson’s, Dr. Mazar’s and Ms. Tsuchimoto’s
employment agreements provides that upon execution and
effectiveness of a release of claims, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Mazar and
Ms. Tsuchimoto will be entitled to severance payments if their
employment with us terminates under certain circumstances. If we
terminate their employment without “cause,” or if Dr.
Robinson, Dr. Mazar or Ms. Tsuchimoto resigns for “good
reason,” in each case absent a “change in
control,” Dr. Mazar and Dr. Robinson would receive, (1) base
salary continuation for 12 months, (2) to provide that any equity
awards will continue vesting, (3) payment of or reimbursement for
COBRA continuation coverage until the earlier of 12 months
following termination or the date the executive becomes eligible
for coverage under an employer’s plan and (4) to the extent
allowed by applicable law and the applicable plan documents,
continue to provide all of our employee benefit plans and
arrangements that the employee was receiving at the time of
termination. Ms. Tsuchimoto would receive, (1) base salary
continuation for 3 months, (2) to provide that any equity awards
will continue vesting, (3) if Ms. Tsuchimoto is full-time, payment
of or reimbursement for COBRA continuation coverage until the
earlier of 12 months following termination or the date the
executive become eligible for coverage under an employer’s
plan and (4) to the extent allowed by applicable law and the
applicable plan documents, continue to provide all of our employee
benefit plans and arrangements that the employee was receiving at
the time of termination. In addition, equity awards held by the
terminated employee, that vest solely on the passage of time, will
be accelerated by 12 months.
If Dr.
Robinson’s or Dr. Mazar’s employment is terminated
without cause or for good reason within 12 months following a
change in control, they would be entitled to (1) a lump sum payment
in an amount equal to 1.5 times his respective base salary plus
target annual bonus for the year in which the termination occurs,
(2) payment of or reimbursement for COBRA continuation coverage
until the earlier of 18 months following termination or the date
the executive becomes eligible for coverage under an
employer’s plan and (3) full vesting acceleration of all
outstanding equity awards. If either of Dr. Mazar’s or Dr.
Robinson’s employment is terminated because of death or
permanent disability, we will be obligated to provide base salary
continuation and COBRA payment or reimbursement for a period of
three months.
20
If Ms.
Tsuchimoto’s employment is terminated without cause or for
good reason within 12 months following a change in control, she
would be entitled to (1) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to
..25 times her base salary plus target annual bonus for the year in
which the termination occurs, (2) if Ms. Tsuchimoto is full-time,
payment of or reimbursement for COBRA continuation coverage until
the earlier of 3 months following termination or the date the
executive becomes eligible for coverage under an employer’s
plan and (3) full vesting acceleration of all outstanding equity
awards. If Ms. Tsuchimoto’s employment is terminated because
of death or permanent disability, we will be obligated to provide
base salary continuation and COBRA payment or reimbursement for a
period of three months.
Upon
any termination of employment, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Mazar and Ms.
Tsuchimoto are entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid base
salary and any earned but unpaid annual bonus.
The
employment agreements with Dr. Robinson, Dr. Mazar and Ms.
Tsuchimoto provide that, in the event that any payments the
executives received in connection with a change in control of our
Company are subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such payments will be
reduced to the greatest amount payable that would not result in no
such tax owed, but only if it is determined that such reduction
would cause the executive to be better off, on a net after-tax
basis, than without such reduction and payment of the excise tax
under Section 4999 of the Code.
Description of the 2016 Stock Incentive
Plan
For a
detailed description of the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, please read
the section “Description of
the Amended 2016 Stock Incentive Plan” which discloses
the general provisions of the 2016 Plan before and after the
proposed 2016 3rd Plan
Amendment.
Pension
Benefits
We do
not have a defined benefit pension plan. Our named executive
officers did not participate in, or otherwise receive any special
benefits under, any pension or defined benefit retirement plan
sponsored by us during the year ended December 31,
2020.
401(k) Plan
We
maintain a defined contribution employee retirement plan for our
employees. The plan is intended to qualify as a tax-qualified plan
under Section 401(k) of the Code so that contributions to the
401(k) plan, and income earned on such contributions, are not
taxable to participants until withdrawn or distributed from the
401(k) plan.
The
401(k) plan provides that each participant may contribute up to
100% of his or her pre-tax compensation, up to a statutory limit,
which is $19,500 for 2020, a $500 rise from the 2019 limit.
Participants who are at least 50 years old can also make
“catch-up” contributions, which in 2020 may be up to an
additional $6,500 above the statutory limit. Employees become
eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after four months of
active employment with the Company.
Under
the 401(k) plan, each employee is fully vested in his or her
deferred salary contributions. Employee contributions are held and
invested by the plan’s trustee. The 401(k) plan also permits
us to make discretionary profit-sharing contributions and
discretionary matching contributions, subject to established limits
and a vesting schedule. To date, we have not made any discretionary
profit sharing or discretionary matching contributions to the plan
on behalf of participating employees.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, our named executive officers did
not contribute to, or earn any amount with respect to, any defined
contribution or other plan sponsored by us that provides for the
deferral of compensation on a basis that is not
tax-qualified.
Hedging
Policy
Our
Insider Trading Policy prohibits short sales of our stock and
short-swing transactions by our officers and non-employee
directors. We have not adopted any other practices or policies
regarding the ability of our employees (including officers) or
non-employee directors to purchase financial instruments (including
prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and
exchange funds), or otherwise engage in transactions, that hedge or
offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the
market value of our securities that are held by them.
21
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PERSON
TRANSACTIONS
Relationships and Related-Person Transactions
Since
January 2020, other than disclosed below, we have not engaged
reportable transactions with our co-founders, directors, executive
officers, holders of more than 5% of our voting securities, and
affiliates or immediate family members of our directors, executive
officers and holders of more than 5% of our voting securities, and
our co-founders.
Registration
Rights
We are subject
to an agreement with TacticGem, LLC (“TacticGem”), our
largest stockholder, which obligates us to file a Form S-3 or other
appropriate form of registration statement covering the resale of
any of our common stock by TacticGem, or its members Gem
Pharmaceuticals, LLC, or Tactic Pharma, LLC, upon direction by
TacticGem. We are required to use our best efforts to have such
registration statement declared effective as soon as practical
after it is filed. In the event that such registration statement
for resale is not approved by the SEC, and TacticGem submits a
written request, we are required to prepare and file a registration
statement on Form S-1 registering such common stock for resale and
to use our best efforts to have such registration statement
declared effective as soon as practical thereafter. Additionally,
if we propose to register our common stock for sale for cash,
TacticGem and its members have the right to include some of their
shares in such registration. After registration, pursuant to these
rights, these shares will become freely tradable without
restriction under the Securities Act other than pursuant to
restrictions on affiliates under Rule 144.
Stock Purchases by Non-Employee Directors, Named Executive Officers
and Greater than 5% Stockholders
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no stock purchases by
non-employee directors, named executive officers and greater than
5% stockholders.
Procedures for Related-Person Transactions
A
“related person” includes any director, nominee for
director or executive officer of the Company; a beneficial owner of
more than five percent of any class of our voting securities; and a
person who is an immediate family member of any such director,
nominee for director, executive officer or more-than-five percent
beneficial owner (the term “immediate family member”
shall include any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse,
sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
brother-in-law or sister-in-law and any person (other than a tenant
or employee) sharing the household of any such director, nominee
for director, executive officer or more- than-five percent
beneficial owner).
Our
Board has adopted our Audit Committee Charter which delegates the
review and approval of related-person transactions to the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee reviews and approves or disapproves
any transaction required to be disclosed according to SEC
Regulation S-K, Item 404 between the Company and any related party
on an on-going basis and oversees policies and procedures for the
Audit Committee’s judgments as to related party transactions
as required by Nasdaq. Our Audit Committee will discuss with our
management the business rationale for the transactions and whether
appropriate disclosures have been made.
22
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table and the related notes present information on the
beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock, our only
outstanding class of stock, as of April 16, 2021 by:
●
each of our named
executive officers;
●
all of our current
directors and executive officers as a group; and
●
each person known
by us to beneficially own more than five percent of our common
stock
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and
includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities.
Shares of our common stock that may be acquired by an individual or
group within 60 days of April 16, 2021 pursuant to the exercise of
options, are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table.
Beneficial ownership is based upon 12,569,933 shares of our common
stock outstanding as of April 16, 2021.
Except
as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the
stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be
beneficially owned by them, based on information provided to us by
such stockholders.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
|
|
*Unless otherwise noted,
addresses are: 1000 Skokie Blvd., Suite 350, Wilmette, IL
60091
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned
|
|
Percent
of Class Held
|
TacticGem, LLC(1)
|
|
7,166,667
|
|
57.0%
|
Tactic Pharma LLC(1)
|
|
4,277,940
|
|
34.0%
|
Diane M. Hendricks(1)
200 Randolph Avenue, Huntsville, AL
35801
|
|
3,524,144
|
|
28.0%
|
Gem Pharmaceuticals LLC(1)
200 Randolph Avenue, Huntsville, AL
35801
|
|
3,055,394
|
|
24.3%
|
Chandler D. Robinson, Chief Executive Officer and
Director(2)
|
|
302,486
|
|
2.4%
|
Christopher M. Starr, Executive Chairman and
Director(3)
|
|
252,297
|
|
2.0%
|
Andrew P. Mazar, Executive Vice President of Research and
Development, Chief Scientific Officer and
Director(4)
|
|
278,934
|
|
2.2%
|
Michael J. Brown, Director(5)
|
|
265,921
|
|
2.1%
|
Raymond W. Anderson, Director(6)
|
|
56,921
|
|
*
|
Arthur J. Klausner, Director(7)
|
|
59,607
|
|
*
|
Kim R. Tsuchimoto, Chief Financial Officer(8)
|
|
78,608
|
|
*
|
Patrice P. Rioux, Acting Chief Medical Officer(9)
|
|
69,296
|
|
*
|
Named executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons plus
Tactic Pharma)(10)
|
|
5,642,009
|
|
41.5%
|
(1)
Tactic Pharma
shares voting and investment power over 4,111,273 shares of our
common stock owned by TacticGem, and Gem shares voting and
investment power over 3,055,394 shares of our common stock owned by
TacticGem, because pursuant to the TacticGem limited liability
company agreement all votes of our common stock are passed through
to Tactic Pharma and Gem in proportion to their percentage
interests in TacticGem. After an initial holding period, which
ended after we were subject to the reporting requirements of the
Exchange Act and filed all required reports for a period of at
least 12 months, either member of TacticGem can cause up to its
proportionate shares of our common stock to be distributed to it.
Tactic Pharma holds 166,667 shares of stock in its own name. Dr.
Mazar and Dr. Robinson are managers of Tactic Pharma; because of
this, they may be deemed to control voting and dispositive power
over 4,111,273 shares of our common stock owned by TacticGem, and
over our common stock owned by Tactic Pharma. Gem is controlled by
Pharma Investments, LLC, which is in turn controlled by Diane M.
Hendricks. DMH Business LLC, controlled by Ms. Hendricks, purchased
468,750 shares in our initial public offering. The amount
controlled by Ms. Hendricks includes Gem’s ownership and DMH
Business LLC’s ownership.
23
(2)
Includes 284,086
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(3)
Includes 200,857
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(4)
Includes 263,665
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(5)
Includes 53,881
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(6)
Includes 53,881
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(7)
Includes 52,567
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(8)
Includes 77,556
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(9)
Includes 50,863
common stock options that are vested or vest within 60 days after
April 16, 2021.
(10)
Includes voting
power over 4,277,940 shares held by Tactic Pharma which certain of
our Board Members and executive officers own and control. Although
no single person has a controlling interest in Tactic Pharma,
acting together, they are able to control Tactic
Pharma.
*
Less than 1%
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS
On
January 30, 2020, our Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rioux, was
granted stock options which were reported on a Form 4 on February
20, 2020. On January 31, 2020, our non-employee directors, Dr.
Starr, Mr. Brown, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Klausner, along with our
officers, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Mazar and Ms. Tsuchimoto, were granted
stock options and restricted stock units which were reported on
Forms 4 on February 20, 2020. On September 30, 2020, our
non-employee directors, Dr. Starr, Mr. Brown, Mr. Anderson and Mr.
Klausner, each received 322 shares of common stock resulting from
vesting of restricted stock unit were reported on Forms 4 on
January 5, 2021. All late filings were a result of administrative
errors.
OTHER
BUSINESS
We know
of no other matters to be submitted to a vote of stockholders at
our Annual Meeting. In order for any stockholder to nominate a
candidate or to submit a proposal for other business to be acted
upon at a given annual meeting, he or she must provide timely
written notice to our corporate Secretary in the form prescribed by
our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as described below.
SECURITY
HOLDER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Security holders
may send communications to the Board of Directors to Chandler D.
Robinson, CEO, Co-Founder and Director, 1000 Skokie Blvd., Suite
350, Wilmette, IL 60091.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Stockholder
proposals intended to be included in the proxy statement for the
2022 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 must
be received by our corporate Secretary no later than the close of
business on January 3, 2022. However, if the date of our 2022
annual meeting is moved by more than 30 days from the date of our
2021 annual meeting, we will announce a new deadline that will be a
reasonable time before we print and send proxy materials. In order
to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement, these
proposals must satisfy the requirements of SEC Rule
14a-8.
Stockholders who
intend to present a stockholder proposal before the 2022 annual
meeting of stockholders (other than pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8)
must deliver written notice of the proposal to our corporate
Secretary at least 45 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the
date proxy materials were first made available for the 2021 annual
meeting (that is, by March 19, 2022); provided, however, that if
the 2022 annual meeting date is changed by more than 30 days from
the anniversary date of the 2021 annual meeting, then such notice
must be received a reasonable time before we print and sent proxy
materials. If a stockholder fails to meet these deadlines or fails
to satisfy the requirements of SEC Rule 14a-4, the persons named in
the proxy will be allowed to use their discretionary voting
authority to vote on any such proposal as they determine
appropriate if and when the matter is raised at the 2022 annual
meeting.
We have
not received notice of any proposals intended to be presented by
stockholders at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If any
such proposal is presented, the persons named in the proxy will be
allowed to use their discretionary voting authority to vote on any
such proposal as they determine appropriate if and when the matter
is raised at the 2021 Annual Meeting.
All
notices of proposals or nominations, as applicable, must be
addressed to our Corporate Secretary at 1000 Skokie Blvd., Suite
350, Wilmette, IL 60091.
24
DELIVERY OF PROXY STATEMENT
Our
Annual Report to stockholders on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2020, including audited financial statements,
accompanies this Proxy Statement. Copies of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K and the exhibits thereto are available from us without
charge upon written request of a stockholder to our investor
relations department at 1000 Skokie Blvd., Suite 350, Wilmette, IL
60091. Copies of these materials are also available online through
the SEC at www.sec.gov. We may satisfy SEC rules regarding delivery
of materials, including the Proxy Statement and Annual Report on
Form 10-K or Notice, as applicable, by delivering a single Proxy
Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K or a single Notice, as
applicable, to an address shared by two or more of our
stockholders. This delivery method can result in meaningful cost
savings for us. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we
may deliver only one Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K
or one Notice, as applicable, to multiple stockholders who share an
address, unless contrary instructions are received from one or more
stockholders at that address prior to the mailing date. We
undertake to deliver promptly upon written or oral request a
separate copy of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K
or Notice, as applicable, to a stockholder at a shared address to
which a single copy of these materials was delivered. If you hold
stock as a registered holder and prefer to receive separate copies
of these materials either now or in the future, please contact our
investor relations department at 1000 Skokie Blvd., Suite 350,
Wilmette, IL 60091 or by telephone at (847) 388-0349.
Similarly, if you
share an address with another stockholder and have received
multiple copies of our Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form
10-K or Notice, you may write or call us at the address and phone
number above to request delivery of a single copy of these
materials in the future. If your stock is held through a brokerage
firm, bank or other financial institution and you prefer to receive
separate copies of our proxy and/or Proxy Statement and Annual
Report on Form 10-K or Notice, as applicable, either now or in the
future, please contact your brokerage firm, bank or other financial
institution.
25
APPENDIX A
MONOPAR THERAPEUTICS INC.
2016 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Share amounts have been
adjusted to reflect a 70 for 1
stock split that took place on March 17, 2017)
(as amended to date and proposed to be amended by the 2016
3rd Plan
Amendment)
1. Purpose
of the Plan.
The
purpose of this Plan is to enhance shareholder value by linking the
compensation of officers, directors, key employees and consultants
of the Company to increases in the price of Monopar Therapeutics
Inc. common stock and the achievement of other performance
objectives, and to encourage ownership in the Company by key
personnel and consultants whose long-term employment and retention
is considered essential to the Company’s continued progress
and success. The Plan is also intended to assist the Company in the
recruitment of new employees and consultants and to motivate,
retain and encourage such employees, directors and consultants to
act in the shareholders’ interest and share in the
Company’s success.
2. Definitions.
As used
herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Administrator”
means the Board, any Committee or such delegates as shall be
administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 of the
Plan.
(b) “Affiliate”
means any Subsidiary or other entity that is directly or indirectly
controlled by the Company or any entity in which the Company has a
significant ownership interest as determined by the Administrator.
The Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine which
entities are classified as Affiliates and designated as eligible to
participate in this Plan.
(c) “Applicable Law”
means the requirements relating to the administration of stock
option plans under U.S. federal and state laws, any stock exchange
or quotation system on which the Company has listed or submitted
for quotation the Common Shares to the extent provided under the
terms of the Company’s agreement with such exchange or
quotation system and, with respect to Awards subject to the laws of
any foreign jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted
under the Plan, the laws of such jurisdiction.
(d) “Award” means a
Stock Award, Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Other Stock-Based
Award granted in accordance with the terms of the Plan, or any
other property (including cash) granted pursuant to the provisions
of the Plan.
(e) “Awardee” means
an Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award
under the Plan.
(f) “Award
Agreement” means a Stock Award Agreement, Option
Agreement, Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, or Other Stock-Based
Award Agreement, which may be in written or electronic format, in
such form and with such terms as may be specified by the
Administrator, evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Award. Each Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions
of the Plan. The effectiveness of an Award shall not be subject to
the Award Agreement’s being signed by the Company and/or the
Participant receiving the Award unless specifically so provided in
the Award Agreement.
(g) “Board” means
the Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) “Change of
Control” shall mean, except as otherwise provided in
an Award Agreement, one of the following shall have taken place
after the date of this Plan:
(i) any
“person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) or
14(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any majority
controlled subsidiary of the Company, or the fiduciaries of any
Company benefit plans) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in
Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of 30% or more of the total voting power of the voting
securities of the Company then outstanding and entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors of the Company; provided,
however, that no Change of Control shall occur upon the acquisition
of securities directly from the Company;
(ii) individuals
who, as of the beginning of any 24 month period, constitute the
Board (as of the date hereof, the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any
reason during such 24 month period to constitute at least a
majority of the Board, provided that any individual becoming a
Director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Directors then
comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding for
this purpose any such individual whose initial assumption of office
is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest
relating to the election of the Directors of the Company;
or
(iii) consummation
of (A) a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company, in
each case, with respect to which all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners
of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such
merger, consolidation or reorganization do not, following such
merger, consolidation or reorganization, beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, at least 65% of the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors of the entity or entities resulting from
such merger, consolidation or reorganization, (B) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (C) a sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, unless at least 65% of the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors of the entity or entities that acquire
such assets are beneficially owned by individuals or entities who
or that were beneficial owners of the voting securities of the
Company immediately before such sale or other
disposition.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any payment or distribution event applicable to an
Award is subject to the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of
the Code, the determination of the occurrence of a Change of
Control shall be governed by applicable provisions of Section
409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code and regulations and rulings issued
thereunder for purposes of determining whether such payment or
distribution may then occur.
(i) “Code” means the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor thereto, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and other
relevant interpretive guidance issued by the Internal Revenue
Service or the Treasury Department. Reference to any specific
section of the Code shall be deemed to include such regulations and
guidance, as well as any successor provision of the
Code.
(j) “Committee”
means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance
with Section 4 of the Plan or, in the absence of any such special
appointment, the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(k) “Common Shares”
means the common shares, $0.001 par value, of the Company, or any
security of the Company issued in substitution, exchange or lieu
thereof.
(l) “Company” means
Monopar Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation, or, except as
utilized in the definition of Change of Control, its
successor.
(m) “Consultant”
means an individual providing services to the Company or any of its
Affiliates as an independent contractor, and includes prospective
consultants who have accepted offers of consultancy for the Company
or any of its Affiliates, so long as such person (i) renders bona
fide services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of
the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction,
(ii) does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market
for the Company’s securities, and (iii) otherwise qualifies
as a consultant under the applicable rules of the SEC for
registration of shares of stock on a Form S-8 registration
statement
(n) “Conversion
Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(xii)
of the Plan.
(o) “Director” means
a member of the Board. Any Director who does not serve as an
employee of the Company is referred to herein as a
“Non-employee
Director.”
(p) “Disability”
means (i) “Disability” as defined in any employment,
consulting or similar agreement to which the Participant is a
party, or (ii) if there is no such agreement or it does not define
“Disability,” (A) permanent and total disability as
determined under the Company’s long-term disability plan
applicable to the Participant, or (B) if there is no such plan
applicable to the Participant or the Committee determines otherwise
in an applicable Award Agreement, “Disability” shall
mean the Participant’s continuous illness, injury or
incapacity for a period of six consecutive months, as determined by
the Administrator in its discretion. Notwithstanding the above,
with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, Disability shall mean
permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of
the Code and, with respect to any Award that constitutes
“nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning
of Section 409A of the Code, the foregoing definition shall apply
for purposes of vesting of such Award, provided that such Award
shall not be settled until the earliest of: (x) the
Participant’s “disability” within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code, (y) the Participant’s
“separation from service” within the meaning of Section
409A of the Code and (z) the date such Award would otherwise be
settled pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.
(q) “Disaffiliation”
means a Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s ceasing to be a
Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason (including, without
limitation, as a result of a public offering, or a spin-off or sale
by the Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary or Affiliate) or a
sale of a division of the Company and its Affiliates.
(r) “Employee” means
a regular, active employee of the Company or any Affiliate,
including an Officer or Director who is also a regular, active
employee of the Company or any Affiliate. The Administrator shall
determine whether the Chairman of the Board qualifies as an
“Employee.” For any and all purposes under the Plan,
the term “Employee” shall not include a person hired as
an independent contractor, leased employee, consultant or a person
otherwise designated by the Administrator, the Company or an
Affiliate at the time of hire as not eligible to participate in or
receive benefits under the Plan or not on the payroll, even if such
ineligible person is subsequently determined to be a common law
employee of the Company or an Affiliate or otherwise an employee by
any governmental or judicial authority. Unless otherwise determined
by the Administrator in its sole discretion, for purposes of the
Plan, an Employee shall be considered to have terminated employment
and to have ceased to be an Employee if his or her employer ceases
to be an Affiliate, even if he or she continues to be employed by
such employer.
(s) “Exchange Act”
means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any successor thereto.
(t) “Fair
Market Value” means a valuation performed by a
qualified independent appraiser within the previous twelve months,
taking into consideration all available information.
(u) “Grant Date”
means, with respect to each Award, the date upon which the Award is
granted to an Awardee pursuant to this Plan, which may be a
designated future date as of which such Award will be effective, as
determined by the Committee.
(v) “Incentive Stock
Option” means an Option that is identified in the
Option Agreement as intended to qualify as an incentive stock
option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, and that actually does so
qualify.
(w) “Nonqualified
Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive
Stock Option.
(x) “Officer” means
a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(y) “Option” means a
right granted under Section 8 of the Plan to purchase a number of
Shares at such exercise price, at such times, and on such other
terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other
documents evidencing the Award (the “Option
Agreement”). Both Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified
Stock Options may be granted under the Plan.
(z) “Other Stock-Based
Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 12
of the Plan on such terms and conditions as are specified in the
agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the
“Other Stock-Based Award
Agreement”).
(aa) “Participant”
means the Awardee or any person (including any estate) to whom an
Award has been assigned or transferred as permitted
hereunder.
(bb) “Plan”
means this 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as
hereafter amended from time to time.
(cc) “Qualifying
Performance Criteria” shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 13(b) of the Plan.
(dd) “Retirement”
means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Termination
of Employment, voluntary or involuntary, by a Participant from the
Company and its Affiliates, other than a Termination for Cause,
after attaining age fifty-five (55) and having at least five (5)
years of service with the Company and its Affiliates, excluding
service with an Affiliate of the Company prior to the time that
such Affiliate became an Affiliate of the Company. For Plan
purposes, a “voluntary” Termination of Employment is a
Termination of Employment where the Participant does not qualify
for severance benefits, whether under a severance agreement or the
Company’s or any of its Affiliate’s severance policy,
plan or other arrangement.
(ee) “Securities
Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.
(ff) “Share”
means a Common Share, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of
the Plan.
(gg) “Stock
Appreciation Right” means a right granted under
Section 10 of the Plan on such terms and conditions as are
specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award
(the “Stock Appreciation
Right Agreement”).
(hh) “Stock
Award” means an award or issuance of Shares or Stock
Units made under Section 11 of the Plan, the grant, issuance,
retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject
during specified periods of time to such conditions (including,
without limitation, continued employment or performance conditions)
and terms as are expressed in the agreement or other documents
evidencing the Award (the “Stock Award
Agreement”).
(ii) “Stock
Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount
equivalent to the Fair Market Value of one Share, payable in cash,
property or Shares. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured
obligation of the Company, except as otherwise provided for by the
Administrator.
(jj) “Subsidiary”
means any company (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of
companies beginning with the Company, provided each company in the
unbroken chain (other than the Company) owns, at the time of
determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other companies
in such chain.
(kk) “Termination
for Cause” means, unless otherwise provided in an
Award Agreement, Termination of Employment on account of any act of
fraud or intentional misrepresentation or embezzlement,
misappropriation or conversion of assets of the Company or any
Affiliate, or the intentional and repeated violation of the written
policies or procedures of the Company, provided that, for an
Employee who is party to an individual severance or employment
agreement defining Cause, “Cause” shall have the
meaning set forth in such agreement except as may be otherwise
provided in such agreement. For purposes of this Plan, a
Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be deemed to be
a Termination for Cause if, after the Participant’s
employment has terminated, facts and circumstances are discovered
that would have justified, in the opinion of the Committee, a
Termination for Cause.
(ll) “Termination
of Employment” means for purposes of this Plan, unless
otherwise determined by the Administrator, ceasing to be an
Employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or
one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined
by the Committee in the terms of an Award Agreement or otherwise,
if a Participant’s employment with the Company and its
Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide
services to the Company and its Affiliates in a Non-employee
Director capacity, such change in status shall be deemed a
Termination of Employment. A Participant employed by, or performing
services for, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or a division of the
Company and its Affiliates shall be deemed to incur a Termination
of Employment if, as a result of a Disaffiliation, such Subsidiary,
Affiliate, or division ceases to be a Subsidiary, Affiliate or
division, as the case may be, and the Participant does not
immediately thereafter become an Employee of (or service provider
for), or member of the board of directors of, the Company or
another Subsidiary or Affiliate. Temporary absences from employment
because of illness, vacation or leave of absence and transfers
among the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall not be
considered Terminations of Employment. In addition, Termination of
Employment shall mean a “separation from service” as
defined in regulations issued under Code Section 409A whenever
necessary to ensure compliance therewith for any payment or
settlement of a benefit conferred under this Plan that is subject
to such Code section, and, for such purposes, shall be determined
based upon a reduction in the bona fide level of services performed
to a level equal to twenty percent (20%) or less of the average
level of services performed by the Employee during the immediately
preceding 36-month period. For the purposes of this Plan,
Termination of Employment shall also mean the termination of a
Consultant’s services to the Company and the termination of a
Director’s position as a member of the Board of Directors of
the Company.
3. Stock
Subject to the Plan.
(a) Aggregate Limit. Subject to
the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Plan, the maximum aggregate
number of Shares which may be subject to Awards granted under the
Plan is 3,100,000 Shares, less one Share for every one Share that
was subject to an option or stock appreciation right granted under
any prior plan, and one share for every one Share that was subject
to an award other than an option or stock appreciation right
granted under any prior plan. Any Shares that are subject to
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this
limit as one Share for every one Share granted, and any Shares that
are subject to Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights shall be counted against this limit as one Share for every
one Share granted. After the Effective Date of the Plan (as
provided in Section 6), no awards may be granted under any prior
plan. Shares subject to or delivered under Conversion Awards shall
not reduce the aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to
or delivered under Awards granted under this Plan. The Shares
issued under the Plan may be either Shares reacquired by the
Company, including Shares purchased in the open market, or
authorized but unissued Shares.
Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Plan, the Company has no prior
plans.
(b) Code Section 422
Limits. Subject to the
provisions of Section 15(a) of the Plan, the aggregate number of
Shares that may be subject to all Incentive Stock Options granted
under the Plan shall not exceed 100% of shares subject to the
provision of 3(a) of the Plan.
(c) Limit
on Awards to Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision
of the Plan to the contrary, the aggregate Grant Date Fair Market
Value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with
applicable financial accounting rules) of all Awards granted to any
Non-employee Director during any single calendar year (excluding
Awards made at the election of the Non-employee Director in lieu of
all or a portion of annual and committee cash retainers) shall not
exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).
(d) Share
Counting Rules.
(i) For
purposes of this Section 3 of the Plan, Shares subject to Awards
that have been canceled, expired, settled in cash, or forfeited for
any reason (in whole or in part) shall not reduce the aggregate
number of Shares which may be subject to Awards granted under this
Plan and shall be available for future Awards granted under this
Plan in accordance with Section 3(d)(iii). In addition, if any
Shares subject to an award under any prior plan are canceled,
expired, settled in cash, or forfeited for any reason (in whole or
in part) after December 31, 2015, then such Shares subject to an
award under any prior plan shall, to the extent of such
cancellation, expiration, settlement in cash, or forfeiture, again
be available for grant under this Plan in accordance with Section
3(d)(iii). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares added back under
the provisions of this subsection (d) shall not be counted when
determining the limit on Shares that may be granted as Incentive
Stock Options under subsection (b), above.
(ii) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares
shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under
paragraph (i) of this Section: (a) Shares tendered by the
Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the purchase
price of an Option or, after December 31, 2015, an option under any
prior plan, (b) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by
the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect
to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or, after December 31,
2015, options or stock appreciation rights under any prior plan,
(c) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right or, after December
31, 2015, a stock appreciation right under any prior plan, that are
not issued in connection with its stock settlement on exercise
thereof, and (d) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open
market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of
Options or, after December 31, 2015, options under any prior plan.
Shares subject to Awards that have been retained by the Company in
payment or satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation of an
Awardee, other than for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right as
described above, and Shares that have been delivered (either
actually or constructively by attestation) to the Company in
payment or satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation of an
Awardee, other than for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right as
described above, shall again be available for grant under the Plan.
Similarly, if any Shares subject to an award under any prior plan
are, after December 31, 2015, either retained by the Company in
payment or satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation of an
awardee, other than for an option or a stock appreciation right as
described above, or if Shares are delivered (either actually or
constructively by attestation) to the Company in payment or
satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation of an awardee under
a prior plan, other than for an option or stock appreciation right,
as described above, then such Shares subject to an award under any
prior plan shall, to the extent of such tendering or withholding,
again be available for grant under this Plan.
(iii) Any
Shares that again become available for grant pursuant to this
Section shall be added back as (i) one Share for every one Share
subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the
Plan or options or stock appreciation rights granted under any
prior plan, and (ii) as one Share for every one Share subject to
Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted
under the Plan or awards other than options or stock appreciation
rights granted under any prior plan.
(iv) Conversion
Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the
Plan or the limitations on Awards to a Participant under subsection
(b), above, nor shall Shares subject to a Conversion Award again be
available for an Award under the Plan as provided in this
subsection (d).
4. Administration
of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative
Bodies. The Plan shall be administered by the Board, a
Committee designated by the Board to so administer this Plan and/or
their respective delegates.
(ii) Rule
16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions
hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act (“Rule
16b-3”), Awards to Officers and Directors shall be
made by the entire Board or a Committee of two or more
“non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule
16b-3.
(iii) Other
Administration. To the extent required by the rules of the
principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are
traded, the members of the Committee shall also qualify as
“independent directors” as set forth in such rules.
Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Board or a
Committee may delegate to a Committee of one or more Directors or
to authorized officers of the Company the power to approve Awards
to persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan who are not
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(iv) Awards
to Directors. The Board shall have the power and authority
to grant Awards to Non-employee Directors, including the authority
to determine the number and type of awards to be granted; determine
the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this
Plan, of any award; and to take any other actions the Board
considers appropriate in connection with the administration of the
Plan.
(v) Delegation of Authority for the
Day-to-Day Administration of the Plan. Except to the extent
prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one
or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and
any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation
may be revoked at any time.
(b) Powers of the
Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and, in
the case of a Committee or delegates acting as the Administrator,
subject to the specific duties delegated to such Committee or
delegates, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its
discretion:
(i) to
select the Non-employee Directors, Consultants and Employees of the
Company or its Affiliates to whom Awards are to be granted
hereunder;
(ii) to
determine the number of Common Shares to be covered by each Award
granted hereunder;
(iii) to
determine the type of Award to be granted to the selected Employees
and Non-employee Directors;
(iv) to
approve forms of Award Agreements;
(v) to
determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms
of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise and/or
purchase price, the time or times when an Award may be exercised
(which may or may not be based on performance criteria), the
vesting schedule, any vesting and/or exercisability provisions,
terms regarding acceleration of Awards or waiver of forfeiture
restrictions, the acceptable forms of consideration for payment for
an Award, the term, and any restriction or limitation regarding any
Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such
factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall
determine and may be established at the time an Award is granted or
thereafter;
(vi) to
correct administrative errors;
(vii) to
construe and interpret the terms of the Plan (including sub-plans
and Plan addenda) and Awards granted pursuant to the
Plan;
(viii) to
adopt rules and procedures relating to the operation and
administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements
of local laws and procedures. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized (A) to
adopt rules and procedures regarding the conversion of local
currency, the shift of tax liability from employer to employee
(where legally permitted) and withholding procedures and handling
of stock certificates which vary with local requirements, and (B)
to adopt sub-plans and Plan addenda as the Administrator deems
desirable, to accommodate foreign laws, regulations and
practice;
(ix) to
prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans and
Plan addenda;
(x) to
modify or amend each Award, including, but not limited to, the
acceleration of vesting and/or exercisability, provided, however,
that any such modification or amendment (A) is subject to the plan
amendment provisions set forth in Section 16 of the Plan, and (B)
may not materially impair any outstanding Award unless agreed to in
writing by the Participant, except that such agreement shall not be
required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion
that such modification or amendment either (Y) is required or
advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to
satisfy any Applicable Law or to meet the requirements of any
accounting standard, or (Z) is not reasonably likely to
significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or
that adequate compensation has been provided for any such
diminishment, except following a Change of Control;
(xi) to
allow or require Participants to satisfy withholding tax amounts by
electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued
upon exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option or vesting of a Stock
Award that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the
amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares
to be withheld shall be determined in such manner and on such date
that the Administrator shall determine or, in the absence of
provision otherwise, on the date that the amount of tax to be
withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to
have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form
and under such conditions as the Administrator may
provide;
(xii) to
authorize conversion or substitution under the Plan of any or all
stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock awards held
by awardees of an entity acquired by the Company (the
“Conversion
Awards”). Any conversion or substitution shall be
effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition. The
Conversion Awards may be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive
Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator, with respect to
options granted by the acquired entity;
(xiii) to
authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any
instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously
granted by the Administrator;
(xiv) to
impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it
determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resale by
a Participant or of other subsequent transfers by the Participant
of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award or upon the
exercise of an Award, including, without limitation, (A)
restrictions under an insider trading policy, (B) restrictions as
to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resale or other
transfers, and (C) institution of “blackout” periods on
exercises of Awards;
(xv) to
provide, either at the time an Award is granted or by subsequent
action, that an Award shall contain as a term thereof, a right,
either in tandem with the other rights under the Award or as an
alternative thereto, of the Participant to receive, without payment
to the Company, a number of Shares, cash or a combination thereof,
the amount of which is determined by reference to the value of the
Award; and
(xvi) to
make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
administering the Plan and any Award granted
hereunder.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s
Decision. All questions arising under the Plan or under any
Award shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and
absolute discretion. All decisions, determinations and
interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules
and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of any
Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all
Participants. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it
deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such
decisions, determinations and interpretations, including, without
limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other
employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and
accountants as it may select.
(d) Indemnity.
To the extent allowable under Applicable Law, each member of the
Committee or of the Board and any person to whom the Board or
Committee has delegated any of its authority under the Plan shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss,
cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any
claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a
party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action
or failure to act pursuant to the Plan, and against and from any
and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in
such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or
she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle
and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and
defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of
indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of
indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to
the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, as a
matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have
to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
5. Eligibility.
Awards
may be granted only to Non-employee directors, Employees and
Consultants of the Company or any of its Affiliates; provided,
however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (within the meaning
of Section 424(f) of the Code).
6. Term
of Plan.
The
Plan shall become effective upon its approval by shareholders of
the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10)
years from the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders of the
Company (the “Effective
Date”) unless terminated earlier under Section 16 of
the Plan.
7. Term
of Award.
Subject
to the provisions of the Plan, the term of each Award shall be
determined by the Administrator and stated in the Award Agreement,
and may extend beyond the termination of the Plan. In the case of
an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, the term shall be ten (10)
years from the Grant Date or such shorter term as may be provided
in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term of
Awards other than Awards that are structured to qualify as
Incentive Stock Options under Section 9 shall be extended
automatically if the Award would expire at a time when trading in
Common Shares is prohibited by law or the Company’s insider
trading policy to the 30th day after the expiration of the
prohibition.
8. Options.
The
Administrator may grant an Option or provide for the grant of an
Option, either from time to time in the discretion of the
Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified
events, including, without limitation, the achievement of
performance goals.
(a) Option Agreement. Each
Option Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number
of Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the Option, (ii) the
type of Option, (iii) the exercise price of the Option and the
means of payment of such exercise price, (iv) the term of the
Option, (v) such terms and conditions regarding the vesting and/or
exercisability of an Option as may be determined from time to time
by the Administrator, (vi) restrictions on the transfer of the
Option and forfeiture provisions, and (vii) such further terms and
conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan, as may be
determined from time to time by the Administrator.
(b) Exercise Price. The per
share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of
an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, except that the
per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the Grant Date, except with respect to
Conversion Awards.
(c) No Option Repricings.
Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, the exercise price of an Option
may not be reduced without shareholder approval, nor may
outstanding Options be cancelled in exchange for cash, other Awards
or Options with an exercise price that is less than the exercise
price of the original Option without shareholder
approval.
(d) No Reload Grants. Options
shall not be granted under the Plan in consideration for and shall
not be conditioned upon the delivery of Shares to the Company in
payment of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligation
under any other employee stock option.
(e) Vesting Period and Exercise
Dates. Options granted under this Plan shall vest and/or be
exercisable at such time and in such installments during the period
prior to the expiration of the Option’s term as determined by
the Administrator and as specified in the Option Agreement. The
Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the
ability to exercise any Option granted under this Plan subject to
continued active employment (or retention in the case of a
consultant or Director), the passage of time and/or such
performance requirements as deemed appropriate by the
Administrator. At any time after the grant of an Option, the
Administrator may reduce or eliminate any restrictions surrounding
any Participant’s right to exercise all or part of the
Option.
(f) Form of Consideration. The
Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration
for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, either
through the terms of the Option Agreement or at the time of
exercise of an Option. Acceptable forms of consideration may
include:
(i) cash;
(ii) check
or wire transfer (denominated in U.S. Dollars);
(iii) subject
to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator,
other Shares which were held for a period of more than six (6)
months on the date of surrender and which have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to or greater than the aggregate
exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be
exercised (it being agreed that the excess of the Fair Market Value
over the aggregate exercise price, if any, shall be refunded to the
Awardee in cash);
(iv) subject
to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator,
the Company withholding Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of
an Option;
(v) consideration
received by the Company under a broker-assisted sale and remittance
program acceptable to the Administrator and in compliance with
Applicable Law;
(vi) such
other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of
Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Law; or
(vii) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
(g) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as
a Shareholder.
(i) Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the
terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as
determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable
Option Agreement.
(ii) An
Option shall be deemed exercised when (A) the Company receives (1)
written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the
Option Agreement or procedures established by the Administrator)
from the person entitled to exercise the Option and (2) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the related Option is
exercised, and (B) with respect to Nonqualified Stock Options,
provisions acceptable to the Administrator have been made for
payment of all applicable withholding taxes.
(iii) Unless
provided otherwise by the Administrator or pursuant to this Plan,
until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry
on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent
of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other
rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Shares
subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the
Option.
(iv) The
Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares as soon as
administratively practicable after the Option is exercised. An
Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
(h) Termination
of Employment, Consultancy or Board Membership.
(i) The
Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to
modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a Termination
of Employment due to (A) Disability, (B) Retirement, (C) death, or
(D) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any
Option.
(ii) Unless
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement:
(A) Upon termination
from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director for reasons
other than Retirement as set forth in subparagraph (D) below, any
Option held by such Director that (1) has not vested and is not
exercisable as of the effective date of such termination from
membership on the Board shall be subject to immediate cancellation
and forfeiture or (2) is vested and exercisable as of the effective
date of such termination shall remain exercisable for five (5)
years thereafter, or the remaining term of the Option, if
less;
(B) Upon Termination of
Employment, excluding termination from membership on the Board by a
Non-employee Director, due to death or Disability, any Option held
by such Employee that is vested and exercisable as of the effective
date of such Termination of Employment shall remain exercisable for
one year after such Termination of Employment due to death or
Disability or the remaining term of the Option, if
less;
(C) Upon Termination of
Employment, excluding termination from membership on the Board by a
Non-employee Director, due to death or Disability, any Option held
by such Employee that is not yet vested shall vest in full as of
the date of death or Disability, and any such vested Options shall
remain exercisable for one year after such Termination of
Employment due to death or Disability or the remaining term of the
Option, if less;
(D) Upon Termination of
Employment due to Retirement, (1) any Option held by such Awardee
shall, to the extent not already vested, become ratably vested
(rounded up or down to the nearest whole Share) based upon the full
months of the applicable vesting period elapsed as of the end of
the month in which the Termination of Employment due to Retirement
occurs over the total number of months in such period; provided,
however, that, in the case of a Retirement due to a voluntary
Termination of Employment, the terms of this Section 8(h)(ii)(D)(1)
shall not apply with respect to any Option granted less than six
(6) months prior to the effective date of such Termination of
Employment; and (2) any Option held by an Awardee at Retirement, to
the extent vested and exercisable as of the effective date of such
Retirement (including, without limitation, any Options that have
ratably vested pursuant to the preceding clause (1)), will remain
outstanding for the lesser of five (5) years or the remaining term
of the Option; and
(E) Any other
Termination of Employment, termination from membership on the Board
by a Non-employee Director, shall result in immediate cancellation
and forfeiture of all outstanding Options that have not vested as
of the effective date of such Termination of Employment, and any
vested and exercisable Options held at the time of such Termination
of Employment shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days
thereafter, or the remaining term of the Option, if less.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all outstanding and unexercised
Options shall be immediately cancelled in the event of a
Termination for Cause.
9. Incentive
Stock Option Limitations/Terms.
(a) Eligibility. Only employees
(as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may be granted Incentive Stock Options. No
Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any such employee who as
of the Grant Date owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of the Company, except in compliance with
Section 422 of the Code regarding 10 – percent
shareholders.
(b) $100,000 Limitation.
Notwithstanding the designation “Incentive Stock
Option” in an Option Agreement, if and to the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the
Awardee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company
and any of its Subsidiaries) exceeds U.S. $100,000, such Options
shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of
this Section 9(b) of the Plan, Incentive Stock Options shall be
taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The
Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the Grant
Date.
(c) Transferability. The Option
Agreement must provide that an Incentive Stock Option is not
transferable by the Awardee otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of such Awardee,
must not be exercisable by any other person. If the terms of an
Incentive Stock Option are amended to permit transferability, the
Option will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock
Option.
(d) Exercise Price. The per
Share exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall in no event
be inconsistent with the requirements for qualification of the
Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code.
(e) Other Terms. Option
Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such
other terms and conditions as may be necessary to qualify, to the
extent determined desirable by the Administrator, with the
applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. If any such terms
and conditions, as of the Grant Date or any later date, do not so
comply, the Option will be treated thereafter for tax purposes as a
Nonqualified Stock Option.
10. Stock
Appreciation Rights.
A
“Stock Appreciation Right” is a right that entitles the
Awardee to receive, in cash or Shares (as determined by the
Administrator), value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of
(i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares at the
time of exercise over (ii) the aggregate exercise price of the
right, as established by the Administrator on the Grant Date. Stock
Appreciation Rights may be granted to Awardees either alone
(“freestanding”) or in addition to or in tandem with
other Awards granted under the Plan and may, but need not, relate
to a specific Option granted under Section 8 of the Plan. Any Stock
Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Option may be granted
at the same time such Option is granted or at any time thereafter
before exercise or expiration of such Option, and shall be based on
the Fair Market Value of one Share on the Grant Date or, if
applicable, on the Grant Date of the Option with respect to a Stock
Appreciation Right granted in exchange for or in tandem with, but
subsequent to, the Option (subject to the requirements of Section
409A of the Code). All Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan,
other than Conversion Awards, shall be granted subject to the same
terms and conditions applicable to Options as set forth in Section
8 of the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan,
the Administrator may impose such other conditions or restrictions
on any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem
appropriate.
11. Stock
Awards.
(a) Stock Award Agreement. Each
Stock Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the
number of Shares subject to such Stock Award or a formula for
determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the Shares, if
any, and the means of payment for the Shares, (iii) the performance
criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria
that shall determine the number of Shares granted, issued,
retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the
grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the Shares as may be
determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) restrictions
on the transferability of the Stock Award, and (vi) such further
terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan,
as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive the vesting
restrictions and any other conditions set forth in any Award
Agreement under such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
deem appropriate.
(b) Restrictions and Performance
Criteria. The grant, issuance, retention and/or vesting of
Stock Awards issued to Employees may be subject to such performance
criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria as the
Administrator shall determine, which criteria may be based on
financial performance, personal performance evaluations and/or
completion of service by the Awardee. A Performance Stock Award
shall be established by the Administrator based on one or more
Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and
specified in writing not later than ninety (90) days after the
commencement of the period of service (or, if earlier, the elapse
of 25% of such period) to which the performance goals relate or
otherwise within the time period required by the Code or the
applicable Treasury Regulations, provided that the outcome is
substantially uncertain at that time. Stock Awards for which
vesting is not based on the attainment of performance criteria are
referred to as “Restricted
Stock Awards.”
(c) Termination
of Employment or Board Membership.
(i) The Administrator shall
determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent
to the Grant Date) the effect a Termination of Employment due to
(A) Disability, (B) Retirement (C) death, or (D) otherwise
(including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Stock
Award.
(ii) Unless
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement:
(A) A Termination of
Employment due to Disability or death shall result in immediate
full vesting of any as yet unvested Stock Award, and in the case of
a Stock Award that vests upon the achievement of performance goals,
the vested amount shall be based upon the target award
amount;
(B) A Termination of
Employment due to Retirement shall result in vesting of a prorated
portion of any Stock Award (rounded up or down to the nearest whole
Share), based upon the full months of the applicable performance
period, vesting period or other period of restriction elapsed as of
the end of the month in which the Termination of Employment due to
Retirement occurs over the total number of months in such period;
provided, however, that, in the case of a Retirement due to
voluntary Termination of Employment, the terms of this Section
11(c)(ii)(B) shall not apply with respect to any Stock Award
granted less than six (6) months prior to the effective date of
such Termination of Employment; and
(C) Any other
Termination of Employment shall result in immediate cancellation
and forfeiture of all outstanding, unvested Stock
Awards.
If
clause (B) of this Section 11(c)(ii) applies to a Stock Award under
which vesting is based on the attainment of performance criteria
over a performance period, the ratable vesting percentage
determined by the portion of the performance period during which
the Awardee was an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall be
applied to determine the portion of the Stock Award that is vested
based upon actual performance results after the completion of the
performance period.
(d) Rights as a Shareholder.
Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator, the Participant
shall have the rights equivalent to those of a shareholder and
shall be a shareholder only after Shares are issued (as evidenced
by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly
authorized transfer agent of the Company) to the
Participant.
12. Other
Stock-Based Awards.
(a) Other Stock-Based Awards.
An “Other Stock-Based Award” means any other type of
equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the
terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of
unrestricted Shares), as well as any cash bonus based on the
attainment of Qualifying Performance Criteria as described in
Section 13(b), in such amount and subject to such terms and
conditions as the Administrator shall determine. Such Awards may
involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment
in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares or
pursuant to attainment of a performance goal. Each Other
Stock-Based Award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement
containing such terms and conditions as may be determined by the
Administrator.
(b) Value of Other Stock-Based
Awards. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in
terms of Shares or units based on Shares or a target amount of
cash, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may
establish performance goals in its discretion. If the Administrator
exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the number
and/or value of Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to
the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance
goals are met.
(c) Payment of Other Stock-Based
Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to Other Stock-Based
Awards shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in
cash or Shares or a combination thereof, as the Administrator
determines.
(d) Termination
of Employment, Consultancy, or Board Membership.
(i) The
Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to
modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a Termination
of Employment due to (A) Disability, (B) Retirement, (C) death, or
(D) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any
Other Stock-Based Award.
(ii) Unless
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement:
(A) A Termination of
Employment due to Disability or death shall result in immediate
full vesting of any as yet unvested Other Stock-Based Award, and in
the case of an Other Stock-Based Award which vests on the basis of
attainment of a performance goal, the vested amount shall be based
upon the target award amount;
(B) A Termination of
Employment due to Retirement shall result in vesting of a prorated
portion of any Other Stock-Based Award (rounded up or down to the
nearest whole Share or unit based on Shares, as applicable), based
upon the full months of the applicable performance period, vesting
period or other period of restriction elapsed as of the end of the
month in which the Termination of Employment due to Retirement
occurs over the total number of months in such period; provided,
however, that, in the case of a Retirement due to voluntary
Termination of Employment, the terms of this Section 12(d)(ii)(B)
shall not apply with respect to any Other Stock-Based Award granted
less than six (6) months prior to the effective date of such
Termination of Employment; and
(C) Any other
Termination of Employment shall result in immediate cancellation
and forfeiture of all outstanding, unvested Other Stock-Based
Awards.
If
clause (B) of this Section 12(d)(ii) applies to an Other
Stock-Based Award under which vesting is based on the attainment of
performance criteria over a performance period, the ratable vesting
percentage determined by the portion of the performance period
during which the Awardee was an Employee of the Company or an
Affiliate shall be applied to determine the portion of the Other
Stock-Based Award that is vested based upon actual performance
results after the completion of the performance
period.
13. Other
Provisions Applicable to Awards.
(a) Non-Transferability of
Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an
Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred
or disposed of in any manner other than by beneficiary designation,
will or by the laws of descent or distribution, including but not
limited to any attempted assignment or transfer in connection with
the settlement of marital property or other rights incident to a
divorce or dissolution, and any such attempted sale, assignment or
transfer shall be of no effect prior to the date an Award is vested
and settled. The Administrator may only make an Award transferable
to an Awardee’s family member or any other person or entity
provided the Awardee does not receive consideration for such
transfer. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, either
as of the Grant Date or thereafter, such Award shall contain such
additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems
appropriate, and any transferee shall be deemed to be bound by such
terms upon acceptance of such transfer.
(b) Qualifying Performance
Criteria. For purposes of this Plan, the term
“Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall mean any one or
more of the following performance criteria, either individually,
alternatively or in any combination, on a basis consistent with
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) or on a non-GAAP or
adjusted GAAP basis, applied to either the Company as a whole or to
a Subsidiary, business unit, Affiliate or business segment, either
individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured
either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an
absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous
years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each
case as specified by the Committee in the Award or by duly adopted
resolution: (i) sales or cash return on sales; (ii) cash flow or
free cash flow or net cash from operating activity; (iii) earnings
(including gross margin, earnings before or after interest and
taxes, earnings before taxes, and net earnings); (iv) basic or
diluted earnings per share; (v) growth in earnings or earnings per
share; (vi) stock price; (vii) return on equity or average
shareholders’ equity; (viii) total shareholder return; (ix)
return on capital; (x) return on assets or net assets; (xi) return
on investments; (xii) revenue or gross profits; (xiii) income
before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or
net income; (xiv) pretax income before allocation of corporate
overhead and bonus; (xv) operating income or net operating income;
(xvi) operating profit or net operating profit (whether before or
after taxes); (xvii) operating margin; (xviii) return on operating
revenue; (xix) working capital or net working capital; (xx) market
share; (xxi) asset velocity index; (xxii) contract awards or
backlog; (xxiii) overhead or other expense or cost reduction;
(xxiv) growth in shareholder value relative to the moving average
of the S&P 500 Index or a peer group index; (xxv) credit
rating; (xxvi) strategic plan development and implementation;
(xxvii) improvement in workforce diversity; (xxviii) customer
satisfaction; (xxvix) employee satisfaction; (xxx) management
succession plan development and implementation; and (xxxi) employee
or customer retention. Extraordinary, non-recurring items that may
be the basis of adjustment include acquisitions or divestitures,
restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and
other unusual or non-recurring charges, an event either not
directly related to the operations of the Company, Subsidiary,
division, business segment or business unit or not within the
reasonable control of management, the cumulative effects of tax or
accounting changes in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and foreign
exchange gains or losses.
(c)
Six Month Holding Period for
Purposes of Rule 16b-3. If the Company is subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 13 of the Exchange Act, the Plan
Administrator shall ensure that transactions between the Company
and an Officer or Director under this Plan are exempt from Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to one of the exemptions
available under 17 C.F.R. 240.16b-3. If the Administrator
determines that the exemption pursuant to 17 C.F.R. 240.16b-3(d)(3)
is to be used, then (i) shares purchased upon exercise of an Option
or another derivative security (as defined in Exchange Act Rule
16a-1(c)) issued under this Plan by an Officer or Director may not
be sold before at least six months have elapsed from the date the
Option or other derivative security was granted; and (ii) any other
equity securities of the Company acquired by an Officer or Director
under this Plan other than as described in subparagraph (i) above
may not be sold before at least six months have elapsed from the
date they equity security was acquired.
14. Dividends
and Dividend Equivalents.
Awards
other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may provide the
Awardee with the right to receive dividend payments or dividend
equivalent payments on the Shares subject to the Award, whether or
not such Award is vested. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends
or dividend equivalents shall not be paid with respect to Stock
Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that, in either case, vest based
on the achievement of performance goals prior to the date the
performance goals are satisfied and the Award is earned, and then
shall be payable only with respect to the number of Shares or Stock
Units actually earned under the Award. Such payments may be made in
cash, Shares or Stock Units or may be credited as cash or Stock
Units to an Awardee’s account and later settled in cash or
Shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the
Administrator. Such payments and credits may be subject to such
conditions and contingencies as the Administrator may
establish.
15. Adjustments
upon Changes in Capitalization, Organic Change or Change of
Control.
(a) Adjustment Clause. In the
event of (i) a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, stock
split, reverse stock split, share combination, or recapitalization
or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company
(each, a “Share
Change”), or (ii) a merger, consolidation, acquisition
of property or shares, separation, spin-off, reorganization,
liquidation, Disaffiliation, or similar event affecting the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries (each, an “Organic Change”), the
Administrator or the Board may in its discretion make such
substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable
to (i) the Share limitations set forth in Section 3 of the Plan,
(ii) the number and kind of Shares covered by each outstanding
Award, and (iii) the price per Share subject to each such
outstanding Award. In the case of Organic Changes, such adjustments
may include, without limitation, (x) the cancellation of
outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property or a
combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of
such Awards, as determined by the Administrator or the Board in its
sole discretion (it being understood that in the case of an Organic
Change with respect to which shareholders receive consideration
other than publicly traded equity securities of the ultimate
surviving entity, any such determination by the Administrator that
the value of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall for this
purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any, of the value of the
consideration being paid for each Share pursuant to such Organic
Change over the exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation
Right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (y) the substitution of
other property (including, without limitation, cash or other
securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the
Company) for the Shares subject to outstanding Awards; and (z) in
connection with any Disaffiliation, arranging for the assumption of
Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other
property or other securities (including, without limitation, other
securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the
Company), by the affected Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division or by
the entity that controls such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division
following such Disaffiliation (as well as any corresponding
adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities).
The Committee may adjust in its sole discretion the Qualifying
Performance Criteria applicable to any Awards to reflect any Share
Change and any Organic Change and any unusual or non-recurring
events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for
restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects
of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by GAAP or as
identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to
the financial statements, management’s discussion and
analysis or the Company’s other SEC filings. Any adjustment
under this Section 15(a) need not be the same for all
Participants.
(b) Change of Control. In the
event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise determined by the
Administrator as of the Grant Date of a particular Award (or
subsequent to the Grant Date), the following acceleration,
exercisability and valuation provisions shall apply:
(i) On the
date that such Change of Control occurs, any or all Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights awarded under this Plan not previously
exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and
vested.
(ii) Except
as may be provided in an individual severance or employment
agreement (or severance plan) to which an Awardee is a party, in
the event of an Awardee’s Termination of Employment within
two (2) years after a Change of Control for any reason other than
because of the Awardee’s death, Retirement, Disability or
Termination for Cause, each Option and Stock Appreciation Right
held by the Awardee (or a transferee) that is vested shall remain
exercisable until the earlier of the third (3rd) anniversary of
such Termination of Employment (or any later date until which it
would remain exercisable under such circumstances by its terms) or
the expiration of its original term. In the event of an
Awardee’s Termination of Employment more than two (2) years
after a Change of Control, or within two (2) years after a Change
of Control because of the Awardee’s death, Retirement,
Disability or Termination for Cause, the provisions of Sections
8(h) and 10 of the Plan shall govern (as applicable).
(iii) On
the date that such Change of Control occurs, the restrictions and
conditions applicable to any or all Stock Awards and Other
Stock-Based Awards shall lapse and such Awards shall be fully
vested. Unless otherwise provided in an Award at the Grant Date,
upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, any performance based
Award shall be deemed fully earned at the target amount as of the
date on which the Change of Control occurs. All Stock Awards, Other
Stock-Based Awards and cash Awards shall be settled or paid within
thirty (30) days of vesting hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Change of Control would not qualify as a
permissible date of distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the
Code, and the regulations thereunder, the Awardee shall be entitled
to receive the payment of cash or settlement of Shares under the
Award, as applicable, from the Company on the date that would have
applied absent this provision.
(iv) The
Administrator, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control of the Company, each Option and
Stock Appreciation Right outstanding shall terminate within a
specified number of days after notice to the Participant, and/or
that each Participant shall receive, with respect to each Share
subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal
to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share immediately
prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control over the exercise
price per Share of such Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right;
such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or
property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the
transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its
discretion, shall determine, and if there is no excess value, the
Committee may, in its discretion, cancel such Awards.
(c) Section 409A.
Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) any adjustments made pursuant to
Section 15(a) of the Plan to Awards that are considered
“deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section
409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements
of Section 409A of the Code; (ii) any adjustments made pursuant to
Section 15(a) of the Plan to Awards that are not considered
“deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the
Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such
adjustment, the Awards either continue not to be subject to Section
409A of the Code or comply with the requirements of Section 409A of
the Code; (iii) the Administrator shall not have the authority to
make any adjustments pursuant to Section 15(a) of the Plan to the
extent that the existence of such authority would cause an Award
that is not intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code to
be subject thereto; and (iv) if any Award is subject to Section
409A of the Code, Section 15(b) of the Plan shall be applicable
only to the extent specifically provided in the Award Agreement and
permitted pursuant to Section 24 of the Plan in order to ensure
that such Award complies with Code Section 409A.
16. Amendment
and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination.
The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan or any Award
Agreement, but any such amendment shall be subject to approval of
the shareholders of the Company in the manner and to the extent
required by Applicable Law. In addition, without limiting the
foregoing, unless approved by the shareholders of the Company and
subject to Section 16(b), no such amendment shall be made that
would:
(i) increase
the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to
Awards granted under the Plan;
(ii) reduce
the minimum exercise price for Options or Stock Appreciation Rights
granted under the Plan; or
(iii) reduce
the exercise price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights, as prohibited by Section 8(c) without shareholder
approval.
(b) Effect of Amendment or
Termination. No amendment, suspension or termination of the
Plan shall materially impair the rights of any Participant with
respect to an outstanding Award, unless mutually agreed otherwise
between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must
be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company, except
that no such agreement shall be required if the Administrator
determines in its sole discretion that such amendment either (i) is
required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the
Award to satisfy any Applicable Law or to meet the requirements of
any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to
significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or
that any such diminishment has been adequately compensated, except
that this exception shall not apply following a Change of Control.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s
ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect
to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such
termination.
(c) Effect of the Plan on Other
Arrangements. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board
or a Committee nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders
of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any
limitations on the power of the Board or any Committee to adopt
such other incentive arrangements as it or they may deem desirable,
including without limitation, the granting of restricted shares or
restricted share units or stock options otherwise than under the
Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or
applicable only in specific cases.
17. Designation
of Beneficiary.
(a) An
Awardee may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to
receive the Awardee’s rights pursuant to Awardee’s
Award or the Awardee may include his or her Awards in an omnibus
beneficiary designation for all benefits under the Plan. To the
extent that Awardee has completed a designation of beneficiary
while employed with the Company, such beneficiary designation shall
remain in effect with respect to any Award hereunder until changed
by the Awardee to the extent enforceable under Applicable
Law.
(b) Such
designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Awardee at any
time by written notice. In the event of the death of an Awardee and
in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan
who is living at the time of such Awardee’s death, the
Company shall allow the legal representative of the Awardee’s
estate to exercise the Award.
18. No
Right to Awards or to Employment.
No
person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award and the
grant of any Award shall not be construed as giving an Awardee the
right to continue in the employ of the Company or its Affiliates.
Further, the Company and its Affiliates expressly reserve the
right, at any time, to dismiss any Employee or Awardee at any time
without liability or any claim under the Plan, except as provided
herein or in any Award Agreement entered into
hereunder.
19. Legal
Compliance.
Shares
shall not be issued pursuant to an Option, Stock Appreciation
Right, Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award unless such Option,
Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award
and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with
Applicable Law, specifically including without limitation all
applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company
with respect to such compliance. Unless the Awards and Shares
covered by this Plan have been registered under the Securities Act
or the Company has determined that such registration is
unnecessary, each person receiving an Award and/or Shares pursuant
to any Award may be required by the Company (a) to give a
representation in writing that such person is acquiring such Shares
for his or her own account for investment and not with a view to,
or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any part
thereof, and (b) to make such
additional representations, warranties, and agreements with respect
to the investment intent of such person or persons as the Company
may request.
All certificates for Shares or certificates, agreements, or other
documents evidencing securities delivered under the Plan shall be
subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the
Company may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any
securities law, and the Company may cause a legend or legends to be
put on any such certificates, agreements or other documents to make
appropriate reference to such restrictions.
In the case of the exercise of an Option by a person or estate
acquiring the right to exercise such Option by bequest or
inheritance, the Administrator may require reasonable evidence as
to the ownership of such Option and may require such consents and
releases of taxing authorities as the Administrator deems
advisable.
20. Inability
to Obtain Authority.
To the
extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it
unfeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s
counsel to be advisable or necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any Shares hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any
liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Shares
as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.
21. Reservation
of Shares.
The
Company, 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.
22. Notice.
Any
written notice to the Company required by any provisions of this
Plan shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company and shall
be effective when received. Any notice to a Participant hereunder
shall be addressed to the last address of record with the Company
and shall be effective when sent via first class mail, courier
service, or electronic mail to such last address of
record.
23. Governing
Law; Interpretation of Plan and Awards.
(a) This
Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto
shall be governed by the substantive laws, but not the choice of
law rules, of the state of Delaware, except as to matters governed
by U.S. federal law.
(b) In the
event that any provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the
Plan is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be
reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal,
valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of
the terms of the Plan and/or Award shall not be affected except to
the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision.
(c) The
headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted
solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a
part of the Plan, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction
or effect.
(d) The
terms of the Plan and any Award shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted
heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.
24. Section
409A.
It is
the intention of the Company that no Award shall be “deferred
compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless and
to the extent that the Administrator specifically determines
otherwise, and the Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards
shall be interpreted accordingly. The terms and conditions
governing any Awards that the Administrator determines will be
subject to Section 409A of the Code, including any rules for
elective or mandatory deferral of the delivery of cash or Shares
pursuant thereto and any rules regarding treatment of such Awards
in the event of a Change of Control, shall be set forth in the
applicable Award Agreement, deferral election forms and procedures,
and rules established by the Administrator, and shall comply in all
respects with Section 409A of the Code. The following rules will
apply to Awards intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code
(“409A
Awards”):
(a) If a
Participant is permitted to elect to defer an Award or any payment
under an Award, such election will be permitted only at times in
compliance with Code Section 409A.
(b) The
Company shall have no authority to accelerate distributions
relating to 409A Awards in excess of the authority permitted under
Section 409A.
(c) Any
distribution of a 409A Award following a Termination of Employment
that would be subject to Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) as a
distribution following a separation from service of a
“specified employee” as defined under Code Section
409A(a)(2)(B)(i), shall occur no earlier than the expiration of the
six-month period following such Termination of
Employment.
(d) In the
case of any distribution of a 409A Award, if the timing of such
distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award
Agreement or other governing document, the distribution shall be
made not later than the end of the calendar year during which the
settlement of the 409A Award is specified to occur.
(e) In the
case of an Award providing for distribution or settlement upon
vesting or the lapse of a risk of forfeiture, if the time of such
distribution or settlement is not otherwise specified in the Plan
or an Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution
or settlement shall be made not later than March 15 of the year
following the year in which the Award vested or the risk of
forfeiture lapsed.
(f) Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Company or
the Administrator be liable for the payment of, or any gross up
payment in connection with, any taxes or penalties owed by the
Participant pursuant to Code Section 409A.
25. Limitation
on Liability.
The
Company and any Affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes
into existence shall not be liable to a Participant, an Employee,
an Awardee or any other persons as to:
(a) The Non-Issuance of Shares.
The non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has been
unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the
authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to
the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder;
and
(b) Tax or Exchange Control
Consequences. Any tax consequence or any exchange control
obligation owed, by any Participant, Employee, Awardee or other
person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Option or
other Award granted hereunder.
26. Unfunded
Plan.
Insofar
as it provides for Awards, the Plan shall be unfunded. Although
bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Awardees
who are granted Stock Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards under this
Plan, any such accounts will be used merely as a bookkeeping
convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate any
assets which may at any time be represented by Awards, nor shall
this Plan be construed as providing for such segregation. Neither
the Company nor the Administrator shall be deemed to be a trustee
of stock or cash to be awarded under the Plan. Any liability of the
Company to any Participant with respect to an Award shall be based
solely upon any contractual obligations which may be created by the
Plan; no such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be
secured by any pledge or other encumbrance on any property of the
Company. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be
required to give any security or bond for the performance of any
obligation which may be created by this Plan.
27. Foreign
Employees.
Awards
may be granted hereunder to Employees and Consultants who are
foreign nationals, who are located outside the United
States or who are not
compensated from a payroll maintained in the United States, or who
are otherwise subject to (or could cause the Company to be subject
to) legal or regulatory provisions of countries or jurisdictions
outside the United States, on such terms and conditions different
from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the
Administrator, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote
achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and, in furtherance of
such purposes, the Administrator may make such modifications,
amendments, procedures, or subplans as may be necessary or
advisable to comply with such legal or regulatory
provisions.
28. Tax
Withholding.
Each
Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements
satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal,
state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be
withheld with respect to any Award under the Plan no later than the
date as of which any amount under such Award first becomes
includible in the gross income of the Participant for any tax
purposes with respect to which the Company has a tax withholding
obligation. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, withholding
obligations may be settled with Shares, including Shares that are
part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement;
provided, however, that not more than the legally required minimum
withholding may be settled with Shares that are part of the Award.
The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional
on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates
shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any
such taxes from any vested Shares or any other payment due to the
participant at that time or at any future time. The Administrator
may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including
making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding
obligations with Shares.
29. Cancellation of Award;
Forfeiture of Gain.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, an Award Agreement may
provide that the Award will be cancelled and the Participant will
forfeit the Shares or cash received or payable on the vesting or
exercise of the Award, and that the amount of any proceeds of the
sale or gain realized on the vesting or exercise of the Award must
be repaid to the Company, under such conditions as may be required
by Applicable Law or established by the Committee in its sole
discretion.
30. Data Privacy and Transfer
As a
condition of acceptance of an Award, the Participant explicitly
thereby consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic
or other form, of personal data by and among, as applicable, the
Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of
implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s
participation in the Plan. The Participant understands that the
Company and its Affiliates hold certain personal information about
the Participant, including the Participant’s name, home
address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or
other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, Shares
held in the Company or any Subsidiary, details of all Awards or any
other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested,
unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor, for the
purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan (the
“Data”). The
Participant further understands that the Company and its Affiliates
may transfer the Data among themselves as necessary for the purpose
of implementation, management and administration of the Plan, and
that the Company and its Affiliates may each further transfer the
Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the
implementation, management, and administration of the Plan. The
Participant understands that these recipients may be located in the
Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and that the
recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and
protections than the Participant’s country. The Participant
understands that he or she may request a list with the names and
addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his
or her local human resources representative. The Participant,
through participation in the Plan and acceptance of an Award under
the Plan, authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use,
retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the
purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan,
including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to
a broker or other third party with whom the Participant may elect
to deposit any Shares. In addition, by accepting an Award under the
Plan, each Participant agrees and acknowledges (i) that the Data
will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, manage, and
administer the Plan; (ii) that the Participant may, at any time,
view the Data, request additional information about the storage and
processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments to the
Data, or refuse or withdraw consent to the use and transfer of the
Data, without cost, by delivering such revocation or withdrawal of
consent in writing to a designated human resources representative;
and (iii) that refusal or withdrawal of consent may affect the
Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan
thereafter.
This
Amended Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company
on April 27, 2021.
This
Amended Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company on
June [__], 2021.
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MONOPAR
THERAPEUTICS INC. |
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By:
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Name:
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Kim R. Tsuchimoto
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Title:
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Monopar Therapeutics Inc.
1000 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 350
Wilmette, IL 60091
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VOTE BY
MAIL
Mark, sign and date yon proxy card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Corporate
Secretary, Monopar Therapeutics Inc., 1000 Skokie Boulevard, Suite
350, Wilmette, IL 60091.
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TO
VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS
FOLLOWS:
KEEP
THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH
AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
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For All
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Withhold All
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For All Except
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To
withhold authority to vole for any individual nominee(s), mark
“For All Except” and write the number(s) of the
nominee(s) on the line below.
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the
following:
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1. Election of
Directors
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Nominees
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01 Christopher
M. Starr
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02 Chandler
D. Robinson
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03 Andrew
P. Mazar
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04 Michael
J. Brown
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05 Raymond
W. Anderson
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06 Arthur
J. Klausner
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The
Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and
3.
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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2. To ratify
the selection of BPM LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2021.
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3. To vote to
approve an amendment to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan to remove
certain individual award limits and other provisions related to
I.R.C. Section 162(m) and to update the limit on Incentive Stock
Options
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NOTE: In addition, the named proxies are authorized to vote, in
their discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
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Please
sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give
full title as such. Joint owners should each sign
personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership,
please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized
officer.
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]
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Date
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Signature (Joint Owners)
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Date
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF
MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 30,
2021:
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2020 are available at monopartx.com in the
“Annual Meeting” subsection of the
“Investors” tab.
MONOPAR
THERAPEUTICS INC.
Annual
Meeting of Stockholders
June
30, 2021 10:00 AM (Central Time)
This
proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
The
undersigned hereby appoints Chandler D. Robinson, Andrew P. Mazar
and Kim R. Tsuchimoto, and each or any of them of them, proxy and
attorney-in-fact, with full power to designate a substitute
representative, to represent the undersigned and to vote all of the
shares of common stock in Monopar Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), which the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the
Company to be held at 10:00 A.M., Central Time, June 30, 2021, and
at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as hereinafter
specified upon the proposals listed above and as more particularly
described in the Proxy Statement of the Company dated April 30,
2021 (the “Proxy Statement”), receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged.
If
no instructions are given, the proxies will vote to elect the
director nominees listed in “Election of Directors” and
will vote “FOR” Proposal 2 (ratification of the
selection of the independent accountants) and Proposal 3 (approval
of amendment to 2016 Stock Incentive Plan).
Continued and to be signed on reverse side
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