proxydef14a082007.htm
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
PROXY
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
(AMENDMENT
NO. _____)
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
[ ]
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
DOR
BioPharma, Inc.
(Name
of
Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
(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)(4) and
0-11.
(1)
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
|
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is
calculated and state how it was
determined):
|
|
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of
transaction:
|
[ ]
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ]
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or
the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)
Amount Previously Paid:
(2)
Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)
Filing Party:
(4)
Date
Filed:
DOR
BIOPHARMA, INC.
1101
Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S
Miami,
Florida 33131
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September
27, 2007
To
the
Stockholders:
The
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of DOR BioPharma, Inc., will be held at the
J.W.
Marriott on the 5th Floor, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131, on September
27, 2007, at 10:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, for the following purposes,
each
as more fully described herein:
1. To
elect
four directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or
until
their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified;
2. To
approve the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors for
a
twenty four month period (a) to amend our Amended and Restated Certificate
of
Incorporation to change the name of our Company or (b) to determine not to
proceed with the name change;
3. To
approve the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors for
a
twenty four month period (a) to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to
effect
a reverse stock split of our common stock at a ratio within the range from
one-for-two to one-for-ten, determine the effective date of the reverse stock
split, and to proportionately reduce the number of shares of our common stock
authorized for issuance or (b) to determine not to proceed with the reverse
stock split and proportionate reduction in the number of shares of our common
stock authorized for issuance;
4. To
amend
our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the maximum number of shares of
our
common stock available for issuance under the plan by 10,000,000 shares,
bringing the total shares reserved for issuance under the plan to 20,000,000
shares;
5. To
ratify
the appointment of Sweeney, Gates & Co. as our independent auditors for the
year ending December 31, 2007; and
6. To
transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
or
any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on August 7, 2007 are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of stockholders eligible
to vote at the meeting will be available for inspection at the meeting and
for a
period of 10 days prior to the meeting, during regular business hours, at
our
corporate headquarters at the address set forth above.
Information
concerning the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting is included
in the
proxy statement. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting,
your
vote is important. Please vote as soon as possible via either the Internet,
telephone or mail.
By
Order
of the Board of Directors
/s/
Christopher J. Schaber
Christopher
J. Schaber, Ph.D.
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Miami,
Florida
August
17, 2007
DOR
BioPharma, Inc.
1101
Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S
Miami,
FL 33131
Phone:
(786) 425-3848
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
We
are
furnishing this proxy statement to stockholders of record as of the close of
business on August 7, 2007 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
our
Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
on
September 27, 2007. This proxy statement and the form of
proxy are being made available to the stockholders on or about August
17, 2007. Our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year
ended December 31, 2006 (which does not form a part of the proxy solicitation
materials) is being made available concurrently herewith to
stockholders.
Voting
Securities; Proxies; Required Vote
Voting
Securities
At
the
Annual Meeting, each holder of record of common stock of the Company, par value
$0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), at the close of business on August 7, 2007
will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock owned on that date
as to each matter presented at the Annual Meeting. On August 7, 2007,
92,930,574 shares of Common Stock were
outstanding.
Proxies
You
cannot vote your shares at the meeting unless you are present in person or
represented by proxy. All properly executed and unrevoked proxies that are
received in time for the meeting will be voted at the meeting or any adjournment
or postponement thereof in accordance with instructions thereon, or if no
instructions are given, will be voted as follows:
1. "FOR"
the
election of all of the named nominees as directors;
2. “FOR”
the
approval of the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors
(a)
to amend our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the
“Certificate of Incorporation”) to change the name of the Company to a name to
be selected by the Board of Directors or (b) to determine not to proceed with
the name change;
3. "FOR"
the
approval of the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors
(a)
to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of
the
Common Stock at a ratio within the range from one-for-two to one-for-ten and
to
proportionately reduce the number of shares of our common stock authorized
for
issuance or (b) to determine not to proceed with the reverse stock split and
proportionate reduction in the number of shares of common stock authorized
for
issuance;
4. “FOR”
the
amendment to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) to increase the
maximum number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the
plan by 10,000,000 shares, bringing the total shares reserved for issuance
under
the plan to 20,000,000 shares;
5. “FOR”
the
ratification of Sweeney, Gates & Co. as our independent auditors;
and
6. in
accordance with the judgment of the persons appointed as proxies with respect
to
other matters which properly come before the Annual Meeting.
You
may
revoke a proxy by written notice to us at any time prior to exercise of the
proxy. In addition, although mere attendance at the Annual Meeting will not
revoke a proxy, you may withdraw your proxy by voting in person.
Voting
Your Proxy
Whether
or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote your shares via
Internet, telephone or mail as more fully described below:
·
|
By
Internet: Go to www.voteproxy.com and follow the instructions. Have
your proxy card available when you
call.
|
·
|
By
Telephone: Call 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) and follow the voice
prompts. Have your proxy card available when you
call.
|
·
|
By
Mail: If you have received a proxy card, mark your vote, sign your
name
exactly as it appears on your proxy card, date your card and return
it in
the envelope provided.
|
Required
Vote
1. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock
represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required for the
election of directors.
2. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
issued and outstanding is required to approve the grant of discretionary
authority to the Board of Directors (a) to amend the Certificate of
Incorporation to change the name of the Company to a name to be selected by
the
Board of Directors or (b) to determine not to proceed with the name
change.
3. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
issued and outstanding is required to approve the grant of discretionary
authority to the Board of Directors (i) to amend the Certificate of
Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Common Stock at a ratio
within the range from one-for-two to one-for-ten and to proportionately reduce
the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance or (ii) to
determine not to proceed with the reverse stock split and proportionate
reduction in the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance.
4. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
represented in person or by proxy at the meeting is required to approve the
amendment to our 2005 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares of our
common stock available for issuance under the plan by 10,000,000 shares,
bringing the total shares reserved for issuance under the plan to 20,000,000
shares.
5. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
represented in person or by proxy at the meeting is required for the
ratification of the appointment of Sweeney, Gates & Co. as our independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
Stockholders
are not allowed to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. In voting
on the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes (which occur
when
a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular
proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power with
respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the
beneficial owner) will be disregarded and not treated as votes cast and,
therefore, will not affect the outcome of the election. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the proposals (1) to
approve the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of
Directors
(a)
to
amend the Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to
a
name to be selected by the Board of Directors or (b) to determine not to proceed
with the name change; and (2) to approve the grant of discretionary authority
to
the Board of Directors (a) to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to effect
a
reverse stock split of the Common Stock at a ratio within the range from
one-for-two to one-for-ten and proportionately reduce the number of shares
of
Common Stock authorized for issuance or (b) to determine not to proceed with
the
reverse stock split and proportionate reduction in the number of shares of
Common Stock authorized for issuance. Abstentions will have the
same effect as votes against the proposals (1) to approve the amendment to
our
2005 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares of our common stock available
for issuance under the plan; and (2) to ratify the appointment of Sweeney,
Gates
& Co., but broker non-votes will not be counted as votes against such
proposals or as shares present or represented at the meeting.
Quorum
The
required quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting will
be a
majority of the voting power of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
on
the record date. Shares represented in person or by proxy (including shares
which abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters
presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining
whether a quorum exists at the meeting.
PROPOSAL
1
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
Board
of Directors currently has four members, James S. Kuo, M.D., Christopher J.
Schaber, Ph.D., Evan Myrianthopoulos and Cyrille Buhrman, all of whom are
nominees for re-election. Unless otherwise directed, the persons appointed
in
the form of proxy intend to vote at the Annual Meeting for the election of
Messrs. Kuo, Schaber, Myrianthopoulos and Buhrman as directors to serve until
our next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors have been
duly
elected and qualified. If any nominee is unable to be a candidate
when the election takes place, the shares represented by valid proxies will
be
voted in favor of such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors recommends
or to allow the vacancy to remain open until filled by the Board of Directors,
as determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors does not
currently anticipate that any nominee will be unable to be a candidate for
election. Each director elected to the Board of Directors will serve until
the
next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his successor has been duly elected
and qualified, unless he dies, resigns or is removed from office prior to that
time.
The
following table contains information regarding the current members of the Board
of Directors.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Director
Since
|
James
S. Kuo, M.D., M.B.A.
|
|
42
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
|
2004
|
Christopher
J. Schaber, Ph.D.
|
|
40
|
|
Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2006
|
Evan
Myrianthopoulos
|
|
42
|
|
Director
and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
2002
|
Cyrille
F. Buhrman
|
|
34
|
|
Director
|
|
2007
|
James
S. Kuo, M.D., M.B.A., has been a director since 2004 and currently
serves as the non-executive Chairman of the Board. Since 2006, he has served
as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Cysteine Pharma, Inc. From 2003 to
2006, he served as founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BioMicro
Systems, Inc., a private venture-backed, microfluidics company. From 2001 to
2002, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Microbiotix, Inc.,
a
private, anti-infectives drug development company. Prior to that
time, Dr. Kuo was co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery
Laboratories, Inc., a public specialty pharmaceutical company developing
respiratory therapies, where he raised over $22 million in initial private
funding and took the company public. He has held senior licensing and business
development positions at Pfizer, Inc. and Myriad Genetics, Inc. Dr. Kuo has
also
been the Managing Director of Venture Analysis at HealthCare Ventures, LLC
and
Vice President at Paramount Capital Investments, LLC. Dr. Kuo is further a
founder of ArgiNOx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Monarch Labs, LLC. Dr. Kuo
simultaneously received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School
of
Medicine and his M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business.
Christopher
J. Schaber, Ph.D., has been a director since August 2006 and is our
President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining, Dr. Schaber served
from
1998 to 2006 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
Discovery Laboratories, Inc. where he was responsible for their operations
including all drug development and commercial launch activities. From 1996
to
1998, Dr. Schaber was a co-founder of Acute Therapeutics, Inc., and served
as
Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Drug Development. From 1994 to
1996,
Dr. Schaber was employed by Ohmeda PPD, Inc., as Worldwide Director of
Regulatory Affairs and Operations. From 1989 to 1994, Dr. Schaber held a variety
of regulatory, development and operations positions with The Liposome Company,
Inc., and Elkins-Sinn Inc., a division of Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. Dr. Schaber
received his B.A. from Western Maryland College, a M.S. in Pharmaceutics from
Temple University School of Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
from
The Union Graduate School.
Evan
Myrianthopoulos has been a director since 2002 and our Chief Financial
Officer since December 2004, after joining us in November 2004 as President
and
Acting Chief Executive Officer. From November 2001 to November 2004,
he was President and founder of CVL Advisors, Group, Inc., a financial
consulting firm specializing in the biotechnology sector. Prior to founding
CVL
Advisors Group, Inc., Mr. Myrianthopoulos was a co-founder of Discovery
Laboratories, Inc. During his tenure at Discovery Laboratories, Inc., from
June
1996 to November 2001, Mr. Myrianthopoulos held the positions of Chief Financial
Officer and Vice President of Finance, where he was responsible for raising
approximately $55 million in four private placements. He also
negotiated and managed Discovery Laboratories, Inc.’s mergers with Ansan
Pharmaceuticals and Acute Therapeutics, Inc. Prior to co-founding Discovery
Laboratories, Inc., Mr. Myrianthopoulos was a Technology Associate at Paramount
Capital Investments, L.L.C., a New York City based biotechnology venture capital
and investment banking firm. Prior to joining Paramount Capital
Investments, L.L.C., Mr. Myrianthopoulos was a managing partner of S + M Capital
Management, a hedge fund which specialized in syndicated stock offerings and
also engaged in arbitrage of municipal and mortgage bonds. Prior to
that, Mr. Myrianthopoulos held senior positions in the treasury department
at
the National Australia Bank, where he was employed as a spot and derivatives
currency trader. Mr. Myrianthopoulos holds a B.S. in Economics and Psychology
from Emory University.
Cyrille
F. Buhrman has been a director since June 2007. Mr.
Buhrman is Managing Director, Chairman and owner of Pacific Healthcare
(Thailand) Co., Ltd., a full-service marketing, sales, distribution and
regulatory affairs company based in Thailand, where he has served for
approximately ten years. Pacific Healthcare is currently expanding throughout
Southeast Asia, beginning with the Philippines and Vietnam this year. Mr.
Buhrman is a Director of Pacific Healthcare (Philippines) Inc., International
Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a company focused on marketing specialty pharmaceutical
products in Thailand, Vision Care (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Canyon
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private biotechnology company focused on the
commercialization of therapeutics to prevent and treat thrombosis and related
conditions. Mr. Buhrman is the owner of Markle Holdings Ltd.,
an investment fund specializing in biotechnology and pharmaceutical investments.
Mr. Buhrman received his Bm.A. degree in Economics and Literature from Franklin
College, Switzerland, in 1998. Mr. Buhrman is also one of the
Company’s largest shareholders.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors
The
Board
of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the election of all of the nominees
listed above.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
We
are
required to identify each person who was an officer, director or beneficial
owner of more than 10% of our registered equity securities during our most
recent fiscal year and who failed to file on a timely basis reports required
by
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”).
To
our
knowledge, based solely on review of these filings and written representations
from the certain reporting persons, we believe that during the fiscal year
ended
December 31, 2006, our officers, directors and significant stockholders have
timely filed the appropriate form under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act,
except a Form 4 for Evan Myrianthopoulos (one filing) and a Form 4 for James
Clavijo (one filing), both of which have been subsequently made.
Corporate
Governance
Pursuant
to our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, our business and affairs are
managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Members of the
Board of Directors are kept informed of our business through discussions with
senior management, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating
in meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees.
The
Board
of Directors has determined that Dr. Kuo and Mr. Buhrman are "independent"
as
such term is defined by the applicable listing standards of the American Stock
Exchange. The Board of Directors based this determination primarily on a review
of the responses of the directors to questions regarding their employment,
affiliations and family and other relationships. In making this
determination, the Board of Directors considered Dr. Kuo’s relationship with
Christopher Schaber, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Evan
Myrianthopoulos, our Chief Financial Officer, at Discovery Laboratories,
Inc. The Board of Directors determined that this relationship did not
impair Dr. Kuo’s independence.
The
Board
of Directors held 22 meetings in 2006, and each director who served as a
director during 2006, attended all of the meetings of the Board of Directors
and
each of the committees on which he served.
We
typically schedule a meeting of the Board of Directors in conjunction with
our
Annual Meeting and expect that all directors will attend, absent a valid reason,
such as a scheduled conflict. Last year, all of the individuals then serving
as
directors attended the Annual Meeting in person or telephonically.
The
Board
of Directors has the following three committees: (1) Compensation,
(2) Audit and (3) Nominating. The Board of Directors has adopted a
written charter for each of these committees. These charters were filed as
annexes to the Company’s proxy statement prepared in connection with the
Company’s 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The
Board
of Directors has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies
to all of our directors, officers (including the Chief Executive Officer and
the
Chief Financial Officer) and employees. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
is posted under the caption "Investors" on our website:
http://www.dorbiopharma.com. If, in the future, the Board of Directors amends
the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grants a waiver to our Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or any future principal accounting
officer with respect to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we will post
the amendment or a description of the waiver on our website.
Compensation
Committee
The
Board
of Directors has a Compensation Committee, which is currently comprised of
Dr.
Kuo and Mr. Buhrman. During 2006, the Compensation Committee was comprised
of
Dr. Kuo and Steven Kanzer. The Compensation Committee is responsible
for reviewing and approving the executive compensation program, assessing
executive performance, making grants of salary and annual incentive compensation
and approving certain employment agreements. The Board of Directors has
determined that both Dr. Kuo and Mr. Buhrman are "independent" directors, as
such term is defined by the applicable American Stock Exchange listing
standards. The Compensation Committee met one time during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
Nominating
Committee
The
Board
of Directors has a Nominating Committee, which is currently comprised of Dr.
Kuo
and Mr. Buhrman. During 2006, the Nominating Committee was comprised of Dr.
Kuo
and Steven Kanzer. The Nominating Committee makes recommendations to
the Board of Directors regarding the size and composition of the Board of
Directors, establishes procedures for the nomination process, recommends
candidates for election to the Board of Directors and nominates officers for
election by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that
both Dr. Kuo and Mr. Buhrman are "independent" directors, as such term is
defined by the applicable American Stock Exchange listing standards. The
Nominating Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
In
considering candidates for the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee
considers the entirety of each candidate's credentials and does not have any
specific minimum qualifications that must be met by a nominee. However, the
Nominating Committee does believe that all members of the Board of Directors
should have the highest character and integrity, a reputation for working
constructively with others, sufficient time to devote to Board matters, and
no
conflict of interest that would interfere with performance as a director. In
the
case of current Directors being considered for nomination, the Nominating
Committee also takes into account the director's history of attendance at
meetings of the Board of Directors or its committees, the Director's tenure
as a
member of the Board of Directors, and the Director's preparation for and
participation in such meetings.
Stockholders
who wish to suggest qualified candidates should write to the Office of the
Secretary, DOR BioPharma, Inc., 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S, Miami,
Florida 33131, specifying the name of the candidates and stating in detail
the
qualifications of such persons for consideration by the Nominating Committee.
A
written statement from the candidate consenting to be named as a candidate
and,
if nominated and elected, to serve as a director should accompany any such
recommendation. Stockholders who wish to nominate a director for election at
an
Annual Meeting of Stockholders must otherwise comply with our By-laws regarding
stockholder proposals and nominations. See "Deadline for Stockholder Proposals"
contained herein.
The
Board
of Directors, including Christopher Schaber, our President and Chief Executive
Officer, and Evan Myrianthopoulos, our Chief Financial Officer, recommended
that
Cyrille Buhrman be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors to fill
the vacancy created by the resignation of Steven Kanzer.
Audit
Committee
The
Board
of Directors has an Audit Committee, which is comprised of Dr. Kuo and Mr.
Buhrman. During 2006, the Audit Committee was comprised of Dr. Kuo and Steven
Kanzer. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in
monitoring the financial reporting process, the internal control structure
and
the independence and performance of the internal audit department and the
independent public accountants. Its primary duties are to serve as an
independent and objective party to monitor the financial process and internal
control system, to review and appraise the audit effort of the independent
accountants and to provide an open avenue of communication among the independent
accountants, financial and senior management, and the Board of
Directors. During the year, the Board of Directors examined the
composition of the Audit Committee in light of the applicable listing standards
of the American Stock Exchange and the regulations under the Exchange Act
applicable to audit committees. Based upon this examination, the
Board of Directors has determined that both Dr. Kuo and Mr. Buhrman are
"independent" directors within the meaning of such listing standards and the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Board of
Directors has determined that Dr. Kuo qualifies as an "audit committee financial
expert" as that term is defined in the applicable regulations of the Exchange
Act. The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December
31, 2006.
Report
of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
The
Audit
Committee submits the following report for the year ended December 31,
2006:
The
Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed with both management and the outside
auditors the audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2006. The Audit Committee's review included discussion with
the outside auditors of matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as
amended, by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants.
The
Audit
Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the
independent auditors required by Independence Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Independence
Standards Board, and has discussed with the independent auditors matters
relating to the auditors' independence.
Based
on
the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended
to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements
referred to above be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with the SEC.
Submitted
by the Audit Committee,
James
S.
Kuo, M.D., M.B.A.
Steve
H.
Kanzer, C.P.A., J.D.*
___________________________
*
Mr.
Kanzer resigned from the Board of
Directors on May 28, 2007.
Communications
with the Board of Directors
Stockholders
or other interested parties may communicate with the Board of Directors by
sending a letter to DOR BioPharma, Inc. Board of Directors, c/o The Office
of
the Secretary, DOR BioPharma, Inc, 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S, Miami,
FL
33131. The Office of the Secretary will receive the correspondence and forward
it to the director(s) to whom the communication is addressed.
Executive
Compensation
The
following table contains information concerning the compensation paid during
our
fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, to the persons who served as our Chief
Executive Officers, and each of the two other most highly compensated executive
officers during 2006 (collectively, the “Named Executive
Officers”).
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
|
|
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
All
Other Compensation
|
|
Total
|
Christopher
J. Schaber (1)
|
|
CEO
& President
|
|
2006
|
|
$104,700
|
|
$33,333
|
|
$185,403
|
|
$16,895
|
|
$340,331
|
Michael
Sember (2)
|
|
Former
CEO & President
|
|
2006
|
|
$192,500
|
|
-
|
|
$82,060
|
|
$229,827
|
|
$504,387
|
Evan
Myrianthopoulos (3)
|
|
CFO
|
|
2006
|
|
$195,724
|
|
$55,000
|
|
$103,064
|
|
$49,257
|
|
$403,045
|
James
Clavijo (4)
|
|
Controller,
Treasurer & Secretary
|
|
2006
|
|
$144,999
|
|
$40,000
|
|
$42,836
|
|
-
|
|
$227,835
|
(1)
Dr.
Schaber began his employment with us on August 29, 2006. Dr. Schaber deferred
payment of his 2006 prorated annual bonus of $33,333. Option Awards include
the
value of vested stock options as required by FASB No. 123R. See Note 2 to our
financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for our
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, a copy of which is made available with
this
proxy statement. Other Compensation includes $1,430 for transportation costs,
$6,458 for travel expenses and $9,007 for lodging costs.
(2)
Mr.
Sember’s employment with us was terminated without "Just Cause," as defined in
his employment agreement, on August 25, 2006. Option Awards include the value
of
vested stock options as required by FASB No. 123R. See Note 2 to our
financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for our
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, a copy of which is made available with
this
proxy statement. Other Compensation includes $150,000 in accrued
severance payments and $28,383 for accrued vacation time, as well as $3,795
for
transportation costs, $12,980 for travel expenses and $34,669 for lodging
costs.
(3)
Mr.
Myrianthopoulos began his employment with us in November 2004 as President
and
Acting Chief Executive Officer, and then in December 2004 he accepted the
position of Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Myrianthopoulos deferred payment of
his
2006 annual bonus of $55,000. Option Awards include the value of vested stock
options as required by FASB No. 123R. See Note 2 to our financial
statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for our fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006, a copy of which is made available with this proxy
statement. Other Compensation includes $4,088 for transportation
costs, $12,485 for travel expenses and $32,684 for lodging costs.
(4)
Mr.
Clavijo began his employment with us in October 2004. Mr. Clavijo deferred
payment of his 2006 annual bonus of $40,000. Option Awards include the value
of
stock option awards of vested shares of Common Stock as required by FASB No.
123R.
Potential
Issuance of Shares
On
February 28, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of 2,700,000
shares of Common Stock to certain employees and a consultant. Such
shares will be issued immediately prior to the completion of a transaction,
or
series or combination of related transactions, negotiated by our Board of
Directors whereby, directly or indirectly, a majority of our capital stock
or a
majority of our assets are transferred from us and/or our stockholders to a
third party (an “Acquisition Event”). Of the shares of Common Stock to be issued
upon an Acquisition Event, 1,000,000 shares will be issued to Christopher J.
Schaber, a director and our Chief Executive Officer and President; 750,000
shares will be issued to Evan Myrianthopoulos, a director and our Chief
Financial Officer; and 300,000 shares will be issued to James Clavijo, our
Controller, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary. We expect to enter
into agreements with Dr. Schaber, Mr. Myrianthopoulos and Mr. Clavijo with
regard to the arrangement described above. We expect that such agreements will
include terms and conditions customary to agreements of such type.
Employment
and Severance Agreements
During
August 2006, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Christopher
J. Schaber, Ph.D. Pursuant to this employment agreement, we agreed to pay Dr.
Schaber a base salary of $300,000 per year and a minimum annual bonus of
$100,000. We agreed to issue him options to purchase 2,500,000 shares of Common
Stock, with one third immediately vesting and the remainder vesting over three
years. Upon termination without "Just Cause," as defined by this
agreement, we would pay Dr. Schaber six months severance, as well as any accrued
bonuses, accrued vacation, and we would provide health insurance and life
insurance benefits for Dr. Schaber and his dependents. No unvested
options shall vest beyond the termination date.
During
December 2004, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Michael
T.
Sember. Pursuant to this employment agreement, we agreed to pay Mr.
Sember a base salary of $300,000 per year. After one year of service,
Mr. Sember would be entitled to a minimum annual bonus of
$100,000. We agreed to issue him options to purchase 2,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, with one third immediately vesting and the remainder vesting
over three years. Upon termination without "Just Cause," as defined
by this agreement, we would pay Mr. Sember six months severance, as well as
any
unpaid bonuses and accrued vacation. No unvested options shall vest
beyond the termination date. On August 25, 2006, we terminated the employment
agreement with Mr. Sember without “Just Cause.” Mr. Sember remained
with us as a director until he resigned on September 25, 2006. We have paid
his
severance and accrued vacation according to the terms of his employment
agreement. His employment agreement required us to pay him $150,000 in severance
and $28,383 in accrued vacation. At the time of Mr. Sember’s termination, he had
vested options to purchase 1,340,000 shares of Common Stock, which will expire
on August 24, 2007. Mr. Sember did not have any unpaid bonuses at the
time of his termination.
In
December 2004, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr.
Myrianthopoulos. Pursuant to this employment agreement, we agreed to
pay Mr. Myrianthopoulos a base salary of $185,000 per year. After one
year of service, Mr. Myrianthopoulos would be entitled to a minimum annual
bonus
of $50,000. We agreed to issue him options to purchase 500,000 shares
of Common Stock, with the options vesting over three years. Upon
termination without "Just Cause," as defined by this agreement, we would pay
Mr.
Myrianthopoulos six months severance subject to setoff, as well as any unpaid
bonuses and accrued vacation would become payable. No unvested
options shall vest beyond the termination date. Mr. Myrianthopoulos also
received options to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock, which options
vested immediately when he was hired in November 2004, as President and Acting
Chief Executive Officer.
In
May
2006, we increased Evan Myrianthopoulos’ base salary to $200,000. We
also agreed to issue him options to purchase 400,000 shares of Common Stock,
which vested immediately as to 100,000 shares and which vest as to the remainder
over three years.
In
May
2006, we entered into an amendment to the February 2005 employment agreement
with James Clavijo. Pursuant to the amendment, we agreed to pay Mr.
Clavijo a base salary of $150,000 per year and a minimum annual bonus of
$35,000. Additionally, we agreed to issue him options to purchase
200,000 shares of Common Stock, with options as to 50,000 shares immediately
vesting and the remainder vesting over three years. Pursuant to the
February 2005 employment agreement, we agreed to issue Mr. Clavijo 150,000
shares of Common Stock, with one-third immediately vesting and the remainder
vesting over three years. Upon termination without "Just Cause," as
defined by this agreement, we would pay Mr. Clavijo three months severance,
as
well as any unpaid bonuses and accrued vacation would become
payable. No unvested options shall vest beyond the termination date.
Mr. Clavijo also received options, to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock,
vesting over three years when he was hired in October 2004, as Controller,
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table contains information concerning unexercised options, stock
that
has not vested, and equity incentive plan awards for the Named Executive
Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. We have
never issued Stock Appreciation Rights.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
|
Number
of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options (#)
|
Option
Exercise Price (S)
|
|
|
|
Christopher
J. Schaber(1)
|
972,223
|
1,527,777
|
1,527,777
|
$0.27
|
8/28/2016
|
Michael
T. Sember(2)
|
1,340,000
|
-
|
-
|
$0.46
|
8/24/2007
|
Evan
Myrianthopoulos
|
150,000
|
-
|
-
|
$0.35
|
11/14/2012
|
|
50,000
|
-
|
-
|
$0.90
|
9/15/2013
|
|
50,000
|
-
|
-
|
$0.58
|
6/11/2014
|
|
150,000
|
-
|
-
|
$0.47
|
11/10/2014
|
|
333,336
|
166,664
|
166,664
|
$0.49
|
12/13/2014
|
|
150,000
|
250,000
|
250,000
|
$0.35
|
5/10/2016
|
James
Clavijo
|
66,666
|
33,334
|
33,334
|
$0.45
|
10/22/2014
|
|
116,664
|
33,336
|
33,336
|
$0.45
|
2/22/2015
|
|
87,500
|
112,500
|
112,500
|
$0.33
|
5/10/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Dr.
Schaber began his employment with us on August 29, 2006.
(2) Mr.
Sember’s employment was terminated without “Just Cause” on August 25,
2006.
Compensation
of Directors
The
following table contains information concerning the compensation of the
non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
Director
Compensation
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (1)
|
|
Option
Awards ($) (2)
|
|
Total
($)
|
Steve
H. Kanzer (3)
|
|
$25,000
|
|
$11,270
|
|
$36,270
|
James
S. Kuo
|
|
$25,000
|
|
$11,270
|
|
$36,270
|
(1) Directors
who are compensated as full-time employees receive no additional compensation
for service on our Board of Directors or its committees. Each director who
is
not a full-time employee is paid $2,000 for each board or committee meeting
attended ($1,000 if such meeting was attended telephonically).
(2) We
maintain a stock option grant program pursuant to the nonqualified stock option
plan, whereby members of our Board of Directors who are not full-time employees
receive an initial grant of fully vested options to purchase 150,000 shares
of
common stock, and subsequent annual grants of fully vested options to purchase
75,000 shares of common stock after re-election to our Board of
Directors. Option Awards include the value of stock option awards of
vested shares of Common Stock as required by FASB No. 123R. See Note 2 to our
financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for our
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, a copy of which is made available with
this
proxy statement.
(3) On
May 28, 2007, Mr. Kanzer resigned as a member of the Board of
Directors.
Consideration
and Determination of Executive and Director Compensation
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of independent
directors. The Compensation Committee provides overall guidance on compensation
and benefits policy. In addition, the Compensation Committee approves and
monitors:
·
|
executive
compensation and benefits programs;
|
·
|
executive
employment agreements;
|
·
|
1995
Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan;
and
|
·
|
2005
Equity Incentive Plan.
|
The
primary objectives of the Compensation Committee are to ensure that the
executive compensation and benefits programs:
·
|
are
competitive with other growing companies of similar size and
business;
|
·
|
are
effective in driving performance to achieve financial goals and create
stockholder value;
|
·
|
are
cost-efficient and fair to employees, management and stockholders;
and
|
·
|
are
designed to attract, motivate, reward, and retain the competent and
talented executives needed.
|
To
achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee meets at least once and
usually several times during each fiscal year to review the existing
compensation and benefits programs and to consider modifications that seek
to
provide a direct relationship between executive compensation and sustained
corporate performance.
The
Compensation Committee makes executive compensation decisions on the basis
of
total remuneration and seeks to create an integrated total remuneration program
structured to balance short and long-term financial goals. A significant amount
of total compensation is comprised of bonus provisions which are specified
in
their contracts and which are intended to align executive interest with
stockholder interest.
The
Compensation Committee recommends to the Board of Directors a salary within
a
designated band for the respective executives, which is based on merit,
performance and length of service. Bonus provisions for all executives are
based
on increase (if any) of net incremental profit over prior year highest net
profit, subject to guaranteed minimum bonuses.
Non-executive
employees were granted stock options under the 1995 Amended and Restated Omnibus
Incentive Plan and the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, approved by the stockholders,
also in order to motivate, reward, and retain them while meeting goals and
allowing them to share in the growth.
In
general, under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), we cannot deduct, for federal income tax
purposes, compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to certain executive
officers. This deduction limit does not apply, however, to
compensation that constitutes "qualified performance-based compensation" within
the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder. The Compensation Committee has considered the
limitations on deductions imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code, and it is
the
Compensation Committee's present intention that, as long as it is consistent
with its overall compensation objectives, substantially all federal income
tax
deductions attributable to executive compensation should not be subject to
the
deduction limitation of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Stock
Performance Graph
The
following graph compares the changes over the last five years in the value
of
$100 invested at December 31, 2001 in (i) our Common Stock, (ii) the Standard
& Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500 Index") and (iii) the American Stock
Exchange Biotech Stocks indices. The year-end values of each
investment are based on share price appreciation and the reinvestment of all
dividends.
Historical
stock price performance shown on the performance graph is not necessarily
indicative of future stock price performance.
Year
|
|
DOR
BioPharma, Inc.
|
|
S&P
500 Index
|
|
Peer
Group Index: BTK Index – BioTech on Amex
|
2001
|
|
100.00
|
|
100.00
|
|
100.00
|
2002
|
|
45.63
|
|
76.63
|
|
58.26
|
2003
|
|
75.73
|
|
96.85
|
|
84.42
|
2004
|
|
62.14
|
|
105.56
|
|
93.74
|
2005
|
|
26.21
|
|
108.73
|
|
117.28
|
2006
|
|
23.79
|
|
123.50
|
|
129.53
|
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
table
below provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common
Stock as of August 7, 2007 of (1) each person or entity who owns beneficially
5%
or more of the shares of our outstanding Common Stock, (2) each of our
directors, (3) each of the Named Executive Officers, and (4) our directors
and
officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to
applicable community property laws, we believe the persons named in the table
have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common
Stock
held by them. Except as otherwise indicated, each stockholder's
percentage ownership of our Common Stock in the following table is based on
92,930,574 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 7, 2007.
|
Shares
of Common Stock Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
|
|
Sigma-Tau
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1)
|
4,065,041
|
4.4%
|
Paolo
Cavazza (1)
|
5,611,911
|
6.0%
|
Claudio
Cavazza (1)
|
4,065,041
|
4.4%
|
Cyrill
F. Buhrman(2)
|
5,050,020
|
5.4%
|
Christopher
J. Schaber (3)
|
1,681,659
|
1.8%
|
James
S. Kuo (4)
|
205,000
|
*
|
Evan
Myrianthopoulos (5)
|
1,456,347
|
1.5%
|
James
Clavijo (6)
|
494,856
|
*
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group (5 persons)
|
8,887,882
|
8.9%
|
* Indicates
less than 1%.
** Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Shares of
common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable
within 60 days of August 7, 2007 are deemed outstanding for computing the
percentage ownership of the stockholder holding the options or warrants, but
are
not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other
stockholder. Percentage of ownership is based on 92,930,574 shares of
common stock outstanding as of August 7, 2007.
(1) On
January 12, 2007, Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Sigma-Tau”), Paolo Cavazza
and Claudio Cavazza filed a Schedule 13G as a group, within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, with the SEC. According to this
Schedule 13G, Paolo Cavazza and Claudio Cavazza beneficially own of all of
the
shares held by Sigma-Tau and possess shared voting and dispositive power with
regard to these shares. Paolo Cavazza individually owns 1,546,870 shares of
common stock and possesses sole voting and dispositive power with regard to
these shares. The address for Sigma-Tau is 800 South Frederick Avenue, Suite
300, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877. The address for Paolo Cavazza is Via
Tesserete 10, Lugano, Switzerland. The address for Claudio Cavazza is Via
Sudafrica, 20, Rome, Italy 00144.
(2) Includes
4,900,020 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Buhrman, and options to purchase
150,000 shares of common stock within 60 days of August 7, 2007. The
address of Mr. Buhrman is c/o DOR BioPharma, 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S,
Miami, Florida 33131.
(3) Includes
292,766 shares of common stock owned by Dr. Schaber, and options to purchase
1,388,893 shares of common stock within 60 days of August 7,
2007. The address of Dr. Schaber is c/o DOR BioPharma, 1101 Brickell
Avenue, Suite 701-S, Miami, Florida 33131.
(4) Includes
options to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase
5,000 shares of common stock within 60 days of August 7, 2007. The
address of Dr. Kuo is c/o DOR BioPharma, 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S,
Miami, Florida 33131.
(5) Includes
154,780 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Myrianthopoulos and his wife,
options to purchase 1,025,005 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase
276,562 shares of common stock within 60 days of August 7, 2007. The
address of Mr. Myrianthopoulos is c/o DOR BioPharma, 1101 Brickell Avenue,
Suite
701-S, Miami, Florida 33131.
(6) Includes
53,191 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Clavijo, options to purchase 441,665
shares of common stock within 60 days of August 7, 2007. The address
of Mr. Clavijo is c/o DOR BioPharma, 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S, Miami,
Florida 33131.
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
In
December 2005, our Board of Directors approved the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan,
which was approved by stockholders on December 29, 2005. The following table
provides information, as of December 31, 2006, with respect to options
outstanding under our 1995 Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan and
our
2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
|
Number
of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price Outstanding options, warrants and
rights
|
Number
of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in the first
column)
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
|
11,639,339
|
$
0.50
|
2,936,032
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL
|
11,639,339
|
$0.50
|
2,936,032
|
(1)
Includes our 1995 Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan and our 2005
Equity Incentive Plan. Our 1995 Plan expired in 2005 and thus no securities
remain available for future issuance under that plan. Under the 2005 Equity
Incentive Plan, we issued 728,968 shares of Common Stock to individuals as
payment for services in the amount of $232,533 as allowed in the
plan.
PROPOSAL
2
COMPANY
NAME CHANGE
General
The
Board
of Directors has unanimously adopted a resolution seeking stockholder approval
of an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of the
Company and the grant to the Board of Directors of discretionary authority
to
implement a name change by filing the amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation. Approval of this name change proposal would give the
Board of Directors the authority to determine, in its sole discretion, the
name
to which the Company’s name will be changed and the date of the name change, to
take place at any time during a period of twenty four months commencing on
the
date the Company’s stockholders approve this proposal or to determine not
to proceed with the name change.
Purpose
The
Board
of Directors believes the proposed name change is necessary to better describe
the Company and to better position the Company in the biopharmaceuticals market
as it intends to evolve from a technology driven, research and development
intensive organization, to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with
commercialized products. As a result, the Board of Directors believes that
it is
in the best interest of the Company and our stockholders to change the Company’s
name.
The
Board
of Directors believes that stockholder approval of the grant to the Board of
Directors of discretionary authority to implement a name change provides the
Board of Directors with maximum flexibility to achieve the purposes of the
name
change. If the stockholders approve the name change proposal, the
name change will be effected, if at all, only upon a determination by the Board
of Directors that the name change is in the best interests of the Company and
our stockholders at that time. In connection with any determination
to effect a name change, the Board of Directors will set the timing for such
change and select the name. No further action on the part of
stockholders will be required either to implement or abandon the name change.
If
the Board of Directors determines not to proceed with a name change within
twenty-four months after receiving stockholder approval of this name change
proposal, the authority granted in this proposal to implement a name change
will
terminate. The Board of Directors reserves its right to elect not to proceed
with the name change if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the name
change is no longer in the best interests of the Company and our
stockholders. If implemented, the Board of Directors intends to
effect the name change of the Company simultaneously with the reverse stock
split described in Proposal 3 below. If implemented, the amendment
will become effective upon filing of an appropriate amendment to the Certificate
of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors
The
Board
of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the proposed amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation and the grant of discretionary authority
to
the Board of Directors to select a name for the Company and effect a name
change.
PROPOSAL
3
REVERSE
STOCK SPLIT
General
As
of
August 7, 2007, the Company’s aggregate market capitalization was approximately
$26,020,560; there were 92,930,574 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
and the closing price of the Common Stock on that date was $0.28. In order
to
reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and
proportionately raise the share price, the Board of Directors has unanimously
adopted a resolution seeking stockholder approval of an amendment to the
Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse split of the Common Stock
and
the grant to the Board of Directors of discretionary authority to implement
a
reverse stock split by filing the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.
The ratio of the reverse stock split that the Board of Directors approved and
deemed advisable and for which it is seeking stockholder approval is in the
range from one-for-two to one-for-ten. The Board of Directors has approved
by
separate resolution every whole-number ratio within this range, with the exact
ratio to be established within this range by the Board of Directors in its
sole
discretion at the time it elects to effect a reverse stock
split. Approval of this reverse stock split proposal would give the
Board of Directors authority to determine the date of the reverse stock split
to
take place at any time during a period of twenty four months commencing on
the
date the Company’s stockholders approve this proposal or to determine not to
proceed with the reverse stock split.
If
the
stockholders approve the reverse stock split proposal and the Board of Directors
decides to implement the reverse stock split within such twenty four-month
period, the Company will file an amendment to its then current Certificate
of
Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (as described
below), which will effect a reverse split of the shares of the Common Stock
then
issued and outstanding at the specific ratio determined by the Board of
Directors. The reverse stock split, if implemented, also would decrease the
number of authorized shares of our Common Stock proportionately based on the
reverse stock split ratio selected by the Board of Directors, but the $.001
par
value per share of the Common Stock would not change. Except for any
changes as a result of the treatment of fractional shares, each stockholder
will
hold the same percentage of Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis with respect
to shares of Common Stock underlying options, warrants and other derivative
securities, outstanding immediately after the reverse stock split as such
stockholder held immediately prior to the split. If implemented, the
Board of Directors intends to effect the reverse stock split simultaneously
with
the name change of the Company described in Proposal 2 above.
Purpose
The
Board
of Directors is seeking stockholder approval of the authority to implement
a
reverse stock split because it believes that a higher stock price may help
generate and enable institutional investor interest in the Company and help
us
attract and retain employees and other service providers. The Board of Directors
believes that institutional investors and investment funds are generally
reluctant to invest in lower priced stocks. The Board of Directors also believes
that a higher stock price will facilitate a listing on a major stock exchange
such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the American Stock Exchange, which
will further generate and enable institutional investor interest in the
Company. Accordingly, the Board of Directors concluded that reducing
the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock might be desirable in order
to
attempt to support a higher stock price per share based on our current market
capitalization. In addition, the Board of Directors considered that the Common
Stock might not appeal to brokerage firms that are reluctant to recommend lower
priced securities to their clients. Investors may also be dissuaded from
purchasing lower priced stocks because the brokerage commissions, as a
percentage of the total transaction, tend to be higher for such stocks.
Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage firms do not monitor the trading
activity or otherwise provide research coverage of lower priced stocks.
The combination of lower transaction costs and increased interest from
institutional investors and investment funds can ultimately improve the trading
liquidity of Common Stock. In order to reduce the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding and thereby attempt to proportionally raise the per
share price of Common Stock, the Board of Directors believes that it is in
the
best interests of our Company’s stockholders for the Board of Directors to
obtain the authority to implement a reverse stock split.
The
Board
of Directors believes that stockholder approval of a number of ratios within
a
range (rather than an exact exchange ratio) provides the Board of Directors
with
maximum flexibility to achieve the purposes of the reverse stock
split. If the stockholders approve the reverse stock split proposal,
the reverse stock split will be effected, if at all, only upon a determination
by the Board of Directors that the reverse stock split is in the best interests
of the Company and our stockholders at that time. In connection with
any determination to effect a reverse stock split, the Board of Directors will
set the timing for such a split and select the specific ratio within the range.
These determinations will be made by the Board of Directors in its effort to
create the greatest marketability of the Common Stock based on prevailing market
conditions at that time. If the Board of Directors implements a
reverse stock split, its choice of a ratio will depend largely on the current
market prices of the Common Stock during the period leading up to that
date. Because of the volatility of the market prices of our Common
Stock in recent months, it is not possible at this point to specify an exact
ratio or even a likely ratio that the Board of Directors would consider to
be in
our best interest. No further action on the part of stockholders will be
required either to implement or abandon the reverse stock split. If the Board
of
Directors determines not to proceed with a reverse stock split within twenty
four months after receiving stockholder approval of the reverse stock split,
the
authority granted in this proposal to implement a reverse stock split on these
terms will terminate. The Board of Directors reserves its right to elect not
to
proceed with the reverse stock split if it determines, in its sole discretion,
that the split is no longer in the best interests of the Company and our
stockholders.
Certain
Risks Associated with the Reverse Stock Split
There
can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of the Common Stock
after the proposed reverse stock split will be equal to or greater than the
total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split or that
the
per share market price of the Common Stock following the reverse stock split
will either exceed or remain higher than the current per share market
price.
There
can
be no assurance that the market price per new share of Common Stock (the “New
Shares”) after the reverse stock split will rise or remain constant in
proportion to the reduction in the number of old shares of Common Stock (the
“Old Shares”) outstanding before the reverse stock split. For example, based on
a market price of the Common Stock of $0.28 per share (which was the closing
bid
price on August 7, 2007), if the Board of Directors decided to implement the
reverse stock split and selects a reverse stock split ratio of one-for-five,
there can be no assurance that the post-split market price of the Common Stock
would be $1.40 per share or greater. Alternatively, based on the same
market price of the Common Stock of $0.28 per share, if the Board of Directors
decided to implement the reverse stock split and selects a reverse stock split
ratio of one-for-ten, there can be no assurance that the post-split market
price
of the Common Stock would be $2.80 per share or greater.
Accordingly,
the total market capitalization of the Common Stock after the proposed reverse
stock split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the
proposed reverse stock split and, in the future, the market price of Common
Stock following the reverse stock split may not exceed or remain higher than
the
market price prior to the proposed reverse stock split.
There
can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will result in a per-share
price that will attract institutional investors and
brokers.
While
the
Board of Directors believes that a higher stock price may help generate investor
interest, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will result
in
a per share price that will attract institutional investors and brokers or
that,
if attained, such price will be maintained.
There
can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will result in a per-share
price that will increase the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees
and other service providers.
While
the
Board of Directors believes that a higher stock price may help us attract and
retain employees and other service providers who are less likely to work for
a
company with a low stock price, there can be no assurance that the reverse
stock
split will result in a per share price that will increase our ability to attract
and retain employees and other service providers or that, if attained, such
price will be maintained.
A
decline in the market price for the Common Stock after the reverse stock split
may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence
of a
reverse stock split, and the liquidity of the Common Stock could be adversely
affected following a reverse stock split.
The
market price of the Common Stock will also be based on our performance and
other
factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. If
the
reverse stock split is effected and the market price of the Common Stock
declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage
of
our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence
of a reverse stock split. In many cases, both the total market
capitalization of a company and the market price of a share of such company’s
common stock following a reverse stock split are lower than they were before
the
reverse stock split. Furthermore, the reduced number of shares that
would be outstanding after the reverse stock split could adversely affect the
liquidity of the Common Stock.
Principal
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
Corporate
Matters. If approved and effected, the reverse stock split would have the
following effects:
·
|
Depending
on the exact reverse stock split ratio selected by the Board of Directors,
between two and ten Old Shares owned by a stockholder would be exchanged
for one New Share. To illustrate, a shareholder who currently
holds 200 shares of Common Stock would exchange those 200 Old Shares
for
100 New Shares if a one-for-two reverse split were implemented, or
20 New
Shares if a one-for-ten reverse split were implemented. If a one-for-six
reverse split were implemented, a holder of 200 Old Shares would
exchange
those shares for 34 New Shares, rounded up for the fractional share
interest of the remaining 2 Old
Shares;
|
·
|
The
number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced
proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio selected by
the
Board of Directors;
|
·
|
The
number of shares of Common Stock authorized to be issued will be
reduced
proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio selected by
the
Board of Directors;
|
·
|
Based
on the reverse stock split ratio selected by the Board of Directors,
proportionate adjustments will be made to the per-share exercise
price and
the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding
options
and warrants entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of
Common
Stock, which will result in approximately the same aggregate price
being
required to be paid for such options or warrants upon exercise of
such
options or warrants immediately preceding the reverse stock split;
and
|
·
|
The
number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2005 Plan will be
reduced
proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio selected by
the
Board of Directors.
|
If
approved and effected, the reverse stock split will be effected simultaneously
for all of the Common Stock and the ratio will be the same for all of the Common
Stock. The reverse stock split will affect all of our stockholders
uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests
in the Company, subject to being rounded up to the next whole number in the
case
of fractional shares, as described below. Common Stock issued
pursuant to the reverse stock split will remain fully paid and non-assessable.
We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the
Exchange Act.
Fractional
Shares. No scrip or fractional certificates will be issued in connection
with the reverse stock split. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled
to
receive fractional shares because they hold a number of Old Shares not evenly
divisible by the number selected by the Board of Directors for the reverse
stock
split ratio will be will be rounded up to the nearest whole share
amount.
If
approved and effected, the reverse stock split will result in some stockholders
owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. Brokerage commissions
and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than
the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100
shares.
Authorized
Shares. Upon the effectiveness
of
the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock would
proportionately decrease based on the reverse stock split ratio selected by
the
Board of Directors. Under the Certificate of Incorporation, we
currently have the authority to issue 255,000,000 shares of capital stock,
of
which 250,000,000 shares are designated as Common Stock, 4,600,000 shares are
designated as "Preferred Stock," 200,000 shares are designated as "Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock," and 200,000 shares are designated as "Series
C
Convertible Preferred Stock." We currently have 92,930,574 shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding and do not have any other class of stock
outstanding. Authorized but unissued shares will be available for
issuance, and we may issue such shares in financings or otherwise. If
we issue additional shares, the ownership interest of holders of Common Stock
may also be diluted. Also, the issued shares may have rights,
preferences or privileges senior to those of the Common
Stock.
The
Board
of Directors believes, based on the number of shares of Common Stock currently
outstanding, the number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option
plans
and warrants, and the number of shares the Company reasonably expects to issue
in future transactions, that, after giving effect to the reverse split at any
of
the proposed ratios, 250,000,000 is an excessive number of shares of Common
Stock for the Company to be authorized to issue without stockholder
approval. In addition, one method that the State of Delaware uses to
impose franchise taxes upon domestic corporations is based upon a corporation’s
authorized capital. Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes that
a decrease in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock would reduce
the
amount of franchise taxes that the Company is required to pay annually and
would
be in the best interests of the Company. The Board of Directors
believes that a reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock authorized
for
issuance at the same ratio determined by the Board of Directors with regard
to
the reverse split will leave a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common
Stock to maintain the requisite amount of flexibility required by the Company’s
ongoing activities.
Effects
at Illustrative Ratios. The following table illustrates the aggregate
effect of a reverse split, at illustrative levels of one-for-two, one-for-6,
and
one-for-ten, on the numbers of shares of Common Stock outstanding, on the
numbers of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise or conversion of
exercisable or convertible securities, and on the number of authorized but
unissued and unreserved shares that would be available for
issuance.
|
|
Before
reverse stock split
|
|
Effect
of
1
for 2 reverse
stock
split
|
|
Effect
of 1 for 6 reverse
stock
split
|
|
Effect
of 1 for 10 reverse
stock
split
|
Issued
and outstanding shares
|
|
92,930,574
|
|
46,465,287
|
|
15,488,429
|
|
9,293,058
|
Shares
issuable upon exercise or conversion of all outstanding exercisable
and
convertible securities
|
|
43,580,090
|
|
21,790,045
|
|
7,263,349
|
|
4,358,009
|
Authorized
shares of Common Stock
|
|
250,000,000
|
|
125,000,000
|
|
41,666,667
|
|
25,000,000
|
Authorized,
but unissued shares available for issuance
|
|
113,489,336
|
|
56,744,668
|
|
18,914,889
|
|
11,348,933
|
Accounting
Matters. The reverse stock split will not affect the par value of the
Common Stock. As a result, as of the effective time of the reverse stock split,
the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will
be
reduced proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio selected by
the
Board of Directors, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited
with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per-share net income
or loss and net book value of the Common Stock will be restated because there
will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Procedure
for Effecting Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Stock
Certificates
If
the
stockholders approve the proposal to authorize the Board of Directors to
implement the reverse stock split and reduction of the number of authorized
shares of Common Stock and the Board of Directors decides to implement the
reverse stock split and reduction of the number of shares of authorized Common
Stock, we will file an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (“Amendment
to Certificate of Incorporation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware to amend our existing Certificate of Incorporation. The reverse stock
split and reduction of the number of shares of authorized Common Stock will
become effective at the time specified in the Amendment to Certificate of
Incorporation, which is referred to below as the “effective time.” Beginning at
the effective time, each certificate representing Old Shares will be deemed
for
all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of New Shares.
The
text
of the Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation to effect the reverse stock
split, if implemented by the Board of Directors, would be in substantially
the
form attached hereto as Annex A; provided, however, that the text of the
form of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto is subject
to
modification to include such changes as may be required by the office of the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and as the Board of Directors deems
necessary and advisable to effect the reverse stock split, including the
insertion of the effective time and the applicable reverse stock split ratio
determined by the Board of Directors.
As
soon
as practicable after the effective time, stockholders will be notified that
the
reverse stock split has been effected. The Company expects that its transfer
agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, will act as exchange agent
for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock
certificates. Holders of Old Shares will be asked to surrender to the
exchange agent certificates representing Old Shares in exchange for certificates
representing New Shares in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in
the
letter of transmittal the Company sends to its stockholders. No new
certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has
surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding certificate(s), together with the
properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, to the exchange
agent. Any Old Shares submitted for transfer, whether pursuant to a
sale, other disposition or otherwise, will automatically be exchanged for New
Shares. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND
SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
No
Dissenters’ Rights
Under
the
Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to
dissenters’ rights with respect to the reverse stock split, and we will not
independently provide stockholders with any such right.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The
following is a summary of certain material federal income tax consequences
of
the reverse stock split. The summary does not purport to be a
complete discussion of all of the possible federal income tax consequences
of
the reverse stock split and is included for general information
only. Further, it does not address any state, local or foreign income
or other tax consequences. Also, it does not address the tax
consequences to holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks,
insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies,
foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers and tax-exempt
entities. The discussion is based on the provisions of the United States federal
income tax law as of the date hereof, which is subject to change retroactively
as well as prospectively. This summary also assumes that the Old
Shares were, and the New Shares will be, held as a “capital asset,” as defined
in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (i.e., generally, property
held
for investment). The tax treatment of a stockholder may vary
depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of such
stockholder. Each stockholder is urged to consult with such
stockholder’s own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of the
reverse stock split.
No
loss
should be recognized by a stockholder upon such stockholder’s exchange of Old
Shares for New Shares pursuant to the reverse stock split. The
aggregate tax basis of the New Shares received in the reverse stock split
(including any fraction of a New Share deemed to have been received) will be
the
same as the stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the Old Shares exchanged
therefore. The stockholder’s holding period for the New Shares will
include the period during which the stockholder held the Old Shares surrendered
in the reverse stock split.
The
Company’s view regarding the tax consequences of the reverse stock split is not
binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. ACCORDINGLY,
EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT
TO
ALL OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT.
Recommendation
of Board of Directors
The
Board
of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the Amendment to the
Certificate of Incorporation and the grant of discretionary authority to the
Board of Directors to effect a reverse stock split and proportionately decrease
the number of shares of authorized Common Stock available for
issuance.
PROPOSAL
4
AMENDMENT
TO 2005 PLAN
General
In
2005,
the Board of Directors and stockholders adopted the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan
constitutes a key element of the Company’s total compensation program. This plan
is designed to advance our interests by providing for the grant of stock-based
and other incentive awards to our key employees and key
non-employees.
Purpose
As
a
result of prior grants of stock options under the 2005 Plan, the number of
shares of Common Stock available for the grant under the 2005 Plan as of August
7, 2007 was 3,315,000. A considerable portion of the shares available under
the
2005 plan were utilized as liquid common stock payment to consultants, vendors
and employees. In addition, our need to have available stock options in order
to
be prepared for rapid growth, provide incentive to management and employees,
and
to attract senior management and other qualified staff requires this amendment.
The Board has unanimously adopted resolutions setting forth the proposed
amendment to the 2005 Plan, declaring its advisability and directing that the
proposed amendment be submitted to stockholders for their approval. If adopted
by the stockholders, the amendment will become immediately effective, which
the
Company currently expects will occur on or about September 27,
2007. If approved, the total number of shares available for the grant
under the 2005 Plan will be increased by 10,000,000 shares, and the aggregate
number of shares will increase from 10,000,000 to 20,000,000.
Notwithstanding
the proposed increase, if the proposed reverse stock split is approved and
effected, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2005 Plan will
be
reduced proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio selected by
the
Board of Directors.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors
The
Board
of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" approval of the proposed amendment
to the 2005 Plan.
Summary
of the 2005 Plan
The
following summary of the material features of the 2005 Plan is qualified in
its
entirety by the full text of the 2005 Plan that appears as Annex B to
this proxy statement. All references to the "Code" are to the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor
thereto. This summary does not include the proposed increase in
number of number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant under the
2005 Plan.
The
2005
Plan became effective on December 29, 2005 and will terminate on the date of
the
annual meeting of the Board of Directors immediately following the tenth
(10th)
anniversary of the Board of Director's adoption of the plan. The 2005 Plan
is
administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors.
The
2005
Plan provides for the grant of stock options (both non-statutory options or
"NSOs" and, in the case of employees, incentive stock options or "ISOs"),
restricted stock, deferred stock and unrestricted stock. Unless otherwise
determined by the Compensation Committee, awards may not be transferred except
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Number
of Shares.
A
maximum
of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be delivered in satisfaction of awards
made under the 2005 Plan. The maximum number of shares of Common
Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs, and the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise
of
NSOs, is 2,000,000. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which
stock
options may be granted to any person in any calendar year will be 2,000,000.
The
maximum benefit that will be paid to any person under other awards in any
calendar year will be 1,000,000 shares. In the event of a stock dividend, stock
split or other change in our capital structure, or a distribution to
stockholders other than normal cash dividends, the Compensation Committee will
make appropriate adjustments to the limits described above and will also make
appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities
subject to and available for awards, any exercise prices relating to awards
and
any other provisions of awards affected by the change. The Compensation
Committee may also make similar adjustments in response to any other event,
as
the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, to avoid distortion in the
operation of the 2005 Plan. Any such adjustment shall, to the extent applicable,
comply with Section 409A of the Code.
The
share
limitations described above are in addition to the limitation on the number
of
shares available for awards under the 2005 Plan. The maximum number of shares
that may be issued under the 2005 Plan represents approximately 10.8% of the
total number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding on August 7,
2007.
Administration
of 2005 Plan.
The
2005
Plan is administered by a committee of the Board of Directors, currently the
Compensation Committee. Compensation Committee members are required to satisfy
applicable requirements for independence. The Compensation Committee will have
full authority to determine who will receive awards and to determine the types
of awards to be granted as well as the amounts, terms, and conditions of any
awards. The Compensation Committee will determine any questions that may arise
regarding the interpretation and application of the provisions of the 2005
Plan
and to make, administer and interpret such rules and regulations as it deems
necessary or advisable. The Compensation Committee's determinations are
conclusive and bind all parties.
Eligibility.
Participation
in the 2005 Plan is limited to our key employees and to key non-employees (other
persons or entities including consultants and non-Employee directors who, in
the
opinion of the Compensation Committee, are in a position to make a significant
contribution to the success of the Company).
Stock
Options.
Each
stock option awarded under the 2005 Plan will be a NSO unless expressly
designated as an ISO at the time of the grant. The exercise price of stock
options granted under the 2005 Plan will be determined by the Compensation
Committee, but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common
Stock subject to the option, determined at the time the option is granted unless
otherwise required by the Code with respect to an ISO. The term of any option
granted under the 2005 Plan may not exceed ten years. Options will be
exercisable at such time or times and on such conditions as the Compensation
Committee specifies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any
NSO
is granted at an exercise price less than 100% of the fair market value of
the
Common Stock subject to the option, the requirements of Section 409A of the
Code
shall be satisfied as set forth in more particularity in the Individual Stock
Option Agreement.
Restricted
Stock Awards; Unrestricted Stock; Deferred Stock.
The
2005
Plan provides for awards of nontransferable shares of Common Stock which may
be
subject to repurchase or forfeiture as set forth in more particularity in the
Individual Restricted Stock Agreement. The Compensation Committee may, at the
time any other award is granted, provide that any or all the Common Stock
delivered pursuant to an award will be restricted Common Stock. The 2005 Plan
also provides for awards of unrestricted stock, but no more than 90,000 shares
of unrestricted stock in the aggregate may be granted at less than fair market
value or not in lieu of cash compensation equal to fair market value. The 2005
Plan provides for deferred grants entitling the recipient to receive Common
Stock upon the satisfaction of conditions determined by the Compensation
Committee in its discretion. To the extent required, all such awards shall
comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
Performance
Awards.
Any
award
under the 2005 Plan may be made subject to the satisfaction of performance
criteria specified by the Compensation Committee. In the case of performance
awards intended to qualify for exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code,
the
Compensation Committee will use objectively determinable measures of performance
in accordance with Section 162(m) that are based on any or any combination
of
the following (measured either absolutely or by reference to an index or indices
and determined either on a consolidated basis or, as the context permits, on
a
divisional, subsidiary, line of business, project or geographical basis or
in
combinations thereof): sales; revenues; assets; expenses; earnings before or
after deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation, or
amortization, whether or not on a continuing operations or an aggregate or
per
share basis; return on equity, investment, capital or assets; one or more
operating ratios; borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit rating; market
share; capital expenditures; cash flow; stock price; stockholder return; sales
of particular products or services; customer acquisition or retention;
acquisitions and divestitures (in whole or in part); joint ventures and
strategic alliances; spin-offs, split-ups and the like; reorganizations; or
recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity)
or
refinancings. Any performance criterion based on performance over time will
be
determined by reference to a period of at least one year. The Compensation
Committee will determine whether the performance criteria that have been chosen
for a particular performance award have been met. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
to the extent that any award under the 2005 Plan may be subject to Section
409A
of the Code and subject to the satisfaction of performance criteria specified
by
the Compensation Committee, such performance parameters shall specifically
comply with Section 409A of the Code in addition to such criteria necessary
to
qualify for exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Termination
of Affiliation with Company: Effect on Stock Options.
Except
as
otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, if a participant in the
2005
Plan dies, any ISO or NSO granted at fair market value owned by the participant
will, to the extent exercisable on the date of death, remain exercisable for
a
one-year period, provided that no such option will be exercisable beyond the
end
of its original term. In addition, and except as otherwise determined by the
Compensation Committee, if a participant's affiliation with the Company ends
because of the participant's total and permanent disability, then any ISOs
and
NSOs granted at fair market value held by the participant that were exercisable
at the time of disability may be exercised by the participant at any time in
accordance with the original terms of the options. Finally, and except as
otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, if a participant's
employment (or other applicable affiliation with the Company) terminates for
any
reason other than death or disability, ISOs and NSOs granted at fair market
value that were exercisable at the time the participant ceased to be affiliated
with the Company will remain exercisable for three months, provided that
(i) under no circumstances will any option be extended beyond its original
term; and (ii) in the case of termination of the participant for cause, the
Compensation Committee may elect to terminate any options immediately. In all
cases, ISOs and NSOs granted at fair market value that are not exercisable
on
the date of termination will terminate on that date. With respect to any NSO
granted at less than fair market value, the treatment of the option upon a
termination of affiliation with the company shall be set forth in the Individual
Stock Option Agreement as determined by the Compensation Committee.
Termination
of Affiliation with the Company: Effect on Restricted and Deferred
Stock.
Upon
a
termination of affiliation of the Company, as set forth in more particularity
in
the Individual Restricted and/or Deferred Stock Award Agreement and as
determined by the Compensation Committee, any share of Common Stock subject
to a
continuing restriction may be repurchased by the Company. Common Stock awards,
whether restricted or deferred, to which the participant did not become
irrevocably entitled prior to the termination of the participant's affiliation
with the Company will be forfeited upon termination of affiliation.
Effect
of Certain Mergers, Consolidations, Etc.
In
the
case of certain mergers, consolidations or similar transactions in which a
majority of our stock or all or substantially all of its assets are acquired,
or
in the case of a dissolution or liquidation, the Compensation Committee may,
in
its discretion, make options immediately exercisable, remove restrictions on
shares of restricted Common Stock, waive conditions on any deferred awards
of
Common Stock and remove any performance or other conditions on any award. In
addition, the Compensation Committee may, under such circumstances, provide
for
replacement awards for certain participants. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
to
the extent applicable, any such modification and/or replacement award shall
comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code as set forth in more
particularity in the Individual Option or Stock Award Agreement.
Amendment
of 2005 Plan.
The
Compensation Committee may amend the 2005 Plan or any outstanding award for
any
purpose that may at the time be permitted by law, and may at any time terminate
the 2005 Plan as to any future grants of awards. The Compensation Committee
may
not, without the approval of our stockholders, effectuate a change to the 2005
Plan (i) for which stockholder approval is required in order for the 2005 Plan
to continue to qualify for the award of ISOs under Section 422 of the Code
or
for the award of performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
Code; or (ii) if the change would increase the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be delivered under the 2005 Plan, or change the class
of
persons or entities that qualify as participants under the 2005 Plan.
Specifically, and in addition to the foregoing, this Plan may be amended, to
the
extent necessary, to comply with regulatory and legislative requirements,
including but not limited to Section 409A of the Code.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
The
following discussion summarizes certain federal income tax consequences under
the Code of the issuance and receipt of options under the 2005
Plan.
Incentive
Stock Options.
In
general, an optionee realizes no taxable income upon the grant or exercise
of an
ISO, although the exercise of an ISO may result in an alternative minimum tax
liability. With certain exceptions, a disposition of shares purchased under
an
ISO within two years from the date of grant or within one year after exercise
produces ordinary income to the optionee (with a corresponding deduction
available to the Company) generally equal to the value of the shares at the
time
of exercise less the exercise price. Any additional gain recognized in the
disposition is generally treated as a capital gain for which the Company is
not
entitled to a deduction. If the optionee does not dispose of the shares until
after the expiration of these one-and two-year holding periods, any gain or
loss
recognized upon a subsequent sale is generally treated as a long-term capital
gain or loss for which the Company is not entitled to a deduction.
Non-statutory
Options.
In
general, in the case of a NSO granted at fair market value, the optionee has
no
taxable income at the time of grant but realizes ordinary income in connection
with exercise of the option in an amount equal to the excess (at time of
exercise) of the fair market value of the shares acquired upon exercise over
the
exercise price; a corresponding deduction is available to the Company; and
upon
a subsequent sale or exchange of the shares, any recognized gain or loss after
the date of exercise is treated as capital gain or loss for which the Company
is
not entitled to a deduction. The ordinary income recognized on exercise shall
be
subject to applicable withholding and employment taxes.
In
general, an ISO that is exercised more than three months after termination
of
employment (other than termination by reason of death) is treated as a NSO.
ISOs
are also treated as non-statutory options to the extent they first become
exercisable by an individual in any calendar year for shares having a fair
market value (determined as of the date of grant) in excess of
$100,000.
In
general, in the case of a NSO granted at less than fair market value, the
optionee will have taxable income to the extent not previously included at
such
times that the option is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture
(and subject to applicable withholding and employment taxes), which is generally
December 31 of any calendar year such options are vested. The optionee generally
will recognize additional ordinary income on exercise equal to the amount the
fair market value of the underlying stock increases, if any, from the date
the
substantial risk of forfeiture lapses to the date of exercise to the extent
such
amounts have not been previously taxed. Such ordinary income will be subject
to
applicable withholding and employment taxes. However, with respect to NSOs
granted at less than fair market value which are subject to the requirements
of
Section 409A of the Code, it is intended that, the Individual Stock Option
Agreement will contain such terms and conditions as are required under said
Section 409A including without limitation provisions applicable to the vesting
and exercise of such NSOs such that taxation will not occur until exercise
of
these options under the general rules for NSOs granted at fair market
value.
The
foregoing summary assumes that stock options are exercised for substantially
vested stock. Where a stock option is exercised for Restricted Stock, as is
permitted by the 2005 Plan, the tax treatment will differ from the treatment
summarized above. In general, a participant who exercises a NSO for Restricted
Stock will have income taxable at ordinary income rates only when the stock
vests, in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock at time of
vesting less the exercise price. However, the participant may make a special
election to have the income measured and taken into account, instead, at time
of
exercise. In either case, a corresponding deduction will be available to the
Company. In the case of a participant who exercises an ISO for Restricted Stock,
the determination of "alternative minimum taxable income" (relevant in
determining whether an alternative minimum tax must be paid) will follow rules
similar to the rules for determining ordinary income in the case of the exercise
of a NSO. For federal income tax purposes, the exercise of an ISO for Restricted
Stock will be treated the same as the exercise of an ISO for substantially
vested stock, provided that the shares are held for the requisite one-year
and
two-year holding periods described above, but further provided that an election
is not available with respect to the early recognition of ordinary income upon
exercise.
Specific
provisions regarding the impact of a change in control of the Company on any
award granted under the 2005 Plan will, to the extent necessary, comply with
the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code and as set forth in more particularity
in the Individual Option and/or Stock Award Agreement.
The
Code
also limits to $1 million the deduction the Company may claim for compensation
paid annually to any of its top five officers, subject to a number of
exceptions. The deduction limitation rules provide an exemption for compensation
attributable to the exercise of non-discounted stock options that satisfy
certain requirements. Stock options awarded under the 2005 Plan are intended
to
qualify for this exemption.
Stock
Awards
Persons
receiving Common Stock pursuant to an Award generally will recognize
compensation income equal to the fair market value of the shares received,
reduced by any purchase price paid. Such compensation income will be taxed
at
ordinary income rates and subject to applicable withholdings and employment
taxes. The Company generally should be entitled to a corresponding deduction
for
federal income tax purposes when such person recognizes compensation income.
When such Common Stock is sold, the seller generally will recognized capital
gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale
and the seller's adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock (generally, the amount
that the seller paid for such stock plus the amount taxed to the seller as
compensation income). Special rules apply if the Common Stock acquired pursuant
to an Award is subject to vesting, or is subject to restrictions on resale
under
federal securities laws applicable to directors, officers or 10% shareholders.
Deferred Stock issued pursuant to an Award may also be subject to special rules.
In addition, any award issued pursuant to the 2005 Plan, except ISOs and NSOs
granted at fair market value, may be subject to the requirements of Section
409A
of the Code and accordingly, subject to special rules.
Statutory
Requirements and the Subsequent Amendment
The
2005
Plan and the grant of any award thereunder is intended, to the extent
applicable, to constitute good faith compliance with the requirements of the
American Jobs Creation Act, specifically with respect to the definition of
deferred compensation and the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. To the
extent required by guidance to be issued subsequent to this filing, whether
statutory or regulatory, the Company will make such amendments and/or
modifications as are necessary to maintain compliance with the provisions and
requirements of said Section 409A.
PROPOSAL
5
RATIFICATION
OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The
Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors appointed Sweeney, Gates & Co.,
independent certified public accountants, as auditors of our financial
statements for the year ending December 31, 2007, subject to the ratification
of
such appointment by stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
A
representative of Sweeney, Gates & Co. is expected to be available at the
Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she
desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors
The
Board
of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" ratification of Sweeney, Gates
&
Co. as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31,
2007.
The
following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by
Sweeney, Gates & Co., for the audit of the Company’s annual financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, and fees billed for
other services rendered by Sweeney, Gates & Co. during those
periods:
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
Audit
fees
|
|
$112,695
|
|
$ 91,265
|
Audit
related fees
|
|
19,590
|
|
4,801
|
Tax
fees
|
|
14,292
|
|
12,956
|
Total
|
|
$146,577
|
|
$109,022
|
Audit
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 by
Sweeney, Gates & Co., our principal accountants in 2006 and 2005, for the
audit of our financial statements for each of those years, the review of our
financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB during
those fiscal years and audit issues related to equity transactions were $112,695
and $91,265, respectively.
Audit
Related Fees
The
aggregate fees billed for audit related fees such as review of registration
statements and related services during the years ended December 31, 2006 and
2005 were $19,590 and $4,801, respectively.
Tax
Fees
Our
current principal accountants Sweeney, Gates & Co. billed us $14,292 and
$12,956 for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the year ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Other
Fees
Our
principal accountant did not bill us for any services or products other than
as
reported above in this Item 14 during our fiscal years ended December 31, 2006
and 2005.
Pre
Approval Policies and Procedures
The
audit
committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit
services and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent
auditor as required by the Exchange Act. The audit committee must approve the
permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to perform
it.
The
audit
committee approved all of the services described above in accordance with its
pre-approval policies and procedures.
OTHER
MATTERS
Deadline
for Stockholder Proposals
Under
SEC
Rule 14a-8, stockholder proposals for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
be
held in 2008 will not be included in the proxy statement for that meeting unless
the proposal is proper for inclusion in the proxy statement and for
consideration at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and is received by
our
Secretary at our executive offices, no later than July 3, 2008. Stockholders
must also follow the other procedures prescribed in SEC Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act, as well as our By-Laws, which contain requirements that are
separate and apart from the SEC requirements of Rule 14a-8. Our By-Laws provide
that stockholders desiring to bring business before the 2007 Annual Meeting,
including nomination of a person for election to our Board of Directors, must
provide written notice to our Secretary at our executive offices no earlier
than
75 days, and no later than 45 days, before the one year anniversary of the
mailing of this proxy statement. The written notice must include the information
required by Section 2.4 of the By-Laws: (a) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director,
all
information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominee as a director pursuant
to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and such person's written consent
to
serve as a director if elected; (b) as to any other business that the
stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such
business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any
material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner,
if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder
giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder,
as
they appear on our books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and
number of shares of the Company that are owned beneficially and of record by
such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such
stockholder or such beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and
form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage
of our voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or,
in
the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of
our
voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees.
Householding
of Annual Meeting Materials
Some
banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the
practice of "householding" proxy statements and annual reports. This means
that
only one copy of our proxy statement or annual report may have been sent to
multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate
copy of either document to you if you notify our Secretary at our executive
offices. If you wish to receive separate copies of the annual report and proxy
statement in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would
like
to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank,
broker, or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at our executive
offices.
Financial
Statements and Exhibits to Form 10-KSB
Our
financial statements are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for
our
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 that was filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 9, 2007, a copy of which is made available with
this proxy statement. Such report and the financial statements contained therein
are not to be considered as a part of this soliciting material.
The
Form
10-KSB made available with this proxy statement does not include copies of
the
exhibits to that filing. We will furnish any such exhibit upon
payment of a reasonable fee by request sent to us, c/o Corporate Secretary,
DOR
BioPharma, Inc., 1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S, Miami, Florida
33131.
Other
Matters
Management
knows of no matters that are to be presented for action at the meeting other
than those set forth above. If any other matters properly come before the
meeting, the persons named in the form of proxy will vote the shares represented
by proxies in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
The
cost
of this proxy solicitation will be borne by us. In addition to the solicitation
of proxies by mail, our directors, officers and employees may also solicit
proxies by telephone, facsimile, e-mail or other forms of communication, without
special compensation for such activities. We will also request banks,
brokers, fiduciaries, custodians, nominees and certain other record holders
to
send proxies, proxy statements and other materials to their principals at our
expense. We will reimburse such banks, brokers, fiduciaries, custodians,
nominees and other record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
of
solicitation.
By
order
of the Board of Directors,
/s/
James
Clavijo
James Clavijo
Secretary
ANNEX
A
CERTIFICATE
OF AMENDMENT
TO
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
THE
UNDERSIGNED, being a duly appointed officer of DOR BioPharma, Inc. (the
“Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the
Delaware General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), for the
purpose of amending the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended to the date hereof (the “Certificate of
Incorporation”), hereby certifies, pursuant to Sections 242 and 103 of the DGCL,
as follows:
FIRST: The
name of the Corporation is
[ ].
SECOND:
The amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation set forth below was duly
adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 and 242 of the
DGCL.
SECOND: The
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation is hereby further
amended by striking out the first introductory paragraphs of Article IV thereof,
and by substituting in lieu thereof, the following new introductory
paragraphs:
“The
total number of shares of capital stock of all classes which the Corporation
shall have authority to issue is
[ ]
([ ])
shares, of which
[ ]
([ ])
shares, of par value of $.001 per share, shall be of a class designated “Common
Stock,” four million six hundred thousand (4,600,000) shares, of a par value of
$.001 per share, shall be of a class designated “Preferred Stock,” two hundred
thousand (200,000) shares, of a par value of $.05 per share, shall be of a
class
designated “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock,” and two hundred thousand
(200,000) shares, of a par value of $.05 per share, shall be of a class
designated “Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.” Upon this
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of
the Corporation becoming effective pursuant to the General Corporation Law
of
the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), every
[ ]
shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Old
Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time,
will be automatically reclassified as and converted into one share of Common
Stock, $.001 per share, of the Corporation (the “New Common Stock”), subject to
the treatment of fractional share interests described below.
Following
the Effective Time, each holder of Old Common Stock shall be entitled to receive
upon surrender of such holder’s certificate(s) representing Old Common Stock
(whether one or more, “Old Certificates”) for cancellation pursuant to
procedures adopted by the Corporation, a certificate(s) representing the number
of whole shares of New Common Stock (whether one or more, “New Certificates”)
into which and for which the shares of Old Common Stock formerly represented
by
Old Certificates so surrendered are reclassified under the terms hereof. From
and after the Effective Time, Old Certificates shall represent only the right
to
receive New Certificates. No fractional shares of Common Stock of the
Corporation shall be issued. Fractional shares of New Common Stock will be
rounded up to the nearest whole share amount.
The
designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative, participating,
option, or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions
of the above classes of capital stock shall be as follows:”
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has made and signed this Certificate
of Amendment this [ ]day of
[ ],
200[ ] and affirms the statements contained herein as true under
penalty of perjury.
|
|
|
DOR
BioPharma, Inc.
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
Title:
|
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
DOR
BIOPHARMA, INC.
1101
Brickell Avenue, Suite 701-S, Miami, FL 33131
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – SEPTEMBER 27, 2007
The
undersigned hereby appoints Christopher J. Schaber, Ph.D., the Chief Executive
Officer and President of DOR BioPharma, Inc, and Evan Myrianthopoulos, the
Chief
Financial Officer of DOR BioPharma, Inc., or either of them, each with the
power
of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote
as
designated on the reverse side of this proxy card, all of the shares of Common
Stock of DOR BioPharma, Inc. that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at J.W. Marriott on the 5th Floor,
1101 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131, Eastern Time, on September 27, 2007
at
10:30 a.m., or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THIS
PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER. IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS PROXY CARD FOR
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOR EACH OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE
SIDE.
The
Board
of Directors recommends you vote (1) "FOR" the election of all of the named
nominees as directors; (2) “FOR” the approval of the grant of discretionary
authority to the Board of Directors (a) to amend our Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) to
change the name of the Company to a name to be selected by the Board of
Directors or (b) to determine not to proceed with the name change; (3) "FOR"
the
approval of the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors
(a)
to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of
the
Common Stock at a ratio within the range from one-for-two to one-for-ten and
to
proportionately reduce the number of shares of our common stock authorized
for
issuance or (b) to determine not to proceed with the reverse stock split and
proportionate reduction in the number of shares of common stock authorized
for
issuance; (4) “FOR” the amendment to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005
Plan”) to increase the maximum number of shares of our common stock available
for issuance under the plan by 10,000,000 shares, bringing the total shares
reserved for issuance under the plan to 20,000,000 shares; and (5) “FOR” the
ratification of Sweeney, Gates & Co. as our independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
CONTINUED
AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE
ANNEX
B
DOR
BIOPHARMA, INC.
2005
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED
BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ON
DECEMBER 2, 2005
The
purpose of this 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the
interests of DOR BioPharma, Inc. by enhancing its ability to attract and
retain
employees and other persons who can make significant contributions to the
success of the Company through ownership of shares of the Company’s common
stock.
The
Plan
is intended to accomplish this goal by enabling the Company to grant Awards
in
the form of options, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards,
unrestricted stock, performance awards, or combinations thereof, as described
in
greater detail below.
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 General. Wherever
the following terms are used in this Plan they shall have the meaning specified
below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
1.2 Award. “Award”
shall mean the grant of an option, deferred stock, restricted stock,
unrestricted stock, performance award, stock appreciation right or any
combination thereof pursuant to this Plan.
1.3 Award
Limit. “Award Limit” shall mean two million (2,000,000) shares of
common stock.
1.4 Board. “Board”
shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.5 Code. “Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time,
or
any successor thereto.
1.6 Committee. “Committee”
shall mean the Committee to which the Board delegates the power to act under
or
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, or the Board if no Committee is
selected. If the Board delegates powers to a Committee, and if the Company
is or
becomes subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then, if necessary for
compliance therewith, such Committee shall consist initially of not less
than
two (2) members of the Board, each member of which must be a “Non-Employee Board
Member” within the meaning of the applicable rules promulgated pursuant to the
Exchange Act. The failure of any Committee members to qualify as a “Non-Employee
Board Member” shall not otherwise affect the validity of an Award. If the
Company is or becomes subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, no member
of
the Committee shall receive any Award pursuant to the Plan or any similar
plan
of the Company or any affiliate while serving on the Committee unless the
Board
determines that the grant of such Award satisfies the then current Rule 16b-3
requirements under the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, and insofar as the Board determines that
it is
necessary in order for compensation recognized by Participants pursuant to
the
Plan to be fully deductible to the Company for federal income tax purposes,
each
member of the Committee also shall be an “outside director” (as defined in
regulations or other guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service under
Code
Section 162(m)).
1.7 Company. “Company”
shall mean DOR BioPharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and includes any
successor or assignee corporation or corporations into which the Company
may be
merged, changed, or consolidated; any corporation for whose securities the
securities of the Company shall be exchanged; and any assignee of or successor
to substantially all of the assets of the Company.
1.8 Disability
or Disabled. “Disability or Disabled” shall mean permanent and
total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, except as otherwise
may be required by section 409A, in which case “disability” shall be defined as
set forth in section 409A.
1.9 Exchange
Act. “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
1.10 Fair
Market Value. “Fair Market Value” of a share of common stock as
of a given date shall be (i) the mean between the highest and lowest selling
price of a share of common stock on such date on the principal exchange on
which
shares of common stock are then trading, if any, or if shares were not traded
on
such date, then on the closest preceding date on which a trade occurred,
or (ii)
if the common stock is not traded on an exchange, the mean between the closing
representative bid and asked prices for the common stock on such date as
reported by AMEX or, if AMEX is not then in existence, by its successor
quotation system; or (iii) if the common stock is not publicly traded, the
Fair
Market Value of a share of common stock as established by the Committee acting
in good faith.
1.11 Key
Employee. “Key Employee” shall mean an employee of the Company or
of an affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who also is serving
as an officer or director of the Company or of an affiliate), designated
by the
Board or the Committee as being eligible to be granted one or more options
under
the Plan.
1.12 Key
Non-Employee. “Key Non-Employee” shall mean a Non-Employee Board
Member, consultant, or independent contractor of the Company or of an affiliate
who is designated by the Board or the Committee as being eligible to be granted
one or more options under the Plan.
1.13 Non-Employee
Board Member. “Non-Employee Board Member” shall mean a director
of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or any of its affiliates.
For purposes of this Plan, a Non-Employee Board Member shall be deemed to
include the employer of such Non-Employee Board Member, if the Non-Employee
Board Member is so required, as a condition of his employment, to provide
that
any option granted hereunder be made to the employer.
1.14 Participant. “Participant”
shall mean a Key Employee or a Key Non-Employee to whom an award is granted
under the Plan.
1.15 Plan. “Plan”
shall mean this Equity Compensation Plan, as amended from time to
time.
1.16 Shares. “Shares”
shall mean the following shares of the capital stock of the Company as to
which
Awards have been or may be granted under the Plan; treasury shares or authorized
but unissued common stock $.001 par value, or any share of capital stock
into
which the shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the
provision of the Plan.
1.17 Rule
16b-3. “Rule 16b-3” shall mean that certain Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time.
1.18 Termination
of Directorship. “Termination of Directorship” shall mean the
time when an optionee who is an independent director ceases to be a director
for
any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by
resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement. The Board, in its
sole
and absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions
relating to Termination of Directorship.
1.19 Termination
of Employment. “Termination of Employment” shall mean the time
when the employee-employer relationship between the optionee, grantee or
restricted stockholder and the Company is terminated for any reason, including,
but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death,
disability or retirement; but excluding (i) terminations where there is a
simultaneous reemployment, continuing employment or retention as a consultant
or
advisor of an optionee, grantee or restricted stockholder by the Company,
(ii)
at the discretion of the Committee, terminations which result in a temporary
severance of the employee-employer relationship, and (iii) at the discretion
of
the Committee, terminations which are followed by the simultaneous establishment
of a consulting relationship by the Company with the former employee. The
Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all
matters
and questions relating to Termination of Employment, including, but not by
way
of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Employment resulted
from
a discharge for good cause, and all questions of whether particular leaves
of
absence constitute Terminations of Employment; provided, however,
that, with respect to “incentive stock options”, a leave of absence, change in
status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the
employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Employment
if,
and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other
change
interrupts employment for the purpose of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and
the
then applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Company has an absolute
and unrestricted right to terminate an employee’s employment at any time for any
reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly
provided otherwise in writing.
ARTICLE
II
SHARES
SUBJECT TO PLAN
2.1 Shares
Subject to Plan.
(a) The
shares of stock subject to options, awards of restricted stock, performance
awards, awards of deferred stock or unrestricted stock shall be the Company’s
common stock, $.001 par value. The aggregate number of such shares which
may be
issued upon exercise of such options or rights or upon any such awards under
the
Plan shall not exceed ten million (10,000,000), subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 10.3. The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise
of
such options or rights or upon any such awards may be either previously
authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
(b) The
maximum number of shares which may be subject to options or stock appreciation
rights granted under the Plan to any individual in any calendar year shall
not
exceed the limitations set forth in this subsection 2.1(b) as
follows:
(i) Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 10.3, the maximum number of shares of
stock
as to which options may be granted to any Participant in any one calendar
year
shall be 2,000,000. These limits shall be construed and applied in a manner
that
is consistent with the rules under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(ii) Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 10.3, the maximum number of shares of
stock
subject to performance awards granted to any Participant in any one calendar
year shall be 1,000,000. This limit shall be construed and applied in a manner
that is consistent with the rules under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(iii) Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 10.3, the maximum number of shares of
Stock
that may be issued, in the aggregate, pursuant to the exercise of Options
that
do not qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422(b) of the Code
(“non-ISOs”) shall be 2,000,000 and the maximum number of shares of Stock that
may be issued, in the aggregate, pursuant to the exercise of stock options
that
qualify as “incentive stock options” (“ISOs”) shall also be 2,000,000; provided,
that the foregoing maximum limits shall not be construed to permit more than
the
maximum number of shares described at (a) above (as the same may be adjusted
as
provided in Section 10.3) to be issued in the aggregate pursuant to all
Awards.
(c) To
the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, shares subject to options
which are canceled shall continue to be counted against the Award Limit and
if,
after grant of an option, the price of shares subject to such option is reduced,
the transaction shall be treated as a cancellation of the option and a grant
of
a new option and both the option deemed to be canceled and the option deemed
to
be granted shall be counted against the Award Limit. This
subparagraph (c) shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements
of section 409A of the Code and any such cancellation and subsequent grant
or
Award shall fully comply with the requirements of said section
409A.
2.2 Unexercised
options and Other Rights. Consistent with the provisions of
Section 162(m) of the Code, as from time to time applicable, to the extent
that
(i) an option expires or is otherwise terminated without being exercised,
or
(ii) any shares of stock subject to any restricted stock, deferred stock
or
performance award granted hereunder are forfeited, such shares shall again
be
available for issuance in connection with future awards under the Plan. If
any
shares of stock have been pledged as collateral for indebtedness incurred
by a
Participant in connection with the exercise of an option and such shares
are
returned to the Company in satisfaction of such indebtedness, such shares
shall
again be available for issuance in connection with future awards under the
Plan.
ARTICLE
III
GRANTING
OF OPTIONS
3.1 Eligibility. Any
officer, employee, consultant, advisor or director shall be eligible to be
granted an option.
3.2 Granting
of options.
(a) The
Committee shall from time to time, in its absolute discretion:
(i) Select
which Participants shall be granted options;
(ii) Subject
to the Award Limit, determine the number of shares subject to such
options;
(iii) Determine
whether such options are to be incentive stock options or non-qualified stock
options and whether such options are to qualify as performance-based
compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code; and
(iv) Determine
the terms and conditions of such options, consistent with this Plan;
provided, however, that the terms and conditions of options
intended to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section
162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall include, but not be limited to, such terms
and
conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section
162(m) of the Code.
(b) The
Committee shall instruct the secretary of the Company to issue such options
and
may impose such conditions on the grant of such options as it deems appropriate,
including substitution or replacement of awards, cancellation and replacement
or
other adjustments to the Award, including but not limited to the strike price.
Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Committee
may, in
its discretion and on such terms as it deems appropriate, require as a condition
on the grant of an option that the optionee surrender for cancellation some
or
all of the unexercised options, awards of restricted stock, deferred stock,
performance awards or unrestricted stock or other rights which have been
previously granted to him under this Plan or otherwise. Any such
surrender and subsequent grant or Award shall fully comply with the requirements
of section 409A of the Code and within the statutory guidelines. Such
grant or other Award may contain such terms and conditions as the Committee
deems appropriate and shall be exercisable in accordance with its terms,
subject
to statutory and regulatory compliance.
3.3 Special
Rules Applicable to incentive stock options.
(a) No
person may be granted an incentive stock option under this Plan if such person,
at the time the incentive stock option is granted, owns stock possessing
more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes
of
stock of the Company unless such incentive stock option conforms to the
applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
(b) No
incentive stock option shall be granted unless such option, when granted,
qualifies as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. No
incentive stock option shall be granted to any person who is not an
employee.
(c) Any
incentive stock option granted under this Plan may be modified by the Committee
to disqualify such option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under
Section 422 of the Code.
(d) To
the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of stock with respect to
which
“incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but
without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first
time
by an optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive
stock option plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be
treated as non-qualified options to the extent required by Section 422 of
the
Code. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking
options into account in the order in which they were granted. For purposes
of
this Section 3.3(d), the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as
of
the time the option with respect to such stock is granted.
3.4 Certain
Additional provisions for Non-Qualified Stock Options.
(a) NQOs
With Fair Market Value Exercise Price. Unless otherwise
determined by the Board pursuant to paragraph (b) below, to avoid a deferral
of
compensation falling within the requirements of section 409A of the Code,
any
option to purchase stock, other than an Incentive Stock Option described
in
section 422 of the Code, will have the following characteristics: (i) the
exercise price will never be less than the fair market value of the underlying
stock on the date the option is granted, (ii) the receipt, transfer or
exercise of the option will be subject to taxation under section 83 of the
Code,
and (iii) the option will not include any feature for the deferral of
compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the later
of
exercise or disposition of the option.
(b) NQOs
With an Exercise Price Less than Fair Market
Value. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, to the extent that
any NQO may constitute a deferral of compensation, such option shall comply
with
the requirements of section 409A of the Code as set forth in the corresponding
stock option agreement.
3.5 Substitute
Options. In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary
consummates a transaction described in section 424(a) of the Code (relating
to
the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), individuals
who become employees or consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary on account
of such transaction may be granted ISOs in substitution for options granted
by
their former employer, subject to the requirements of section 409A of the
Code. The Board, in its sole discretion and consistent with sections
409A and 424(a) of the Code, shall determine the exercise price of such
substitute Options.
ARTICLE
IV
TERMS
OF
OPTIONS
4.1 Option
Agreement. Each option shall be evidenced by a written stock
option agreement, which shall be executed by the optionee and an authorized
officer of the Company and which shall contain such terms and conditions
as the
Committee shall determine, consistent with this Plan. Stock option agreements
evidencing options intended to qualify as performance-based compensation
as
described in Section l62(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall contain such terms and
conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section
162(m) of the Code. Stock option agreements evidencing incentive stock options
shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the
applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In this regard, any
awards which are NQOs under Section 3.4 of this Plan will include within
the
written award agreement such terms and conditions as are necessary to comply
with the requirements of section 409A of the Code. Any award
agreement may require that the Participant agree to be bound by any
stockholders’ agreement among all or certain stockholders of the Company that
may be in effect at the time of the grant of the award, or the exercise of
an
Option, if applicable, or certain provisions of any such agreement that may
be
specified by the Company.
4.2 Option
Price. The price per share of the shares subject to each option
shall be set by the Committee; provided, however, that (i) such
price shall be no less than the par value of a share of common stock, and
(ii)
in the case of options intended to qualify as incentive stock options or
as
performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the
Code
such price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share
of
common stock on the date the option is granted (110% of the Fair Market Value
of
a share of common stock on the date such option is granted in the case of
an
individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424( d) of the Code)
more
than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company).
4.3 Option
Term. The term of an option shall be set by the Committee in its
discretion; provided, however, that, in the case of incentive
stock options, the term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date
the
incentive stock option is granted, or five (5) years from such date if the
incentive stock option is granted to an individual then owning (within the
meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company.
4.4 Option
Vesting and Exercisability. Stock options shall be exercisable at
such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be
determined by the Committee at or after grant. The Committee may provide,
in its
discretion, that any stock option shall be exercisable only in installments,
and
the Committee may waive such installment exercise provisions at any time
in
whole or in part based on such factors as the Committee may determine, in
its
sole discretion, including but not limited to in connection with any “change in
control” of the Company, as defined in any stock option
agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may accelerate
(i) the vesting or payment of any award (including an ISO), (ii) the lapse
of
restrictions on any award (including an award of Restricted Stock) and (iii)
the
date on which any Option first becomes exercisable as long as such acceleration
will not subject the specific award or this Plan, in general, to the
requirements of section 409A of the Code.
ARTICLE
V
EXERCISE
OF OPTIONS
5.1 Partial
Exercise. An exercisable option may be exercised in whole or in
part. However, an option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional
shares and the Committee may require that, by the terms of the option, a
partial
exercise be with respect to a minimum number of shares.
5.2 Manner
of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable option shall be
deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the secretary of
the
Company or the secretary’s office:
(a) A
written notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Committee
stating that the option, or a portion thereof, is to be exercised. The notice
shall be signed by the optionee or other person then entitled to exercise
the
option or such portion;
(b) Such
representations and documents as the Committee, in its absolute discretion,
deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other federal or state
securities laws or regulations. The Committee may, in its absolute discretion,
also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such
compliance including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates
and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;
(c) In
the event that the option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 10.1 by
any
person or persons other than the optionee, appropriate proof of the right
of
such person or persons to exercise the option; and
(d) Full
cash payment to the secretary of the Company for the shares with respect
to
which the option, or portion thereof, is exercised. However, at the discretion
of the Committee, the terms of the option may (i) allow a delay in payment
up to
thirty (30) days from the date the option, or portion thereof, is exercised;
(ii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through the delivery of shares of
common stock owned by the optionee for at least six months prior to the date
of
delivery, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company with a Fair Market Value
on
the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the option
or
exercised portion thereof; (iii) allow payment, in whole or in part, through
the
surrender of shares of common stock then issuable upon exercise of the option
having a Fair Market Value on the date of option exercise equal to the aggregate
exercise price of the option or exercised portion thereof; (iv) allow payment,
in whole or in part, through the delivery of property of any kind which
constitutes good and valuable consideration; (v) allow payment, in whole
or in
part, through the delivery of a promissory note bearing interest (at no less
than such rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the
Code)
and payable upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Committee, or (vi)
allow
payment through any combination of the foregoing. In the case of a promissory
note, the Committee may also prescribe the form of such note, the security
to be
given for such note and the rate of interest, if any, that the note shall
bear.
The option may not be exercised, however, by delivery of a promissory note
or by
a loan from the Company when or where such loan or other extension of credit
is
prohibited by law, and any such note or loan shall comply with all applicable
laws, regulations and rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and any other governmental agency having jurisdiction.
5.3 Conditions
to Issuance of Stock Certificate. The Company shall not be
required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of
stock
purchased upon the exercise of any option or portion thereof prior to
fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(a) The
admission of such shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such
class
of stock is then listed;
(b) The
completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under
any
state or federal law, or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities
and
Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body which the
Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or
advisable;
(c) The
obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal
governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion,
determine to be necessary or advisable;
(d) The
lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the option
as
the Committee may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative
convenience; and
(e) The
receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares, including payment
of any
applicable withholding tax.
5.4 Rights
as Stockholders. The holders of options shall not be, nor have
any of the rights or privileges of, stockholders of the Company in respect
of
any shares purchasable upon the exercise of an option unless and until
certificates representing such shares have been issued by the Company to
such
holders.
5.5 Ownership
and Transfer Restrictions. The Committee, in its absolute
discretion, may impose such restrictions on the ownership and transferability
of
the shares purchasable upon the exercise of an option as it deems appropriate.
Any such restriction shall be set forth in the respective stock option agreement
and may be referred to on the certificates evidencing such shares. The Committee
may require the optionee to give the Company prompt notice of any disposition
of
shares of common stock acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option
within
(i) two years from the date the option was granted or (ii) one year after
the
transfer of such shares to the optionee. The Committee may direct that the
certificates evidencing shares acquired by exercise of an option refer to
such
requirement to be given prompt notice of disposition.
ARTICLE
VI
AWARD
OF
RESTRICTED STOCK
6.1 Award
of Restricted Stock.
(a) The
Committee shall from time to time, in its absolute discretion, select which
Participants shall be awarded restricted stock, and determine the purchase
price, if any, and other terms and conditions applicable to such restricted
stock, consistent with this Plan.
(b) The
Committee shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment
for
restricted stock, including any consideration required by applicable law.
The
Committee shall instruct the secretary of the Company to issue such restricted
stock and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such restricted stock
as
it deems appropriate.
6.2 Restricted
Stock Agreement. Restricted stock shall be issued only pursuant
to a written restricted stock agreement, which shall be executed by the selected
Key Employee or consultant and an authorized officer of the Company and which
shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine,
consistent with this Plan.
6.3 Rights
as Stockholders. Upon delivery of the shares of restricted stock
to the escrow holder pursuant to Section 6.5, the restricted stockholder
shall
have, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, all the rights of a
stockholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in the
restricted stockholder’s restricted stock agreement, including the right to
receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to
the
shares; provided, however, that in the discretion of the
Committee, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the common stock
shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.4.
6.4 Restriction. All
shares of restricted stock issued under this Plan (including any shares received
by holders thereof with respect to shares of restricted stock as a result
of
stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall,
in
the terms of each individual restricted stock agreement, be subject to such
restrictions as the Committee shall provide, which restrictions may include,
without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability
and restrictions based on duration of employment with the Company, Company
performance and individual performance; provided, however, that by
a resolution adopted after the restricted stock is issued, the Committee
may, on
such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, remove any
or
all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the restricted stock agreement.
Restricted stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are
terminated or expire.
6.5 Escrow. The
Secretary of the Company or such other escrow holder as the Committee may
appoint shall retain physical custody of each certificate representing
restricted stock until all of the restrictions imposed under the restricted
stock agreement with respect to the shares evidenced by such certificate
expire
or shall have been removed.
6.6 Legend. In
order to enforce the restrictions imposed upon shares of restricted stock
hereunder, the Committee shall cause a legend or legends to be placed on
certificates representing all shares of restricted stock that are still subject
to restrictions under restricted stock agreements, which legend or legends
shall
make appropriate reference to the conditions imposed thereby.
6.7 Deferred
Compensation. To the extent that any award of shares of
Restricted Stock may constitute a deferral of compensation, the award shall
comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code as set forth in
the
corresponding restricted stock agreement.
ARTICLE
VII
PERFORMANCE
AWARDS, DEFERRED STOCK, UNRESTRICTED STOCK
7.1 Performance
Awards.
(a) Any
Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more performance
awards. The value of such performance awards may be linked to the market
value,
book value, net profits or other measure of the value of common stock or
other
specific Performance Criteria (as defined in Section 7.1(c) below) determined
appropriate by the Committee, or may be based upon the appreciation in the
market value, book value, net profits or other measure of the value of a
specified number of shares of common stock over a fixed period or periods
determined by the Committee. Performance conditioned awards are subject to
the
following:
(b) Any
performance award intended to qualify as performance-based for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Code. In the case of any performance award to which
this
Section 7.1(b) applies, the Plan and such Award will be construed to the
maximum
extent permitted by law in a manner consistent with qualifying the Award
for
such exception. With respect to such performance awards, the Committee will
establish, in writing, one or more specific Performance Criteria (as defined
below) no later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of the period
of
service to which the performance relates (or at such earlier time as is required
to qualify the Award as performance-based under Section 162(m)). The Performance
Criteria so established shall serve as a condition to the grant, vesting
or
payment of the performance award, as determined by the Committee. Prior to
grant, vesting or payment of the performance award, as the case may be, the
Committee will certify whether the Performance Criteria have been attained
and
such determination will be final and conclusive. If the Performance Criteria
with respect to the Award are not attained, no other Award will be provided
in
substitution of the performance award. No performance award to which this
Section 7.1(b) applies may be granted after the first meeting of the
stockholders of the Company held in 2009 until the performance measures
described in Section 7.1(c) below (as the same may be amended) have been
resubmitted to and re-approved by the stockholders of the Company in accordance
with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, unless such grant is
made
contingent upon such approval.
(c) For
purposes of this Section 7.1, “Performance Criteria” are specified criteria,
other than the mere performance of services or the mere passage of time the
satisfaction of which is a condition for the grant, exercisability, vesting
or
full enjoyment of an Award. For purposes of Awards that are intended to qualify
for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) of
the
Code, a Performance Criterion means an objectively determinable measure of
performance relating to any or any combination of the following (measured
either
absolutely or by reference to an index or indices and determined either on
a
consolidated basis or, as the context permits, on a divisional, subsidiary,
line
of business, project or geographical basis or in combinations thereof); sales;
revenues; assets; expenses; earnings before or after deduction for all or
any
portion of interest, taxes, depreciation, or amortization, whether or not
on a
continuing operations or an aggregate or per share basis; return on equity,
investment, capital or assets; one or more operating rations; borrowing levels,
leverage ratios or credit rating; market share; capital expenditures; cash
flow;
stock price; stockholder return; sales of particular products or services;
customer acquisition or retention; acquisitions and divestitures (in whole
or in
part); joint ventures and strategic alliances; spin-offs, split-ups and the
like; reorganizations; or recapitalizations, restructurings, financings
(issuance of debt or equity) or refinancings. A Performance Criterion measure
and any targets with respect thereto determined by the Committee need not
be
based upon an increase, a positive or improved result or avoidance of loss.
Any
Performance Criterion based on performance over a period of time shall be
determined by reference to a period of not less than one year. To the extent
consistent with the requirements for satisfying the performance-based
compensation exception under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may
provide in the case of any Award intended to qualify for such exception that
one
or more of the Performance Criteria applicable to such Award will be adjusted
in
an objectively determinable manner to reflect events (for example, but without
limitation, acquisitions or dispositions) occurring during the performance
period that affect the applicable Performance Criterion or
Criteria.
7.2 Unrestricted
Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the
Committee may grant or sell shares of fully vested and unrestricted stock
in
such amounts and for such consideration, if any, as the Committee shall
determine; provided, that the aggregate number of shares of unrestricted
stock
that may be granted or sold for a purchase price that is less than their
fair
market value, unless granted in lieu of cash compensation equal to such fair
market value, shall not exceed 90,000 shares.
7.3 Deferred
Stock. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted
an award of deferred stock in the manner determined from time to time by
the
Committee. The number of shares of deferred stock shall be determined by
the
Committee and may be linked to the market value, book value, net profits
or
other measure of the value of common stock or other specific Performance
Criteria determined appropriate by the Committee. Common stock underlying
a
deferred stock award will not be issued until the deferred stock award has
vested, pursuant to a vesting schedule or Performance Criteria set by the
Committee. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a grantee of deferred
stock shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such
deferred stock until such time as the award has vested and the common stock
underlying the award has been issued.
7.4 Performance
Award Agreement, Deferred Stock Agreement, Unrestricted Stock
Agreement. Each performance award, award of deferred stock and/or
unrestricted Stock shall be evidenced by a written agreement, which shall
be
executed by the grantee and an authorized officer of the Company and which
shall
contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, consistent
with this Plan.
7.5 Term. The
term of a performance award, award of deferred stock and/or unrestricted
stock
shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.
7.6 Payment
on Exercise. Payment of the amount determined under Section 7.1,
7.2 or 7.3 above shall be in cash, in common stock or a combination of both,
as
determined by the Committee. To the extent any payment under this Article
VII is
effected in common stock, it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all
provisions of Section 5.3.
7.7 Deferred
Compensation. It is not intended that awards under this Article
VII, in form and/or operation, will constitute “deferred compensation” under
section 409A of the Code. If it is subsequently determined that such
awards in form and/or operation, constitute “deferred compensation” under
section 409A of the Code, the award shall be amended as provided by in Section
9.6 to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code as set forth
in
the corresponding award agreement.
7.8 Form
of Agreement. Each award granted pursuant to this Article VII
shall be evidenced by a written agreement, which shall be executed by the
Grantee and an authorized officer of the Company and which shall contain
such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with
this
Plan, including the term of the award and payment on exercise.
ARTICLE
VIII
ADMINISTRATION
8.1 Committee. The
Committee shall consist of two or more directors appointed by and holding
office
at the pleasure of the Board. To the extent applicable, the members of the
Committee shall each be an “outside director” as defined under Section 162(m) of
the Code. Appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance
of
appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written
notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may be filled by the
Board.
8.2 Duties
and Powers of Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee to
conduct the general administration of this Plan in accordance with its
provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret this Plan and
the
agreements pursuant to which options, awards of restricted stock, deferred
stock, unrestricted stock or performance awards are granted or awarded, and
to
adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application
of this
Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such
rules. Any such grant or award under this Plan need not be the same with
respect
to each optionee, grantee or restricted stockholder. Any such interpretations
and rules with respect to incentive stock options shall be consistent with
the
provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In its absolute discretion, the Board
may
at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties
of the
Committee under this Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule
16b-3
or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder,
are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the
Committee.
8.3 Majority
Rule. The Committee shall act by a majority of its members in
attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by a memorandum or
other
written instrument signed by all members of the Committee.
8.4 Compensation;
Professional Assistance; Good Faith Actions. Members of the
Committee shall receive such compensation for their services as members as
may
be determined by the Board. All expenses and liabilities which members of
the
Committee incur in connection with the administration of this Plan shall
be
borne by the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board,
employ
attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers, or other persons.
The
Committee, the Company and the Company’s officers and directors shall be
entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons.
All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the
Committee in good faith shall be final and binding upon all optionees, grantees,
restricted stockholders, the Company and all other interested persons. No
members of the Committee or Board shall be personally liable for any action,
determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Plan,
options, awards of restricted stock or unrestricted stock, deferred stock
or
performance awards, and all members of the Committee shall be fully protected
and indemnified by the Company in respect of any such action, determination
or
interpretation.
ARTICLE
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
9.1 Not
Transferable. Except as may otherwise be authorized in writing by
the Committee in accordance with applicable law, options, restricted stock
awards, unrestricted or deferred stock awards or performance awards under
this
Plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned, or transferred in any manner other
than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until such rights
or
awards have been exercised, or the shares underlying such rights or awards
have
been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed.
No
Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts
or
engagements of the optionee, grantee or restricted stockholder or his or
her
successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer,
alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means
whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law
by
judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable
proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof
shall
be null and void and of no effect; provided however, that this Section 9.1
shall
not prevent (i) transfers by will or by the applicable laws of descent and
distribution, or (ii) the designation of a beneficiary to exercise any option
or
other right or award (or any portion thereof) granted under the Plan after
the
optionee’s or grantee’s death.
9.2 Amendment
Suspension or Termination of this Plan. This Plan shall terminate
on the date of the annual meeting of the Board immediately following the
tenth
(10th)
anniversary of the Board’s adoption of this Plan. This Plan may be wholly or
partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time
or
from time to time by the Committee. However, without approval of the Company’s
stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by
the
Committee, no action of the Committee may, except as provided in Section
9.3,
increase the limits imposed in Section 2.1 on the maximum number of shares
which
may be issued under this Plan or modify the Award Limit, and no action of
the
Committee may be taken that would otherwise require stockholder approval
as a
matter of applicable law, regulation or rule. No amendment, suspension or
termination of this Plan shall, without the consent of the holder of, alter
or
impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted, unless
the
award itself otherwise expressly so provides. No Award may be granted or
awarded
during any period of suspension or after termination of this Plan, and in
no
event may any incentive stock option be granted under this Plan after the
first
to occur of the following events:
(a) The
expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board;
or
(b) The
expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s
stockholders under Section 9.5.
Specifically,
and in addition to the foregoing, this Plan may be amended, to the extent
necessary, to comply with regulatory and legislative requirements, including
section 409A of the Code.
9.3 Adjustments. Upon
the happening of any of the following described events, a Participant’s rights
with respect to awards granted hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter
provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in the award
agreement.
(a) Stock
Splits and Recapitalizations. In the event the Company issues any
of its shares as a stock dividend upon or with respect to the shares, or
in the
event shares shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number
of
shares, or if, upon a merger or consolidation, reorganization, split-up,
liquidation, combination, recapitalization or the like of the Company, shares
shall be exchanged for other securities of the Company, securities of another
entity, cash or other property, each Participant upon exercising an Option
(for
the purchase price to be paid under the Option) shall be entitled to purchase
such number of shares, other securities of the Company, securities of such
other
entity, cash or other property as the Participant would have received if
the
Participant had been the holder of the shares with respect to which the award
is
exercised at all times between the Grant Date of the award and the date of
its
exercise, and appropriate adjustments shall be made in the purchase price
per
share. In determining whether any award granted hereunder has vested,
appropriate adjustments will be made for distributions and transactions
described in this Section 9.12(a). The Board may adjust the number of
shares subject to outstanding awards and the exercise price and the terms
of
outstanding awards to take into consideration material changes in accounting
practices or principles, extraordinary dividends, acquisitions or dispositions
of stock or property, or any other event if it is determined by the Board
that
such adjustment is appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the
Plan,
including adjustments of the limitations in Section 2.1 on the maximum number
and kind of shares which may be issued. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any adjustment under this Section 9.12(a) shall not be permitted
to
the extent that the individual award or this Plan, in general, would constitute
deferred compensation subject to section 409A of the Code unless the award
agreement sets forth the terms and conditions necessary to comply with the
requirements of section 409A of the Code. Where an adjustment of the
type described above is made to an Incentive Stock Option under this Section,
the adjustment will be made in a manner which will not be considered a
“modification” under the provisions of subsection 424(h)(3) of the
Code.
(b) Restricted
Stock. If any person owning Restricted Stock receives
new or additional or different shares or securities (“New Securities”) in
connection with a corporate transaction or stock dividend described in Section
9.12(a) as a result of owning such Restricted Stock, the New Securities shall
be
subject to all of the conditions and restrictions applicable to the Restricted
Stock with respect to which such New Securities were
issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustment under this
Section 9.12(b) shall not be permitted to the extent that the individual
award
or this Plan, in general, would constitute deferred compensation subject
to
section 409A of the Code unless the award agreement sets forth the terms
and
conditions necessary to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the
Code.
(c) Fractional
Shares. No fractional shares shall be issued under
the Plan. Any fractional shares which, but for this Section, would
have been issued shall be deemed to have been issued and immediately sold
to the
Company for their Fair Market Value, and the Participant shall receive from
the
Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares.
(d) Further
Adjustment. Upon the happening of any of the events described in
Sections 9.12(a) or 9.12(c), the class and aggregate number of shares set
forth
in Section 5.1 hereof that are subject to awards which previously have been
or
subsequently may be granted under the Plan, and the number of shares set
forth
in Section 5.3 hereof that may be granted to a Participant in any year shall
be
appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such
Sections. The Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be
made under this Section 9.12(d).
(e) Assumption
of Options Upon Certain Events. In connection with a merger or
consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company
of
property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant awards under the Plan
in
substitution for stock and stock based awards issued by such entity or a
Subsidiary thereof, as long as such substitute awards will not constitute
a
deferral of compensation under section 409A of the
Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Board
determines that any such substitute award shall constitute a deferral of
compensation under section 409A of the Code, such award shall be accompanied
with a written award agreement which shall set forth the terms and conditions
required to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the
Code. The substitute awards shall be granted on such terms and
conditions as the Board considers appropriate in the
circumstances. The awards so granted shall not reduce the number of
shares that would otherwise be available for awards under the
Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of such a
reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification,
stock
splitup, stock dividend or combination, or other adjustment or event which
results in shares of Common Stock being exchanged for or converted into cash,
securities or other property, the Company will have the right, subject to
applicable statutory and regulatory guidance, including but not limited to
section 409A of the Code, to terminate this Plan as of the date of
the exchange or conversion, in which case all options, rights and other awards
under this Plan shall become the right to receive such cash, securities or
other
property, net of any applicable exercise price.
9.4 Approval
of Plan by Stockholders. This Plan will be submitted for the
approval of the Company’s stockholders within (12) twelve months after the date
of the Board’s initial adoption of this Plan. Awards may be granted prior to
such stockholder approval, provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable
nor shall vest prior to the time when this Plan is approved by the stockholders,
and provided further that if such approval has not been obtained at the end
of
said twelve (12) month period, all Awards previously granted under this Plan
shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.
9.5 Tax
Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to require payment in
cash or deduction from other compensation payable to each optionee, grantee
or
restricted stockholder of any sums required by federal, state or local tax
law
to be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting or exercise of any option,
restricted stock, deferred stock, performance award or unrestricted stock.
The
Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement
allow such optionee, grantee or restricted stockholder to elect to have the
Company withhold shares of common stock (or allow the return of shares of
common
stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be
withheld.
9.6 Loan. To
the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may, in its discretion,
extend one or more loans in connection with the exercise or receipt of an
option
or performance award, granted under this Plan, or the issuance of restricted
stock, unrestricted stock or deferred stock awarded under this Plan. The
terms
and conditions of any such loan shall be set by the Committee.
9.7 Limitations
Applicable to Section 16 Persons and Performance-Based
Compensation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan,
any option, performance award, stock appreciation right granted, or restricted
stock, unrestricted stock or deferred stock awarded, to a Key Employee or
director who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be
subject
to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule
under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of
the
Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive
rule,
and this Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform
to such
limitations. Furthermore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan,
any
option or stock appreciation right intended to qualify as performance-based
compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall be subject
to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code (including
any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any regulations or rulings
issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as performance-based
compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and this Plan
shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such
requirements.
9.8 Other
Transfer Restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan, in order to qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under
the
Exchange Act, and any successor provision, (i) any Restricted Stock offered
under the Plan to a Participant subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act
(a
“Section 16 Participant”) may not be sold for six (6) months after
acquisition; (ii) any shares or other equity security acquired by a Section
16 Participant upon exercise of an Option may not be sold for six (6) months
after the date of grant of the Option; and (iii) any Option or other similar
right related to an equity security issued under the Plan shall not be
transferable except in accordance with the rules under Section 16 of the
Exchange Act, subject to any other applicable transfer restrictions under
the
Plan or the award agreement. The Board shall have no authority to
take any action if the authority to take such action, or the taking of such
action, would disqualify a transaction under the Plan from the exemption
provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Act, or any successor provision.
9.9 Effect
of Plan Upon Options and Compensation Plans. The adoption of this
Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect
for
the Company. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to limit the right of
the
Company (i) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for
employees of the Company or (ii) to grant or assume options or other rights
otherwise than under this Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose
including but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options
in
connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation
or
otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership,
firm or association.
9.10 Compliance
with Laws. This Plan, the granting and vesting of options,
restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, deferred stock awards,
performance awards or stock appreciation rights under this Plan and the issuance
and delivery of shares of common stock and the payment of money under this
Plan
or under Awards granted hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable
federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited
to
state and federal securities law and federal margin requirements and the
requirements of section 409A of the Code) and to such approvals by any listing,
regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for
the
Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities
delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the
person
acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such
assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary
or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
To the
extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, options, restricted stock awards,
unrestricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, performance awards, or
stock
appreciation rights granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended
to the
extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
9.11 Titles. Titles
are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis
for
interpretation or construction of this Plan.
9.12 Governing
Law. This Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be
administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State
of
Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
DOR
BIOPHARMA, INC.
September
27, 2007
Proxy
Voting Instructions
MAIL—If
you have received a proxy card, date, sign and mail your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon as possible.
-or-
TELEPHONE—Call
toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) from any touch-tone telephone and
follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you
call.
-or-
INTERNET—Access
www.voteproxy.com and follow the on-screen instructions. Have
your proxy card available when you access the web page.
You
may
enter your voting instructions at 1-800-PROXIES or www.voteproxy.com up
until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off or meeting
date.
Company
Number:
Account
Number:
/Please
detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not
voting via telephone or the Internet/
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND
"FOR"
PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4 AND 5.
PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR
BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE /X/
1.
To
elect four directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders
or
until their respective successors have been duly elected and
qualified:
FOR
ALL NOMINEES
|
|
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR
ALL NOMINEES
FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below
|
|
|
James
S. Kuo, M.D., M.B.A.
|
Christopher
J. Schaber, Ph.D.
|
Evan
Myrianthopoulos
|
Cyrille
F. Buhrman
|
*(INSTRUCTION:
|
To
withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "FOR
ALL
EXCEPT" and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold,
as shown here: /x/
|
2. To
approve the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors (a)
to
amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to change the Company’s name to
a name to be selected by the Board of Directors or (b) to determine not to
proceed with the name change:
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
3. To
approve the grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors (a)
to
amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split
of the Corporation’s common stock at a ratio within the range from one-for-two
to one-for-ten and determine the effective date of the reverse stock split
and
to proportionately reduce the number of shares of common stock authorized
for
issuance or (b) to determine not to proceed with the reverse stock split
and
proportionate reduction in the number of shares of common stock authorized
for
issuance:
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
4.
To
amend our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the maximum number of shares
of
our common stock available for issuance under the plan by 10,000,000 shares,
bringing the total shares reserved for issuance under the plan to 20,000,000
shares:
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
5. To
ratify the appointment of Sweeney, Gates & Co. as the independent auditors
for fiscal year ending December 31, 2007:
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
6.
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and
any
postponements or adjournments thereof.
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
This
proxy when properly signed will be voted in the manner directed herein by
the
undersigned stockholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS PROVIDED, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
IMPORTANT
– PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY
To
change
the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your
new
address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the
registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this
method.
Note: Please
sign exactly as name appears on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly,
each
holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator,
attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer
is
a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer,
giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.