SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
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))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Solicitation Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or rule 14a-12
Hemispherx Biopharma, 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):
[x] 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:
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] 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.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.
1617 JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2006
To the Stockholders of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. ("Hemispherx"), a Delaware corporation, to be held
at the Embassy Suites, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
19103, on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. local time, for the
following purposes:
1. To elect six members to the Board of Directors of
Hemispherx to serve until their respective successors are elected and
qualified;
2. To ratify the selection by Hemispherx's audit committee of
BDO Seidman, LLP, independent registered public accountants, to audit
the financial statements of Hemispherx for the year ending December 31,
2006;
3. To amend Hemispherx's certificate of incorporation to
increase the number of authorized shares of Hemispherx common stock
from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000.
4. To approve the issuance of our common stock to comply with
AMEX company guide section 713;
5. To transact such other matters as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 28, 2006
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
A proxy statement and proxy are enclosed. If you are unable to attend
the meeting in person you are urged to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy
promptly in the self addressed stamped envelope provided. If you attend the
meeting in person, you may withdraw your proxy and vote your shares. We have
also enclosed our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
By Order of the Board
of Directors
s\Ransom W. Etheridge, Secretary
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 4, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
We urge you to promptly vote your shares
by completing, signing, dating and returning
your proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
-----------------------------------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.
1617 JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
INTRODUCTION
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
of proxies for use at the annual meeting of stockholders of Hemispherx
Biopharma, Inc. ("Hemispherx" or the "Company") to be held on Wednesday,
September 20, 2006, and at any adjournments. The accompanying proxy is solicited
by the Board of Directors of Hemispherx and is revocable by the stockholder by
notifying Hemispherx's Corporate Secretary at any time before it is voted, or by
voting in person at the annual meeting. This proxy statement and accompanying
proxy are being distributed to stockholders beginning on or about August 4,
2006. The principal executive offices of Hemispherx are located at 1617 JFK
Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, telephone (215) 988-0080.
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
RECORD DATE; OUTSTANDING SHARES
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 28, 2006,
the record date, are entitled to receive notice of, and vote at the annual
meeting. As of the record date, the number and class of stock outstanding and
entitled to vote at the meeting was 62,581,122 shares of common stock, par value
$.001 per share. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all
matters. No other class of securities will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
There are no cumulative voting rights.
The six nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast by the
holders of common stock represented and voting at the meeting will be elected as
Hemispherx's directors and constitute the entire Board of directors of
Hemispherx. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares
represented and voting at the annual meeting at which a quorum is present (which
shares voting affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the required
quorum) is necessary for approval of Proposal No. 2 and Proposal No. 4. The
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote at the annual meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary for
approval of Proposal No. 3.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person, regardless of
whether you have submitted a proxy. Any person giving a proxy in the form
accompanying this proxy statement has the power to revoke it at any time before
it is voted. It may be revoked by filing, with the corporate secretary of
Hemispherx at its principal offices, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 660,
Philadelphia, PA 19103, a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy
bearing a later date, or it may be revoked by attending the meeting and voting
in person.
VOTING AND SOLICITATION
Every stockholder of record is entitled, for each share held, to one
vote on each proposal or item that comes before the meeting. There are no
cumulative voting rights. By submitting your proxy, you authorize William A.
Carter and Ransom W. Etheridge and each of them to represent you and vote your
shares at the meeting in accordance with your instructions. Messrs. Carter and
Etheridge and each of them may also vote your shares to adjourn the meeting from
time to time and will be authorized to vote your shares at any adjournment or
postponement of the meeting.
Hemispherx has borne the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this
proxy solicitation material. The total cost estimated to be spent and the total
expenditures to date for, in furtherance of, or in connection with the
solicitation of stockholders is approximately $40,000. Hemispherx may reimburse
brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for
their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners. Proxies
may be solicited by certain of Hemispherx's directors, officers and employees,
without additional compensation, personally, by telephone or by facsimile.
We have hired the firm of MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in the
solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors. MacKenzie has
agreed to perform this service for a proposed fee of $5,000 plus out-of-pocket
expenses.
ADJOURNED MEETING
The chair of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time to
reconvene at the same or some other time, date and place. Notice need not be
given of any such adjournment meeting if the time, date and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If the time, date
and place of the adjournment meeting are not announced at the meeting which the
adjournment is taken, then the Secretary of the Company shall give written
notice of the time, date and place of the adjournment meeting not less than ten
(10) days prior to the date of the adjournment meeting. Notice of the
adjournment meeting also shall be given if the meeting is adjourned in a single
adjournment to a date more than 30 days or in successive adjournments to a date
more than 120 days after the original date fixed for the meeting.
TABULATION OF VOTES
The votes will be tabulated and certified by Hemispherx's transfer
agent.
VOTING BY STREET NAME HOLDERS
If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name" by a
broker, the broker, as the record holder of the shares, is required to vote
those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give
instructions to the broker, the broker will nevertheless be entitled to vote the
shares with respect to "discretionary" items but will not be permitted to vote
the shares with respect to "non-discretionary" items (in which case, the shares
will be treated as "broker non-votes").
QUORUM; ABSTENTIONS; BROKER NON-VOTES
The required quorum for the transaction of business at the annual
meeting is a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote at the
annual meeting, in person or by proxy. Shares that are voted "FOR," "AGAINST" or
"WITHHELD FROM" a matter are treated as being present at the meeting for
purposes of establishing a quorum and are also treated as shares represented and
voting the votes cast at the annual meeting with respect to such matter.
While there is no definitive statutory or case law authority in
Delaware as to the proper treatment of abstentions, Hemispherx believes that
abstentions should be counted for purposes of determining both: (i) the presence
or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business; and (ii) the total
number of votes cast with respect to a proposal (other than the election of
directors). In the absence of controlling precedent to the contrary, Hemispherx
intends to treat abstentions in this manner. Accordingly, abstentions will have
the same effect as a vote against the proposal (other than the election of
directors).
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Under current Delaware case law, while broker non-votes (see "Voting By Street
Name Holders" above) should be counted for purposes of determining the presence
or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, broker non-votes should
not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast with respect
to the particular proposal on which the broker has expressly not voted.
Hemispherx intends to treat broker non-votes in this manner. Thus, a broker
non-vote will make a quorum more readily obtainable, but the broker non-vote
will not otherwise affect the outcome of the voting on a proposal.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement and proxy card for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be
received by the Company's Secretary, at Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc., 1617 JFK
Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103 no later than January 13, 2007.
Pursuant to the Company's Restated and Amended Bylaws all stockholder
proposals may be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders only upon
timely notice thereof in writing having been given the Secretary of the Company.
To be timely, a stockholder's notice, for all stockholder proposals other than
the nomination of candidates for director, shall be delivered to the Secretary
at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than sixty (60) nor
more than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event
that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days
before or after such anniversary date, the stockholder's notice in order to be
timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth
(10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual
meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was
made, whichever first occurs. To be timely, a stockholder's notice, with respect
to a stockholder proposal for nomination of candidates for director, shall be
delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not
less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders;
provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a
date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date,
the stockholder's notice in order to be timely must be so received not later
than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which
such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of
the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Provided,
however, in the event that the stockholder proposal relates to the nomination of
candidates for director and the number of directors to be elected to the Board
of Directors of the Company at an annual meeting is increased and there is no
public announcement by the Company naming all of the nominees for director or
specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred
days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a
stockholder's notice shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to
nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be
delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not
later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which
such public announcement is first made by the Company. All stockholder proposals
must contain all of the information required under the Company's Bylaws, a copy
of which is available upon written request, at no charge, from the Secretary.
The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other
appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these
and other applicable requirements.
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INFORMATION CONCERNING BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Directors is responsible for the management and direction
of Hemispherx and for establishing broad corporate policies. A primary
responsibility of the Board is to provide effective governance over the
Company's affairs for the benefit of its stockholders. In all actions taken by
the Board, the Directors are expected to exercise their business judgment in
what they reasonably believe to be the best interests of the Company. In
discharging that obligation, Directors may rely on the honesty and integrity of
the Company's senior executives and its outside advisors and auditors.
The Board of Directors and various committees of the Board meet
periodically throughout the year to receive and discuss operating and financial
reports presented by the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer
and chief financial officer as well as reports by experts and other advisors.
Corporate review sessions are also offered to Directors to help familiarize them
with Hemispherx's technology and operations. Members of the Board are encouraged
to attend Board meetings in person, unless the meeting is held by
teleconference. The Board held four meetings in 2005. All directors attended all
of these meetings. Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting absent
unusual circumstances, although Hemispherx has no formal policy on the matter.
All of the Directors attended the 2005 Annual Meeting.
In 2005, the non-employee members of the Board of Directors met two
times in executive session, i.e. with no employee Directors or management
personnel present. In April 2005, Richard Piani was appointed the Lead Director
to preside over future meetings. Interested persons may contact the Lead
Director or the non-employee Directors by sending written comments through the
Office of the Secretary of the Company. The Office will either forward the
original materials as addressed or provide Directors with summaries of the
submissions, with the originals available for review at the Directors' request.
INFORMATION CONCERNING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors maintains the following committees:
Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee is composed of William A. Carter, Chief
Executive Officer, Ransom W. Etheridge, Secretary and director, and Steven D.
Spence, director. Mr. Spence was appointed to the Committee in April 2005. The
Executive Committee had two meetings in 2005. All committee members attended
these meetings. The Committee assists the Board by making recommendations to
management regarding general business matters of Hemispherx.
Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee is composed of Dr. William Mitchell,
director, Richard C. Piani, director, and Dr. Iraj-Eqhbal Kiani, director. Dr.
Kiani was appointed to the Committee in April 2005. The Compensation Committee
makes recommendations concerning salaries and compensation for officers,
employees of and consultants to Hemispherx. This committee met twice in 2005 and
all committee members were in attendance
Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee.
In 2005, the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee had one
meeting and all members were present.
The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee consists of Dr.
William Mitchell, Committee Chair, Richard Piani and Steven Spence. All of the
members of the Committee meet the independence standards contained within the
AMEX Company Guide and the Hemispherx Corporate Governance Guidelines. The full
text of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee Charter as well as the
Corporate Governance Guidelines, as approved by the Board, are available on our
website: www.hemispherx.net.
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As discussed below, the Committee is responsible for recommending
candidates to be nominated by the Board for election by the stockholders or to
be appointed by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies consistent with the
criteria approved by the Board. It also is responsible for periodically
assessing Hemispherx's Corporate Governance Guidelines and making
recommendations to the Board for amendments, recommending to the Board the
compensation of Directors, taking a leadership role in shaping corporate
governance, and overseeing an annual evaluation of the Board.
The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee is responsible for
identifying candidates who are eligible under the qualification standards set
forth in Hemispherx's Corporate Governance Guidelines to serve as members of the
Board. The Hemispherx qualification standards, inter alia, provide that no
memember of the board of directors may serve on more than six public company
boards and that no member of the board of directors who also serves as a Chief
Executive Officer of a public company may serve on more than three public
company boards. The Committee is authorized to retain search firms and other
consultants to assist it in identifying candidates and fulfilling its other
duties. The Committee is not limited to any specific process in identifying
candidates and will consider candidates suggested by stockholders. Candidates
are recommended to the Board after consultation with the Chairman of the Board.
In recommending Board candidates, the Committee considers a candidate's: (1)
general understanding of elements relevant to the success of a large publicly
traded company in the current business environment, (2) understanding of
Hemispherx's business, and (3) educational and professional background. The
Committee also gives consideration to a candidate's judgment, competence,
anticipated participation in Board activities, experience, geographic location
and special talents or personal attributes. Stockholders who wish to suggest
qualified candidates should write to the Corporate Secretary, Hemispherx
Biopharma, Inc., 1617 JKF Blvd., Ste. 660, Philadelphia, PA 19103, stating in
detail the qualifications of such persons for consideration by the Committee.
The Company aspires to the highest standards of ethical conduct;
reporting results with accuracy and transparency; and maintaining full
compliance with the laws, rules and regulations that govern the Company's
business. Hemispherx's Corporate Governance Guidelines embody many of our
policies and procedures which are the foundation of our commitment to best
practices. The guidelines are reviewed annually, and revised as necessary to
continue to reflect best practices.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Expert.
Hemispherx's Audit Committee of the Board of Directors consists of
Steven Spence, Committee Chairman, William Mitchell, M.D. and Richard Piani. Mr.
Spence, Dr. Mitchell, and Mr. Piani are all determined by the Board of Directors
to be independent directors as required under Section 121B(2)(a) of the AMEX
Company Guide. Mr. Spence serves as the financial expert as defined in
Securities and Exchange Commission rules on the committee. Hemispherx believes
Mr. Spence, Dr. Mitchell, and Mr. Piani to be independent of management and free
of any relationship that would interfere with their exercise of independent
judgment as members of this committee. The principal functions of the Audit
Committee are to (i) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility
relating to the annual independent audit of Hemispherx's consolidated financial
statements and internal control over financial reporting, the engagement of the
independent registered public accounting firm and the evaluation of the
independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications, independence and
performance (ii) prepare the reports or statements as may be required by AMEX or
the securities laws, (iii) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight
responsibility relating to the integrity of Hemispherx's financial statements
and financial reporting process and Hemispherx's system of internal accounting
and financial controls, (iv) discuss the financial statements and reports with
management, including any significant adjustments, management judgments and
estimates, new accounting policies and disagreements with management, and (vi)
review disclosures by independent accountants concerning relationships with
Hemispherx and the performance of Hemispherx's independent accountants.
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Audit Committee Report.
The primary responsibility of the Audit Committee (the "Committee") is
to assist the Board of Directors in discharging its oversight responsibilities
with respect to financial matters and compliance with laws and regulations. The
primary methods used by the Committee to fulfill its responsibility with respect
to financial matters are:
o To appoint, evaluate, and, as the Committee may deem appropriate,
terminate and replace the Company's independent registered public
accountants;
o To monitor the independence of the Company's independent registered
public accountants;
o To determine the compensation of the Company's independent
registered public accountants;
o To pre-approve any audit services, and any non-audit services
permitted under applicable law, to be performed by the Company's
independent registered public accountants;
o To review the Company's risk exposures, the adequacy of related
controls and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk
management;
o To monitor the integrity of the Company's financial reporting
processes and systems of control regarding finance, accounting,
legal compliance and information systems;
o To facilitate and maintain an open avenue of communication among the
Board of Directors, management and the Company's independent
auditors.
The Audit Committee is composed of three Directors, and the Board has
determined that each of those Directors is independent as that term is defined
in Sections 121(B)(2)(a) of the American Stock Exchange Company Guide.
The Committee met four times in 2005. All committee members were
present at the meetings.
In discharging its responsibilities relating to internal controls,
accounting and financial reporting policies and auditing practices, the
Committee discussed with the Company's independent registered public
accountants, BDO Seidman, LLP, the overall scope and process for its audit. The
Committee regularly meets with BDO Seidman, LLP, with and without management
present, to discuss the results of its examinations, the evaluations of our
internal controls and the overall quality of the Company's financial reporting.
The Committee has discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP its judgments about
the quality, in addition to the acceptability, of the Company's accounting
principles as applied in the Company's financial reporting, as required by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90 "Communications with Audit Committees."
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The Committee also has received the written disclosures and a letter
from BDO Seidman, LLP that is required by the Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and has
discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP their independence.
During the preparation of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K/A
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, after discussions with BDO Seidman,
LLP, the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and after
doing additional analysis on guidance set forth in EITF 00-27: Application of
Issue No. 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments ("EITF 00-27"), it was
determined that the interpretation of the accounting guidelines under EITF 00-27
applied to the original recording(2003 through July 2004) of the Company's
convertible debentures that contained embedded conversion features related
valuation of common stock warrants, investment banking fees incurred with regard
to the issuance of the convertible debentures, and subsequent conversion and
price resets, was not correctly applied, reflecting material weaknesses in the
Company's internal control. As a result, the Committee determined that certain
previously issued Forms 10-Q and Forms 10-K should not be relied on.
Accordingly, the Company re-stated it's historical financial statements from
2003 through 2005, and it's annual financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2004. These restated financials are included in the
Company's 2005 Form 10-K/A-2.
The Company has taken, and plans to take, additional steps to enhance
controls over the "financial statement close and disclosure" process and to
remediate the material weakness concerning its accounting for the convertible
debentures that contained embedded conversion feature, related valuation of
common stock warrants, investment banking fees incurred with regard to the
issuance of the convertible debentures, and the subsequent conversion and price
resets.
The Committee has met and held discussions with management. The
Committee has reviewed and discussed with management Hemispherx's audited
consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2004 as restated and the audited consolidated financial statements as of and
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as restated, as well as the
internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements
referred to above be included in the Company's amended Annual Report for the
year ended December 31, 2005.
This report is respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors.
Steven D. Spence , Chairman
William M. Mitchell
Richard C. Piani
Strategic Planning Committee.
The Strategic Planning Committee is composed of William A. Carter,
Richard C. Piani, and Ransom W. Etheridge. The Committee met two time in 2005
and all committee members were in attendance. The Strategic Planning Committee
makes recommendations to the Board of Directors of priorities in the application
of Hemispherx's financial assets and human resources in the fields of research,
marketing and manufacturing. The Strategic Planning Committee has engaged a
number of leading consultants in healthcare, drug development and
pharmaeconomics to assist in the analysis of various products being developed
and/or potential acquisitions being considered by Hemispherx.
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Lead Director
In February 2006, the Company re-appointed Richard Piani as lead director. Mr.
Piani has been a director of the Company Since 1995. The lead director: (i)
presides at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present,
including executive sessions of the independent Directors; (ii) serves as
liaison between the Chairman and the independent Directors; (iii) approves
information sent to the Board; (iv) approves meeting agendas for the Board; (v)
approves meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for
discussion of all agenda items; (vi) has the authority to call meetings of the
independent Directors; and (vii) if requested by major shareholders, ensure that
he is available for consultation and direct communication.
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
Hemispherx's Board of Directors adopted a code of ethics and business conduct
for officers, directors and employees that went into effect on May 19, 2003.
This code has been presented and reviewed by each officer, director and
employee. You may obtain a copy of this code by visiting our web site at
www.hemispherx.net or by written request to our Office Administrator at 1617 JFK
Boulevard, Suite 660, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Our Board of Directors is required
to approve any waivers of the code of ethics and business conduct for Directors
or executive officers and we are required to disclose any such waiver in a
Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
In April 2005, the Board of Directors adopted a set of stock ownership
guidelines for Directors and officers. The Board believes that Directors and
officers more effectively represent the interest of Hemispherx's shareholders if
they are shareholders themselves. At this time, all of our Directors and
officers are shareholders and this guideline was adopted to assure that the
present Directors and officers continue to participate as well as future
Directors and officers. The full text of the Stock Ownership Guidelines, as
approved by the Board, are available on our website: www.hemispherx.net.
Communication with the Board of Directors
Interested parties wishing to contact the Board of Directors of the
Company may do so by writing to the following address: Board of Directors, c/o
Ransom W. Etheridge, Director, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel, 2610
Potters Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452. All letters received will be categorized
and processed by the Corporate Secretary and then forwarded to the Company's
Board or Directors.
Director Attendance at Annual Meetings of Shareholders
Directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. At the 2005 Annual Meeting, six of the six sitting
Directors were in attendance.
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INFORMATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following sets forth biographical information about Hemispherx's
executive officers and key personnel:
Name Age Position
William A. Carter, M.D. 68 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
R. Douglas Hulse 62 President
Robert E. Peterson 69 Chief Financial Officer
David R. Strayer, M.D. 60 Medical Director, Regulatory Affairs
Mei-June Liao, Ph.D. 55 Vice President of Regulatory Affairs,
Quality Control and Research and
Development
Robert Hansen 62 Vice President of Manufacturing
Carol A. Smith, Ph.D. 56 Director of Process Development
Ransom W. Etheridge 67 Secretary and General Counsel
For biographical information about William A. Carter, M.D. and Ransom
W. Etheridge, please see the discussion under the heading "Proposal No. 1
Election of Directors" below.
R. DOUGLAS HULSE was appointed our President and Chief Operating
Officer in February 2005. Mr. Hulse has been an executive director at The Sage
Group, Inc., an international organization providing senior level strategic
management services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, since 1995.
Mr. Hulse is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Princeton University with a cum laude
degree in chemistry and the holder of S.M. Degrees in both Management and
Chemical Engineering from M.I.T., he previously served as our Chief Operating
Officer in 1996 and 1997. Mr. Hulse devotes approximately 40 to 50% of his time
to our business.
ROBERT E. PETERSON has served as our Chief Financial Officer since
April, 1993 and served as an Independent Financial Advisor to us from 1989 to
April, 1993. Also, Mr. Peterson has served as Vice President of the Omni Group,
Inc., a business consulting group based in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 1985. From 1971
to 1984, Mr. Peterson worked for PepsiCo, Inc. and served in various financial
management positions including Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
PepsiCo Foods International and PepsiCo Transportation, Inc. Mr. Peterson is a
graduate of Eastern New Mexico University.
DAVID R. STRAYER, M.D. who served as Professor of Medicine at the
Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, has acted as our
Medical Director since 1986. He is Board Certified in Medical Oncology and
Internal Medicine with research interests in the fields of cancer and immune
system disorders. Dr. Strayer has served as principal investigator in studies
funded by the Leukemia Society of America, the American Cancer Society, and the
National Institutes of Health. Dr. Strayer attended the School of Medicine at
the University of California at Los Angeles where he received his M.D. in 1972.
9
MEI-JUNE LIAO, Ph.D. has served as Vice President of Regulatory
Affairs, Quality and Research & Development since October 2003 and as Vice
President of Research & Development since March 2003 with responsibilities for
the regulatory, quality control and product development of Alferon(R). Before
the acquisition of certain assets of ISI, Dr. Liao was Vice President of
Research and Development from 1995 to 2003 and held senior positions in the
Research and Development Department of ISI from 1983 to 1994. Dr. Liao received
her Ph.D. from Yale University in 1980 and completed a three year postdoctoral
appointment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the direction of
Nobel Laureate in Medicine, Professor H. Gobind Khorana. Dr. Liao has authored
many scientific publications and invention disclosures.
ROBERT HANSEN joined us as Vice President of Manufacturing in 2003 upon
the acquisition of certain assets of ISI. He is responsible for the manufacture
of Alferon N(R). Mr. Hansen had been Vice President of Manufacturing for ISI
since 1997, and served in various capacities in manufacturing since joining ISI
in 1987. He has a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University
in 1966.
CAROL A. SMITH, Ph.D. is Director of Process Development and has served
as our Director of Manufacturing and Process Development since April 1995, as
Director of Operations since 1993 and as the Manager of Quality Control from
1991 to 1993, with responsibility for the manufacture, control and chemistry of
Ampligen(R). Dr. Smith was Scientist/Quality Assurance Officer for Virotech
International, Inc. from 1989 to 1991 and Director of the Reverse Transcriptase
and Interferon Laboratories and a Clinical Monitor for Life Sciences, Inc. from
1983 to 1989. She received her Ph.D. from the University of South Florida
College of Medicine in 1980 and was an NIH post-doctoral fellow at the
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
We have employment agreements with certain of our executive officers
and have granted such officers and directors options and warrants to purchase
our common stock, as discussed under the headings "Executive Compensation" and
"Principal Stockholders" below.
Ransom W. Etheridge, our Secretary, General Counsel and one of our
directors, is an attorney in private practice, who renders corporate legal
services to us from time to time, for which he has received fees totaling
$88,000 in 2005. In addition, Mr. Etheridge serves on the Board of Directors for
which he received Director's Fees of cash and stock valued at $100,000 in 2005.
We loaned $60,000 to Ransom W. Etheridge in November, 2001 for the purpose of
exercising 15,000 class A redeemable warrants. This loan bore interest at 6% per
annum. This loan was granted prior to the enactment of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of
2002 prohibiting such transactions. In lieu of granting Mr. Etheridge a bonus
for outstanding legal work performed on behalf of the Company, the Board of
Directors forgave the loan and accrued interest on February 24, 2006.
We paid Retreat House, LLC, an entity in which the children of William
A. Carter have a beneficial interest, $54,400 for the use of it's retreat
property at various times in 2005.
We have engaged the Sage Group, Inc., a health care, technology
oriented, strategy and transaction advisory firm, to assist us in obtaining a
strategic alliance in Japan for the use of Ampligen(R) in treating Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Avian Flu. R. Douglas Hulse, our President and Chief
Operating Officer, is a member and an executive director of The Sage Group, Inc.
Please see "Employment and Change in Control Agreements" in "Executive
Compensation" below for more information.
10
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and Directors, and
persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of equity
securities, to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission
reflecting their initial position of ownership on Form 3 and changes in
ownership on Form 4 or Form 5. Based solely on a review of the copies of such
Forms received by us, we believe that, during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005, all of our officers, Directors and ten percent stockholders complied with
all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements on a timely basis.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The summary compensation table below sets forth the aggregate
compensation paid or accrued by us for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005,
2004 and 2003 to (i) our Chief Executive Officer and (ii) our five most highly
paid executive officers other than the CEO who were serving as executive
officers at the end of the last completed fiscal year and whose total annual
salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "Named Executives").
11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
--------------------------
Restricted Warrants & Options All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Stock Awards Awards Compensation (1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
William A. Carter 2005 (2) 623,330 -- (3) 645,000 $44,443
Chairman of the Board 2004 (2) 605,175 -- (4) 320,000 32,003
and CEO 2003 (2) 582,461 -- (5) 1,450,000 28,375
R. Douglas Hulse 2005 (6) $110,000 -- (6) 250,000 --
President and COO 2004 -- -- -- --
2003 -- -- -- --
Robert E. Peterson 2005 (7) 253,350 -- (8) 110,000 --
Chief Financial Officer 2004 (7) 221,242 -- (9) 63,824 --
2003 (7) 193,816 -- -- --
David R. Strayer, M.D. 2005 (10) 207,304 -- (11) 10,000 --
Medical Director 2004 180,394 -- (12) 10,000 --
2003 190,096 -- -- --
Carol A. Smith, Ph.D. 2005 138,697 -- (11) 10,000 --
Director of 2004 134,658 -- (12) 10,000 --
Process Development 2003 140,576 -- -- --
Mei-June Liao, Ph.D., 2005 153,470 -- (11) 10,000 --
V.P. of QualityControl 2004 149,000 -- (12) 10,000 --
2003 (13) 100,575 -- -- --
Robert Hansen 2005 135,968 -- (11) 10,000 --
V.P. of Manufacturing 2004 132,000 -- (12) 10,000 --
2003 (13) 104,500 -- -- --
----------
(1) Consists of insurance premiums paid by us with respect to term life and
disability insurance for the benefit of the named executive officer.
(2) Includes bonuses of $99,481, $121,035 and $124,666 in 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively.
(3) Consists of stock option grants to a) acquire 100,000 shares at $1.75 per
share, b) acquire 10,000 shares at $2.61 per share, c) acquire 70,000
shares at $2.87 and d) to acquire 465,000 shares at $1.86. In 2005, Dr.
Carter had 535,000 previously issued options expire.
12
(4) Consist of a stock option grant of 320,000 shares exercisable at $2.60 per
share.
(5) Represents warrants to purchase 1,450,000 shares of common stock
exercisable at $2.20 per share.
(6) Reflects compensation beginning February 2005. Stock options issued to
Sage Healthcare Advisors, LLC, pursuant to Mr. Hulse's employment
agreement. Mr. Hulse has direct interest in 41,667 of these options.
(7) 2003 includes a bonus of $37,830, 2004 includes a bonus of $44,248 and
2005 includes a bonus of $50,670.
(8) Reflects options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.75 and
10,000 shares at $2.61 per share.
(9) Consist of stock option grant of 50,000 shares exercisable at $3.44 per
share and 13,824 stock options to purchase common stock at $2.60 per
share.
(10) Includes a bonus of $30,000.
(11) Consists of stock options exercisable at $2.61 per share.
(12) Consists of stock option grant exercisable at $1.90 per share.
(13) Compensation from March 2005. Employed by ISI prior to that.
13
The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock
options and warrants granted during 2005 to the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table.
Individual Grants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number Of Percentage Of Potential Realizable Value At
Securities Total Options/ Assumed Rates Of Stock Price
Underlying Warrants Granted Appreciation For Options/Warrant
Options/ To Employees In Exercise Term
Warrants Fiscal Year Price Per Expiration -------------------------------
Name Granted 2005(1) Share (2) Date 5% (3) 10%(3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carter, W.A. 100,000 47.6 $1.75 4/26/15 $63,345 $126,690
70,000 2.87 12/9/15
10,000 2.61 12/8/15
465,000 1.86 7/1/11
Hulse, R.D.(4) 250,000 18.5 $1.55 2/14/15 20,000 40,000
Peterson, R. 100,000 8.1 $1.75 4/26/15 10,055 20,110
10,000 $2.61 12/8/15
Strayer, D. 10,000 * $2.61 12/8/15 1,300 2,600
Smith, C. 10,000 * $2.61 12/8/15 1,300 2,600
Liao, M. 10,000 * $2.61 12/8/15 1,300 2,600
Hansen, R. 10,000 * $2.61 12/8/15 1,300 2,600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Total stock options and warrants issued to employees in 2005 were
1,352,600.
(2) The exercise price is equal to the closing price of our common stock at
the date of issuance.
(3) Potential realizable value is based on an assumption that the market price
of the common stock appreciates at the stated rates compounded annually,
from the date of grant until the end of the respective option term. These
values are calculated based on requirements promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and do not reflect our estimate of future stock
price appreciation.
(4) Reflects compensation beginning February 2005. Stock options issued to
Sage Healthcare Advisors, LLC, pursuant to Mr. Hulse's employment
agreement. Mr. Hulse has direct interest in 41,567 of these options.
14
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the stock options
and warrants held as of December 31, 2005 by the individuals named in the above
Summary Compensation Table.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/WARRANT VALUE
----------------------------------------
Securities Underlying Value of Unexercised
Unexercised Warrants/Options In-the-Money-Option/Warrant At
at Fiscal Year End Numbers Fiscal Year End (1)
Dollars
Name Shares Value Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
Acquired on Realized ($)
Exercise (#)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Carter -- -- 5,515,378 (2) 257,500 (3) $313,650 $42,500
Robert Peterson -- -- 567,574 (4) 10,000 (5) 76,000 --
David Strayer -- -- 137,500 (6) 12,500 (7) 9,850 1,350
Carol Smith -- -- 49,291 (8) 12,500 (7) 4,750 1,350
Mei-June Liao -- -- 7,500 (9) 12,500 (7) 1,350 1,350
Robert Hansen -- -- 7,500 (9) 12,500 (7) 1,350 1,350
----------
(1) Computation based on $2.17, the December 31, 2005 closing bid price for
the common stock on the American Stock Exchange.
(2) Includes shares issuable upon the exercise of (i) warrants issued in 2001
to purchase 376,650 shares of common stock consisting of 188,325
exercisable at $6.00 per share and 188,325 exercisable at $9.00 per share,
all of which expired on February 22, 2006; (ii) stock options issued in
2001 to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $4.03 per share expiring
January 3, 2011; (iii) warrants issued in 2002 to purchase 750,000 shares
of common stock exercisable at $2.00 per share expiring on August 7, 2007;
(iv) warrants issued in 2003 to purchase 1,450,000 shares of common stock
exercisable at $2.20 per share expiring on September 8, 2008; (v) stock
options issued in 2004 to purchase 320,000 shares of common stock at $2.60
per share expiring on September 7, 2014; (vi) Stock Options issued in 2005
to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $1.75 per share expiring on
April 26, 2015; (vii) stock options issued in 2005 to purchase 465,000
shares of common stock at $1.86 per share expiring July 1, 2011; (viii)
stock options issued in 2005 to purchase 70,000 shares of common stock at
$2.87 per share expiring December 9, 2015; and (ix) stock options issued
in 2005 to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $2.61 per share
expiring Decemner 8, 2015. Also includes 1,963,728 warrants and options
originally issued to William A. Carter and subsequently transferred to
Carter Investments of which Dr. Carter is the beneficial owner. These
securities consist of warrants issued in 1998(a) to purchase 490,000
shares of common stock consisting of 190,000 exercisable at $4.00 per
share expiring on January 1, 2008 and 300,000 exercisable at $6.00 per
share that expired on January 1, 2006; (b)stock options granted in 1991
and extended in 1998 to purchase 73,728 shares of common stock exercisable
at $2.71 per share expiring on August 8, 2008 and (c)Warrants issued in
2002 to purchase 1,400,000 shares of common stock at $3.50 per share
expiring on September 30, 2007. The 376,650 warrants expired on February
22, 2006 and the 300,000 warrants that expired on January 1, 2006 were
replaced by the Board of Directors.
15
(3) Consists of (i) 250,000 warrants exercisable at $2.00 per share expiring
on August 13, 2007 and 7,500 stock options exercisable at $2.61 per share
expiring on December 8, 2015.
(4) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of (i) options issued in 1997 to
purchase 13,750 shares of common stock at $3.50 per share and expiring on
January 22, 2007, (ii) options issued in 2001 to purchase 10,000 shares of
common stock at $4.03 per share and expiring on January 3, 2011, (iii)
warrants issued in 2002 to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at
$2.00 per share expiring on August 13, 2007; and (iv) options issued in
2005 to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $1.75 per share
expiring April 26, 2015. Also includes 243,824 warrants/options originally
issued to Robert E. Peterson and subsequently transferred to the Robert E.
Peterson Trust of which Robert E. Peterson is owner and Trustee. These
securities include options issued in 1996 to purchase 50,000 shares of
common stock exercisable at $3.50 per share and expired on February 28,
2006; warrants issued in 1998 to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock
at $5.00 per share expiring on April 14, 2006; warrants issued in 2002 to
purchase 30,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $5.00 per share
expiring on April 30, 2006 and 63,824 stock options issued in 2004
consisting of 50,000 options to acquire common stock at $3.44 per share
expiring on June 22, 2014 and 13,824 options to acquire common stock at
$2.60 per share expiring on September 7, 2014. The 50,000 options that
expired on February 28, 2006 were replaced by the Board of Directors
(refer to "Principal Stockholders" below).
(5) Consists of 10,000 options issued in 2005 exercisable at $2.61 per share.
(6) Consists of (i) 50,000 warrants exercisable at $2.00 per share expiring on
August 13, 2007, (ii) 50,000 warrants exercisable at $4.00 per share
expiring on February 28, 2008, (iii) 10,000 stock options exercisable at
$4.03 expiring on January 3, 2011; (iv) 20,000 stock options exercisable
at $3.50 per share expiring on January 22, 2007; and (v) 10,000 stock
options exercisable at $1.90 per share expiring on December 7, 2014 and
10,000 stock options exercisable at $2.61 per share expiring on December
8, 2015.
(7) Consists of 5,000 stock options exercisable at $1.90 per share expiring on
December 7, 2014 and 7,500 stock options exercisable at $2.61 per share
expiring on December 8, 2015.
(8) Consists of (i) 20,000 warrants exercisable at $2.00 per share expiring on
August 13, 2007, (ii) 5,000 warrants exercisable at $4.00 per share
expiring on June 7, 2008, (iii) 10,000 stock options exercisable at $4.03
per share expiring on January 3, 2016; (iv) 6,791 stock options
exercisable at $3.50 per share expiring on January 22, 2007; and (v) 5,000
stock options exercisable at $1.90 per share expiring on December 7, 2014
and 2,500 stock options exercisable at $2.61 per share expiring on
December 8, 2015.
(9) Consists of 5,000 options to purchase common stock at $1.90 per share
expiring on December 7, 2014 and 2,500 stock options exercisable at $2.61
per share expiring on December 8, 2015.
16
Employment and Change in Control Agreements
On March 11, 2005, our board of directors, at the recommendation of the
Compensation Committee, approved an amended and restated employment agreement
and an amended and restated engagement agreement with Dr. William A. Carter.
The amended and restated employment agreement provides for Dr. Carter's
employment as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer until
December 31, 2010 unless sooner terminated for cause or disability. The
agreement automatically renews for successive one year periods after the initial
termination date unless we or Dr. Carter give written notice otherwise at least
ninety days prior to the termination date or any renewal period. Dr. Carter has
the right to terminate the agreement on 30 days' prior written notice. The
initial base salary retroactive to January 1, 2005 is $290,888, subject to
adjustment based on the average increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index
for the prior year. In addition, Dr. Carter could receive an annual performance
bonus of up to 25% of his base salary, at the sole discretion of the
Compensation Committee of the board of directors, based on his performance or
our operating results. Dr. Carter will not participate in any discussions
concerning the determination of his annual bonus. Dr. Carter is also entitled to
an incentive bonus of 0.5% of the gross proceeds received by us from any joint
venture or corporate partnering arrangement. Dr. Carter's agreement also
provides that he be paid a base salary and benefits through the last day of the
then term of the agreement if he is terminated without "cause", as that term is
defined in agreement. In addition, should Dr. Carter terminate the agreement or
the agreement be terminated due to his death or disability, the agreement
provides that Dr Carter be paid a base salary and benefits through the last day
of the month in which the termination occurred and for an additional twelve
month period. Pursuant to his original agreement, Dr. Carter was granted options
to purchase 73,728 (post split) shares in 1991. The exercise period of these
options is extended through December 31, 2010 and, should Dr. Carter's
employment agreement be extended beyond that date, the option exercise period is
further extended to the last day of the extended employment period.
The amended and restated engagement agreement, retroactive to January
1, 2005, provides for our engagement of Dr. Carter as a consultant related to
patent development, as one of our directors and as chairman of the Executive
Committee of our board of directors until December 31, 2010 unless sooner
terminated for cause or disability. The agreement automatically renews for
successive one year periods after the initial termination date or any renewal
period. Dr. Carter has the right to terminate the agreement on 30 days' prior
written notice. The initial base fee as of January 1, 2004 is $207,777, subject
to annual adjustments equal to the percentage increase or decrease of annual
dollar value of directors' fees provided to our directors during the prior year.
The annual fee is further subject to adjustment based on the average increase or
decrease in the Consumer Price Index for the prior year. In addition, Dr. Carter
could receive an annual performance bonus of up to 25% of his base fee, at the
sole direction of the Compensation Committee of the board of directors, based on
his performance. Dr. Carter will not participate in any discussions concerning
the determination of this annual bonus. Dr. Carter's agreement also provides
that he be paid his base fee through the last day of the then term of the
agreement if he is terminated without "cause", as that term is defined in the
agreement. In addition, should Dr. Carter terminate the agreement or the
agreement be terminated due to his death or disability, the agreement provides
that Dr. Carter be paid fees due him through the last day of the month in which
the termination occurred and for an additional twelve month period.
17
On February 14, 2005 we entered into an agreement with The Sage Group
of Branchburg, New Jersey for R. Douglas Hulse, an Executive Director of The
Sage Group, to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of our company. In
addition, other Sage Group principals and Senior Directors will be made
available to assist as needed. The engagement is expected to continue for a
period of 18 months; however, it is terminable on 30 days written notice by
either party after 12 months. Compensation for the services include a ten year
warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$1.55. These warrants are to be issued to Sage Healthcare Advisors, LLC and are
to vest at the rate of 12,500 per month of the engagement with 25,000 vesting
upon completion of the eighteenth month. Vesting accelerates in the event of a
merger or a purchase of a majority of our assets or equity. The Sage Group also
is to receive a monthly retainer of $10,000 for the period of the engagement. In
addition, for each calendar year (or part thereof) during which the agreement is
in effect, The Sage Group will be entitled to an incentive bonus in an amount
equal to 0.5% of the gross proceeds received by us during such year from any
joint ventures or corporate partnering arrangements. After termination of the
agreement, The Sage Group will only be entitled to receive the incentive bonus
based upon gross proceeds received by us during the two year period commencing
on the termination of the agreement with respect to any joint ventures or
corporate partnering arrangements entered into by us during the term of the
agreement. Mr. Hulse will devote approximately two to two and one half days per
week to our business.
We entered into an engagement agreement, retroactive to January 1,
2005, with Ransom W. Etheridge which provides for Mr. Etheridge's engagement as
our General Counsel until December 31, 2009 unless sooner terminated for cause
or disability. The agreement automatically renews for successive one year
periods after the initial termination date unless we or Mr. Etheridge give
written notice otherwise at least ninety days prior to the termination date or
any renewal period. Mr. Etheridge has the right to terminate the agreement on 30
days' prior written notice. The initial annual fee for services is $96,000 and
is annually subject to adjustment based on the average increase or decrease in
the Consumer Price Index for the prior year. Mr. Etheridge's agreement also
provides that he be paid all fees through the last day of then current term of
the agreement if he is terminated without "cause" as that term is defined in the
agreement. In addition, should Mr. Etheridge terminate the agreement or the
agreement be terminated due to his death or disability, the agreement provides
that Mr. Etheridge be paid the fees due him through the last day of the month in
which the termination occurred and for an additional twelve month period. Mr.
Etheridge will devote approximately 85% of his business time to our business.
We entered into an amended and restated engagement agreement,
retroactive to January 1, 2005, with Robert E. Peterson which provides for Mr.
Peterson's engagement as our Chief Financial Officer until December 31, 2010
unless sooner terminated for cause or disability. Mr. Peterson has the right to
terminate the agreement on 30 days' prior written notice. The initial annual fee
for services is $202,680 and is annually subject to increases based on the
average increase in the cost of inflation index for the prior year. Mr. Peterson
shall receive an annual bonus in each year that our Chief Executive Officer is
granted a bonus. The bonus shall equal a percentage of Mr. Peterson's base
annual compensation comparable to the percentage bonus received by the Chief
Executive Officer. In addition, Mr. Peterson shall receive bonus compensation
upon Federal Drug Administration approval of commercial application of
Ampligen(R). Mr. Peterson's agreement also provides that he be paid all fees
through the last day of then current term of the agreement if he is terminated
without "cause" as that term is defined in the agreement. In addition, should
Mr. Peterson terminate the agreement or the agreement be terminated due to his
death or disability, the agreement provides that Mr. Peterson be paid the fees
due him through the last day of the month in which the termination occurred and
for an additional twelve month period. Mr. Peterson will devote approximately
85% of his business time to our business.
18
On March 11, 2005 the Board of Directors, deeming it essential to the
best interests of our shareholders to foster the continuous engagement of key
management personnel and recognizing that, as is the case with many publicly
held corporations, a change of control might occur and that such possibility,
and the uncertainty and questions which it might raise among management, might
result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment
of our company and our shareholders, determined to reinforce and encourage the
continued attention and dedication of members of our management to their
engagement without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing
circumstances arising from the possibility of a change in control of our company
and entered into identical agreements regarding change in control with William
A. Carter, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, Robert E.
Peterson, our Chief Financial Officer and Ransom W. Etheridge, our General
Counsel. Each of the agreements regarding change in control became effective
March 11, 2005 and continue through December 31, 2007 and shall extend
automatically to the third anniversary thereof unless we give notice to the
other party prior to the date of such extension that the agreement term will not
be extended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a change in control occurs during
the term of the agreements, the term of the agreements will continue through the
second anniversary of the date on which the change in control occurred. Each of
the agreements entitles William A. Carter, Robert E. Peterson and Ransom W.
Etheridge, respectively, to change of control benefits, as defined in the
agreements and summarized below, upon their respective termination of
employment/engagement with our company during a potential change in control, as
defined in the agreements or after a change in control, as defined in the
agreements, when their respective terminations are caused (1) by us for any
reason other than permanent disability or cause, as defined in the agreement (2)
by William A. Carter, Robert E. Peterson and/or Ransom W. Etheridge,
respectively, for good reason as defined in the agreement or, (3) by William A.
Carter, Robert E. Peterson and/or Ransom W. Etheridge, respectively for any
reason during the 30 day period commencing on the first date which is six months
after the date of the change in control.
The benefits for each of the foregoing executives would be as follows:
o A lump sum cash payment of three times his base salary and annual
bonus amounts; and
o Outplacement benefits.
Each agreement also provides that the executive is entitled to a "gross-up"
payment to make him whole for any federal excise tax imposed on change of
control or severance payments received by him. Dr. Carter's agreement also
provides for the following benefits:
o Continued insurance coverage through the third anniversary of his
termination; and
o Retirement benefits computed as if he had continued to work for the
above period.
Compensation of Directors
The compensation package for Non-Employee Members of the Board of
Directors was changed on September 9, 2003. Board member compensation consists
of an annual retainer of $100,000 to be paid 50% in cash and 50% in our common
stock. On September 9, 2003 the Directors approved a 10 year plan which
authorizes up to 1,000,000 shares for use in supporting this compensation plan.
The number of shares paid shall have an aggregate value of $12,500 with the
value of each of the shares being determined by the closing price of our common
stock on the American Stock Exchange on the last day of the preceding quarter.
All directors have been granted options to purchase common stock under our Stock
Option Plans and/or Warrants to purchase common stock. We believe such
compensation and payments are necessary in order for us to attract and retain
qualified outside directors.
2004 Equity Incentive Plan
Our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan ("2004 Plan") provides for the grant of
non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted
stock and other stock awards to our employees, directors, officers, consultants
and advisors for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of
common stock. The 2004 plan is administered by the board of directors, which has
complete discretion to select eligible individuals to receive and to establish
the terms of grants under the plan. Stock options awarded under the Equity
Incentive Plan may be exercisable at such times (not later than 10 years after
the date of grant) and at such exercise prices (not less than fair market value
at the date of grant) as the Board may determine. The Board may provide for
options to become immediately exercisable upon a "change in control" as defined
in the plan. The number of shares of common stock available for grant under the
2004 Plan is subject to adjustment for changes in capitalization. As of December
31, 2005, 5,714,320 shares were available for grants under the 2004 Plan. Unless
sooner terminated, the Equity Incentive Plan will continue in effect for a
period of 10 years from its effective date
19
1990 Stock Option Plan
Our 1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended ("1990 Plan"), provides for the
grant of options to our employees, directors, officers, consultants and advisors
for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 460,798 shares of common stock. The
1990 plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of
directors, which has complete discretion to select eligible individuals to
receive and to establish the terms of option grants. The number of shares of
common stock available for grant under the 1990 Plan is subject to adjustment
for changes in capitalization. As of December 31, 2005, 18,881 options were
available for grants under the 1990 plan. This plan remains in effect until
terminated by the Board of Directors or until all options are issued.
401(K) Plan
In December 1995, we established a defined contribution plan, effective
January 1, 1995, entitled the Hemispherx Biopharma employees 401(K) Plan and
Trust Agreement. All of our full time employees are eligible to participate in
the 401(K) plan following one year of employment. Subject to certain limitations
imposed by federal tax laws, participants are eligible to contribute up to 15%
of their salary (including bonuses and/or commissions) per annum. Participants'
contributions to the 401(K) plan may be matched by Hemispherx at a rate
determined annually by the board of directors. Each participant immediately
vests in his or her deferred salary contributions, while our contributions will
vest over one year. See note (12) to the financial statements.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Our Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of the
Committee Chairman, , Richard Piani, William Mitchell, M.D. and Dr. Iraj E.
Kiani and are Independent Directors. There are no interlocking relationships.
Compensation Committee Report on Compensation
The Compensation Committee makes recommendations concerning salaries
and compensation for our employees and consultants.
The following report of the compensation committee discusses our
executive compensation policies and the basis of the compensation paid to our
executive officers in 2005.
In general, the compensation committee seeks to link the compensation
paid to each executive officer to the experience and performance of such
executive officer. Within these parameters, the executive compensation program
attempts to provide an overall level of executive compensation that is
competitive with companies of comparable size and with similar market and
operating characteristics.
20
There are three elements in our executive total compensation program,
all determined by individual and corporate performance as specified in the
various employment agreements; base salary, annual incentive, and long-term
incentives.
Base Salary
The Summary Compensation Table shows amounts earned during 2005 by our
executive officers. The base compensation of such executive officers is set by
terms of the employment agreement entered into with each such executive officer.
We established the base salaries for Chief Executive Officer, Dr. William A.
Carter under an employment agreement in December 3, 1998 (as amended and
restated on March 11, 2005), which provides for a base salary of $290,888. In
addition, we entered into an agreement with Dr. Carter for his services as a
consultant related to patent development, development of patents and as a member
of our Board of Directors. This agreement establishes a base annual fee of
$207,777. Both agreements are subject to annual cost of living adjustments. Dr.
Carter is entitled to an annual performance bonus of up to 25% of the base
salary of each agreement at the discretion of the compensation committee of the
Board of Directors.
On March 11, 2005, we entered into an extended engagement agreement
with Robert E. Peterson, Chief Financial Officer retroactive to January 1, 2005
for a base annual fee of $202,680 until December 31, 2010. Mr. Peterson's
agreement allows for annual cost of living increases and a performance bonus.
On March 11, 2005, we entered into an engagement agreement with Ransom
W. Etheridge, Corporate General Counsel, retroactive to January 1, 2005 for an
annual fee of $96,000 until December 31, 2009.
Annual Incentive
Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer are
entitled to an annual incentive bonus as determined by the compensation
committee based on such executive officers' performance during the previous
calendar year. The cash bonus awarded to our Chief Executive Officer in 2004 and
2005 and the cash bonus awarded to the Chief Financial Officer in 2004 and 2005
were determined based on this provision in their employment agreements.
Long-Term Incentives
We grant long-term incentive awards periodically to align a significant
portion of the executive compensation program with stockholder interest over the
long-term through encouraging and facilitating executive stock ownership.
Executives are eligible to participate in our incentive stock option plans. Our
Chief Executive Officer and President, Dr. William Carter, received a grant of
645,000 stock options in 2005 of which 535,000 were issued to replace options
previously awarded that expired. These options are exercisable at rates varying
from $1.75 to $2.87 per share. The options vested on the date of grant.
On April 26, 2005, our Chief Financial Officer, Robert E. Peterson, was
granted 100,000 stock options exercisable at $1.75 per share expiring on April
26, 2015 unless previously exercised. On December 8, 2005 Mr. Peterson was
granted 10,000 stock options exercisable at $2.61 per share expiring on December
8, 2015.
Ransom W. Etheridge, our Corporate Secretary and General Counsel, was
awarded 100,000 stock options on April 26, 2005 exercisable at $1.75 per share
expiring April 26, 2015, unless previously exercised.
21
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
The Summary Compensation Table shows that during the year 2005 the
Company's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. William A. Carter, earned $623,330 in
base compensation pursuant to the terms of his employment and engagement
agreements.
The Compensation Committee believes that Dr. Carter's total
compensation is consistent with the median compensation for CEO's in comparable
companies. Factors reviewed by the Compensation Committee's assessment of the
Company's and the CEO's performance includes individual performance, growth in
revenue and expense management and implementation of the Company's business
strategy.
Compliance With Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).
One of the factors the Compensation Committee considers in connection
with compensation matters is the anticipated tax treatment to Hemispherx and to
the executives of the compensation arrangements. The deductibility of certain
types of compensation depends upon the timing of an executive's vesting in, or
exercise of, previously granted rights. Moreover, interpretation of, and changes
in, the tax laws and other factors beyond the Compensation Committee's control
also affect the deductibility of compensation. Accordingly, the Compensation
Committee will not necessarily limit executive compensation to that deductible
under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Compensation Committee will consider
various alternatives to preserving the deductibility of compensation payments
and benefits to the extent consistent with its other compensation objectives.
This report submitted by the Compensation
Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.
Richard C. Piani
Dr. William M. Mitchell
Dr. Iraj-Eqhbal Kiani
22
COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return for
the Company's common stock since December 31, 2000 to the cumulative total
returns of (i) the Standard & Poor's Smallcap 600 Index and (ii) a peer group
index for the same period, assuming an investment of $100 in each of the
Company's common stock, the Standard & Poor's Smallcap 600 Index and the peer
group index.
Peer Group Companies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVI BIOPHARMA INC
IMMUNE RESPONSE CORP/DE
LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL CO
MAXIM PHARMACEUTICALS INC
[SHAREHOLDER RETURN CHART OMITTED]
23
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JAN. 1, 2000
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2005
Total Return to Shareholders
(Includes reinvestment of dividends)
ANNUAL RETURN PERCENTAGE
Years Ending
Company Name / Index Dec01 Dec02 Dec03 Dec04 Dec05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA INC -5.26 -52.67 -6.10 -15.93 -14.21
S&P 600 INDEX 6.54 -14.63 38.79 22.65 7.68
PEER GROUP 48.39 -45.76 5.33 -52.63 -41.59
INDEXED RETURNS
Base Years Ending
Period
Company Name / Index Dec00 Dec01 Dec02 Dec03 Dec04 Dec05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA INC 100 94.74 44.84 47.58 40.00 45.68
S&P 600 INDEX 100 106.54 90.95 126.23 154.82 166.71
PEER GROUP 100 148.39 80.49 84.78 40.16 23.46
24
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth as of July 28, 2006, the number and
percentage of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially owned by:
o Each person, individually or as a group, known to us to be
deemed the beneficial owners of five percent or more of our
issued and outstanding common stock;
o each of our directors and the Named Executives; and
o all of our officers and directors as a group.
As of July 28, 2006, there were no other persons, individually or as a
group, known to the Hemispherx to be deemed the beneficial owners of five
percent or more of the issued and outstanding common stock.
% Of Shares
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Shares Beneficially Owned Beneficially Owned
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William A. Carter, M.D. 6,272,868 (1) 9.2
Robert E. Peterson 585,574 (2) *
Ransom W. Etheridge 648,953 (3) 1.0
2610 Potters Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Richard C. Piani 453,995 (4) *
97 Rue Jeans-Jaures
Levaillois-Perret
France 92300
Doug Hulse 131,067 (5) *
Sage Group, Inc.
3322 Route 22 West
Building 2, Suite 201
Branchburg, NJ 08876
William M. Mitchell, M.D. 404,277 (6) *
Vanderbilt University
Department of Pathology
Medical Center North
21st and Garland
Nashville, TN 37232
David R. Strayer, M.D. 160,746 (7) *
Carol A. Smith, Ph.D. 61,791 (8) *
Iraj-Eqhbal Kiani, Ph.D. 113,523 (9) *
Orange County Immune Institute
18800 Delaware Street
Huntingdon Beach, CA 92648
Steven Spence 202,804 (10) *
Mei-June Liao, Ph.D. 20,000 (11) *
Robert Hansen 20,000 (11) *
All directors and executive
officers as a group
(12 persons) 9,075,598 12.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25
* Less than 1%
(1) Includes shares issuable upon the exercise of (i) replacement options
issued in 2006 to purchase 376,650 shares of common stock exercisable at
$3.78 per share expiring on February 22, 2016; (ii) stock options issued
in 2001 to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $4.03 per share
expiring January 3, 2011; (iii) warrants issued in 2002 to purchase
1,000,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $2.00 per share expiring
on August 7, 2007; (iv) warrants issued in 2003 to purchase 1,450,000
shares of common stock exercisable at $2.20 per share expiring on
September 8, 2008; (v) stock options issued in 2004 to purchase 320,000
shares of common stock at $2.60 per share expiring on September 7, 2014;
(vi) Stock Options issued in 2005 to purchase 100,000 shares of common
stock at $1.75 per share expiring on April 26, 2015; (vii) Stock options
issued in 2005 to purchase 465,000 shares of common stock at $1.86 per
share expiring July 1, 2011; and (viii) stock options issued in 2005 to
purchase 70,000 shares of Common Stock at $2.87 per share expiring
December 9, 2015; (ix) stock options issued in 2005 to purchase 10,000
shares of Common Stock at $2.61 per share expiring December 8, 2015; and
(x) 507,490 shares of Common Stock. Also includes 1,963,728 warrants and
options originally issued to William A. Carter and subsequently
transferred to Carter Investments of which Dr. Carter is the beneficial
owner. These securities consist of warrants issued in 1998(a) to purchase
490,000 shares of common stock consisting of 190,000 exercisable at $4.00
per share expiring on January 1, 2008 and 300,000 exercisable at $2.38 per
share expiring January 1, 2016; (b)stock options granted in 1991 and
extended in 1998 to purchase 73,728 shares of common stock exercisable at
$2.71 per share expiring on August 8, 2008 and (c)Warrants issued in 2002
to purchase 1,400,000 shares of common stock at $3.50 per share expiring
on September 30, 2007.
(2) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of (i) options issued in 1997 to
purchase 13,750 shares of common stock at $3.50 per share and expiring on
January 22, 2007; (ii) options issued in 2001 to purchase 10,000 shares of
common stock at $4.03 per share and expiring on January 3, 2011; (iii)
warrants issued in 2002 to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at
$2.00 per share expiring on August 13, 2007; (iv) options issued in 2005
to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $1.75 per share expiring
April 26, 2015; (v) options issued in 2005 to purchase 10,000 shares of
Common Stock at $2.61 per share expiring December 8, 2015; and (vi) 8,000
shares of Common Stock. Also includes 243,824 warrants/options originally
issued to Robert E. Peterson and subsequently transferred to the Robert E.
Peterson Trust of which Robert E. Peterson is owner and Trustee. These
securities include options issued in 2006 to purchase 50,000 shares of
common stock exercisable at $3.85 per share expiring on February 28, 2016;
replacement options issued in 2006 to purchase 100,000 shares of common
stock at $3.48 per share expiring on April 14, 2016; replacement options
issued in 2006 to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock exercisable at
$3.55 per share expiring on April 30, 2016 and 50,000 stock options issued
in 2004 consisting of 50,000 options to acquire common stock at $3.44 per
share expiring on June 22, 2014 and 13,824 options to acquire common stock
at $2.60 per share expiring on September 7, 2014.
(3) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of (i) 20,000 warrants issued in
1998 to purchase common stock at $4.00 per share, originally expiring on
January 1, 2003 and extended to January 1, 2008; (ii) 100,000 warrants
issued in 2002 exercisable $2.00 per share expiring on August 13, 2007;
(iii) stock options issued in 2005 to purchase 100,000 shares of common
stock exercisable at $1.75 per share expiring on April 26, 2015; and(iv)
stock options issued in 2004 to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock
exercisable at $2.60 per share expiring on September 7, 2014; (v) stock
options issued in 2006 to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock
exercisable at $3.86 per share expiring February 24, 2006 and (vi) 128,953
shares of common stock. Also includes 200,000 stock options originally
granted to Ransom Etheridge in 2003 and subsequently transferred to
relatives and family trusts. These stock options are exercisable at $2.75
per share and expires on December 4, 2013. The transfers consist of 37,500
options to Julianne Inglima; 37,500 options to Thomas Inglima; 37,500
options to R. Etheridge-BMI Trust; and 37,500 options to R. Etheridge-TCI
Trust and 50,000 options to the Family Trust. Julianne and Thomas are Mr.
Etheridge's daughter and son-in-law.
26
(4) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of (i) 20,000 warrants issued in
1998 to purchase common stock at $4.00 per share originally expiring on
January 1, 2005 and extended to January 1, 2008; (ii) 100,000 warrants
issued in 2003 exercisable at $2.00 per share expiring on August 13, 2007;
(iii)options granted in 2004 to purchase 54,608 shares of common stock
exercisable at $2.60 per share expiring on September 17, 2014; (iv)
options granted in 2005 to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock
exercisable at $1.75 per share expiring on April 26, 2015; (v) stock
options issued in 2006 to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock
exercisable at $3.86 per share expiring February 24, 2006; (vi) 111,487
shares of common stock owned by Mr. Piani; vii) 12,900 shares of common
stock owned jointly by Mr. and Mrs. Piani; and (viii) and 5,000 shares of
common stock owned by Mrs. Piani.
(5) Consists of 41,667 options exercisable at $1.55 per share expiring
February 14, 2015. Shares owned includes 89,400 shares of common stock in
which Mr. Hulse has an undivided interest. These shares are held by Sage
Healthcare Advisors, LLC of which Mr. Hulse is a principal.
(6) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of (i) warrants issued in 1998 to
purchase 12,000 shares of common stock at $6.00 per share, expiring on
August 25, 2008; (ii) 100,000 warrants issued in 2002 exercisable at $2.00
per share expiring on August 13, 2007; (iii) 50,000 stock options issued
in 2004 exercisable at $2.60 per share expiring on September 7, 2014; (iv)
100,000 stock options issued in 2005 exercisable at $1.75 per share
expiring on April 26, 2015; (v) stock options issued in 2006 to purchase
50,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $3.86 per share expiring
February 24, 2006; and (vi) 92,277 shares of common stock.
(7) (i) stock options issued in 1997 to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock
at $3.50 per share expiring on February 22, 2007; (ii) warrants issued in
1998 to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $4.00 per
share expiring on February 28, 2008; (iii) stock options granted in 2001
to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $4.03 per share
expiring on January 3, 2011; (iv) warrants issued in 2002 to purchase
50,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $2.00 per share expiring on
August 13, 2007; (v) stock options issued in 2004 to purchase 10,000
shares of common stock exercisable at $1.90 per share expiring on December
7, 2014; (vi) stock options issued in 2005 to purchase 10,000 shares of
Common Stock at $2.61 per share expiring December 8, 2015 and (vii) 10,746
shares of common stock.
(8) Consists of shares issuable upon exercise of(i) 5,000 warrants issued in
1998 to purchase common stock at $4.00 per share expiring June 7, 2008;
(ii) 20,000 warrants issued in 2002 exercisable at $2.00 per share
expiring in August 13, 2007; (iii) 6,791 stock options issued in 1997
exercisable at $3.50 expiring January 22, 2007; (iv) 10,000 stock options
issued in 2001 exercisable at $4.03 per share expiring January 3, 2011;
(v) 10,000 stock options issued in 2004 exercisable at $1.90 expiring on
December 7, 2014; and 10,000 stock options issued in 2005 to purchase
Common Stock at $2.61 per share expiring December 8, 2015.
(9) Consists of shares issuable upon exercise of (i) 12,000 options issued in
2005 exercisable at $1.63 per share expiring on June 2, 2015; (ii) 15,000
options issued in 2005 exercisable at $1.75 per share expiring on April
26, 2015; (iii) stock options issued in 2006 to purchase 50,000 shares of
common stock exercisable at $3.86 per share expiring February 24, 2006;
and (iv) 36,523 shares of common stock.
27
(10) Consists of 15,000 stock options granted in 2005 exercisable at $1.75 per
share expiring on April 26, 2015; stock options issued in 2006 to purchase
50,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $3.86 per share expiring
February 24, 2006; and 137,804 shares of common stock.
(11) Consists of 10,000 stock options granted in 2004 exercisable at $1.90 per
share of common stock expiring on December 7, 2014; and 10,000 stock
options issued in 2005 to purchase Common Stock at $2.61 per share
expiring December 8, 2015.
28
PROPOSALS TO STOCKHOLDERS
-------------------------
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Each nominee to the Board of Directors will serve until the next annual
meeting of stockholders, or until his earlier resignation, removal from office,
death or incapacity.
Unless otherwise specified, the enclosed proxy will be voted in favor
of the election of William A. Carter, Richard C. Piani, Ransom W. Etheridge,
William M. Mitchell, Iraj-Eqhbal Kiani, and Steven D. Spence. Information is
furnished below with respect to all nominees.
Set forth below is the biographical information of the nominees and
Directors of Hemispherx:
WILLIAM A. CARTER, M.D., 68, the co-inventor of Ampligen, joined Hemispherx in
1978, and has served as: (a) Hemispherx's Chief Scientific Officer since May
1989; (b) the Chairman of Hemispherx's Board of Directors since January 1992;
(c) Hemispherx's Chief Executive Officer since July 1993; (d) Hemispherx's
President from April 1995 to February 2005; and (e) a director since 1987. From
1987 to 1988, Dr. Carter served as Hemispherx's Chairman. Dr. Carter was a
leading innovator in the development of human interferon for a variety of
treatment indications including various viral diseases and cancer. Dr. Carter
received the first FDA approval to initiate clinical trials on beta interferon
product manufactured in the U.S. under his supervision. From 1985 to October
1988, Dr. Carter served as Hemispherx's Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Scientist. He received his M.D. degree from Duke University and underwent his
post-doctoral training at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins
University. Dr. Carter also served as Professor of Noeplastic Diseases at
Hahnemann Medical University, a position he held from 1980 to 1998. Dr. Carter
served as Director of Clinical Research for Hahnemann Medical University
Institute for Cancer and Blood Diseases, and as a professor at Johns Hopkins
School of Medicine and the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Carter
is a Board certified physician and author of more than 200 scientific articles,
including the editing of various textbooks on anti-viral and immune therapy.
RICHARD C. PIANI, 79, has been a director of Hemispherx since May 1995. Mr.
Piani was employed as a principal delegate for Industry to the City of Science
and Industry, Paris, France, a scientific and educational complex, from 1985
through 2000. Mr. Piani provided consulting to Hemispherx in 1993, with respect
to general business strategies for Hemispherx's European operations and markets.
Mr. Piani served as Chairman of Industrielle du Batiment-Morin, a building
materials corporation, from 1986 to 1993. Previously Mr. Piani was a Professor
of International Strategy at Paris Dauphine University from 1984 to 1993. From
1979 to 1985, Mr. Piani served as Group Director in Charge of International and
Commercial Affairs for Rhone-Poulenc and from 1973 to 1979 he was Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Societe "La Cellophane", the French company which
invented cellophane and several other worldwide products. Mr. Piani has a Law
degree from Faculte de Droit, Paris Sorbonne and a Business Administration
degree from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, Paris.
RANSOM W. ETHERIDGE, 67, has been a director of Hemispherx since October 1997,
and presently serves as our secretary and general counsel. Mr. Etheridge first
became associated with Hemispherx in 1980 when he provided consulting services
to Hemispherx and participated in negotiations with respect to Hemispherx's
initial private placement through Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Mr. Etheridge has been
practicing law since 1967, specializing in transactional law. Mr. Etheridge is a
member of the Virginia State Bar, a Judicial Remedies Award Scholar and has
served as President of the Tidewater Arthritis Foundation. He is a graduate of
Duke University and the University of Richmond School of Law.
29
WILLIAM M. MITCHELL, M.D., 71, has been a director since July 1998. Dr. Mitchell
is a Professor of Pathology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Dr.
Mitchell earned an M.D. from Vanderbilt and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins
University, where he served as an Intern in Internal Medicine, followed by a
Fellowship at its School of Medicine. Dr. Mitchell has published over 200
papers, reviews and abstracts dealing with viruses and anti-viral drugs. Dr.
Mitchell has worked for and with many professional societies, including the
International Society for Interferon Research, and committees, among them the
National Institutes of Health, AIDS and Related Research Review Group. Dr.
Mitchell previously served as a director of Hemispherx from 1987 to 1989.
IRAJ-EQHBAL KIANI, M.B.A., PH.D., 60, was appointed to the Board of Directors on
May 1, 2002. Dr. Kiani is a citizen of England and resides in Newport,
California. As a native of Iran, Dr. Kiani served in various local government
positions including the Governor of Yasoi, Capital of Boyerahmad, Iran. In 1980,
Dr. Kiani moved to England, where he established and managed several trading
companies over a period of some 20 years. Dr. Kiani is an international planning
and logistic specialist. Dr. Kiani received his Ph.D. degree from the University
of Warwick in England.
STEVEN D. SPENCE, 47, was appointed to the Board of Directors in March 2005. Mr.
Spence is currently Managing Partner of Valued Ventures, a consultancy Mr.
Spence founded in 2003 to foster the development of micro and small cap
companies. For the six years prior to founding Valued Ventures, Mr. Spence
performed the duties as Managing Director at Merrill Lynch. Prior to his tenure
as Managing Director, Mr. Spence has held several high-ranking management
positions within Merrill Lynch including Chief Operating Officer for the
Security Services Division, Global Head of the Broker Dealer Security Services
Division, and Global Head of Financial Futures and Options. Mr. Spence is a
graduate of Columbia University in New York City.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 1 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
HEMISPHERx AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL SIX OF THE
ABOVE-NAMED NOMINEE DIRECTORS OF HEMISPHERX.
30
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee,
has appointed the firm of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent registered public
accountants of Hemispherx for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 subject
to ratification by the stockholders. BDO Seidman, LLP has served as Hemispherx's
independent auditors since June 2000.
At the Annual Stockholder's Meeting on June 22, 2005, and pursuant to
the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors,
stockholders ratified the appointment of the firm of BDO Seidman, LLP, as
independent accountants, to audit the financial statements of the Company for
the year end December 31, 2005.
All audit and professional services provided by BDO Seidman, LLP are
approved by the Audit Committee. The total fees billed by BDO Seidman, LLP were
$226,484 in 2004, and $591,000 in 2005. The following table shows the aggregate
fees billed to us by BDO Seidman, LLP for professional services rendered during
the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2005.
Amount ($)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description of Fees 2004 2005*
Audit Fees $189,475 $591,000
Audit-Related Fees 37,009 --
Tax Fees -- --
All Other Fees -- --
Total $226,484 $591,000
======== ========
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Fees for 2005 have not yet been finalized.
Audit Fees
Represents fees for professional services provided for the audit of our
annual financial statements and review of our financial statements included in
our quarterly reports and services in connection with statutory and regulatory
filings.
Audit-Related Fees
Represents the fees for assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial
statements.
The Audit Committee has determined that BDO Seidman, LLP's rendering of
these non-audit services is compatible with maintaining auditors independence.
The Board of Directors considers BDO Seidman, LLP to be well qualified to serve
as our independent public accountants.
31
The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and the terms
thereof (which may include providing comfort letters in connection with
securities underwriting) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services
prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of
the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) to be provided to us
by the independent registered public accountants; provided, however, the
pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provisions of non-audit
services for us if the "de minimus" provisions of Section 10A (i)(1)(B) of the
Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve non-audit services may
be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present
all decisions to pre-approve an activity to the full Audit Committee at its
first meeting following such decision.
Representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP will 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.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 2 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
HEMISPHERX AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL THEREOF.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND OUR
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER
OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Our Board of Directors is proposing the approval and adoption of an
amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, which increases the number of
common shares authorized for issuance. The complete text of the proposed
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is attached as Appendix A to this
Proxy Statement.
Our Certificate of Incorporation currently authorize the issuance of
100,000,000 common shares, $.001 par value, and 5,000,000 Preferred Shares, $.01
par value per share. In April 2006, the Board of Directors adopted a resolution
proposing that the Certificate of Incorporation be amended to increase the
authorized number of common shares to 200,000,000 subject to stockholder
approval of such amendment. The Board of Directors has determined that adoption
of the Amendment is in Hemispherx's best interest and unanimously recommends
approval by the stockholders.
As of July 28, 2006, we had 62,581,122 common shares outstanding and
35,637,410 common shares reserved for future issuance under our existing stock
option plans, outstanding options, warrants, convertible debentures and the
Stock Purchase Agreement with Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC (see Proposal No. 4),
leaving 1,781,468 common shares available for future grants.
The Board of Directors believes that the proposed increase in
authorized common shares will benefit Hemispherx by providing flexibility to
issue common shares for a variety of business and financial objectives in the
future without the necessity of delaying such activities for further stockholder
approval, except as may be required in particular cases by our charter
documents, applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or national
securities association trading system on which our securities may be listed or
quoted. In addition, our Board of Directors could issue large blocks of common
stock to fend off unwanted tender offers or hostile takeovers without further
stockholder approval.
32
We anticipate that, in the future, we most likely will (i) attempt to
raise capital through the sale of our common stock or securities convertible
into or exercisable for common stock: and/or (ii) acquire additional assets. It
is possible that some of these shares could be issued pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Agreement with Fusion Capital (see Proposal No. 4 below). We do not
know the actual number of these shares that could be issued to Fusion Capital,
if any, because the number of shares to be issued is based upon the future
market price of our Common Stock and we have the ability to limit the number of
shares purchasable under the agreement. In addition, the agreement, as amended,
provides that we may not issue to Fusion Capital more than 27,386,723 shares,
representing 12,386,723 shares already issued or reserved for issuance under the
Purchase Agreement, plus 15,000,000 additional shares from shares authorized but
not reserved for issuance and newly authorized shares should Proposal No. 3 be
approved. Aside from possible issuances to Fusion Capital as discussed above, we
have no current plans to issue any of the share that would be authorized should
this proposal no. 3 be approved by our stockholders.
If stockholders do not approve the amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation, it could harm our business by preventing us from raising capital
from the issuance of our common stock or delaying the payment of services via
issuance of our common stock.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 3 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
HEMISPHERX AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL THEREOF.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK TO
COMPLY WITH AMEX COMPANY GUIDE SECTION 713
In connection with the transaction described below with Fusion Capital
Fund II, LLC ("Fusion Capital"), we are seeking approval of the issuance of
Common Stock that could equal or exceed 12,386,723 shares, 20% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock. Section 713 of the American Stock Exchange
("AMEX") Company Guide provides that we must obtain stockholder approval before
issuance, at a price per share below market value, of common stock, or
securities convertible into common stock, equal to 20% or more of our
outstanding common stock (the "Exchange Cap"). The Purchase Agreement described
below provides that no sales can be made if they would cause us to violate the
Exchange Cap.
On April 12, 2006, we entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement
("Purchase Agreement") with Fusion Capital. Pursuant to the terms of the
Purchase Agreement, Fusion Capital has agreed to purchase from us up to
$50,000,000 of our common stock over a period of approximately 25 months. We
have agreed to register these shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Once the Registration Statement has been declared effective, each
trading day during the term of the Purchase Agreement we have the right to sell
to Fusion Capital up to $100,000 of our common stock at a purchase price that
will be based upon the future market price of the common stock without any fixed
discount to the market price. Our ability to sell shares to Fusion Capital and
Fusion Capital's ability to purchase shares is suspended on any trading days
where the price of our common stock is below $1.00 per share. In addition,
Fusion Capital cannot purchase common stock under the Purchase Agreement to the
extent that, following such purchase and after giving effect to such purchase,
it, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 9.9% of
the outstanding shares of our common stock. At our option, we can require Fusion
Capital to purchase lesser or, under certain conditions, greater amounts of
common stock. We also have the right to terminate the agreement at any time
without any additional cost. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in addition to the
12,386,723 shares we have reserved for issuance and/or issued as Commitment
Shares under the Purchase Agreement, we may not issue to Fusion Capital more
than 15,000,000 of the shares to be authorized should Proposal No. 3 be
approved. Accordingly, depending upon the future market price of our common
stock, we may realize less than the maximum $50,000,000 proceeds from the sale
of stock under the Purchase Agreement.
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We anticipate applying any proceeds we receive from the sale of common
stock under the Purchase Agreement to extend our New Brunswick facility for the
production of Ampligen(R) and Alferon N Injection(R), Research and Development
and for general corporate purposes."
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement we issued 321,751 shares as initial
commitment shares and to the extent we realize the $50,000,000 we are obligated
to issue up to 321,751 additional commitment shares (collectively, the
"Commitment Shares").
As of July 27, 2006, the closing bid price for our common stock on the
American Stock Exchange was $2.30 per share. Assuming a price of $3.00 per
share, we would be required to issue approximately 17,310,169 shares (inclusive
of the Commitment Shares) under the Purchase Agreement to realize the entire
$50,000,000. Depending on the prices for our common stock on the American Stock
Exchange during the period of the Purchase Agreement we potentially may need to
issue no more than 3,300,000 shares of our common stock from the proposed
increase in authorized common shares provided for in Proposal No. 3 in order to
issue the above mentioned 17,310,169 shares to Fusion Capital.
On April 12, 2006, we had 61,964,598 outstanding shares of Common
Stock. Accordingly, we cannot issue more than 12,386,723 shares (the Exchange
Cap) under the Purchase Agreement (inclusive of the Commitment Shares) without
obtaining stockholder approval.
To assure that we are in compliance with Company Guide Section 713 and
to permit us to sell shares under the Purchase Agreement in excess of the
Exchange Cap, we are requesting your approval of the issuance of Common Stock
that could equal or exceed 20% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(inclusive of the Commitment Shares).
A copy of the Purchase Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to our
Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed on April 12, 2006.
Previous transaction with Fusion Capital
In July 2005 we entered into a prior common stock purchase agreement
with Fusion Capital, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 8,791,838 shares
for total gross proceeds of $20,000,000.
Effects of issuance of the shares
A significant number of shares will be issuable pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement. To the extent that a significant number of these shares are
issued, there will be a substantial pro rata dilution to our current
stockholders. In addition, because these shares will be registered for public
sale, such sales, or the anticipation of the possibility of such sales,
represents an overhang on the market and could depress the market price of our
common stock.
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If issuance of these shares is not approved by stockholders, we most
likely will not be able to realize the entire $50,000,000 under the Purchase
Agreement.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 4 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
HEMISPHERX AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL THEREOF.
GENERAL
Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the proxy, all shares of
common stock represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation
(and not revoked before they are voted) will be voted FOR the election of all
Directors nominated and FOR Proposal No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4.
The Board of Directors knows of no business other than that set forth
above to be transacted at the meeting, but if other matters requiring a vote of
the stockholders arise, the persons designated as proxies will vote the shares
of common stock represented by the proxies in accordance with their judgment on
such matters. If a stockholder specifies a different choice on the proxy, his or
her shares of common stock will be voted in accordance with the specification so
made.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
Copies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and 10-K/A-2 for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, including financial statements,
exhibits and any amendments thereto, as filed with the SEC may be obtained
without charge upon written request to: Corporate Secretary, Hemispherx
Biopharma, Inc., 1617 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. You can
also get copies of our filings made with the SEC, including the Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A and 10-K/A-2, by visiting the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. WE URGE YOU TO FILL IN, SIGN
AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM OF PROXY IN THE PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED, NO
MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL YOUR HOLDINGS MAY BE.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Ransom W. Etheridge, Secretary
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 4 , 2006
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Appendix "A"
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.
Under Section 242 of the
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
The above corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware does hereby certify:
FIRST: That the Board of Directors of said corporation, by written consent filed
with the minutes of the Board, adopted the following resolutions proposing and
declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
of said corporation:
"Article 'FOURTH' of the Certificate of Incorporation, which sets forth the
capitalization of the Company, is amended and, as amended, reads as follows:
'FOURTH. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is 205,000,000 of which 200,000,000
shares shall be Common Stock of the par value of $0.001 and 5,000,000 shares
shall be Preferred Stock of the par value of $0.01, with such designations,
rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors.'"
SECOND: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the
applicable provisions of section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this certificate to be signed this __
day of ___, 2006.
----------------------------
William A. Carter, President
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 20, 2006
THIS PROXY IS SOLICTED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints William A. Carter and Ransom W. Etheridge and
each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to represent the
undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Embassy
Suites, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, on
Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. local time and at any adjournment
thereof, and to vote all of the shares of common stock of Hemispherx Biopharma,
Inc. the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present, upon the
following matters:
Please mark box in blue or black ink.
1. Proposal No.1-Election of Directors.
Nominees: William A. Carter, Richard C. Piani, Ransom W. Etheridge,
William M. Mitchell, Iraj-Eqhbal Kiani and Steven D. Spence.
|_| For all nominees (except as marked to the contrary below)
|_| Authority Withheld as to all Nominees
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INIVDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE A
LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME)
William A. Carter
Richard C. Piani
Ransom W. Etheridge
William M. Mitchell
Iraj-Eqhbal Kiani
Steven D. Spence
2. Proposal No. 2-Ratification of the selection of BDO Seidman, LLP, as
independent auditors of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. for the year ending
December 31, 2006.
|_| For |_| Against |_| Abstain
37
3. Proposal No. 3 - To approve the Company's Proposal to amend the Articles
of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares to
200,000,000.
|_| For |_| Against |_| Abstain
4. Proposal No. 4 - To approve the issuance of our common stock to comply
with AMEX company guide section 713.
|_| For |_| Against |_| Abstain
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. THE BOARD
RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ITEMS NOS. 2, 3 AND 4. IF NO CONTRARY INSTRUCTION IS
GIVEN, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF WILLIAM A. CARTER, RICHARD
C. PIANI, RANSOM W. ETHERIDGE, WILLIAM A. MITCHELL, IRAJ-EQHBAL KIANI AND STEVEN
D. SPENCE AS DIRECTORS, FOR PROPOSAL NO. 1 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES
ON ALL OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Please date, sign as name appears at left, and return
promptly. If the stock is registered in the name of two
or more persons, each should sign. When signing as
Corporate Officer, Partner, Executor, Administrator,
Trustee, or Guardian, please give full title. Please
note any change in your address alongside the address as
it appears in the Proxy.
Dated:
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Signature
--------------------------------------------
(Print Name)
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
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