SEC Connect
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
☐
Check the appropriate box:
☒
Preliminary Proxy
Statement
☐ Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
☐ Definitive
Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive
Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12.
INNOVUS PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒
No fee required.
☐ Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
1) Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2) Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction
applies:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3) Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4) Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5) Total
fee paid:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
☐ Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐
Check box if any part of the fee is
offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify
the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form
or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount
Previously Paid:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(2) Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(3) Filing
Party:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(4) Date
Filed:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INNOVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440
San Diego, CA 92122
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on November 16, 2016
Dear Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada
corporation, (“Innovus” or “Company”) to be
held on November 16, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., local time, at 9171
Towne Centre Drive, Coronado South Conference Room, First Floor,
San Diego, California 92122. The
purpose of our Annual Meeting is to do the
following:
1. To
elect four members of the board of directors to hold office until
the next annual meeting or until his or her successor has been
elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or
removal;
2. To
ratify the appointment of Hall & Company, Inc., an independent
registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditors for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016;
3. To
approve the amendment and restatement of our Articles of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized Common shares
and to authorize Preferred Shares;
4. To
approve the Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive
Plan;
5. To
hold an advisory vote on executive
compensation;
6. To
hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the stockholders’
vote on executive compensation; and
7. To
consider and act upon any other matters that may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Please
read the proxy statement and exhibits concerning Innovus, which are
mailed with this notice, for a more complete statement regarding
the proposals to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of
business on October 5, 2016 as the record date (“Record
Date”) for the purpose of determining the stockholders who
are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting
or any adjournment thereof. A list of such stockholders will be
available for examination by any stockholder at the Annual Meeting.
For ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, this list will also be
available for inspection by stockholders, for any purpose germane
to the meeting, during normal business hours at the Company’s
executive offices at 9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440, San
Diego, California 92122.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/
Bassam Damaj
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj, Ph.D.
|
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
San Diego, California
October [___], 2016
IMPORTANT
Your
vote is important. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual
Meeting in person, we urge you to please vote your shares at your
earliest convenience. This will ensure the presence of a quorum at
the meeting. We urge you to promptly vote your shares by signing,
dating and mailing the enclosed proxy. Doing so will save the
Company the expense and extra work of additional solicitation.
Submitting your proxy now will not prevent you from voting your
shares at the meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy is
revocable at your option.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Stockholder Meeting to beHeld on November 16, 2016
The
proxy statement is available at www.innovuspharma.com
|
|
2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
PAGE
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B-1
|
INNOVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440
San Diego, CA 92122
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on November 16, 2016 at 9:00am (Pacific
Time)
This
statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (hereinafter
“Innovus” or “Company”) of proxies in the
accompanying form for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
on November 16, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and at any adjournment
thereof.
This proxy statement and the enclosed form of
proxy were first sent to stockholders on or about October
[___],
2016
If
the form of proxy enclosed herewith is signed and returned as
requested, it may nevertheless be revoked by the stockholder at any
time prior to the Annual Meeting by filing an instrument revoking
it or by submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or
by attending the Annual Meeting in person.
Solicitation
of proxies will be made by mail and by the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer, Bassam Damaj. The Company will reimburse
brokerage firms, banks, trustees and others for their actual
out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy material to the
beneficial owners of our common stock.
As of the close of business on October 5, 2016,
the Record Date for the Annual Meeting, the Company had outstanding
and entitled to vote 104,164,880 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock
is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the
Company’s stockholders. Only stockholders of record at the
close of business on October 5, 2016 are entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof.
The
presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of
common stock holding in the aggregate a majority of the voting
power of the Company’s stock entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Directors are
elected by a plurality of votes cast by the holders of shares
entitled to vote in the election at the Annual Meeting at which a
quorum is present. A “plurality” means that the
individuals who receive the largest number of votes are elected as
directors up to the maximum number of directors to be chosen at the
election. Votes attempted to be cast against a director nominee
will be counted as “withheld” in the election of
directors. The proposal to amend and restate the Articles of
Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting power of stockholders. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will count for purposes of establishing a quorum and will
have the effect of votes against the amendment and restatement of
our Articles of Incorporation.
Each
of the other proposals requires the favorable vote of a majority of
the votes cast on the proposal, either by proxy or in person, and
entitled to vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes will count for
purposes of establishing a quorum, but will not count as votes cast
for the election of directors or any other proposal and accordingly
may have no effect on the outcome.
Stockholders
who send in proxies but attend the meeting in person may vote
directly if they prefer and withdraw their proxies or may allow
their proxies to be voted with the similar proxies sent in by other
stockholders.
Important
Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials
This proxy statement, the form of proxy card
and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2015, are available in the SEC Filings section of our website
at www.innovuspharma.com.
ITEM 6 - COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table presents information, to the best of our knowledge, about the
beneficial ownership of our common stock on October 5, 2016 by
those persons known to beneficially own more than 5% of our capital
stock and by our directors and executive officers. The percentage
of beneficial ownership for the following table is based on
104,164,880 shares of common stock outstanding.
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and does not
necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes those shares of
common stock over which the stockholder has sole or shared voting
or investment power. It also includes shares of common stock that
the stockholder has a right to acquire within 60 days after October
5, 2016 pursuant to options, warrants, restricted stock units,
conversion privileges or other rights. The percentage of ownership
of the outstanding common stock, however, is based on the
assumption, expressly required by the rules of the SEC, that only
the person or entity whose ownership is being reported has
converted options or warrants into shares of our common
stock.
Security Ownership of Management and Directors
NAME OF OWNER (1)
|
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED (2)
|
PERCENTAGE OF COMMON STOCK (3)
|
5%
Stockholders
|
|
|
Novalere Holdings
LLC
199 Wells Ave,
Suite 208
Newton, MA
02459
|
12,808,796
|
12.30%
|
|
|
|
Directors
and Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj, Ph.D.
(4)
|
23,203,347
|
21.58%
|
Robert E. Hoffman
(5)
|
395,603
|
*
|
Henry Esber, Ph.D.
(6)
|
1,745,898
|
1.65%
|
Vivian Liu
(7)
|
2,358,396
|
2.23%
|
Ziad Mirza, M.D.
(8)
|
1,931,660
|
1.83%
|
Officers and
Directors as a Group (5 persons)
|
29,634,904
|
26.36%
|
*
Represents less than 1%
(1)
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the following table,
each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power
and that person’s address is c/o Innovus Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., 9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440, San Diego, California
92122.
(2)
Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of
the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with
respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to options or
warrants currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or
convertible within 60 days of October 5, 2016 are deemed
outstanding for computing the percentage of the owner’s
holding such option or warrant but are not deemed outstanding for
computing the percentage of any other owner.
(3)
Percentage based upon 104,164,880 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding as of October 5, 2016.
(4)
Includes 3,375,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of vested RSUs within 60 days after October 5, 2016 and 129,393
shares of common stock held by Dr. Damaj’s
spouse.
(5)
Includes 115,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise
of stock options exercisable within 60 days after October 5,
2016.
(6)
Includes 1,745,898 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of vested RSUs within 60 days after October 5, 2016.
(7)
Includes 1,513,713 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of vested RSUs within 60 days after October 5, 2016.
(8)
Includes 1,513,713 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of vested RSUs within 60 days after October 5, 2016.
ITEM 7 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Directors
and Executive Officers
The
names of our directors and executive officers and their ages,
positions, and biographies as of October 5, 2016 are set forth
below. Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the
discretion of, our board of directors. Dr. Mirza and Dr. Damaj are
first generation cousins. Otherwise, there are no family
relationships among any of our directors or executive
officers.
Directors
|
|
Age
|
|
Title
|
|
Term
|
Bassam
Damaj, Ph.D.
|
|
48
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
Since January 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Henry
Esber, Ph.D.
|
|
78
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
Since January 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vivian
Liu
|
|
55
|
|
Director
|
|
Since December 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ziad
Mirza, M.D.
|
|
54
|
|
Director
|
|
Since December 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Hoffman
|
|
50
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Since September 2016
|
Bassam Damaj, Ph.D.
has served on our Board of Directors
and as our President and Chief Executive Officer, since January,
2013 and as our Chief Accounting Officer from July 2015 until
September 6, 2016. Before joining Innovus, Dr. Damaj served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
(Nasdaq: APRI), a drug discovery and development company
(“Apricus Bio”), from December 2009 until November
2012. Before joining Apricus Bio, Dr. Damaj was a co-founder of
Bio-Quant, Inc., a pre-clinical contract services company
(“Bio-Quant”) and served as the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Scientific Officer and as a member of Bio-Quant’s
board of directors from its inception in June 2000 until its
acquisition by Apricus Bio in June 2011. In addition, Dr. Damaj was
the founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
R&D Healthcare, a wholesale drug distribution company, and the
co-founder of Celltek Biotechnologies, a drug discovery and
services company. He also served as a member of the Board of
Directors of CreAgri, Inc., a drug discovery company, and was a
member of the Scientific Advisory Board of MicroIslet, Inc., a drug
discovery company. Since July, 2016 Dr. Damaj has been a member of
the Board of Directors of Hispanica International Delights of
America, Inc. (OTCPink:HISP), an ethnic food company. He is the
author of the Immunological Reagents and Solutions reference book,
the inventor of many patents and the author of numerous peer
reviewed scientific publications. Dr. Damaj won a U.S.
Congressional award for the Anthrax Multiplex Diagnostic Test in
2003. Dr. Damaj holds a Ph.D. degree in Immunology/Microbiology
from Laval University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in
molecular oncology at McGill University. Dr. Damaj’s
significant experience with our business and his significant
executive leadership experience, including his experience leading
several pharmaceutical companies, were instrumental in his
selection as a member of the board of
directors.
Henry Esber,
Ph.D. has served as a member of
our Board of Directors since January 2011 and has served as
Chairman of the Board since January 2013. In 2000, Dr. Esber
co-founded Bio-Quant, and from 2000 to 2010, he served as its
Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer. Dr.
Esber has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical
service industry. Dr. Esber served on the Board of Directors of
Apricus Bio from December 2009 to January 2013 and currently serves
on the Board of Directors of several private pharmaceutical
companies. Dr. Esber holds a Ph.D. in
Immunology/Microbiology from the West Virginia University School of
Medicine, as well as an M.S. in Public Health and Medical
Parasitology from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. His
PreMed B.S is from Norfolk College of William and Mary, now Old
Dominion University. Dr. Esber’s significant scientific
background and experience was instrumental in his selection as a
member of the board of directors.
Vivian Liu has served as a member of our Board of Directors
since December 2011 and served as our President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer from December 2011 to January
22, 2013. Prior to that, she served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of FasTrack Pharma, (“FasTrack
Pharma”), a pharmaceutical company, from January 2011 to
December 2011. Since February 2013, Ms. Liu has served as Managing
Director of OxOnc Services Company, an oncology development
company. In 1995, Ms. Liu co-founded NexMed, Inc. a Delaware
corporation (“NextMed”), which in 2010 was renamed to
Apricus BioSciences, Inc. Ms. Liu was NexMed’s President and
Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2009. Prior to her appointment
as President, Ms. Liu served in several executive capacities,
including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate Affairs. She was
appointed as a director of NexMed in 2007 and served as Chairman of
its Board of Directors from 2009 to 2010. Ms. Liu has an M.P.A.
from the University of Southern California and has a B.A. from the
University of California, Berkeley. Ms. Liu’s
significant executive leadership experience, including her
experience leading several pharmaceutical companies, as well as her
membership on public company boards was instrumental in her
selection as a member of the board of
directors.
Ziad Mirza, M.D. has served as a member of our Board of Directors
since December 2011 and served as Chairman of our Board of
Directors from December 2011 to January 2013. He also served as
FasTrack Pharma’s Acting Chief Executive Officer from March
2010 to December 2010. Since February, 2016, Dr. Mirza has been the
Chief Medical Officer of HyperHeal Hyperbarics, Inc., an outpatient
hyperbaric oxygen therapy company . He is the President and
co-founder of Baltimore Medical and Surgical Associates. He is a
Certified Medical Director of long term care through the American
Medical Directors Association. He is also a Certified Physician
Executive from the American College of Physician Executives. He
consults for pharmaceutical companies on clinical trial design. He
has a M.D. from the American University of Beirut and completed his
residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore. He received an
M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts. Dr.
Mirza’s significant medical and scientific background was
instrumental in his selection as a member of the Board of
Directors.
Robert E. Hoffman
was appointed as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer on August 29, 2016 and began
his service on September 6, 2016. Mr. Hoffman was most recently
Chief Financial Officer of AnaptysBio, Inc., a clinical stage
biopharmaceutical company. He was part of the founding management
team of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Nasdaq:ARNA), a
biopharmaceutical company, in 1997, serving as Senior Vice
President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer until 2015. He also
served as Chief Financial Officer for Polaris Group, a
biopharmaceutical drug company, from March 2011 to August 2011. Mr.
Hoffman is a member of the board of directors of CombiMatrix
Corporation, (Nasdaq:CBMX), a molecular diagnostics company, Kura
Oncology, Inc., a (Nasdaq:KURA), a biotechnology company, and
MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., (Nasdaq:MBVX), a
biopharmaceutical company. He also was a member of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board’s Small Business Advisory
Committee until 2015 and is a member of the steering committee of
the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers. Mr. Hoffman
received his B.B.A. from St. Bonaventure University, and is
licensed as a C.P.A. (inactive) in the State of
California.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Our
Directors and executive officers have not been involved in any of
the following events during the past ten years:
1.
|
any
bankruptcy petition filed by or against such person or any business
of which such person was a general partner or executive officer
either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to
that time;
|
2.
|
any
conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses);
|
3.
|
being
subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently
reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent
jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from or
otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business,
securities or banking activities or to be associated with any
person practicing in banking or securities activities;
|
4.
|
being
found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action, the
SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a
federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment
has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
|
5.
|
being
subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or
administrative order, judgment decree, or finding, not subsequently
reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of
any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation,
any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or
insurance companies, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or
wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity;
or
|
6.
|
being
subject of or party to any sanction or order, not subsequently
reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any self-regulatory
organization, any registered entity or any equivalent exchange,
association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority
over its members or persons associated with a member.
|
Director Independence
We are
not a listed issuer, and therefore, under Item 407 of Regulation
S-K, for purpose of determining whether our directors are
independent, we are to use a definition of independence of a
national securities exchange or of an inter-dealer quotation system
which has requirements that a majority of the board of directors be
independent, and state which definition is used. Whatever such
definition we choose, we must use the same definition with respect
to all directors. Our board of directors has determined that all of
our current directors, except Dr. Bassam Damaj, are independent as
defined by the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
We are
not required to have any independent members of the Board of
Directors.
Board of Directors’ Meetings
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, our board of directors
held four meetings and approved certain actions by unanimous
written consent. We expect our directors to attend all board and
committee meetings and to spend the time needed and meet as
frequently as necessary to properly discharge their
responsibilities. Due to the limited size of our board of
directors, we currently do not use board committees. As a result,
the board as a whole carries out the functions of audit, nominating
and compensation committees.
Board Committees
Our
directors also acts as our Audit Committee, and performs the same
functions as an audit committee, such as: recommending an
independent registered public accounting firm to audit the annual
financial statements, reviewing the independent registered public
accounting firm’s independence, the financial statements and
their audit report, and reviewing management's administration of
the system of internal accounting controls. The Company does not
currently have a written audit committee charter or similar
document.
Director Nominations
Generally,
nominees for Director are identified and suggested by the members
of the Board using various methods. The Board has not retained any
executive search firms or other third parties to identify or
evaluate Director candidates in the past and does not intend to in
the near future. In selecting a nominee for Director, the Board
considers the following criteria:
1.
whether the
nominee has the personal attributes for successful service on the
Board, such as demonstrated character and integrity; experience at
a strategy/policy setting level; managerial experience dealing with
complex problems; an ability to work effectively with others; and
sufficient time to devote to the affairs of the
Company;
2.
whether the
nominee has been the chief executive officer or senior executive of
a public company or a leader of a similar organization, including
industry groups, universities or governmental
organizations;
3.
whether the nominee, by virtue of particular
experience, technical expertise or specialized skills or contacts
relevant to the Company’s current or future business, will
add specific value as a Board member; and
The
Board has not established any specific minimum qualifications that
a candidate for director must meet in order to be recommended for
Board membership. Rather the Board will evaluate the mix of skills
and experience that the candidate offers, consider how a given
candidate meets the Board’s current expectations with respect
to each such criterion and make a determination regarding whether a
candidate should be recommended to the stockholders for election as
a director.
During
2015, the Company received no recommendation for Directors from its
stockholders.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
Stockholders who wish to communicate with the
Board may send a letter to the Secretary of the Corporation at 9171
Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440, San Diego, California 92122. The
mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the
enclosed letter is a “Stockholder-Board Communication”
or “Stockholder-Director Communication.” The Corporate
Secretary will review any communication received from a
stockholder, and all material communications from stockholders will
be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board, the Board of Directors,
or other individual Directors as appropriate.
Board of Directors’ Leadership Structure and Role in Risk
Oversight
Dr. Esber serves as the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company. Dr. Damaj serves as the President of the
Company. The Board believes this leadership structure provides the
most efficient and effective leadership model for the Company by
enhancing the Chairman and President’s ability to provide
clear insight and direction of business strategies and plans to
both the Board and management by keeping separate the position of Chairman and
President. The Board regularly evaluates its leadership structure
and currently believes the Company can most effectively execute its
business strategies and plans. While the Board has not made a
determination as to director independence and all our Directors,
except for Dr. Bassam Damaj, are considered as independent under
Nasdaq definition and requirements, as determined by outside
counsel.
We
take a comprehensive approach to risk management which is reflected
in the reporting process by which our management provides timely
and comprehensive information to the Board to support the
Board’s role in oversight, approval and decision-making. Our
senior management is responsible for assessing and managing the
Company’s various exposures to risk on a day-to-day basis,
including the creation of appropriate risk management programs and
policies. The Board is responsible for overseeing management in the
execution of its responsibilities and for assessing the
Company’s approach to risk management. The Board exercises
these responsibilities periodically as part of its meetings. In
addition, an overall review of risk is inherent in the
Board’s consideration of the Company’s long-term
strategies and in the transactions and other matters presented to
the Board, including capital expenditures, acquisitions and
divestitures, and financial matters.
Transactions with Related Persons
Other
than the following transactions and the transactions described
under “Item 11. Executive Compensation” of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 that was
filed March 30, 2016, since January 1, 2015, there has not been,
nor currently are there proposed, any transactions or series of
similar transactions in which we were or are to be a participant
and the amount involved exceeds or will exceed the lesser of
$120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets as
of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and in which any of our
directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of our
common stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the
foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material
interest.
Related Party Financings
We have
raised capital in various financing transactions in which related
parties have been involved, and we have issued our securities to
those related parties. See “Item 7. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation—Business Combinations and Recent
Financings—Recent Financings,” of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed March 30,
2016.
The
table below sets forth the principal amount of the related party
debt we issued in January 2012 to related parties and the number of
shares of our common stock we issued to such related parties upon
conversion of such debentures in February 2014, or indebtedness
that remains outstanding at December 31, 2015.
|
Outstanding Principal
and Interest at date of conversion or repayment
|
Common Stock Issued
on date of conversion
|
Original Principal Amount
(in U.S. dollars)
|
Related
Party Debt Converted during 2014:
|
|
|
|
Line of Credit
|
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj,
Ph.D., President and Chief Executive and Principal Financial
Officer (1)
|
$476,165
|
1,190,411
|
$452,728
|
|
|
|
|
January 2012
Debentures:
|
|
|
|
Vivian Liu, Board
Member
|
$58,405
|
146,014
|
$50,000
|
|
|
|
|
Ziad Mirza, M.D.,
Board Member
|
$5,841
|
14,601
|
$5,000
|
|
|
|
|
Henry Esber, Ph.D.,
Chairman of the Board
|
$15,185
|
31,964
|
$13,000
|
|
|
|
|
January 2013
Debenture:
|
|
|
|
Henry Esber, Ph.D.,
Chairman of the Board
|
$76,122
|
190,304
|
70,000
|
|
|
|
|
Related
Party Debt Converted or Repaid during 2015:
|
|
|
|
Line of
Credit
|
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj,
Ph.D., President and Chief Executive and Principal Financial
Officer (1) – Repaid
|
$15,000
|
N/A
|
$N/A
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
Payable
|
|
|
|
Lynnette Dillen,
former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer –
Repaid
|
$54,819
|
-
|
$50,000
|
|
|
|
|
Henry Esber, Ph.D.,
Chairman of the Board – Converted
|
$75,000
|
468,750
|
$75,000
|
|
|
|
|
Related
Party Debt Received and Repaid during 2015:
|
|
|
|
Note
Payable
|
|
|
|
Lynnette Dillen,
former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer –
Repaid
|
$59,400
|
-
|
$50,000
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
at December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
Line of
credit
|
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj, Ph.D,
President and Chief Executive and Principal Financial Officer
(1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$409,192
|
|
|
|
|
Note
Payable
|
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj,
Ph.D., President and Chief Executive and Principal Financial
Officer (1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$25,000
|
(1)
Dr. Damaj served as
Chief Financial Officer from July 2015 until September 6, 2016 when
Mr. Robert Hoffman became Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer.
Dr.
Damaj, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is the holder of
the LOC Convertible Debenture.
During
2015 and 2014, we borrowed approximately $50,000 and $574,000,
respectively, from related parties. We recognized total
interest expense on related party financings, including
amortization of the debt discount, of $191,726 and $203,400 for the
years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December
31, 2015, there was an aggregate of $434,192 in related party
debentures outstanding that have been repaid in full in
2016.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), requires our executive officers and
Directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent
of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Executive officers,
Directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners are
required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon a review of the
copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations
from our executive officers and Directors, we believe that as of
December 31, 2015, all required Section 16(a) forms have been filed
and none were delinquent.
ITEM 8 - COMPENSATION
OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth information concerning compensation
earned for services rendered to us during the years ended December
31, 2015 and 2014 by (i) all individuals serving as our principal
executive officer or acting in a similar capacity during the last
completed fiscal year (“PEO”), regardless of
compensation level; (ii) our two most highly compensated executive
officers other than the PEO who were serving as executive officers
at the end of each of the last two completed fiscal years and (iii)
up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have
been provided pursuant to clause (ii) but for the fact that the
individual was not serving as an executive officer at the end of
each of the last two completed fiscal years.
2014 and 2015 Summary Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj
Ph.D.,
President and Chief
Executive
and Financial
Officer (4)
|
|
2014
|
$440,000(1)
|
$281,250(2)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$721,250
|
|
|
2015
|
$ 484,000(1)
|
$ -
|
$ -
|
$630,000(3)
|
$ -
|
$ 1,114,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lynnette
Dillen,
Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer (5)
|
|
2014
|
$136,658
|
$198,000(2)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$334,658
|
|
|
2015
|
$182,560
|
$ -
|
$ -
|
$ 359,800(3)
|
$ -
|
$542,360
|
(1)
|
Pursuant
to the LOC Convertible Debenture, Dr. Damaj agreed not to draw a
salary pursuant to his employment agreement for so long as payment
of such salary would jeopardize the Company’s ability to
continue as a going concern and not to draw any salary accrued
through December 31, 2015. The 2015 and 2014 salary was accrued for
and remains unpaid as of December 31, 2015.
|
(2)
|
Restricted
Stock Units issued in lieu of cash bonus.
|
(3)
|
Represents
the total grant date fair value, as determined under FASB ASC Topic
718, Stock Compensation, of restricted stock unit awards granted
during the respective fiscal year.
|
(4)
|
Dr. Damaj served as Chief Financial Officer from July 2015 until
September 6, 2016 when Mr. Robert E. Hoffman became Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer.
|
(5)
|
Ms.
Dillen resigned as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer in July 2015.
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2015
The
following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity
awards held by our named executive officers at the end of fiscal
2015:
Name
|
Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or
other rights that have not vested
(#)
|
Equity incentive plan awards: Market or payout value of unearned
shares, units or other rights that have not vested
($) (1)
|
|
|
|
Bassam Damaj, Ph.D.
(3)
(4)
|
1,875,000(2)
|
$131,250
|
(1)
|
Calculated
by multiplying the number of unvested shares by $0.07, the closing
price per share of our common stock on December 31,
2015.
|
(2)
|
Represents
an award of 4,500,000 RSUs granted to Dr. Damaj on March 31, 2015
under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan in connection with his
services as our President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
the terms of his employment agreement with us. The RSUs vest in
equal monthly installments of 125,000 shares through March
2017.
|
(3)
|
Dr.
Damaj was granted 6,000,000 RSUs on January 22, 2013 under the 2013
Equity Incentive Plan in connection with his services as our
President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the terms of his
employment agreement with us. The RSUs vest as to 50% on the date
of grant and the remaining RSUs vest in eight equal quarterly
installments beginning on April 1, 2013. The RSUs are vested in
full as of the end of fiscal year 2015.
|
(4)
|
Dr.
Damaj was granted 852,273 RSUs on February 6, 2014 under the 2013
Equity Incentive Plan in connection with his services as our
President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the terms of his
employment agreement with us. The RSUs vest on the date of grant
and thus are vested in full as of the end of fiscal year
2015.
|
Employment Agreements
Dr. Bassam Damaj
On
January 22, 2013, the Company entered into an employment agreement
(the “Employment Agreement”) with Dr. Bassam Damaj
(“Damaj”) to serve as its President and Chief Executive
Officer, which was amended on January 21, 2015.
The
Employment Agreement has an initial term of five years, which term
will be extended by an additional year on the fourth and each
subsequent anniversary. Dr. Damaj earned a base salary
of $375,000 for the first year, $440,000 in the second year and
increasing a minimum of 10% per year thereafter. Under
the terms of the Employment Agreement, Dr. Damaj’s salary
will be accrued and not paid for so long as payment of such salary
would jeopardize the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern, in Dr. Damaj’s sole determination. Damaj will have
annual cash bonus targets equal to 75% of base salary, based on
performance objectives established by the board of directors, with
the board of directors determining the amount of the annual
bonus.
Damaj
received a restricted stock unit grant of 6,000,000 shares of
common stock on January 22, 2013, of which 2,000,000 shares vested
immediately, and the remaining 4,000,000 shares vested in eight
equal quarterly installments beginning on April 1,
2013.
Upon
termination of the Employment Agreement for any reason, Damaj will
receive (i) a pro-rata bonus during that fiscal year based on the
number of days employed during that fiscal year and (ii) Company
paid group medical, dental and vision insurance coverage for
himself and his dependents for 12 months.
Pursuant to the
Employment Agreement, if Dr. Damaj’s employment is terminated
as a result of death, disability or without Cause (as defined in
the Employment Agreement) or he resigns for Good Reason (as defined
in the Employment Agreement), Dr. Damaj or his estate, as
applicable, is entitled to the following payments and benefits,
provided that a mutual release of claims is executed: (1) a cash
payment in an amount equal to 1.5 times his then base salary and
annual target bonus amount, or two times his then base salary and
annual target bonus amount if such termination occurs within 24
months of a change of control; (2) Company paid group medical,
dental and vision insurance coverage for himself and his dependents
for 24 months and (3) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and
exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards.
Director Compensation
Each
non-employee director of the Company is to receive quarterly
compensation of $3,000, which is paid in restricted stock unit
awards of the Company. In addition, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors is entitled to receive an additional $3,000 in quarterly
compensation paid in restricted stock unit awards of the
Company.
The
following table sets forth summary information concerning the total
compensation paid to our non-employee directors in 2015 for
services to our company.
Name
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid in
Cash
|
|
Stock
Unit
Awards (1)
(2)
|
|
Henry Esber,
Ph.D
|
$-
|
$-
|
$94,000
|
$94,000
|
Vivian
Liu
|
-
|
-
|
82,000
|
82,000
|
Ziad Mirza,
M.D.
|
-
|
-
|
82,000
|
82,000
|
Total:
|
$-
|
$-
|
$258,000
|
$258,000
|
(1)
|
Represents
the total grant date fair value, as determined under FASB ASC Topic
718, Stock Compensation, of restricted stock unit awards granted
during the respective fiscal year.
|
(2)
|
Includes
an award of 500,000 RSUs granted to each of the directors on March
31, 2015 under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan in connection with
their continued service as members of the Board of Directors.
One-third (1/3) of the RSUs were vested upon grant and the
remaining RSUs vest in equal monthly installments through March
2017.
|
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides information as of December 31, 2015
regarding our equity compensation plans. We do not have any equity
compensation plans that have been approved by our
stockholders.
Plan
Category
|
Number
of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options,
Warrants
and Rights
|
Number
of Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance Under Equity
Compensation
Plans (excluding securities reflected
in
column(a))
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Compensation
Plans Not Approved by Security Holders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Equity
Incentive Plan
|
8,900,736
|
$0.31(1)
|
995,264
|
|
|
|
|
2014 Equity
Incentive Plan
|
8,850,000
|
$-
|
10,950,000
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
17,750,736
|
$0.31(1)
|
11,945,264
|
(1)
|
Excludes
outstanding RSUs, which have no associated exercise
price.
|
ITEM 9 – DISCLOSURES ABOUT INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRMS
On
January 6, 2016, we dismissed EisnerAmper LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm and appointed Hartley Moore
Accountancy Corporation as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the year ended December 31,
2015. Effective February 16, 2016, the audit partners at
Hartley Moore Accountancy Corporation joined Hall & Company,
Inc. and Hartley Moore Accountancy Corporation resigned as the
independent registered public accounting firm of the Company,
effective February 15, 2016. The Company appointed Hall
& Company, Inc. as our independent registered public accounting
firm for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Hall & Company,
Inc. has audited our consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2015.
There
were no disagreements with the former auditor during the two most
recent fiscal years and any subsequent interim period preceding
resignation.
The
following table presents the aggregate fees for the periods
presented for professional services rendered to us by Hall &
Company, Inc., Hartley Moore Accountancy Corporation, and
EisnerAmper LLP:
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees
(1)
|
$12,822
|
$5,250
|
$95,470
|
$89,700
|
Audit-Related
Fees
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Tax
Fees
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Other
Fees
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
(1)
|
“Audit
Fees” represent fees for professional services provided in
connection with the audit of our annual financial statements,
review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports
and related services normally provided in connection with statutory
and regulatory filings and engagements by EisnerAmper LLP, Hartley
Moore Accountancy Corporation and Hall & Company,
Inc.
|
The
Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of
non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal
accountant's independence.
Audit Committee Policies and Procedures
Pursuant to the
provisions contained in our Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation,
our Board of Directors performs the same functions as an audit
committee. While we do not have formal written audit committee
policies and procedures in place, we do adhere to accounting
standards set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(“FASB”) with respect to financial
reporting.
Our Board of Directors, acting as the audit committee, pre-approves
all services to be provided by Hall & Company,
Inc. All fees paid to Hall & Company, Inc. for
services performed in 2015 were pre-approved by our Board of
Directors. All fees paid to Hartly Moore Accountancy Corporations
during 2015 and EsinerAmper LLP in 2014 were pre-approved by our
Board of Directors.
Code of Ethics
We have
adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive
officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer
or persons performing similar functions, as well as all of our
other officers, directors and employees. This code of ethics is a
part of our code of business conduct and ethics, and is available
on our corporate website at www.innovuspharma.com.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the
2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a Board of Directors
consisting of four members will be elected, each Director to hold
office until a successor is elected and qualified, or until the
Director resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. We currently
have four Directors; Bassam Damaj, Ph.D., Henry Esber, Ph.D.,
Vivian Liu and Ziad Mirza, M.D.
Our
Board has nominated for re-election the current members of the
Board of Directors of the Company. The following is certain
information with respect to the nominees for election as
director.
Directors
|
|
Age
|
|
Title
|
|
Term
|
Bassam
Damaj, Ph.D.
|
|
48
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
Since January 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vivian
Liu
|
|
55
|
|
Director
|
|
Since December 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ziad
Mirza, M.D.
|
|
54
|
|
Director
|
|
Since December 2011
|
Bassam Damaj, Ph.D.
has served on our Board of Directors
and as our President and Chief Executive Officer, since January,
2013 and as our Chief Accounting Officer from July 2015 until
September 6, 2016. Before joining Innovus, Dr. Damaj served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
(Nasdaq: APRI), a drug discovery and development company
(“Apricus Bio”), from December 2009 until November
2012. Before joining Apricus Bio, Dr. Damaj was a co-founder of
Bio-Quant, Inc., a pre-clinical contract services company
(“Bio-Quant”) and served as the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Scientific Officer and as a member of Bio-Quant’s
board of directors from its inception in June 2000 until its
acquisition by Apricus Bio in June 2011. In addition, Dr. Damaj was
the founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
R&D Healthcare, a wholesale drug distribution company, and the
co-founder of Celltek Biotechnologies, a drug discovery and
services company. He also served as a member of the Board of
Directors of CreAgri, Inc., a drug discovery company, and was a
member of the Scientific Advisory Board of MicroIslet, Inc., a drug
discovery company. Since July, 2016 Dr. Damaj has been a member of
the Board of Directors of Hispanica International Delights of
America, Inc. (OTCPink:HISP), an ethnic food company. He is the
author of the Immunological Reagents and Solutions reference book,
the inventor of many patents and the author of numerous peer
reviewed scientific publications. Dr. Damaj won a U.S.
Congressional award for the Anthrax Multiplex Diagnostic Test in
2003. Dr. Damaj holds a Ph.D. degree in Immunology/Microbiology
from Laval University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in
molecular oncology at McGill University. Dr. Damaj’s
significant experience with our business and his significant
executive leadership experience, including his experience leading
several pharmaceutical companies, were instrumental in his
selection as a member of the board of
directors.
Henry Esber,
Ph.D. has served as a member of
our Board of Directors since January 2011 and has served as
Chairman of the Board since January 2013. In 2000, Dr. Esber
co-founded Bio-Quant, and from 2000 to 2010, he served as its
Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer. Dr.
Esber has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical
service industry. Dr. Esber served on the Board of Directors of
Apricus Bio from December 2009 to January 2013 and currently serves
on the Board of Directors of several private pharmaceutical
companies. Dr. Esber holds a Ph.D. in
Immunology/Microbiology from the West Virginia University School of
Medicine, as well as an M.S. in Public Health and Medical
Parasitology from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. His
PreMed B.S is from Norfolk College of William and Mary, now Old
Dominion University. Dr. Esber’s significant scientific
background and experience was instrumental in his selection as a
member of the board of directors.
Vivian Liu has served as a member of our Board of Directors
since December 2011 and served as our President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer from December 2011 to January
22, 2013. Prior to that, she served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of FasTrack Pharma, (“FasTrack
Pharma”), a pharmaceutical company, from January 2011 to
December 2011. Since February 2013, Ms. Liu has served as Managing
Director of OxOnc Services Company, an oncology development
company. In 1995, Ms. Liu co-founded NexMed, Inc. a Delaware
corporation (“NextMed”), which in 2010 was renamed to
Apricus BioSciences, Inc. Ms. Liu was NexMed’s President and
Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2009. Prior to her appointment
as President, Ms. Liu served in several executive capacities,
including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate Affairs. She was
appointed as a director of NexMed in 2007 and served as Chairman of
its Board of Directors from 2009 to 2010. Ms. Liu has an M.P.A.
from the University of Southern California and has a B.A. from the
University of California, Berkeley. Ms. Liu’s
significant executive leadership experience, including her
experience leading several pharmaceutical companies, as well as her
membership on public company boards was instrumental in her
selection as a member of the board of
directors.
Ziad Mirza, M.D. has served as a member of our Board of Directors
since December 2011 and served as Chairman of our Board of
Directors from December 2011 to January 2013. He also served as
FasTrack Pharma’s Acting Chief Executive Officer from March
2010 to December 2010. Since February, 2016, Dr. Mirza has been the
Chief Medical Officer of HyperHeal Hyperbarics, Inc., an outpatient
hyperbaric oxygen therapy company .
He is the President and co-founder of Baltimore Medical and
Surgical Associates. He is a Certified Medical Director of long
term care through the American Medical Directors Association. He is
also a Certified Physician Executive from the American College of
Physician Executives. He consults for pharmaceutical companies on
clinical trial design. He has a M.D. from the American University
of Beirut and completed his residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in
Baltimore. He received an M.B.A. from the University of
Massachusetts. Dr. Mirza’s significant medical and
scientific background was instrumental in his selection as a member
of the Board of Directors.
The
nominees have consented to their nomination to the Board of
Directors, and will serve if elected. The Company has no reason to
believe that the nominees will be unavailable to serve as
Directors.
When
the accompanying proxy is properly executed and returned, the
shares it represents will be voted in accordance with the
directions indicated thereon. We expect the nominees to be able to
serve if elected, but if the nominees notify us before this meeting
that he/she is unable to do so, then the proxies will be voted for
a substitute nominee or nominees.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEE.
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF HALL & COMPANY, INC. AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
2016
Our Board of Directors has selected Hall &
Company, Inc. to serve as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the current fiscal year, and the Board is
asking stockholders to ratify that selection. Although
stockholders’ ratification of the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm is not required by the bylaws or
otherwise, the Board considers the selection of the independent
registered public accounting firm to be an important matter of
stockholder concern and is submitting the selection of Hall &
Company, Inc. for ratification by stockholders as a matter of good
governance. If the stockholders do
not ratify the selection, the Board will reconsider whether or not
to retain Hall & Company, Inc. Even if the selection is
ratified, the Board may, in their discretion, direct the
appointment of a different independent registered public accounting
firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a
change would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests.
Representatives of Hall & Company, Inc. are expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
YOU VOTE FOR
THE RATIFICATION OF HALL &
COMPANY, INC. AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016.
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The Board of Directors has approved a
proposal to amend and restate the Company’s Articles of
Incorporation in the form attached to this proxy statement
as Annex
A. The proposed Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation would include the following
revisions:
(1)
increase
the number of authorized shares of common stock from 150,000,000 to
292,500,000;
(2)
authorize
7,500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per
share;
Background and Reasons for the Amendment
Our
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, currently authorize the
issuance of up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock and no shares
of preferred stock. As of the close of business on October 5, 2016,
there were 104,164,880 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding and 26,704,732 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to
outstanding RSUs, warrants, options and shares issuable upon the
conversion of convertible debentures, leaving a balance of
19,130,388 shares of common stock available for issuance. There are
no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
If
the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is approved by
stockholders, upon its effectiveness we will have a total of
300,000,000 authorized shares of stock (292,500,000 common shares
and 7,500,000 preferred shares) with 104,164,880 shares of common
stock issued and outstanding (as of the Record Date), and
26,704,732 shares reserved for issuance, leaving a balance of
161,630,388 shares of common stock authorized and unissued and not
reserved for any specific purpose. We will also have a total of
7,500,000 shares of preferred stock authorized and unissued and not
reserved for any specific purpose.
Purpose of the Amendment
The
Board of Directors believes it is in the best interest of the
Company to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock
and authorize preferred stock, in order to give the Company greater
flexibility in considering and planning for future corporate needs,
including, but not limited to, grants under equity compensation
plans, stock splits, financings, potential strategic transactions,
including mergers, acquisitions, and business combinations, as well
as other general corporate transactions. The Board of Directors
believes that additional authorized shares of common stock and the
authorization of preferred stock will enable the Company to take
timely advantage of market conditions and favorable financing and
acquisition opportunities that become available to the Company
without the delay and expense associated with convening a special
meeting of the Company’s stockholders.
Potential Adverse Effects of the Amendment
The
Company has no current plan, commitment, arrangement, understanding
or agreement regarding the issuance of the additional shares of
common stock that will result from the Company’s adoption of
the proposed amendment. Except as otherwise required by law all
authorized and unissued shares of common stock will be available
for issuance at the discretion of the Board of Directors (without
further action by the stockholders) for various future corporate
needs, including those outlined above. While adoption of the
proposed amendment would not have any immediate dilutive effect on
the proportionate voting power or other rights of the
Company’s existing stockholders, any future issuance of
shares of the Company’s common stock may, among other things,
dilute the earnings per share of the common stock and the equity
and voting rights of those holding common stock at the time the
additional shares are issued.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effects
In
addition to the corporate purposes mentioned above, an increase in
the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock
and authorization of preferred stock may make it more difficult to,
or discourage an attempt to, obtain control of the Company by means
of a takeover bid that the Board of Directors determines is not in
the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. However, the
Board of Directors does not intend or view the proposed increase in
the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock
and authorization of preferred stock as an anti-takeover measure
and is not aware of any attempt or plan to obtain control of the
Company.
Rights of Additional Authorized Shares
Any
newly authorized shares of common stock will be identical to the
shares of common stock now authorized and outstanding. The
Amendment will not alter the voting powers or relative rights of
the common stock. In accordance with our Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation and the Nevada Revised Statutes, any of
our authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock are
“blank check” preferred stock which shall have such
voting rights, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, conversion
rights and perceptive rights as may be designated by the
Company’s Board pursuant to a certificate of
designation.
Effectiveness of Amendment
If
the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is approved by
the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, it will become effective
upon the filing of a certificate of amendment with the Nevada
Secretary of State.
Required Vote
Assuming
that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, this proposal will
be approved only if a majority of the total outstanding shares of
common stock vote FOR this Proposal No. 3. Abstentions from voting
on the proposal and Broker Non-Votes will not be counted as votes
cast and accordingly will have the same effect as a negative vote
on this proposal. The approval of this Proposal No. 3 is a routine
matter on which a financial institution has discretionary authority
to vote, and, accordingly, there may be few or no Broker Non-Votes
with respect to this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED
COMMON STOCK AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF PREFERED STOCK
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE
PLAN
On
March 21, 2016 our Board of Directors adopted the 2016 Equity
Incentive Plan. On October 10, 2016, our Board of Directors
approved the Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the
“Amended 2016 Plan”), subject to stockholder approval.
The Amended 2016 Plan includes the following changes:
(1)
The number of
shares of common stock authorized for issuance and available for
future grants under the Amended 2016 Plan will be increased each
January 1 after the effective date of the Amended 2016 Plan by a
number of shares of common stock equal to the lesser of: (a) 4% of
the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on a
fully-diluted basis as of the close of business on the immediately
preceding December 31, or (b) a number of shares of common stock
set by our Board.
Under
the Amended 2016 Plan, we may issue various types of stock-based
awards, including incentive stock options (“ISOs”), as defined under
Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), non-incentive
stock options (“NISOs”), restricted and
unrestricted stock awards of our common stock, stock unit awards
(“RSUs”) and stock appreciation rights
(“SARs”), as well as
certain cash awards (together, “Awards”).
A
maximum of 20,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock
are initially authorized for issuance and available for future
grants under our Amended 2016 Plan (the “Initial Reserve”). The
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance and
available for future grants under the Amended 2016 Plan will be
increased each January 1 after the effective date of the Amended
2016 Plan by a number of shares of common stock equal to the lesser
of: (a) 4% of the number of shares of common stock issued and
outstanding on a fully-diluted basis as of the close of business on
the immediately preceding December 31, or (b) a number of shares of
common stock set by our Board.
As of
October 5, 2016, a total of 3,750,000 RSUs have been granted under
the Amended 2016 Plan. We have not yet granted stock options, stock
appreciation rights and restricted and unrestricted stock under the
Amended 2016 Plan. As of October 5, 2016, approximately 16,250,000
shares remained issuable.
The
following summary of certain features of the Amended 2016 Plan is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, which
is attached hereto as Annex
B.
Nature and Purposes of the Amended 2016 Plan
Our Board
believes that the approval of the Amended and Restated 2016 Equity
Incentive Plan is in the best interests of our Company and
stockholders as such Awards are an integral part of our
compensation packages and are critical in recruiting and retaining
employees in an industry characterized by a high degree of employee
mobility and competitive recruiting of talent. The purposes of the
Amended 2016 Plan are to attract and recruit talented employees, to
induce certain individuals to remain in the employ of, or to
continue to serve as directors of, or as independent consultants
to, our company and our present and future subsidiary corporations,
and to encourage such individuals to secure or increase on
reasonable terms their stock ownership in the
company. Our Board of Directors believes that the
granting of Awards under the Amended 2016 Plan will promote
continuity of management, increased incentive and personal interest
in our welfare, and aid in securing our growth and financial
success.
Duration and Modification
If
approved at the Annual Meeting, the Amended 2016 Plan will
terminate on October 10, 2026, ten years from its adoption by the
Company’s Board. No Awards may be granted after
that date, although previously granted Awards may continue in
accordance with their terms. The Administrator may at any time
terminate the Amended 2016 Plan or make such modifications to the
Amended 2016 Plan as it may deem advisable. The Administrator,
however, may not, without approval by our stockholders (except
pursuant to the “evergreen” feature described above)
take any of the following actions: increase the number of shares of
Common Stock as to which equity Awards may be granted under the
Amended 2016 Plan; change the manner of determining stock option or
SAR prices; change the class of persons eligible to participate in
the Amended 2016 Plan; or make other changes to the Amended 2016
Plan that are not permitted to be made without stockholder approval
under Nasdaq rules. The Administrator may not alter the terms of an
Award so as to materially and adversely affect an Award
holder’s rights under the Award without his or her consent,
unless the Administrator expressly reserved the right to do so at
the time of the Award.
Administration of the Plan
The
term “Administrator” as used in this proxy statement
refers to the person (our Board and its delegates) charged with
administering the Amended 2016 Plan. The Amended 2016 Plan is
administered by the Compensation Committee, or if the Board has no
committee, then the Board itself. The Compensation Committee or the
Board has the discretion to determine the participants under the
Amended 2016 Plan, the types, terms and conditions of the Awards,
including performance and other earn out and/or vesting
contingencies, interpret the Amended 2016 Plan’s provisions
and administer the Amended 2016 Plan in a manner that is consistent
with its purpose.
Eligibility and Extent of Participation
Participation
in the Amended 2016 Plan is limited to those employees and
directors, as well as consultants and advisors, who in the
Administrator’s opinion are in a position to make a
significant contribution to our success and that of affiliated
entities and who are selected by the Administrator to receive an
Award. As of October 5, 2016 we had five employees and three
non-employee directors who would be eligible to participate in the
Amended 2016 Plan.
Stock Options
Under
the Amended 2016 Plan, the Administrator may grant Awards in the
form of options to purchase shares of common
stock. Stock options give the holder the right to
purchase shares of our common stock within a specified period of
time at a specified price. Two types of stock options may be
granted under the Amended 2016 Plan: ISOs, which are subject to
special tax treatment as described below, and NSOs. Eligibility for
ISOs is limited to our employees and employees of our subsidiaries.
The initial per share exercise price for an ISO may not be less
than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on
the date of grant, or 110% of such fair market value with respect
to a participant who, at such time, owns stock representing more
than 10% of the total combined voting power of the common
stock. The initial per share exercise price for a NSO
may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of
underlying common stock on the date of grant.
No
option granted pursuant to the Amended 2016 Plan may be exercised
more than 10 years after the date of grant, except that ISOs
granted to participants who own more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of the common stock at the time the ISO is granted may
not be exercised more than five years after the date of
grant.
The
closing price of our common stock as reported on the OTC Quotation
Board on the Record Date was $0.31 per share.
Restricted Stock Grants
The
Amended 2016 Plan also permits the grant of restricted shares of
common stock. Restricted stock grants may be made subject to
vesting and other conditions and restrictions. The holder of a
restricted stock grant shall have the same voting, dividend and
other rights as the Company’s other shareholders, however any
dividends received on shares that are unvested shall be subject to
the same vesting conditions and restrictions as the restricted
stock grant.
Stock Units
The
Amended 2016 Plan also permits the grant of stock
units. Stock units may be made subject to vesting and
other conditions and restrictions but, unlike awards of restricted
stock, do not give the holder the rights of a stockholder until and
unless actual shares of common stock are delivered in the
future.
Stock Appreciation Rights
The
Amended 2016 Plan also permits the grant of Awards of SARs, which
are grants of the right to receive cash or shares of common stock,
upon exercise with an aggregate fair market value equal to the
value of the SAR. The value of a SAR with respect to one
share of common stock on any date is the excess of the fair market
value of a share on such date over the base value on the grant
date. The minimum base value for SARs is the fair market value of
the common stock at the time of grant.
Other Awards
The
Amended 2016 Plan may also be used to grant other equity awards in
the form of shares and/or cash-based awards as determined by the
Board.
Performance Awards
Awards,
including both common stock-based and cash-based awards, may be
conditioned on the satisfaction of specified performance criteria.
The performance criteria used in connection with a particular
performance award will be determined by the Administrator. In the
case of awards intended to qualify for the performance-based
compensation exception from the deduction limitations of Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Administrator will use
objectively determinable measures 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
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. A performance criterion and any related targets need
not be based on an increase, a positive or improved result, or
avoidance of loss. To the extent consistent with the requirements
of the performance and compensation-based exception to Section
162(m) where applicable, the Administrator may provide that
performance criteria or payouts under an Award will be adjusted in
an objectively determinable manner to reflect events occurring
during the performance period that would affect the performance
criteria or payouts. The Administrator will determine whether
performance targets or goals chosen for a particular Award have
been met.
Transferability
Neither
ISOs nor, except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides,
other Awards may be transferred other than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution. During a recipient’s lifetime an
ISO and, except as the Administrator may provide, other
non-transferable Awards requiring exercise may be exercised only by
the recipient.
Shares Subject to the Amended Plan
The
Amended 2016 Plan contains an “evergreen” feature,
under which the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance and available for future grants under the Amended 2016
Plan will be increased each January 1 after the effective date of
the Amended 2016 Plan (i.e., commencing on January 1, 2017) by a
number of shares of common stock equal to the lesser of: (a) 4% of
the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on a
fully-diluted basis as of the close of business on the immediately
preceding December 31, or (b) a number of shares of common stock
set by our board of directors.
The
aggregate maximum number of shares available under the Amended 2016
Plan will be determined, to the extent consistent with the ISO
rules, net of shares of common stock withheld by the Company in
payment of the exercise price of an Award or in satisfaction of tax
withholding requirements with respect to the Award and without
including any shares of common stock underlying Awards settled in
cash or which otherwise expire or become unexercisable without
having been exercised or are forfeited to or repurchased by the
Company due to failure to vest. To the extent consistent with the
rules applicable to ISOs, and any other applicable legal
requirements (including applicable stock exchange requirements, if
any), common stock issued under awards that are the result of
converting, replacing, or adjusting equity awards of an acquired
company in connection with the acquisition will not reduce the
number of shares available for Awards under the Amended 2016 Plan
and such shares will not be subject to the per participant limits
described above.
Mergers and Similar Transactions
In the
event of a Change of Control in which we are not the surviving
corporation or which results in the acquisition of substantially
all of our common stock by a person or entity or by a group of
persons or entities acting together, or in the event of a sale of
substantially all of our assets or our dissolution or liquidation,
the Administrator may provide for the assumption or continuation of
all or some Awards, the grant of substitute Awards, a cash-out
payment for all or some Awards or the acceleration of all or some
Awards.
Plan Benefits
As of
October 5, 2016, a total of 3,750,000 RSUs have been granted under
the Amended 2016 Plan. We have not yet granted stock options, stock
appreciation rights and restricted and unrestricted stock under the
Amended 2016 Plan. As of October 5, 2016, approximately 16,250,000
shares remained issuable.
Because
awards granted under the Amended 2016 Plan are generally
discretionary, the Company has not yet determined any additional
amount(s) to be granted, issued or allocated.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of Issuance and
Exercise of Awards
The
following discussion summarizes the U.S. Federal income tax
consequences of the granting and exercise of Awards under the
Amended 2016 Plan, and the sale of any common stock acquired as a
result thereof, is based on an analysis of the Internal Revenue
Code (the “Code”) as currently in
effect, existing laws, judicial decisions and administrative
rulings and regulations, all of which are subject to
change. The summary does not purport to cover federal
employment tax or other federal tax consequences that may be
associated with the Amended 2016 Plan, nor does it cover state
and/or local income tax consequences in the jurisdiction in which a
participant works and/or resides. The tax consequences
of Awards issued to participants outside of the U.S. may differ
from the U.S. tax consequences. Participants should consult their
tax advisors about the potential tax consequences of participating
in the Amended 2016 Plan.
Incentive Stock Options:
In
general, neither the grant nor the exercise of an ISO will result
in taxable income to an optionee or a deduction to
us. For purposes of the alternative minimum tax,
however, the spread on the exercise of an incentive stock option
will be considered as part of the optionee’s income in the
year of exercise of an ISO.
The
sale of the shares of common stock received pursuant to the
exercise of an ISO which satisfies the holding period rules will
result in capital gain to an optionee and will not result in a tax
deduction to the Company. To receive incentive stock option
treatment as to the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO, an
optionee must not dispose of such shares within two years after the
option is granted or within one year after the exercise of the
option. In addition, an optionee generally must be an employee of
the Company (or a subsidiary of the Company) at all times between
the date of grant and the date three months before exercise of the
option.
If the
holding period rules are not satisfied, the portion of any gain
recognized on the disposition of the shares acquired upon the
exercise of an ISO that is equal to the lesser of (a) the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of exercise minus the
exercise price or (b) the amount realized on the disposition minus
the exercise price, will be treated as ordinary income, with any
remaining gain being treated as capital gain. The Company will be
entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of such ordinary
income. The Company is not entitled to a deduction with respect to
any remaining capital gain or loss.
Restricted Stock Awards:
Restricted Stock
Awards are generally subject to ordinary income tax at the time the
restrictions (the “risk of forfeiture) lapse, subject to
valid deferral elections made in compliance with Section 409A under
the Code, which may allow the awardee to defer the receipt of the
underlying shares and thereby defer the recognition of taxable
income. When the risk of forfeiture lapses, he or she
will have ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market
value of the shares at the time over the purchase price, if any. We
will be entitled to a corresponding Federal income tax deduction at
the time the participant recognizes ordinary income.
The
participant may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to
be taxed on restricted stock at the time it is acquired rather than
later, when the substantial risk of forfeiture lapses. The
so-called “83(b) election” must be made not later than
thirty (30) days after the transfer of the shares to the
participant and must satisfy certain other requirements. If the
participant makes an effective 83(b) election, he or she will
realize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the
shares as of the time of acquisition, less any price paid for the
shares. Fair market value for this purpose is to be determined
without regard to the forfeiture restrictions. If he or she makes
an effective 83(b) election, no additional income will result by
reason of the lapsing of the restrictions.
For
purposes of determining capital gain or loss on a sale of shares
awarded under the plan, the holding period in the shares begins
when the participant realizes taxable income with respect to the
transfer. The tax basis in the shares equals the amount paid for
the shares plus any income realized with respect to the transfer.
However, if the participant makes an effective 83(b) election in
connection with an award or purchase of stock subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture and later forfeits the shares, the
tax loss realized as a result of the forfeiture is limited to the
excess of what he or she paid for the shares (if anything) over the
amount (if any) reimbursed in connection with the
forfeiture.
In
general, any cash-settled stock appreciation right, and any
stock-settled stock appreciation right granted with an exercise
price less than the fair market value of the underlying stock at
the time of grant, may also be subject to additional tax penalties
and interest charges under federal tax rules relating to
nonqualified deferred compensation.
Stock Units:
An
award of stock units does not itself result in taxable income. When
the participant actually acquires the shares of stock, unless the
shares are restricted, he or she will have ordinary income equal to
the value of the shares at that time. If the shares delivered are
restricted for tax purposes, the participant will instead be
subject at that time to the rules described above for restricted
stock.
Stock Appreciation Rights:
The
participant receiving a SAR will not recognize Federal taxable
income at the time the SAR is granted nor does taxable income
result merely because a SARs becomes exercisable. In general, if a
participant exercises a stock appreciation right for shares of
stock or receives payment in cancellation of a stock appreciation
right he or she will have ordinary income equal to the amount of
any cash and the fair market value of any stock received. We will
be entitled to a Federal tax deduction equal to the amount of
ordinary income the participant is required to recognize as a
result.
Limits on
Deductions:
Under
Section 162(m) of the Code, the amount of compensation paid to the
Chief Executive Officer and the three most highly paid executive
officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer) of the Company in
the year for which a deduction is claimed by the Company (including
its subsidiaries) is limited to $1,000,000 per person in any year,
except that qualified performance-based compensation will be
excluded for purposes of calculating the amount of compensation
subject to this $1,000,000 limitation. The ability of the Company
to claim a deduction for compensation paid to any other executive
officer or employee of the Company (including its subsidiaries) is
not affected by this provision.
Required Vote and Recommendation of Board of Directors
Assuming that a
quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, this proposal will be
approved only if a majority of the total votes cast on the proposal
are affirmative. Under Nevada law, abstentions from
voting on the proposal and Broker Non-Votes are not counted as
votes cast and accordingly will have no effect upon the
proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In
2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) that,
among other things, imposes a number of new corporate governance
requirements on publicly held companies. The proxy rules of the
Exchange Act were revised pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act to provide
stockholders with the right to vote to approve, on a non-binding,
advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers,
as disclosed pursuant to the compensation and disclosure rules of
the SEC. The advisory stockholder vote is commonly referred to as
the “say-on-pay” vote.
The
purpose of our compensation philosophy, policies and practices is
to attract and retain experienced, highly qualified executives
critical to our long-term success and enhancement of stockholder
value. The board believes our compensation policies and procedures
achieve these objectives. Please read the “Executive
Compensation” section of this proxy statement for additional
details about our executive compensation, including information
about the fiscal year 2015 compensation of our named executive
officers.
This
proposal gives you, as a stockholder, the opportunity to express
your views on the compensation of our named executive
officers.
This
non-binding say on pay vote give you as a stockholder the
opportunity to express your approval or disapproval of the
compensation of our named executive officers that is disclosed in
this proxy statement by voting for or against the following
resolution, or by abstaining with respect to the
resolution.
“RESOLVED,
that the stockholders of Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. approve, on
an advisory basis, the compensation of the executive officers named
in this proxy statement as described under “Executive
Compensation” including the tabular and related narrative
disclosure, contained in this proxy statement.”
Because
your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on either the Board
of Directors or the Company. However, the Board of Directors will
take into account the outcome of the stockholder vote on this
proposal when considering the future executive compensation
decisions and arrangements.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ADVISORY VOTE TO
APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
ADVISORY VOTE TO DETERMINE THE FREQUENCY OF THE ADVISORY VOTE ON
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The
Dodd-Frank Act also enables the Company’s stockholders to
indicate how frequently the Company should seek an advisory vote on
the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers,
such as Proposal 5, of this proxy statement. By voting on this
Proposal 6, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer an
advisory vote on named executive officer compensation once every
year, every two years or every three years.
After
careful consideration of this proposal, the Company’s Board
of Directors has determined that an advisory vote on executive
compensation every three years is the most appropriate alternative
for the Company at this time; and therefore the Board recommends
that you vote for a three-year interval for advisory vote on
executive compensation.
In
formulating its recommendation, the Board considered that the
Company’s executive compensation policies are designed to
promote a long-term connection between pay and performance and an
advisory vote on executive compensation every three years will
allow the Company’s stockholders to provide direct input on
the Company’s long-term compensation philosophy, policies and
practices.
You may
cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the
option of one year, two years, three years, or abstain from
voting.
The
option of one year, two years or three years that receives the
highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be the frequency
for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been
selected by stockholders. Stockholders are not voting to approve or
disprove the Board’s recommendation. Because this vote is
advisory and not binding on the Board of Directors or the Company
in any way, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests
of the Company’s stockholders and the Company to hold an
advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently
that the option approved by the Company’s
stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THREE YEARS FOR THE
FREQUENCY OF THE ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER
COMPENSATION
As
of the date of this statement, our management knows of no business
to be presented at the meeting that is not referred to in the
accompanying notice. As to other business that may properly come
before the meeting, it is intended that proxies properly executed
and returned will be voted in respect thereof at the discretion of
the person voting the proxies in accordance with their best
judgment, including upon any stockholder proposal about which the
Company did not receive timely notice.
Adjournments or Postponements
Although it is not
expected, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned or postponed for the
purpose of soliciting additional proxies. Any adjournment or
postponement of the Annual Meeting may be made without notice,
other than by an announcement made at the Annual Meeting, by
approval of the holders of a majority of the votes present in
person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, whether or
not a quorum exists. Any adjournment or postponement of the Annual
Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow
Innovus stockholders who have
already sent in their proxies to revoke them at any time prior to
their use.
Expenses of Proxy Solicitation
The
principal solicitation of proxies will be made by mail. Expense of
distributing this proxy statement to stockholders, which may
include reimbursement to banks, brokers and other custodians for
their expenses in forwarding this proxy statement, will be borne
exclusively by the Company.
Final Prospectus and Annual Report
You
may obtain a printed copy of our Final Prospectus and/or Annual
Report on Form 10-K, when filed, including our financial
statements, free of charge, by sending a written request to:
Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440,
San Diego, California 92122, Attention: Investor
Relations.
Proposals of Stockholders
Rule
14a-8 under the Exchange Act addresses when a company must include
a stockholder’s proposal in its proxy statement and identify
the proposal in its form of proxy when the company holds an annual
or special meeting of stockholders. Under Rule 14a-8, in order for
a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy
statement and proxy card relating to our 2017 annual meeting of
stockholders, the proposal must be received at our principal
executive offices no later than before the company begins printing
its proxy materials.
In
general, written notice must be received by the Company’s
Corporate Secretary at the Company’s principal executive
office, 9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440, San Diego, California
92122, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the
first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting and
must contain specified information concerning the matter to be
brought before such meeting and concerning the stockholder
proposing such a matter. Accordingly, to be considered at the 2017
annual meeting of stockholders, proposals must be received by the
Corporate Secretary prior to when the company begins printing its
proxy materials. Any waiver by the Company of these requirements
with respect to the submission of a particular stockholder proposal
shall not constitute a waiver with respect to the submission of any
other stockholder proposal nor shall it obligate the Company to
waive these requirements with respect to future submissions of the
stockholder proposal or any other stockholder proposal. Any
stockholder desiring a copy of the Company’s Bylaws will be
furnished one without charge upon written request to the Corporate
Secretary at 9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440, San Diego,
California 92122.
Householding Procedure
We have
adopted a procedure called “householding,” which the
SEC has approved. Under this procedure, we deliver a single copy of
the Notice and, if applicable, the proxy materials to multiple
stockholders who share the same address unless we received contrary
instructions from one or more of the stockholders. This procedure
reduces our printing costs, mailing costs, and fees. Stockholders
who participate in householding will continue to be able to access
and receive separate proxy cards. Upon written request, we will
deliver promptly a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable,
the proxy materials to any stockholder at a shared address to which
we delivered a single copy of any of these documents. To receive a
separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, these proxy
materials, stockholders may write us at the following
address:
Investor
Relations
Innovus
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 440
San Diego, CA 92122
Stockholders who
hold shares in street name may contact their brokerage firm, bank,
broker-dealer, or other similar organization to request information
about householding.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
|
|
|
Henry Esber, Ph.D.
|
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Diego, California
October ___, 2016
INNOVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
November 16, 2016
The undersigned appoints Henry Esber, Ph.D, Chairman of Innovus
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. with full power of substitution, the attorney
and proxy of the undersigned, to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to be held November
16, 2016 beginning at 9:00 a.m., Local Time, at 9171 Towne Centre
Drive, Coronado South Conference Room, First
Floor, San Diego, California 92122 and
at any adjournment thereof, and to vote the stock the undersigned
would be entitled to vote if personally present, on all matters set
forth in the Proxy Statement to Stockholders dated
[____],
a copy of which has been received by
the undersigned, as follows:
A. Election of Directors – The Board of Directors recommends
a vote FOR the listed nominees.
|
1.
|
Nominees:
|
|
FOR
|
WITHHOLD
|
|
|
Basam Damaj, Ph.D.
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
|
Henry Esber, Ph.D.
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
|
Vivian Liu
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
|
Ziad Mirza, M.D.
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
B. Proposal – The Board recommends a vote
FOR Proposal 2.
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
2.
The ratification of Hall & Company, Inc. as the Company’s
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the year ending
December 31, 2016
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
C. Proposal – The Board recommends a vote
FOR Proposal 3.
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
3.
Approval of the Amended and Restated of Articles of
Incorporation
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Proposal – The Board recommends a vote
FOR
Proposal 4.
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
4.
Approval of the Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive
Plan
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
E. Proposal
– The Board recommends a
vote FOR Proposal 5.
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
5.
(Non-Binding) Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation.
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
F. Proposal – The Board recommends a vote
FOR THREE
YEARS.
|
|
|
|
|
ONE
|
TWO
|
THREE
|
ABSTAIN
|
6.
(Non-Binding) Advisory Vote on the Frequency of the Advisory Vote
on Executive Compensation.
|
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
☐
|
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFIC
INDICATIONS ABOVE. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATIONS, THIS PROXY,
IF OTHERWISE DULY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE MATTERS
SET FORTH ABOVE.
Date ___________________________, 2016
|
Number of Shares ______________________
|
Please sign exactly as
|
|
|
Your name appears on
|
|
|
Your stock certificate(s).
|
|
|
If your stock is issued in
|
|
Signature
|
the names of two or more
|
|
Print Name Here:
|
Persons, all of them must
|
|
|
Sign this proxy. If signing
|
|
|
in representative capacity
|
|
Signature
|
Please indicate your title.
|
|
Print Name
Here:
|
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY
PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 14,
2016
Mail To: Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Weintraub Law Group, PC
Attn: Jennifer Trowbridge
10085 Carroll Canyon Rd
Suite 230,
San Diego, CA 92131
Fax (858) 566-7015
jennifer@weintraublawgroup.com
CERTIFICATE
OF
AMENDED
AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
INNOVUS
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Pursuant to the
provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes 78.390 and 78.403, the
undersigned officer of Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada
corporation, does hereby certify as follows:
A. The
board of directors of the corporation has duly adopted resolutions
proposing to amend and restate the articles of incorporation of the
corporation as set forth below, declaring such amendment and
restatement to be advisable and in the best interests of the
corporation.
B. The
amendment and restatement of the articles of incorporation as set
forth below has been approved by at least a majority of the voting
power of the stockholders of the corporation, which is sufficient
for approval thereof.
C. This
certificate sets forth the text of the articles of incorporation of
the corporation as amended and restated in their entirety to this
date as follows:
AMENDED
AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
INNOVUS
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The
name of the corporation is Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the
“Corporation”).
ARTICLE
II
REGISTERED
OFFICE
The
Corporation may, from time to time, in the manner provided by law,
change the registered agent and registered office within the State
of Nevada. The Corporation may also maintain an office or offices
for the conduct of its business, either within or without the State
of Nevada.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The
Corporation is formed for the purpose of engaging in any lawful
activity for which corporations may be organized under the laws of
the State of Nevada.
ARTICLE IV
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
STOCK
The
total authorized capital stock of the Corporation consists of three
hundred million (300,000,000) shares of capital stock, par value
$0.001 per share, consisting of (a) two hundred ninety two million
five hundred thousand (292,500,000) shares of common stock, par
value $0.001 per share, and (b) seven million five hundred thousand
(7,500,000) shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Preferred Stock”). The
board of directors of the Corporation is hereby vested, to the
fullest extent permitted under the Nevada Revised Statutes (the
“NRS”),
with the authority to designate from time to time, by duly adopted
resolution(s), one or more series of the Preferred Stock, to fix
the number of shares constituting such series and to prescribe the
voting powers, designations, preferences, qualifications,
limitations, restrictions and relative, participating, optional and
other rights of such series. Any such resolution prescribing a
series of Preferred Stock must include a distinguishing designation
for such series. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of
any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to only such voting
rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by these
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (as the same may be
further amended from time to time, the “Articles of
Incorporation”), including the certificate of
designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, or the NRS.
To the extent provided in the certificate of designation relating
to a series of Preferred Stock, the board of directors may increase
(but not above the total number of then authorized and undesignated
shares of Preferred Stock) or decrease (but not below the number of
shares of that series then outstanding) the number of shares of
such series.
ARTICLE V
DIRECTORS
The
board of directors of the Corporation shall be elected or appointed
in such manner as shall be provided in the bylaws of the
Corporation (as amended from time to time, the “Bylaws”). Except as
otherwise fixed or provided for pursuant to the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation, including any certificate of designation
relating to any series of Preferred Stock, the number of directors
may be changed from time to time in the manner provided in the
Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI
INAPPLICABILITY OF
CERTAIN NEVADA STATUTES
Section
1.
Inapplicability of
Combinations with Interested Stockholders Statutes. At such
time, if any, as the Corporation becomes a “resident domestic
corporation” (as that term is defined in NRS 78.427), the
Corporation shall not be subject to, or governed by, any of the
provisions in NRS 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, as amended from time
to time, or any successor statutes.
Section
2.
Inapplicability of
Acquisition of Controlling Interest Statutes. In accordance
with the provisions of NRS 78.378, the provisions of NRS 78.378 to
78.3793, inclusive, as amended from time to time, or any successor
statutes, relating to acquisitions of controlling interests in the
Corporation, shall not apply to the Corporation or to any
acquisition of any shares of the Corporation’s capital
stock.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION;
EXCULPATION
Section
3.
Payment of
Expenses. To the fullest extent permitted under the NRS
(including, without limitation, to the fullest extent permitted
under NRS 78.7502 and 78.751(3)) and other applicable law, the
Corporation shall indemnify directors and officers of the
Corporation in their respective capacities as such and in any and
all other capacities in which any of them serves at the request of
the Corporation. In addition to any other rights of indemnification
permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada or as may be provided
for by the Corporation in the Bylaws or by agreement, the expenses
of directors and officers incurred in defending a civil or criminal
action, suit or proceeding, involving alleged acts or omissions of
such director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or
officer of the Corporation, must be paid, by the Corporation or
through insurance purchased and maintained by the Corporation or
through other financial arrangements made by the Corporation, as
they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the
action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the
director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he or she is
not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation.
Section
4.
Limitation on
Liability. The liability of directors and officers of the
Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the NRS. If the NRS are amended to further eliminate
or limit or authorize corporate action to further eliminate or
limit the liability of directors or officers, the liability of
directors and officers of the Corporation shall be eliminated or
limited to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS, as so amended
from time to time.
Section
5.
Repeal and
Conflicts. Any repeal or modification of Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VI approved by the
stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and
shall not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of a
director or officer of the Corporation existing as of the time of
such repeal or modification. In the event of any conflict between
Section 1 or
Section 2 of this
Article VI and any
other provision of the Articles of Incorporation, the terms and
provisions of Section
1 and/or Section
2 of this Article
VI shall control.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
1.
Mandatory Forum. To
the fullest extent permitted by law, and unless the Corporation
consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the
Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada, shall be
the sole and exclusive forum for any or all actions, suits or
proceedings, whether civil, administrative or investigative or that
asserts any claim or counterclaim (each, an “Action”): (a) brought in
the name or right of the Corporation or on its behalf; (b)
asserting a claim for breach of any fiduciary duty owed by any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the
Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; (c) arising or
asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of NRS Chapters
78 or 92A or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws; (d) to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity
of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; or (e) asserting a
claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. In the event that
the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada does not
have jurisdiction over any such Action, then any other state
district court located in the State of Nevada shall be the sole and
exclusive forum for such Action. In the event that no state
district court in the State of Nevada has jurisdiction over any
such Action, then a federal court located within the State of
Nevada shall be the sole and exclusive forum for such
Action.
Section
2.
Severability. If
any provision or provisions of the Articles of Incorporation is
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any
circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality
and enforceability of such provision(s) in any other circumstance
and of the remaining provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation(including, without limitation, each portion of any
paragraph of the Articles of Incorporation containing any such
provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not
itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in
any waybe affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest
extent possible, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation
(including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph
of the Articles of Incorporation containing any such provision
heldto be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed (i)
so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers,
employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their
good faith service or (ii) for the benefit of the Corporation to
the fullest extent permitted by law.
Section
3.
Deemed Notice and
Consent. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each and
every natural person, corporation, general or limited partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any
other entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest (of any
nature whatsoever) in any shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation shall be deemed, by reason of and from and after the
time of such purchase or other acquisition, to have notice of and
to have consented to all of the provisions of (a) the Articles of
Incorporation (including, without limitation, Section
1 of this Article and this Section
3), (b) the Bylaws and (c) any amendment to the Articles
of Incorporation or the Bylaws enacted or adopted in accordance
with the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable
law.
Section
4.
Amendments to
Bylaws. The authority to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws
or any provision thereof is hereby reserved exclusively to the
board of directors of the Corporation, and the stockholders of the
Corporation shall have no authority or right to adopt, amend or
repeal the Bylaws.
* * * *
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certificate of Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
as of October 10, 2016.
INNOVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EFFECTIVE AS OF OCTOBER 10, 2016
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION.
The
Company’s Board of Directors adopted this Innovus
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive
Plan ( the “Plan”) effective on the Effective
Date.
The
purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the
Company and the creation of stockholder value by offering Selected
Employees an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the
success of the Company, or to increase such interest, and to
encourage such Selected Employees to continue to provide services
to the Company and to attract new individuals with outstanding
qualifications.
The
Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the
form of Options (which may constitute Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options), Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Stock Grants, Stock Units, Other Equity Awards and/or Cash Awards.
However, unless and until this Plan is approved by Company
stockholders, no ISOs may be exercised under the Plan.
Capitalized
terms shall have the meaning provided in Section 2 unless otherwise
provided in this Plan or any applicable Award
Agreement.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. If
a Participant’s employment agreement or Award Agreement (or
other written agreement executed by and between Participant and the
Company) expressly includes defined terms that expressly are
different from and/or conflict with the defined terms contained in
this Plan then the defined terms contained in the employment
agreement or Award Agreement (or other written agreement executed
by and between Participant and the Company) shall govern and shall
supersede the definitions provided in this
Plan.
(a)
“Affiliate” means any entity other than a Subsidiary,
if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than
50% of such entity. For purposes of determining an
individual’s “Service,” this definition shall
include any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company, a
Parent and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of
such entity.
(b) “Award”
means any award of an Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Grant, Stock
Unit, Other Equity Award or Cash Award under the Plan.
(c) “Award
Agreement” means an agreement between the Company and a
Selected Employee evidencing the award of an Option, SAR,
Restricted Stock Grant, Stock Unit, Other Equity Award or Cash
Award as applicable.
(d) “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from
time to time.
(e) “California
Participant” means a Participant whose Award, when granted,
was issued in reliance either on section 25111, 25112 or 25113 of
the California Corporations Code. Solely to the extent required to
comply with the requirements of the California Corporate Securities
Law of 1968 at the time of grant and thereafter, Awards to
California Participants shall also be subject to the additional
terms specified in Appendix A. The Committee, in its discretion,
may also elect to include some or all of the Appendix A terms in
Awards to Participants who are not California Participants.
Appendix A is a part of this Plan.
(f) “Cash
Award” means a cash incentive opportunity awarded under this
Plan, to a Covered Employee that is (i) payable only in cash, (ii)
not an Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Grant, Stock Unit or Other
Equity Award, (iii) paid based on achievement of Performance
Goal(s) and (iv) intended to qualify as performance-based
compensation under Code Section 162(m).
(g) “Cashless
Exercise” means, to the extent that an Award Agreement so
provides and as permitted by applicable law and in accordance with
any procedures established by the Committee, an arrangement whereby
payment of some or all of the aggregate Exercise Price may be made
all or in part by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a
securities broker to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the
sale proceeds to the Company. Cashless Exercise may also be
utilized to satisfy an Option’s tax withholding obligations
as provided in Section 16(b).
(h) “Cause”
means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the
following: (i) a conviction of a Participant for a felony crime or
the failure of a Participant to contest prosecution for a felony
crime, or (ii) a Participant’s misconduct, fraud, disloyalty
or dishonesty (as such terms may be defined by the Committee in its
sole discretion), or (iii) any unauthorized use or disclosure of
confidential information or trade secrets by a Participant, or (iv)
a Participant’s negligence, malfeasance, breach of fiduciary
duties, neglect of duties, or (v) any material violation by a
Participant of a written Company or Subsidiary or Affiliate policy
or any material breach by a Participant of a written agreement with
the Company or Subsidiary or Affiliate, or (vi) any other act or
omission by a Participant that, in the opinion of the Committee,
could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the
Company’s or a Subsidiary’s or an Affiliate’s
business, financial condition, prospects and/or reputation. In each
of the foregoing subclauses (i) through (vi), whether or not a
“Cause” event has occurred will be determined by the
Committee in its sole discretion or, in the case of Participants
who are directors or Officers or Section 16 Persons, the Board,
each of whose determination shall be final, conclusive and binding.
A Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated
for Cause if, after the Participant’s Service has terminated,
facts and circumstances are discovered that would have justified a
termination for Cause, including, without limitation, violation of
material Company policies or breach of noncompetition,
confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to
the Participant.
(i) “Change
in Control” means the consummation of any one or more of
the following:
(i)
Any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and
14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities of the Company under an employee benefit plan of
the Company, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent
(50%) or more of (A) the outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company or (B) the combined voting power of the Company’s
then-outstanding securities;
(ii)
The Company is party to a merger or consolidation, or series of
related transactions, which results in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto failing to continue
to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty
percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities
of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately
after such merger or consolidation;
(iii)
The sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the
Company’s assets (or consummation of any transaction, or
series of related transactions, having similar
effect);
(iv)
The dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or
(v)
Any transaction or series of related transactions that has the
substantial effect of any one or more of the
foregoing.
A
transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole
purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation
or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially
the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s
securities immediately before such transactions. In addition, an
IPO shall not constitute a Change in Control.
(j) “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
regulations and interpretations promulgated
thereunder.
(k) “Committee”
means a committee described in Section 3.
(l) “Common
Stock” means the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par
value per Share, and any other securities into which such shares
are changed, for which such shares are exchanged or which may be
issued in respect thereof.
(m) “Company”
means Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada
corporation.
(n) “Consultant”
means an individual or entity which performs bona fide services to
the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, other than as
an Employee or Non-Employee Director.
(o) “Covered
Employees” means those individuals whose compensation is (or
may be) subject to the deduction limitations of Code Section
162(m).
(p) “Disability”
means the following:
(i)
For all ISOs, the permanent and total disability of a Participant
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code;
(ii)
For all Awards which are considered nonqualified deferred
compensation under Code Section 409A and for which payment can be
made on account of the Participant’s disability, the
disability of a Participant within the meaning of Section 409A of
the Code; or
(iii)
For all other Awards, the Participant’s medically
determinable physical or mental incapacitation such that for a
continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, a person is
unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity or which can
be expected to result in death.
Any question as to the existence of that person’s physical or
mental incapacitation as to which the person or person’s
representative and the Company cannot agree shall be determined in
writing by a qualified independent physician mutually acceptable to
the person and the Company. If the person and the Company cannot
agree as to a qualified independent physician, each shall appoint
such a physician and those two (2) physicians shall select a third
(3rd) who shall make such determination in writing. The
determination of Disability made in writing to the Company and the
person shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of the
Awards.
(q) “Effective
Date” means October 10, 2016
(r) “Employee”
means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company,
or of a Parent, or of a Subsidiary or of an Affiliate. An employee
who is also serving as a member of the Board is an Employee for
purposes of this Plan.
(s) “Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(t) “Exercise
Price” means, in the case of an Option, the amount for which
a Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified
in the applicable Award Agreement. “Exercise Price,” in
the case of a SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable
Award Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value in
determining the amount payable to a Participant upon exercise of
such SAR.
(u) “Fair
Market Value” means the market price of a Share, determined
by the Committee as follows:
(i)
If the Shares were traded on a stock exchange (such as the NYSE,
NYSE MKT, NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Global Market or
NASDAQ Capital Market) at the time of determination, then the Fair
Market Value shall be equal to the regular session closing price
for such stock as reported by such exchange (or the exchange or
market with the greatest volume of trading in the Shares) on the
date of determination, or if there were no sales on such date, on
the last date preceding such date on which a closing price was
reported;
(ii)
If the Shares were traded on the OTC Markets (such as the OTCQX,
OTCQB, OTCPK or the OTC Bulletin Board) at the time of
determination, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the
last-sale price reported by the OTC Markets for such date, or if
there were no sales on such date, on the last date preceding such
date on which a sale was reported; and
(iii)
If neither of the foregoing provisions is applicable, then the Fair
Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith
using a reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method as
the Committee deems appropriate.
Whenever
possible, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee
shall be based on the prices reported by the applicable exchange or
the OTC Markets, as applicable, or a nationally recognized
publisher of stock prices or quotations (including an electronic
on-line publication). Such determination shall be conclusive and
binding on all persons.
(v) “Fiscal
Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.
(w)
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted
accounting principles as established by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board.
(x) “Incentive
Stock Option” or “ISO” means an incentive stock
option described in Code Section 422.
(y) “IPO”
means an initial public offering by the Company of its equity
securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed
with the SEC.
(z)
“ISO Limit” means the maximum aggregate number of
Shares that are permitted to be issued pursuant to the exercise of
ISOs granted under the Plan as described in Section
5(a).
(aa) “Net
Exercise” means, to the extent that an Award Agreement so
provides and as permitted by applicable law, an arrangement
pursuant to which the number of Shares issued to the Optionee in
connection with the Optionee’s exercise of the Option will be
reduced by the Company’s retention of a portion of such
Shares. Upon such a net exercise of an Option, the Optionee will
receive a net number of Shares that is equal to (i) the number of
Shares as to which the Option is being exercised minus (ii) the
quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of the
aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being exercised divided by
the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Option exercise date. The
number of Shares covered by clause (ii) will be retained by the
Company and not delivered to the Optionee. No fractional Shares
will be created as a result of a Net Exercise and the Optionee must
contemporaneously pay for any portion of the aggregate Exercise
Price that is not covered by the Shares retained by the Company
under clause (ii). The number of Shares delivered to the Optionee
may be further reduced if Net Exercise is utilized under Section
16(b) to satisfy applicable tax withholding
obligations.
(bb)
“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who
is not an Employee.
(cc) “Nonstatutory
Stock Option” or “NSO” means a stock option that
is not an ISO.
(dd)
“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.
(ee)
“Officer” means an individual who is an officer of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange
Act.
(ff)
“Option” means an ISO or NSO granted under the Plan
entitling the Optionee to purchase a specified number of Shares, at
such times and applying a specified Exercise Price, as provided in
the applicable Award Agreement.
(gg) “Optionee”
means an individual, estate or other entity that holds an
Option.
(hh) “Other
Equity Award” means an award (other than an Option, SAR,
Stock Unit, Restricted Stock Grant or Cash Award) which derives its
value from the value of Shares and/or from increases in the value
of Shares.
(ii)
“Outside Director” means a Non-Employee Director who is
considered an “outside director” for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Code.
(jj)
“Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company)
in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if
each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock
possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in
such chain.
A
corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the
Effective Date shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such
date.
(kk) “Participant”
means an individual or estate or other entity that holds an
Award.
(ll)
“Performance Criteria” means the criteria (and
adjustments) that the Committee selects for an Award for purposes
of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a
Performance Period, determined as follows:
(A) The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish
Performance Goals are limited to the following: (i) annual revenue,
(ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, or EBITDA, (iii) earnings per share, (iv) stock
price, (v) operating cash flow, (vi) net income, (vii) profit
margins, operating margins, gross margins or cash margins, (viii)
revenue growth, (ix) pre- or after-tax income (before or after
allocations of corporate overhead and bonuses), (x) return on
equity, (xi) total shareholder return, (xii) return on assets or
net assets, (xiii) appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price
of the Common Stock, (xiv) market share, (xv) gross profits, (xvi)
economic value-added models or equivalent metrics, (xvii)
comparisons with various stock market indices, (xviii) reductions
in costs, (xix) cash flow or cash flow per share, (xx) return on
capital (including return on total capital or return on invested
capital), (xxi) cash flow return on investment, (xxii) improvement
in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels,
(xxiii) year-end cash, (xxiv) debt reductions, (xxv) stockholder
equity, (xxvi) regulatory or litigation achievements, (xxvii)
implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives
with respect to business development, new products or services,
budgets, regulatory or business risks, acquisitions, divestitures
or recruiting and maintaining personnel, (xxviii) earnings, (xxix)
expenses, (xxx) cost of goods sold, (xxxi) working capital, (xxxii)
price/earnings ratio, (xxxiii) debt or debt-to-equity, (xxxiv)
accounts receivable, (xxxv) writeoffs, (xxxvi) assets, (xxxvii)
liquidity, (xxxviii) operations, (xxxix) research or related
milestones, (xl) intellectual property (e.g., patents), (xli)
product development, (xlii) information technology, (xliii)
financings, (xliv) product quality control, (xlv) management,
(xlvi) human resources, (xlvii) corporate governance,(xlviii)
compliance program, (xlix) internal controls, (xlxi) policies and
procedures, (xlxii) accounting and reporting, (xlxiii) strategic
alliances, (xlxiv) licensing and partnering, and (xlxv) site, plant
or building development, or (xlxvi) any combination of the
foregoing, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or
as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared
to results of a peer group or index. Such Performance Goals also
may be based solely by reference to the Company’s performance
or the performance of a Parent, Subsidiary, Affiliate, division,
business segment or business unit of the Company, or based upon the
relative performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any
of the indicators of performance relative to other companies.
Financial performance targets are approved by the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and the Committee at or near the beginning
of each year; and
(B) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that one or
more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to one or
more of the Performance Goals. Such adjustments may include one or
more of the following: (i) items related to a change in or
provisions under tax law, accounting principles or other such laws
or provisions affecting reported results; (ii) items relating to
financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or
productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items
related to reorganizations or restructuring programs or
divestitures or acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the
business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during
the Performance Period; (vii) items related to asset write-downs or
the disposal of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items
related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment
of a business under GAAP; (ix) items attributable to any stock
dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares occurring
during the Performance Period; (x) any other items of significant
income or expense which are determined to be appropriate
adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary
corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related
to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that
are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going
business activities; (xiv) items relating to any other unusual or
nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting
principles or business conditions and/or items of gain, loss or
expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or
infrequent in occurrence; or (xv) litigation or claim judgments or
settlements. For all Awards intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation, such determinations shall be made
within the time prescribed by, and otherwise in compliance with,
Section 162(m) of the Code.
(mm) “Performance
Goals” means for a Performance Period, one or more goals
established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period
based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the
Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the
Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company
performance or the performance of a Parent, Subsidiary, Affiliate,
division, business unit, or an individual. The achievement of each
Performance Goal shall be determined in accordance with GAAP to the
extent applicable.
(nn)
“Performance Period” means one or more periods of time,
which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee
may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance
Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a
Participant’s right to, and the payment of, an
Award.
(oo) “Plan”
means this Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan
as it may be amended from time to time.
(pp)
“Re-Price” means that the Company has lowered or
reduced the Exercise Price of outstanding Options and/or
outstanding SARs and/or outstanding Other Equity Awards for any
Participant(s) in a manner described by SEC Regulation S-K Item
402(d)(2)(viii) (or as described in any successor provision(s) or
definition(s)). For avoidance of doubt, Re-Price also includes any
exchange of Options or SARs for other Awards or cash.
(qq) “Restricted
Stock Grant” means Shares awarded under the Plan as provided
in the applicable Award Agreement.
(rr)
“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time
to time.
(ss) “SEC”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(tt)
“Section 16 Persons” means those Officers, directors or
other persons who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act.
(uu) “Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(vv)
“Selected
Employee” means an Employee, Consultant, or Non-Employee
Director who has been selected by the Committee to receive an Award
under the Plan.
(ww)
“Separation From Service” has the meaning provided to
such term under Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(xx) “Service”
means uninterrupted service as an Employee, Non-Employee Director
or Consultant. Service will be deemed terminated as soon as the
entity to which Service is being provided is no longer either (i)
the Company, (ii) a Parent, (iii) a Subsidiary or (iv) an
Affiliate. A Participant’s Service does not terminate if he
or she is a common-law employee and goes on a bona fide leave of
absence that was approved by the Company in writing and the terms
of the leave provide for continued service crediting, or when
continued service crediting is required by applicable law. However,
for purposes of determining whether an Employee’s outstanding
ISOs are eligible to continue to qualify as ISOs (and not become
NSOs), an Employee’s Service will be treated as terminating
three (3) months after such Employee went on leave, unless such
Employee’s right to return to active work is guaranteed by
law or by a contract. Service terminates in any event when the
approved leave ends, unless such Employee immediately returns to
active work. The Committee determines which leaves count toward
Service, and when Service commences and terminates for all purposes
under the Plan. For avoidance of doubt, a Participant’s
Service shall not be deemed terminated if the Committee determines
that (i) a transition of employment to service with a partnership,
joint venture or corporation not meeting the requirements of a
Subsidiary or Parent or Affiliate in which the Company or a
Subsidiary or Parent or Affiliate is a party is not considered a
termination of Service, (ii) the Participant transfers between
service as an Employee and service as a Consultant or other
personal service provider (or vice versa), or (iii) the Participant
transfers between service as an Employee and that of a Non-Employee
Director (or vice versa). The Committee may determine whether any
Company transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or
subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in
termination of Service for purposes of any affected Awards, and the
Committee’s decision shall be final, conclusive and
binding.
(yy) “Share”
means one share of Common Stock.
(zz)
“Share Limit” means the maximum aggregate number of
Shares that are permitted to be issued under the Plan as described
in Section 5(a) plus any increases authorized by Section
5(a)(i).
(aaa) “Specified
Employee” means a Participant who is considered a
“specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section
409A.
(bbb) “Stock
Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a stock
appreciation right awarded under the Plan which provides the holder
with a right to potentially receive, in cash and/or Shares, value
with respect to a specific number of Shares, as provided in the
applicable Award Agreement.
(ccc) “Stock
Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent
of one Share, as awarded under the Plan, as provided in the
applicable Award Agreement.
(ddd)
“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the
Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Company, if each of the corporations other than the last
corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A
corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after
the Effective Date shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as
of such date.
(eee)
“Substitute Awards” means Awards granted or Shares
issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or
exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation
to make future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the
Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate or with
which the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate
combines.
(fff) “Termination
Date” means the date on which a Participant’s Service
terminates.
(ggg) “10-Percent
Shareholder” means an individual who owns more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
outstanding stock of the Company, its Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules
of Section 424(d) of the Code shall be applied.
SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Committee
Composition. A Committee (or
Committees) appointed by the Board (or its Compensation Committee)
shall administer the Plan. Unless the Board provides otherwise, the
Board’s Compensation Committee (or a comparable committee of
the Board, or if the Board has no committees, then the Board) shall
be the Committee. The Board may also at any time terminate the
functions of the Committee and reassume all powers and authority
previously delegated to the Committee.
To
the extent required to enable Awards to be exempt from liability
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m), the
Committee shall have membership composition which enables (i)
Awards to Section 16 Persons to qualify as exempt from liability
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and (ii) Awards to Covered
Employees to qualify as performance-based compensation as provided
under Code Section 162(m).
The
Board or the Committee may also appoint one or more separate
committees of the Board, each composed of directors of the Company
who need not qualify under Rule 16b-3 or Code Section 162(m),
that may administer the Plan with respect to Selected Employees who
are not Section 16 Persons or Covered Employees, respectively, may
grant Awards under the Plan to such Selected Employees and may
determine all terms of such Awards. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Board may also appoint a committee, composed of
one or more officers of the Company, that may authorize Awards to
Employees (who are not Section 16 Persons or Covered Employees)
within parameters specified by the Board and consistent with any
limitations imposed by applicable law.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Board shall constitute the Committee and shall
administer the Plan with respect to all Awards granted to
Non-Employee Directors.
(b) Authority
of the Committee. Subject to
the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full authority
and discretion to take any actions it deems necessary or advisable
for the administration of the Plan. Such actions shall include
without limitation:
(i)
determining Selected Employees who are to receive Awards under the
Plan;
(ii)
determining the type, number, vesting requirements, Performance
Goals (or other objective/subjective goals (if any)) and their
degree of satisfaction, and other features and conditions of such
Awards and amending such Awards;
(iii)
correcting any defect, supplying any omission, or reconciling or
clarifying any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award
Agreement;
(iv)
accelerating the vesting or extending the post-termination exercise
term, or waiving restrictions, of Awards at any time and under such
terms and conditions as it deems appropriate;
(v)
permitting or denying, in its discretion, a Participant’s
request to transfer an Award;
(vi)
permitting or requiring, in its discretion, a Participant to use
Cashless Exercise, Net Exercise and/or Share withholding with
respect to the payment of any Exercise Price and/or applicable tax
withholding;
(vii)
Re-Pricing outstanding Awards;
(viii)
interpreting the Plan and any Award Agreements;
(ix)
making all other decisions relating to the operation of the Plan;
and
(x)
granting Awards to Selected Employees who are foreign nationals on
such terms and conditions different from those specified in the
Plan, which may be necessary or desirable to foster and promote
achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and adopting such
modifications, procedures, and/or subplans (with any such subplans
attached as appendices to the Plan) and the like as may be
necessary or desirable to comply with provisionsof the laws or
regulations of other countries or jurisdictions to ensure the
viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants
employed in such countries or jurisdictions, or to meet the
requirements that permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax
efficient manner, and/or comply with applicable foreign laws or
regulations.
The
Committee may adopt such rules or guidelines, as it deems
appropriate to implement the Plan. The Committee’s
determinations under the Plan shall be final, conclusive and
binding on all persons. The Committee’s decisions and
determinations need not be uniform and may be made selectively
among Participants in the Committee’s sole discretion. The
Committee’s decisions and determinations will be afforded the
maximum deference provided by applicable law.
(c) Indemnification.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each member of
the Committee, or of the Board, or any persons (including without
limitation Employees and Officers) who are delegated by the Board
or Committee to perform administrative functions in connection with
the Plan, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company
against and from (i) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may
be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection
with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to
which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be
involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the
Plan or any Award Agreement, and (ii) from any and all amounts paid
by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s
approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in
any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her,
provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its
own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she
undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The
foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any
other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be
entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any
power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them
harmless.
SECTION 4. GENERAL.
(a) General
Eligibility. Only Employees,
Consultants, and Non-Employee Directors shall be eligible for
designation as Selected Employees by the
Committee.
(b) Incentive
Stock Options. Only Selected
Employees who are common-law employees of the Company, a Parent or
a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs. In addition,
a Selected Employee who is a 10-Percent Shareholder shall not be
eligible for the grant of an ISO unless the requirements set forth
in Section 422(c)(5) of the Code are satisfied. If and to the
extent that any Shares are issued under a portion of any Option
that exceeds the $100,000 limitation of Section 422 of the Code,
such Shares shall not be treated as issued under an ISO
notwithstanding any designation otherwise. Certain decisions,
amendments, interpretations and actions by the Company or Committee
and certain actions by a Participant may cause an Option to cease
to qualify as an ISO pursuant to the Code and by accepting an
Option Award, the Participant agrees in advance to such
disqualifying action(s).
(c) Buyout
of Awards. The Committee may at
any time (i) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash
equivalents (including without limitation Shares valued at Fair
Market Value that may or may not be issued from this Plan) an Award
previously granted or (ii) authorize a Participant to elect to cash
out an Award previously granted, in either case at such time and
based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
establish.
(d) Restrictions
on Shares. Any Shares issued
pursuant to an Award shall be subject to such Company policies,
rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer
restrictions as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions
shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to
holders of Shares generally and shall also comply to the extent
necessary with applicable law. In no event shall the Company be
required to issue fractional Shares under this
Plan.
(e) No
Rights as a Stockholder. A
Participant, or a transferee of a Participant, shall have no rights
as a stockholder (including without limitation voting rights or
dividend or distribution rights) with respect to any Common Stock
covered by an Award until such person becomes entitled to receive
such Common Stock, has satisfied any applicable withholding or tax
obligations relating to the Award and the Common Stock has been
issued to the Participant. No adjustment shall be made for cash or
stock dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior
to the date when such Common Stock is issued, except as expressly
provided in Section 13.
(f) Termination
of Service. Unless the
applicable Award Agreement or employment agreement provides
otherwise (and in such case, the Award or employment agreement
shall govern as to the consequences of a termination of Service for
such Awards), the following rules shall govern the vesting,
exercisability and term of outstanding Awards held by a Participant
in the event of termination of such Participant’s Service (in
all cases subject to the term of the Option or SAR or Other Equity
Award as applicable):
(i)
if the Service of a Participant is terminated for Cause, then all
of his/her then-outstanding Options, SARs, and unvested portions of
all other Awards shall terminate and be forfeited immediately
without consideration as of the Termination Date (except for
repayment of any amounts the Participant had paid to the Company to
acquire unvested Shares underlying the forfeited
Awards);
(ii)
if the Service of Participant is terminated due to
Participant’s death or Disability, then the vested portions
of his/her then-outstanding Options/SARs/Other Equity Awards may be
exercised by such Participant or his or her personal representative
within twelve months after the Termination Date and all unvested
portions of all then-outstanding Awards shall be forfeited without
consideration as of the Termination Date (except for repayment of
any amounts the Participant had paid to the Company to acquire
unvested Shares underlying the forfeited Awards); and
(iii)
if the Service of Participant is terminated for any reason other
than for Cause or death or Disability, then the vested portion of
his/her then-outstanding Options/SARs/Other Equity Awards may be
exercised by such Participant or his or her personal representative
within three months after the Termination Date and all unvested
portions of all then-outstanding Awards shall be forfeited without
consideration as of the Termination Date (except for repayment of
any amounts the Participant had paid to the Company to acquire
unvested Shares underlying the forfeited Awards).
(g) Code
Section 409A. Notwithstanding
anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Plan and Awards granted
hereunder are intended to be exempt from or comply with the
requirements of Code Section 409A and shall be interpreted in a
manner consistent with such intention. In the event that any
provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement is determined by the
Committee to not comply with the applicable requirements of Code
Section 409A or the applicable regulations and other guidance
issued thereunder, the Committee shall have the authority to take
such actions and to make such changes to the Plan or an Award
Agreement as the Committee deems necessary to comply with such
requirements. Any payment made pursuant to any Award shall be
considered a separate payment and not one of a series of payments
for purposes of Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing or
anything elsewhere in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the
contrary, if upon a Participant’s Separation From Service
he/she is then a Specified Employee, then solely to the extent
necessary to comply with Code Section 409A and avoid the imposition
of taxes under Code Section 409A, the Company shall defer payment
of “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Code
Section 409A payable as a result of and within six (6) months
following such Separation From Service under this Plan until the
earlier of (i) the first business day of the seventh month
following the Participant’s Separation From Service, or (ii)
ten (10) days after the Company receives written confirmation of
the Participant’s death. Any such delayed payments shall be
made without interest. While it is intended that all payments and
benefits provided under the Plan or an Award will be exempt from or
comply with Code Section 409A, the Company makes no representation
or covenant to ensure that the payments under the Plan or anAward
are exempt from or compliant with Code Section 409A. In no event
whatsoever shall the Company be liable if a payment or benefit
under the Plan or an Award is challenged by any taxing authority or
for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed
on a Participant by Code Section 409A or any damages for failing to
comply with Code Section 409A. The Participant will be entirely
responsible for any and all taxes on any benefits payable to such
Participant as a result of the Plan or an Award. If the applicable
Award Agreement or Participant’s employment agreement
provides for Code Section 409A related provisions other than what
is specified above in this Section 4(g), then such provisions in
the Award or employment agreement shall govern.
(h) Suspension
or Termination of Awards. To
the extent provided in an Award Agreement, if at any time
(including after a notice of exercise has been delivered) the
Committee (or the Board), reasonably believes that a Participant
has committed an act of Cause (which includes a failure to act),
the Committee (or Board) may suspend the Participant’s right
to exercise any Award (or vesting or settlement of any Award)
pending a determination of whether there was in fact an act of
Cause. If the Committee (or the Board) determines a Participant has
committed an act of Cause, neither the Participant nor his or her
estate shall be entitled to exercise any outstanding Award
whatsoever and all of Participant’s outstanding Awards shall
then terminate without consideration. Any determination by the
Committee (or the Board) with respect to the foregoing shall be
final, conclusive and binding on all interested
parties.
(i) Electronic
Communications. Subject to
compliance with applicable law and/or regulations, an Award
Agreement or other documentation or notices relating to the Plan
and/or Awards may be communicated to Participants (and executed by
Participants) by electronic media.
(j) Unfunded
Plan. The Plan shall be
unfunded. Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with
respect to Participants who are granted Awards under this Plan, any
such accounts will be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The
Company shall not be required to segregate any assets which may at
any time be represented by Awards, nor shall this Plan be construed
as providing for such segregation, nor shall the Company or the
Committee be deemed to be a trustee of stock or cash to be awarded
under the Plan.
(k) Liability
of Company. The Company (or
members of the Board or Committee) shall not be liable to a
Participant or other persons as to: (a) the non-issuance or sale of
Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the
Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any Shares hereunder; and (b) any unexpected or adverse tax
consequence or any tax consequence expected, but not realized, by
any Participant or other person due to the grant, receipt, exercise
or settlement of any Award granted hereunder.
(l) Reformation.
In the event any provision of this Plan shall be held illegal or
invalid for any reason, such provisions will be reformed by the
Board if possible and to the extent needed in order to be held
legal and valid. If it is not possible to reform the illegal or
invalid provisions then the illegality or invalidity shall not
affect the remaining parts of this Plan, and this Plan shall be
construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had
not been included.
(m) Payment
of Non-Employee Director Cash Fees with Equity
Awards. If the Board
affirmatively decides to authorize such a process, each
Non-Employee Director may elect to receive a Restricted Stock Grant
(or Stock Units) issued under the Plan in lieu of payment of all or
a portion of his or her annual cash retainer and/or any other cash
fees including without limitation meeting fees, committee service
fees and participation fees. Any such elections made by a
Non-Employee Director shall be effected no later than the time
permitted by applicable law and in accordance with the
Company’s insider trading policies and/or other policies. The
aggregate grant date fair market value of any Restricted Stock
Grants or Stock Units issued pursuant to this Section 4(m) is
intended to be equivalent to the value of the foregone cash fees.
Any cash fees not elected to be received as a Restricted Stock
Grant or Stock Units shall be payable in cash in accordance with
the Company’s standard payment procedures. The Board in its
discretion shall determine the terms, conditions and procedures for
implementing this Section 4(m) and may also modify or terminate its
operation at any time.
(n) Successor
Provision. Any reference to a
statute, rule or regulation, or to a section of a statute, rule or
regulation, is a reference to that statute, rule, regulation, or
section as amended from time to time, both before and after the
Effective Date and including any successor
provisions.
(o) Governing
Law. This Plan and (unless
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement) all Awards shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State
of Nevada, but without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
The Committee may provide that any dispute as to any Award shall be
presented and determined in such forum as the Committee may
specify, including through binding arbitration. Unless otherwise
provided in the Award Agreement, recipients of an Award under the
Plan are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue
of the federal or state courts of California to resolve any and all
issues that may arise out of or relate to the Plan or any related
Award Agreement.
(p) Assignment
or Transfer of Awards. Except
as otherwise provided under the applicable Award Agreement and then
only to the extent permitted by applicable law, no Award shall be
transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution. No Award or interest therein may be
transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated by the Participant
during his or her lifetime, whether by operation of law or
otherwise, nor may an Award be anticipated, assigned, attached,
garnished, optioned, transferred or made subject to any
creditor’s process, whether voluntarily, involuntarily or by
operation of law, nor may an Award be made subject to execution,
attachment or similar process. Any act in violation of this Section
4(p) shall be null and void.
SECTION 5. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND SHARE LIMITS.
(a) Basic
Limitations. The Common Stock
issuable under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Shares or
treasury Shares or reacquired shares, bought on the market or
otherwise. The maximum number of Shares that are issued under this
Plan cannot exceed the Share Limit as may be adjusted under Section
13. For purposes of the Plan and subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 13, the Share Limit is 20,000,000
Shares.
(i)
The number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance and
available for future grants under the Plan will be increased each
January 1 after the effective date of the Plan by a number of
shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of: (a) 4% of the number
of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on a fully-diluted
basis as of the close of business on the immediately preceding
December 31, or (b) a number of shares of Common Stock set by our
Board.
(b) Share
Accounting. This Section 5(b)
describes the Share accounting process under the Plan for Awards
which are not entirely settled with the maximum number of Shares
originally subject to the Award and describes how many of such
Shares do not count toward the Share Limit and therefore become
available again for future issuance under the Plan. If Awards are
forfeited or are terminated for any reason (including the
Company’s repurchase of unvested Shares from either an Option
that was early exercised or from a Restricted Stock Grant), then
the forfeited/terminated/repurchased Shares underlying such Awards
shall not be counted toward the Share Limit. If exercised SARs or
Stock Units are settled in Shares, then only the number of Shares
actually issued in settlement of such SARs or Stock Units shall be
counted toward the Share Limit. If a Participant pays the Exercise
Price by Net Exercise or by surrendering previously owned Shares
(or by stock attestation) and/or, as permitted or required by the
Committee, pays any withholding tax obligation with respect to an
Award by Net Exercise or by electing to have Shares withheld or
surrendering previously owned Shares (or by stock attestation), the
surrendered Shares and the Shares withheld to pay taxes shall not
be counted toward theShare Limit. Any Substitute Awards including
without limitation any Shares that are delivered and any Awards
that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company, as a
result of the assumption by the Company of, or in substitution for,
outstanding awards previously granted by another entity (as
provided in Sections 6(e), 8(f), 9(e) or 10(e)) shall not be
counted toward the Share Limit or ISO Limit.
(c) Substitute
Awards. Substitute Awards shall
not count toward the Share Limit, nor shall Shares subject to a
Substitute Award again be available for Awards under the Plan as
provided in Section 5(b) above. Additionally, in the event that a
company acquired by the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary or
any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Parent or any
Subsidiary or any Affiliate combines has shares available under a
pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in
contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares
available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan
(as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio
or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such
acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable
to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such
acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan
and shall not count toward the Share Limit; provided that Awards
using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards
or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing
plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made
to individuals who were not Employees or Board members prior to
such acquisition or combination.
(d) Dividend
Equivalents. Any dividend
equivalents distributed under the Plan shall not be counted against
the Share Limit. Dividend equivalents will not be paid (or accrue)
on unexercised Options or unexercised SARs.
SECTION 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
(a) Award
Agreement. Each Award of an
Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement
between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject
to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be
subject to any other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent
with the Plan (including without limitation any Performance Goals).
The provisions of the various Award Agreements entered into under
the Plan need not be identical. The Award Agreement shall also
specify whether the Option is an ISO and if not specified then the
Option shall be an NSO.
(b) Number
of Shares. An Award Agreement
shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option
and shall provide for adjustment of such number in accordance with
Section 13.
(c) Exercise
Price. An Option’s
Exercise Price shall be established by the Committee and set forth
in an Award Agreement. Except with respect to outstanding stock
options being assumed or Options being granted in exchange for
cancellation of options granted by another issuer as provided under
Section 6(e), the Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value (110% for 10-Percent
Shareholders in the case of ISOs) of a Share on the date of grant
of the Option.
(d) Exercisability
and Term. Subject to Section
3(b)(v), an Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the
Participant only by the Participant or by the guardian or legal
representative of the Participant. An Award Agreement shall specify
the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become
vested and/or exercisable. The Award Agreement shall also specify
the term of the Option; provided that the term of an Option shall
in no event exceed ten years from its date of grant (and may be for
a shorter period of time than ten years). No Option can be
exercised after the expiration date specified in the applicable
Award Agreement. An Award Agreement may provide for accelerated
vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, or
Disability or other events. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary, an ISO that is granted to a 10-Percent Shareholder shall
have a maximum term of five years. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Plan, no Option can be exercised after the
expiration date provided in the applicable Award Agreement. An
Award Agreement may permit an Optionee to exercise an Option before
it is vested (an “early exercise”), subject to the
Company’s right of repurchase at the original Exercise Price
of any Shares acquired under the unvested portion of the Option
which right of repurchase shall lapse at the same rate the Option
would have vested had there been no early exercise. An Award
Agreement may also provide that the Company may determine to issue
an equivalent value of cash in lieu of issuing some or all of the
Shares that are being purchased upon an Option’s exercise. In
no event shall the Company be required to issue fractional Shares
upon the exercise of an Option and the Committee may specify a
minimum number of Shares that must be purchased in any one Option
exercise.
(e) Modifications
or Assumption of Options.
Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify,
extend or assume outstanding Options or may accept the cancellation
of outstanding stock options (whether granted by the Company or by
another issuer) in return for the grant of new Options for the same
or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different
Exercise Price. For avoidance of doubt, the Committee may Re-Price
outstanding Options. No modification of an Option shall,
without the consent of the Optionee, impair his or her rights or
increase his or her obligations under such
Option.
SECTION 7. PAYMENT FOR OPTION SHARES.
(a) General
Rule. The entire Exercise Price
of Shares issued upon exercise of Options shall be payable in cash
(or check) at the time when such Shares are purchased by the
Optionee, except as follows and if so provided for in an applicable
Award Agreement:
(i) In
the case of an ISO granted under the Plan, payment shall be made
only pursuant to the express provisions of the applicable Award
Agreement. The Award Agreement may specify that payment may be made
in any form(s) described in this Section 7; and
(ii) In
the case of an NSO granted under the Plan, the Committee may, in
its discretion at any time, accept payment in any form(s) described
in this Section 7.
(b) Surrender
of Stock. To the extent that
the Committee makes this Section 7(b) applicable to an Option in an
Award Agreement, payment for all or a part of the Exercise Price
may be made with Shares which have already been owned by the
Optionee for such duration as shall be specified by the Committee.
Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date
when the new Shares are purchased under the
Plan.
(c) Cashless
Exercise. To the extent that
the Committee makes this Section 7(c) applicable to an Option in an
Award Agreement, payment for all or a part of the Exercise Price
may be made through Cashless Exercise.
(d) Net
Exercise. To the extent that
the Committee makes this Section 7(d) applicable to an Option in an
Award Agreement, payment for all or a part of the Exercise Price
may be made through Net Exercise.
(e) Other
Forms of Payment. To the extent
that the Committee makes this Section 7(e) applicable to an Option
in an Award Agreement, payment may be made in any other form that
is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules and
approved by the Committee.
SECTION 8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION
RIGHTS.
(a) Award
Agreement. Each Award of a SAR
under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Award Agreement between the
Participant and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all
applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms
that are not inconsistent with the Plan (including without
limitation any Performance Goals). An Award Agreement may provide
for a maximum limit on the amount of any payout notwithstanding the
Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR. The
provisions of the various Award Agreements entered into under the
Plan need not be identical. SARs may be granted in consideration of
a reduction in the Participant’s other
compensation.
(b) Number
of Shares. An Award Agreement
shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains and is
subject to adjustment of such number in accordance with Section
13.
(c) Exercise
Price. An Award Agreement shall
specify the Exercise Price. Except with respect to outstanding
stock appreciation rights being assumed or SARs being granted in
exchange for cancellation of stock appreciation rights granted by
another issuer as provided under Section 8(f), the Exercise Price
of a SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on
the date of grant of the SAR.
(d) Exercisability
and Term. Subject to Section
3(b)(v), a SAR may be exercised during the lifetime of the
Participant only by the Participant or by the guardian or legal
representative of the Participant. An Award Agreement shall specify
the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become
exercisable. The Award Agreement shall also specify the term of the
SAR which shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant of the
SAR (and may be for a shorter period of time than ten years). No
SAR can be exercised after the expiration date specified in the
applicable Award Agreement. An Award Agreement may provide for
accelerated exercisability in the event of the Participant’s
death, or Disability or other events and may provide for expiration
prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the
Participant’s Service. A SAR granted under the Plan may
provide that it will be exercisable only in the event of a Change
in Control.
(e) Exercise
of SARs. If, on the date when a
SAR expires, the Exercise Price under such SAR is less than the
Fair Market Value on such date but any portion of such SAR has not
been exercised or surrendered, then such SAR may automatically be
deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion
to the extent so provided in the applicable Award Agreement. Upon
exercise of a SAR, the Participant (or any person having the right
to exercise the SAR after Participant’s death) shall receive
from the Company (i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) any combination of
Shares and cash, as the Committee shall determine. The amount of
cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Shares received upon exercise
of SARs shall, in the aggregate, be equal to the amount by which
the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Shares
subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price of the
Shares.
(f) Modification
or Assumption of SARs. Within
the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or
assume outstanding SARs or may accept the cancellation of
outstanding SARs (including stock appreciation rights granted by
another issuer) in return for the grant of new SARs for the same or
a different number of Shares and at the same or a different
Exercise Price. For avoidance of doubt, the Committee may Re-Price
outstanding SARs. No modification of a SAR shall, without the
consent of the Participant, impair his or her rights or increase
his or her obligations under such SAR.
SECTION 9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RESTRICTED STOCK
GRANTS.
(a) Award
Agreement. Each Restricted
Stock Grant awarded under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award
Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Each Restricted
Stock Grant shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions
of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions
that are not inconsistent with the Plan (including without
limitation any Performance Goals). The provisions of the Award
Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be
identical.
(b) Number
of Shares and Payment. An Award
Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the
Restricted Stock Grant pertains and is subject to adjustment of
such number in accordance with Section 13. Restricted Stock Grants
may be issued with or without cash consideration under the
Plan.
(c) Vesting
Conditions. Each Restricted
Stock Grant may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall
occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the
conditions specified in the Award Agreement. An Award Agreement may
provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the
Participant’s death, or Disability or other
events.
(d) Voting
and Dividend Rights. The holder
of a Restricted Stock Grant (irrespective of whether the Shares
subject to the Restricted Stock Grant are vested or unvested)
awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and
other rights as the Company’s other stockholders. However,
any dividends received on Shares that are unvested (whether such
dividends are in the form of cash or Shares) shall be subject to
the same vesting conditions and restrictions as the Restricted
Stock Grant with respect to which the dividends were paid. Such
additional Shares issued as dividends that are subject to the
Restricted Stock Grant shall not count toward the Share
Limit.
(e) Modification
or Assumption of Restricted Stock Grants. Within the limitations of the Plan, the
Committee may modify or assume outstanding Restricted Stock Grants
or may accept the cancellation of outstanding Restricted Stock
Grants (including stock granted by another issuer) in return for
the grant of new Restricted Stock Grants for the same or a
different number of Shares. No modification of a Restricted Stock
Grant shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair his or
her rights or increase his or her obligations under such Restricted
Stock Grant.
SECTION 10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK UNITS.
(a) Award
Agreement. Each grant of Stock
Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement
between the Participant and the Company. Such Stock Units shall be
subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to
any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan (including
without limitation any Performance Goals). The provisions of the
various Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be
identical. Stock Units may be granted in consideration of a
reduction in the Participant’s other
compensation.
(b) Number
of Shares and Payment. An Award
Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the Stock
Unit Award pertains and is subject to adjustment of such number in
accordance with Section 13. To the extent that an Award is granted
in the form of Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required
of the Award recipients.
(c) Vesting
Conditions. Each Award of Stock
Units may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in
full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions
specified in the Award Agreement. An Award Agreement may provide
for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s
death, or Disability or other events.
(d) Voting
and Dividend Rights. The
holders of Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to
settlement or forfeiture, any Stock Unit awarded under the Plan
may, at the Committee’s discretion, carry with it a right to
dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited
with an amount equal to all cash or Common Stock dividends paid on
one Share while the Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents
may be converted into additional Stock Units. Settlement of
dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form
of Shares, or in a combination of both. Prior to vesting of the
Stock Units, any dividend equivalents accrued on such unvested
Stock Units shall be subject to the same vesting conditions and
restrictions as the Stock Units to which they
attach.
(e) Modification
or Assumption of Stock Units.
Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify or
assume outstanding Stock Units or may accept the cancellation of
outstanding Stock Units (including stock units granted by another
issuer) in return for the grant of new Stock Units for the same or
a different number of Shares. No modification of a Stock Unit
shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair his or her
rights or increase his or her obligations under such Stock
Unit.
(f) Form
and Time of Settlement of Stock Units. Settlement of vested Stock Units may be made in
the form of (a) cash, (b) Shares or (c) any combination of both, as
determined by the Committee. The actual number of Stock Units
eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number
included in the original Award. Methods of converting Stock Units
into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the
average Fair Market Value of Shares over a series of trading days.
Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or a timely
completed deferral election, vested Stock Units shall be settled
within thirty days after vesting. The Award Agreement may provide
that distribution may occur or commence when all vesting conditions
applicable to the Stock Units have been satisfied or have lapsed,
or it may be deferred, in accordance with applicable law, to a
later specified date. The amount of a deferred distribution may be
increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents. Until
an Award of Stock Units is settled, the number of such Stock Units
shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section
13.
(g) Creditors’
Rights. A holder of Stock Units
shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the
Company. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation
of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the
applicable Award Agreement.
SECTION 11. OTHER AWARDS
The Committee may in its discretion issue Other Equity Awards to
Selected Employees and/or Cash Awards to Covered Employees. The
terms and conditions of any such Awards shall be evidenced by an
Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Settlement
of Other Equity Awards may be in the form of Shares and/or cash as
determined by the Committee.
SECTION 12. CODE SECTION 162(M).
(a) Applicability.
The provisions of Sections 12(b) and 12(c) shall apply to an Award
if and only if all of the following items (i) through (iv) in this
Section 12(a) are true as of the date of grant of such
Award:
(i)
the Company is a “publicly held corporation” within the
meaning of Code Section 162(m);
(ii)
the deduction limitations of Code Section 162(m) are applicable to
Awards granted to Covered Employees under this Plan;
(iii)
this Plan has previously been approved by Company stockholders;
and
(iv)
the Award is intended to qualify as “performance-based
compensation” under Code Section 162(m).
(b) Administration.
Awards issued in accordance with this Section 12 shall be granted
by and administered by a Committee whose composition satisfies the
“outside director” requirements under Code Section
162(m) with respect to performance-based compensation. If
Performance Goals are included in Awards in order to enable such
Awards to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code
Section 162(m), then such Awards will be subject to the achievement
of such Performance Goals that will be established and administered
pursuant to the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and as
described in this Section 12(b). To the extent required by Code
Section 162(m), the Committee shall certify in writing the degree
to which the Performance Goals have been satisfied before any
Shares underlying an Award or any Award payments are released to a
Covered Employee with respect to a Performance Period. Without
limitation, the approved minutes of a Committee meeting shall
constitute such written certification.
Notwithstanding satisfaction of any completion of any Performance
Goal, to the extent specified at the time of grant of an Award, the
number of Shares, Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Units, or Other
Equity Awards or the value of a Cash Award or any other benefits
granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award on account
of satisfaction of such Performance Goals may be reduced by the
Committee on the basis of such further considerations as the
Committee in its sole discretion shall determine. For avoidance of
doubt, Awards with Performance Goals or performance objectives (if
any) that are granted to Selected Employees who are not Covered
Employees or any Awards to Covered Employees which are not intended
to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section
162(m) need not comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m)
or this Section 12.
(c) Limits.
Awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Code Section 162(m) will be limited to the following
amounts.
(i) Limits on Options and
SARs. No Selected Employee
shall receive Options and/or SARs to purchase Shares during any
Fiscal Year that in the aggregate cover in excess of 3,000,000
Shares.
(ii) Limits on Restricted
Stock Grants and Stock Units.
No Selected Employee shall receive Restricted Stock Grants and/or
Stock Units during any Fiscal Year that in the aggregate cover in
excess of 3,000,000 Shares.
(iii) Limits on Other Equity
Awards. No Selected Employee
shall receive Other Equity Awards during any Fiscal Year that in
the aggregate cover in excess of 3,000,000
Shares.
(iv) Limit on Total Amount
of All Awards Other than Cash Awards. No Selected Employee shall receive Awards
(excluding Cash Awards) during any Fiscal Year in excess of the
aggregate amount of 3,000,000 Shares, whether such Awards are in
the form of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Grants, Stock Units
and/or Other Equity Awards.
(v) Increased
Limits. The numerical limits
expressed in the foregoing subparts (i) through (iv) shall in each
case be increased to 4,000,000 Shares with respect to Awards (other
than Cash Awards) granted to a Selected Employee during the Fiscal
Year of the Selected Employee’s commencement of employment
with the Company or during the first Fiscal Year that the Selected
Employee becomes a Covered Employee.
(vi) Limit on Cash
Awards. The maximum aggregate
value of Cash Awards that may be received by any one Covered
Employee with respect to any Fiscal Year is
$5,000,000.
SECTION 13. ADJUSTMENTS.
(a) Adjustments.
In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Shares, a
declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a declaration of a
dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has
a material effect on the value of Shares, a combination or
consolidation of the outstanding Shares (by reclassification or
otherwise) into a lesser number of Shares, a stock split, a reverse
stock split, a reclassification or other distribution of theShares
without the receipt of consideration by the Company, of or on the
Common Stock, a recapitalization, a combination, a spin-off or a
similar occurrence, the Committee shall make equitable and
proportionate adjustments, taking into consideration the accounting
and tax consequences, to:
(1) the
Share Limit and ISO Limit and the various Share numbers referenced
in Section 5(a) and the Code Section 162(m) Share limits specified
in Section 12(c);
(2) the
number and kind of securities available for Awards (and which can
be issued as ISOs) under Section 5;
(3) the
number and kind of securities covered by each outstanding
Award;
(4) the
Exercise Price under each outstanding Option and SAR;
and
(5) the
number and kind of outstanding securities issued under the
Plan.
(b) Participant
Rights. Except as provided in
this Section 13, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of
any issue by the Company of stock of any class or securities
convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or
consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any
stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of
shares of stock of any class. If by reason of an adjustment
pursuant to this Section 13, a Participant’s Award covers
additional or different shares of stock or securities, then such
additional or different shares and the Award in respect thereof
shall be subject to all of the terms, conditions and restrictions
which were applicable to the Award and the Shares subject to the
Award prior to such adjustment.
(c) Fractional
Shares. Any adjustment of
Shares pursuant to this Section 13 shall be rounded down to the
nearest whole number of Shares. Under no circumstances shall the
Company be required to authorize or issue fractional shares. To the
extent permitted by applicable law, no consideration shall be
provided as a result of any fractional shares not being issued or
authorized.
SECTION 14. EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) Merger
or Reorganization. In the event
that there is a Change in Control and/or the Company is a party to
a merger or acquisition or reorganization or similar transaction,
outstanding Awards shall be subject to the merger agreement or
other applicable transaction agreement. Such agreement may provide,
without limitation, that subject to the consummation of the
applicable transaction, for the assumption (or substitution) of
outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent, for
their continuation by the Company (if the Company is a surviving
corporation), for accelerated vesting or for their cancellation
with or without consideration, in all cases without the consent of
the Participant and outstanding Awards do not have to all be
uniformly treated the same way.
(b) Acceleration
of Vesting. Except as otherwise
provided in the applicable Award Agreement (and in such case the
applicable Award Agreement shall govern), in the event that a
Change in Control occurs and there is no assumption, substitution
or continuation of Awards pursuant to Section 14(a), the Committee
in its discretion may provide that some or all Awards shall vest
and become exercisable as of immediately before such Change in
Control. For avoidance of doubt, “substitution”
includes, without limitation, an Award being replaced by a cash
award that provides an equivalent intrinsic value (wherein
intrinsic value equals the difference between the market value of a
share and any exercise price).
SECTION 15. LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS.
(a) Retention
Rights. Neither the Plan nor
any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any
individual a right to remain in Service as an Employee, Consultant,
or Non-Employee Director or to receive any other Awards under the
Plan. The Company and its Parents and Subsidiaries and Affiliates
reserve the right to terminate the Service of any person at any
time, and for any reason, subject to applicable laws, the
Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and a written
employment agreement (if any).
(b) Regulatory
Requirements. Any other
provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the obligation of the
Company to issue Shares or other securities under the Plan shall be
subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and such
approval by any regulatory body as may be required. The Company
reserves the right to restrict, in whole or in part, the delivery
of Shares or other securities pursuant to any Award prior to the
satisfaction of all legal requirements relating to the issuance of
such Shares or other securities, to their registration,
qualification or listing or to an exemption from registration,
qualification or listing.
(c) Dissolution.
To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs,
unvested Stock Units and unvested Restricted Stock Grants shall
terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of
the Company and shall be forfeited to the Company (except for
repayment of any amounts a Participant had paid to the Company to
acquire unvested Shares underlying the forfeited
Awards).
SECTION 16. TAXES.
(a) General.
A Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company
for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations (including
without limitation federal, state, local and foreign taxes) that
arise in connection with his or her Award. The Company shall not be
required to issue any Shares or make any cash payment under the
Plan until such obligations are satisfied and the Company shall, to
the maximum extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any
such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the
Participant.
(b) Share
Withholding. The Committee in
its discretion may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all
or part of his or her withholding or income tax obligations by
having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Shares that
otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a
portion of any Shares that he or she previously acquired (or by
stock attestation). Such Shares shall be valued based on the value
of the actual trade or, if there is none, the Fair Market Value as
of the previous day. Any payment of taxes byassigning Shares to the
Company may be subject to restrictions, including, but not limited
to, any restrictions required by rules of the SEC. The Committee
may also, in its discretion, permit or require a Participant to
satisfy withholding tax obligationsrelated to an Award through a
sale of Shares underlying the Award or, in the case of Options,
through Net Exercise or Cashless Exercise. The number of Shares
that are withheld from an Award pursuant to this section may also
be limited by the Committee, tothe extent necessary, to avoid
liability-classification of the Award (or other adverse accounting
treatment) under applicable financial accounting rules including
without limitation by requiring that no amount may be withheld
which is in excess of minimum statutory withholding rates. The
Committee, in its discretion, may permit or require other forms of
payment of applicable tax withholding.
SECTION 17. DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.
(a) Term
of the Plan. The Plan is
effective on the Effective Date and may be terminated by the Board
on any date pursuant to Section 17(b). This Plan will not in any
way affect outstanding awards that were issued under any other
Company equity compensation plans. No Awards may be granted under
the Plan after the earlier of the Board’s termination of the
Plan under Section 17(b) or the day before the tenth anniversary of
the Effective Date.
(b) Right
to Amend or Terminate the Plan.
The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any
reason. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval
of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent required by
applicable laws, regulations or rules. In addition, no such
amendment or termination shall be made which would impair the
rights of any Participant, without such Participant’s written
consent, under any then-outstanding Award, provided that no such
Participant consent shall be required with respect to any amendment
or alteration if the Committee determines in its sole discretion
that such amendment or alteration either (i) is required or
advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to
satisfy or conform to any law or regulation or to meet the
requirements of any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably
likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such
Award, or that any such diminishment has been adequately
compensated. In the event of any conflict in terms between the Plan
and any Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall prevail and
govern.
SECTION 18. EXECUTION.
To
record the adoption of this Plan by the Board, the Company has
caused its duly authorized Officer to execute this Plan on behalf
of the Company.
|
INNOVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
/s/ Bassam Damaj
By:
Bassam Damaj
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
|
APPENDIX A
Additional Terms of Awards to California Participants
Solely
to the extent necessary to comply with the California
Corporate Securities Law of 1968 as amended, the following
additional terms listed under items 1 through 6 below shall apply
to any Award that is granted to a California Participant
("California Award"):
1. With
respect to a California Award issued to any California Participant
who is not an officer, director, Outside Director or Consultant,
such California Award shall become exercisable, or any repurchase
right in favor of the Company shall lapse, at the rate of at least
20% per year over five years from the date of grant subject to
continuous Service status.
2. The
following rules shall apply to any California Award in the event of
termination of the California Participant’s
Service:
|
(a)
|
If such
termination was for reasons other than death or Total and Permanent
Disability or cause, the California Participant shall have at least
30 days after the date of such termination to exercise any of
his/her vested outstanding Options or SARs (but in no event later
than the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR established
by the Committee as of the grant date).
|
|
(b)
|
If such
termination was due to death or Total and Permanent Disability, the
California Participant shall have at least six months after the
date of such termination to exercise any of his/her vested
outstanding Options or SARs (but in no event later than the
expiration of the term of such Option or SAR established by the
Committee as of the grant date).
|
|
(c)
|
Post-termination,
the Company’s right to repurchase from the California
Participant any vested Shares that the California Participant has
acquired from a California Award shall include the following terms:
(A) the Company’s right to repurchase must be exercised
within the later of six months after (i) termination of the
California Participant’s Service or (ii) the date that such
Shares were purchased pursuant to an Option or SAR exercise, (B)
the repurchase price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value
of the Shares as of the date of termination, and
(C) consideration for the repurchase shall consist of cash or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness, and (D) such
repurchase right shall lapse when no longer required under
California state securities laws.
|
|
(d)
|
Post-termination,
the Company’s right to repurchase from the California
Participant any unvested Shares that the California Participant has
acquired from a California Award shall include the following terms:
(A) the Company’s right to repurchase must be exercised
within the later of six months after: (i) termination of the
California Participant’s Service or (ii) the date that such
Shares were purchased pursuant to an Option or SAR exercise, (B)
the repurchase price shall not be less than the original purchase
price of the Shares, (C) consideration for the repurchase
shall consist of cash or cancellation of purchase money
indebtedness and (D) such repurchase right shall lapse at the rate
of at least 20% of the total Shares subject to the Award over the
five year period following the date of grant subject to the
California Participant's continuous Service
status.
|
3. In
the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, combination, reclassification or other
distribution of the Company’s securities without the receipt
of consideration by the Company, then there shall be a
proportionate adjustment of (i) the number of Shares purchasable
under each outstanding Option or SAR, (ii) the Exercise Price of
each outstanding Option and SAR and (iii) the number of outstanding
Shares issued under the Plan.
4. Shares
acquired under a California Award shall carry equal voting rights
as similar equity securities on all matters where such vote is
permitted by applicable law.
5. The
Company shall furnish summary financial information of the
Company’s financial condition and results of operations,
consistent with the requirements of applicable California
regulations, at least annually to each California Participant
during the period such California Participant has one or more
California Awards outstanding, and in the case of a California
Participant who acquired Shares from a California Award, during the
period such California Participant owns such Shares. The Company
shall not be required to provide such information to those
California Participants whose duties in connection with the Company
assure their access to equivalent information. The information
provided does not need to be audited financial
information.
6. Except
if the requisite super-majority approval of at least two-thirds of
outstanding Company securities entitled to vote as provided in
section 260.140.45(a) of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations is obtained, at no time shall the total number of
securities issuable under this Plan exceed 30% of the Company's
then outstanding securities (measured on an as if converted basis
with respect to securities convertible into Shares) as calculated
under section 260.140.45 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations.
In addition to the above items in this Appendix A, with respect to
any California Participant who at one time was holding one or more
California Awards but no longer has any such outstanding California
Awards, such California Participant shall be required to promptly
provide the Company with written notice as soon as suchCalifornia
Participant no longer is holding any Shares that were issued under
a California Award. For avoidance of doubt, the obligation to
provide this notice to the Company shall apply even if the
California Participant is no longer providing Service and/or is no
longer holding outstanding California Awards (but is holding Shares
that were issued under a California Award). The requirements of
this paragraph shall no longer be applicable once the Company's
obligations under item 5 in this Appendix A are no longer
applicable.