UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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BIOMERICA, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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BIOMERICA, INC.
17571 Von Karman Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614
_____________________________
NOTICE OF 2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 13, 2017
_____________________________
To Our Stockholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the stockholders of BIOMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation (herein called the "Company"), will be held at the offices of the Company, 17571 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, California 92614 on December 13, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
At the meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following matters:
1. The election of six directors, each to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, death or removal. The Proxy Statement which accompanies this Notice includes the names of the nominees to be presented by the Board of Directors for election; and
2. To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify and approve the Companys 2017 Stock Incentive Plan; and
3. To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors of PKF, LLP as the Company's independent public accounting firm for the current fiscal year; and
4. Transaction of such other business which may properly come before the annual meeting and any adjournment thereof.
In accordance with the provisions of the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 20, 2017, as the record date for the determination of the holders of the Company's common stock, $0.08 par value, entitled to notice of and to vote at said Annual Meeting. To assure that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and promptly return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed envelope. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted.
By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
/S/ Zackary S. Irani | |
ZACKARY S. IRANI, Chairman of the Board and | |
Chief Executive Officer | |
Irvine, California | |
September 28, 2017 |
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BIOMERICA, INC.
17571 Von Karman Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
_____________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is furnished by the Board of Directors of BIOMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 13, 2017, at the offices of the Company, 17571 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, California 92614 at 10:00 a.m., and at any and all adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). The Annual Meeting has been called for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Notice"). This Proxy Statement, and the Annual Report of the Company for the year ended May 31, 2017, will be mailed on or about October 27, 2017, to each stockholder of record as of the close of business on October 20, 2017.
RECORD DATE AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
The close of business on October 20, 2017, has been set as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting (the "Record Date"). As of September 27, 2017, there was outstanding and entitled to vote an aggregate of approximately 8,515,173 shares of the Company's common stock, $0.08 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), held of record by approximately 833 stockholders. However, brokers and other institutions hold many shares on behalf of other beneficial owners of the Company's stock.
VOTING RIGHTS, QUORUM & VOTES REQUIRED
The holder of each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of the Record Date on each matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting.
The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock held of record on the Record Date is necessary to constitute a quorum for the purposes of electing directors and each other item of business. Shares represented by proxies pursuant to which votes contain one or more abstentions or broker "non-votes," are counted as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the Meeting.
Broker "non-votes" occur when a broker holding shares in "street name" votes on one proposal, but does not vote on another proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares. Usually, this would occur when brokers holding stock in "street name" have not received any instructions from clients, in which case the brokers (as holders of record) are generally permitted by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange to vote only on "discretionary" matters. Under a 2009 amendment to such rules, the uncontested election of directors is no longer a "discretionary" matter, and therefore brokers will not be permitted to vote shares for which they have not received voting instructions in favor of the proposed election of directors. However, under such rules, the proposed ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of PKF, Certified Public Accountants, a Professional Corporation as the Company's independent public accounting firm for the current fiscal year, is a "discretionary" matter, and the Company believes brokers will therefore generally be able to vote shares held in "street name" on such matter without receiving instructions from the beneficial holders of such shares.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) |
Allen Barbieri | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
Francis Cano, Ph.D | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
Mark Sirgo, Pharm.D. | -0- | -0- | 27,930 | -0- | -0- | -0-(1) | 27,930 |
Jane Emerson, M.D., Ph.D. | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | 10,000 | 10,000 |
(1) Dr. Sirgo received a 35,000 share stock option grant in fiscal 2017. The option was granted at the exercise price of $1.52 per share and was valued at $27,930 using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model (which uses assumptions for expected volatility, expected dividends, expected forfeiture rate, expected term and the risk-free interest rate).
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company's executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company's stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by applicable regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company and information involving securities transactions of which the Company is aware, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial stockholders were complied with.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Board of Directors reviews, approves and/or ratifies all transactions involving related persons. The purpose of the review is to determine that such transactions are conducted on terms not materially less favorable to the Company than what would be usual and customary in transactions between unrelated persons and, in the case of transactions involving Directors, to determine whether such transactions affect the independence of a Director in accordance with the relevant rules and standards issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, there were no reportable related transactions or relationships.
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PROPOSAL No. 2: APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On September 20, 2017 the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Company's 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") for 900,000 options, subject to stockholder approval. The Board of Directors believes that the interests of the Company and its stockholders will be best served by approving the Plan. The Board believes the Plan will enhance the Company's ability to recruit and maintain qualified management and personnel by including stock options as part of compensation packages. Options provide an incentive to employees to contribute to the success of the Company which would provide a benefit to employees as well as to the shareholders. The following summary description of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
PURPOSE. The Plan is intended to provide incentive to employees, officers, directors and others expected to provide significant services to the Company, to encourage proprietary interest in the Company, to encourage such employees to remain in the employ of the Company, to attract new employees with outstanding qualifications, and to afford additional incentive to others to increase their efforts in providing significant services to the Company.
ADMINISTRATION. The Plan will be administered by the Company's Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors (the "Stock Option Committee") which may be established by the Board. Any such Stock Option Committee will at all times be composed of "non-employee directors".
No member of the Stock Option Committee will vote on any matter affecting his or her own compensation with respect to awards under the Plan.
TYPES OF AWARDS. The Company's Plan provides for the grant of (i) incentive stock options ("ISOs") within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and (ii) stock options that are not intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code ("NQSOs"; collectively with ISOs, "Options"). The Plan also authorizes the award of shares of restricted Common Stock ("Restricted Stock").
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARDS. Options granted under the Plan will vest and become exercisable as determined by the Stock Option Committee or the Board of Directors. Awards will be subject to the terms and restrictions of the awards made by the Stock Option Committee or the Board of Directors. Option and award recipients shall enter into a written stock option agreement with the Company. The Stock Option Committee or the Board of Directors has discretionary authority to select participants from among eligible persons and to determine, at the time an Option or award is granted, when and in what increments shares covered by the Option or award will vest and may be purchased. In the case of an Option, the Stock Option Committee or the Board of Directors also has the discretionary authority to determine, at the time such Option is granted, whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a NQSO, provided, however, that certain restrictions applicable to ISOs are mandatory, including a requirement that ISOs not be issued for less than 100% of the then fair market value of the Common Stock (110% in the case of a grantee who holds more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock) and a maximum exercise period of ten (10) years (five (5) years in the case of a grantee who holds more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock). Fair market value is determined by the Board of Directors or the Stock Option Committee in good faith, for which the Board or Committee may refer to the price at which the shares traded at the close of business on the date of valuation as quoted on Yahoo.Finance.com. Such determination will be conclusive and binding on all persons.
ELIGIBLE PERSONS. Officers, directors and employees of the Company and other persons expected to provide bona fide services to the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan. ISOs may be granted to the officers and employees of the Company. NQSOs and other awards may be granted to the directors, officers, employees, agents and consultants of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Under current law, ISOs may not be granted to any director or consultant of the Company who is not an employee.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to anti-dilution provisions for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events, the Plan authorizes the grant of Options to purchase up to Nine Hundred Thousand (900,000) shares of the Company's Common Stock.
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TERM OF THE PLAN. Unless previously terminated by the Board of Directors, the Plan will terminate on September 20, 2027, and no options may be granted under the Plan thereafter, but existing options will remain in effect until the options are exercised or terminated by their terms.
TERM OF OPTIONS. Each stock option must terminate no more than ten (10) years from the date it is granted (or five (5) years in the case of ISOs granted to an employee who is deemed to own in excess of ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding equity stock). Stock options may be granted on terms providing for exercise either in whole or in part at any time or times during their restrictive terms, or only in specified percentages at the stated time periods or intervals during the term of the stock option.
OPTION EXERCISE. The exercise price of any stock option granted under the Plan is payable in full in cash. The Company may provide for other payment mechanisms, including making loans available to option holders to exercise stock options evidenced by a promissory note executed by the option holder, which notes may, but are not required to be secured by a pledge of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the option.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors may, without affecting any outstanding stock options, from time to time revise or amend the Plan, and may suspend or discontinue it at any time. However, no such revision or amendment may, without stockholder approval, increase the number of shares subject to the Plan.
COMMON STOCK. The Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan is currently traded ON THE Nasdaq Capital Market systems under the symbol BMRA. The closing per share market value of the Common Stock on September 20, 2017 (the date of the adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors) was $2.77. Based on this valuation, the Nine Hundred Thousand (900,000) shares reserved for issuance under the Plan have an aggregate market value of $2,493,000.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. Following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of awards under the Plan. This summary is not an exhaustive description and does not describe all applicable federal, state or local tax laws.
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. A Plan participant is not subject to federal income tax at the time of either the grant or the exercise of an ISO. In the year in which an ISO is exercised, however, the amount by which the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price will constitute an adjustment to the option holder's income in computing alternative minimum taxable income. Such adjustment could result in the imposition of, or increase the amount of, the option holder's "alternative minimum tax" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
If an option holder does not dispose of such shares of Common Stock within two (2) years after the ISO was granted or one (1) year after the ISO was exercised, whichever is later (any such disposition, a "disqualifying event"), then any gain or loss recognized upon such disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. In such event, the Company will not receive a tax deduction on either the exercise of the ISO or on the sale of the underlying Common Stock.
If an option holder makes a "disqualifying disposition," the option holder will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the ISO is exercised minus the exercise price, or (ii) the sales price received by the option holder on the disposition of such Common Stock minus the exercise price. In such event, the Company will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the option holder. If a sale is a disqualifying disposition, the option holder also may realize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, if such shares constitute capital assets in an option holder's hands. The gain or loss will be measured by the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise of the ISO and the sales price of the shares.
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS. No income is realized by an option holder upon the grant of an NQSO with an exercise price equal to at least the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. Upon the exercise of an NQSO, however, the amount by which the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price will be taxed as ordinary income to an option holder and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in an equal amount. Upon subsequent sales of Common Stock received upon exercise of NQSO's, an option holder may realize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the holding period of the shares, if such shares constitute capital assets in the option holder's hands. The gain or loss will be measured by the difference between the sales price and the tax basis of the shares sold. The tax basis for this purpose will be the sum of the exercise price and the amount of ordinary income realized by the option holder as a result of such exercise.
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RESTRICTED STOCK. Generally, a participant who has been awarded Restricted Stock will not realize taxable income at the time of the award, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction at that time; provided, however, that the participant may elect to treat the value of the shares as income at the time of receipt (without regard to restrictions) by filing with the IRS (with a copy to the Company) an election under Section 83(b) of the Code no later than thirty (30) days after the issuance date. When the restrictions on the Restricted Stock lapse, the participant will have ordinary income and the Company will have a corresponding deduction. The measure of such income and deduction will be the fair market value of the shares at the time the restrictions lapse.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
PROPOSAL NO. 3 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Under applicable law and the procedures adopted by the Company's Board of Directors, the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors selects the Company's independent public accounting firm for each fiscal year. The Audit Committee has selected PKF, LLP (formerly PKF, Certified Public Accountants, a Professional Corporation) to serve as the Company's independent public accounting firm for the year ending May 31, 2018. PKF has previously served as the Company's independent public accounting firm commencing with the year ended May 31, 2004.
Although shareholder ratification of the Audit Committee's selection of the independent registered public accounting firm is not required by law or the procedures adopted by the Company's Board of Directors, the Audit Committee's selection of PKF as the Company's independent public accounting firm for fiscal year 2018 is being submitted for ratification by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting because the Company's Board of Directors has determined that such ratification is a matter of good corporate governance practice. If this proposal is not approved at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection of PKF. Even if the selection of PKF is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select a different registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
It is expected that a representative of the independent registered public accounting firm of PKF, LLP, the Company's independent public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the current fiscal year, will be present at the Annual Meeting.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed for professional services by PKF in 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
2017 | 2016 | ||||
Audit fees | $ | 64,619 | $ | 59,551 | |
Audit related fees | -- | -- | |||
Tax fees | 8,633 | 8,686 | |||
All other fees |
| -- |
| -- | |
Total | $ | 73,252 | $ | 68,237 |
Audit Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and for any other services that are normally provided by PKF in connection with our statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
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Audit Related Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements that were not otherwise included in Audit Fees.
Tax Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Included in such Tax Fees were fees for preparation of our tax returns and consultancy and advice on other tax planning matters.
All Other Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by PKF and not otherwise included in Audit Fees, Audit Related fees or Tax Fees.
The Audit Committee has considered that the provision of the above services has not impaired the principal accountant's ability to maintain independence.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY PKF AS THE COMPANYS CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management is not aware of any matters to come before the Annual Meeting other than those stated in this Proxy Statement. However, inasmuch as matters of which management is not now aware may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof, the Proxy confers discretionary authority with respect to acting thereon, and the persons named in such Proxy intend to vote, act, and consent in accordance with their best judgment with respect thereto.
DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS
Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy that encourages our directors to attend our annual stockholder meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders held on December 14, 2016 was attended by four of our incumbent directors. It is expected that a majority of the directors will be in attendance at the 2017 Annual Meeting.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report to Stockholders and Form 10-K covering the Company's fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 are being mailed to stockholders with this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report does not form any part of the material for the solicitation of the Proxy.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our stockholders may communicate with our Board of Directors, a committee of our Board of Directors or a director by sending a letter addressed to the Board, a committee or a director c/o Corporate Secretary, Biomerica Inc., 17571 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, California 92614. All communications will be compiled by our corporate Secretary and forwarded to the Board of Directors, the committee or the director accordingly.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Companys Corporate Governance Policy and its Policy on Business Conduct and Ethics (Ethics Policy) for all directors, officers and employees of the Company, including executive officers, are available on the Companys web site at www.biomerica.com. Stockholders may also obtain free of charge printed copies of this policy by writing to the Secretary of the Company at the Companys headquarters.
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DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Any eligible stockholder who desires to have a proposal considered for inclusion in our 2018 proxy solicitation materials, including director nominations, must cause their proposals to be received in writing by our Secretary at 17571 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, California 92614 no later than May 30, 2018. The Board of Directors will review new proposals from eligible stockholders if they are received in writing by May 30, 2018. Proposals must be submitted in accordance with our bylaws and must comply with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations promulgated under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Any notice to the Secretary must include as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting: (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reason for conducting the business at the Annual Meeting, (b) the stockholder's name and address, as they appear on our records, (c) the class and number of shares which the stockholder beneficially owns, (d) any material interest of the stockholder in the business requested to be brought before the meeting and (e) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in his or her capacity as a proponent of the stockholder proposal.
A stockholder's notice to the Secretary regarding a nomination for the election of directors must set forth: (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (i) the person's name, age, business address and residence address, (ii) the person's principal occupation or employment, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock beneficially owned by the person, and (iv) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address of the stockholder, as they appear on our records, and (ii) the class and number of shares of stock that are beneficially owned by the stockholder on the date of the stockholder notice. If the Board of Directors so requests, any person nominated for election to the Board shall furnish to our Secretary the information required to be set forth in the notice of nomination pertaining to the nominee.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require us to include in our proxy solicitation materials relating to any annual meeting any stockholder proposal or nomination that does not meet all of the requirements for inclusion established by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require us to include in our proxy solicitation materials relating to any annual meeting any stockholder proposal or nomination that does not meet all of the requirements for inclusion established by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
/S/ ZACKARY S. IRANI, |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Irvine, California
September 28, 2017
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EXHIBIT A
BIOMERICA, INC.
2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1. INTRODUCTION.
The Plan was adopted by the Board effective September 20, 2017. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of stockholder value by (a) encouraging Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants to focus on critical long-range objectives, (b) encouraging the attraction and retention of Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants with exceptional qualifications and (c) linking Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants directly to stockholder interests through increased stock ownership. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Restricted Shares or Options (which may constitute incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock options).
The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California.
ARTICLE 2. ADMINISTRATION.
2.1 COMMITTEE COMPOSITION. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company, provided the Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee consisting exclusively of two or more Outside Directors of the Company, who shall be appointed by the Board. In addition, the composition of the Committee shall satisfy:
(a) Such requirements as the Securities and Exchange Commission may establish for administrators acting under plans intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 (or its successor) under the Exchange Act; and
(b) Such requirements as the Internal Revenue Service may establish for outside directors acting under plans intended to qualify for exemption under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
2.2 COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES. The Board (or the Committee, if applicable) shall (a) review management's recommendation as to the Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants who are to receive Awards under the Plan, (b) determine the type, number, vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards, (c) interpret the Plan and (d) make all other decisions relating to the operation of the Plan. The Board and Committee may adopt such rules or guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan. The Board's and Committee's determinations under the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.
2.3 COMMITTEE FOR NON-OFFICER GRANTS. The Board may also appoint a secondary committee of the Board, which shall be composed of one or more directors of the Company who need not satisfy the requirements of Section 2.1. Such secondary committee may administer the Plan with respect to Employees and Consultants who are not considered officers or directors of the Company under section 16 of the Exchange Act or covered employees under Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, may grant Awards under the Plan to such Employees and Consultants and may determine all features and conditions of such Awards. Within the limitations of this Section 2.3, any reference in the Plan to the Committee shall include such secondary committee.
ARTICLE 3. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS.
3.1 BASIC LIMITATION. Common Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The aggregate number of Options and Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall not exceed NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND (900,000). The limitations of this Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9.
3.2 ADDITIONAL SHARES. If Options are forfeited or terminate for any other reason before being exercised, then the corresponding Common Shares shall again become available for the grant of Options or Restricted Shares under the Plan. If Restricted Shares or Common Shares issued upon the exercise of Options are forfeited, then such Common Shares shall again become available for the grant of NSOs and Restricted Shares under the Plan. The aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan upon the exercise of ISOs shall not be increased when Restricted Shares or other Common Shares are forfeited.
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ARTICLE 4. ELIGIBILITY.
4.1 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARES. Only Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants shall be eligible for the grant of NSOs and Restricted Shares.
4.2 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. Only Employees who are employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs. In addition, an Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company or any of its Parents or Subsidiaries 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.
ARTICLE 5. OPTIONS.
5.1 STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option 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. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. A Stock Option Agreement may provide that a new Option will be granted automatically to the Optionee when he or she exercises a prior Option and pays the Exercise Price in the form described in Section 6.2.
5.2 NUMBER OF SHARES. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Common Shares subject to the Option and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Article 9. The limitations set forth in the preceding sentence shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Article 9.
5.3 EXERCISE PRICE. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price; provided that the Exercise Price under an ISO shall in no event be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant and the Exercise Price under an NSO shall in no event be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant. In the case of an NSO, a Stock Option Agreement may specify an Exercise Price that varies in accordance with a predetermined formula while the NSO is outstanding.
5.4 VESTING, EXERCISABILITY AND TERM. Unless otherwise provided in the Stock Option Agreement, an Optionee's right to exercise the Option shall vest pro rata over a period of three (3) years with 25% of the Option vesting on the date of grant, and 25% of the Option vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the term of the Option; provided that the term of an ISO shall in no event exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Optionee's death, disability or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee's service.
5.5 EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL. Notwithstanding Section 5.4 above, each Option shall automatically fully vest (e.g., become exercisable) as to all or part of the Common Shares subject to such Option in the event that a Change in Control (as defined in Section 14.4 below) occurs with respect to the Company, subject to the following limitations.
5.6 MODIFICATION OR ASSUMPTION OF OPTIONS. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Board or the Committee may modify, extend or assume outstanding options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding 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. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter or impair his or her rights or obligations under such Option.
5.7 BUYOUT PROVISIONS. The Committee may at any time (a) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents an Option previously granted or (b) authorize an Optionee to elect to cash out the vested portion of an Option previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Board or the Committee shall establish.
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ARTICLE 6. PAYMENT FOR OPTION SHARES.
6.1 GENERAL RULE. The entire Exercise Price of Common Shares issued upon exercise of Options shall be payable in cash or cash equivalents at the time when such Common Shares are purchased, except as follows:
(a) In the case of an ISO granted under the Plan, payment shall be made only pursuant to the express provisions of the applicable Stock Option Agreement. The Stock Option Agreement may specify that payment may be made in any form(s) described in this Article 6.
(b) In the case of an NSO, the Committee may at any time accept payment in any form(s) described in this Article 6.
6.2 EXERCISE/SALE. To the extent that this Section 6.2 is applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell all or part of the Common Shares being purchased under the Plan and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company.
6.3 EXERCISE/PLEDGE. To the extent that this Section 6.3 is applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable direction to pledge all or part of the Common Shares being purchased under the Plan to a securities broker or lender approved by the Company, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to the Company.
6.4 PROMISSORY NOTE. To the extent that this Section 6.4 is applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) a full-recourse promissory note, which may include a security interest in the shares issued under the Option. However, the par value of the Common Shares being purchased under the Plan, if newly issued, shall be paid in cash or cash equivalents.
6.5 OTHER FORMS OF PAYMENT. To the extent that this Section 6.5 is applicable, all or any part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may be paid in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.
ARTICLE 7.
7.1 ACCELERATED EXERCISABILITY. All NSOs granted to an Outside Director under this Article 7 shall become exercisable in full in the event of:
(a) the termination of such Outside Director's service because of death, total and permanent disability or retirement at or after age 70; or
(b) a Change in Control (as defined in Section 15.4 below) with respect to the Company, except as provided in the next following sentence.
7.2 EXERCISE PRICE. The Exercise Price under all NSOs granted to an Outside Director under this Article 7 shall be equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant, payable in one of the forms described in Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4.
7.3 TERM. Unless otherwise provided in the Stock Option Agreement, all NSOs granted to an Outside Director under this Article 7 shall terminate on the earliest of (a) the 10th anniversary of the date of grant, (b) the date 3 months after the termination of such Outside Director's service for any reason other than death, total and permanent disability or retirement at or after age 70 or (c) the date 12 months after the termination of such Outside Director's service because of death, total and permanent disability or retirement at or after age 70.
7.4 AFFILIATES OF OUTSIDE DIRECTORS. The Committee may provide that the NSOs that otherwise would be granted to an Outside Director under this Article 7 shall instead be granted to an affiliate of such Outside Director. Such affiliate shall then be deemed to be an Outside Director for purposes of the Plan, including that the service-related vesting and termination provisions pertaining to the NSOs shall be applied with regard to the service of the Outside Director.
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ARTICLE 8. RESTRICTED SHARES.
8.1 RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT. Each grant of Restricted Shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement between the recipient and the Company. Such Restricted Shares 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. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
8.2 PAYMENT FOR AWARDS. Subject to the following sentence, Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Board or the Committee may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash equivalents, full-recourse promissory notes, past services and future services. To the extent that an Award consists of newly issued Restricted Shares, the Award recipient shall furnish consideration with a value not less than the par value of such Restricted Shares in the form of cash, cash equivalents or past services rendered to the Company (or a Parent or Subsidiary), as the Committee may determine.
8.3 VESTING CONDITIONS. Unless otherwise provided in the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Restricted Shares shall vest pro rata over a period of three (3) years with 25% of the Restricted Shares vesting on the date of grant, and 25% of the Restricted Shares vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. A Restricted Stock Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant's death, disability or retirement or other events. All Restricted Shares shall become vested in the event that a Change in Control (as defined in Section 15.4) occurs with respect to the Company, except as provided in the next following sentence.
8.4 VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS. The holders of Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Company's other stockholders.
ARTICLE 9. PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION.
9.1 ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in Common Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in a form other than Common Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Common Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Common Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Board of the Committee shall make such adjustments as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate in one or more of (a) the number of Options and Restricted Shares available for future Awards under Article 3, (b) the limitations set forth in Section 5.2, (c) the number of Common Shares covered by each outstanding Option or (d) the Exercise Price under each outstanding Option. Except as provided in this Article 9, 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.
9.2 DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. To the extent not previously exercised, Options shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
9.3 REORGANIZATIONS. In the event that the Company is a party to a merger or other reorganization, outstanding Options and Restricted Shares shall be subject to the agreement of merger or reorganization. Such agreement may, but is not required to, provide for one or more of the following: (a) the continuation of the outstanding Awards by the Company, if the Company is a surviving corporation, (b) the assumption of the outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary, (c) the substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of its own awards for the outstanding Awards, (d) full exercisability or vesting and accelerated expiration of the outstanding Awards or (e) settlement of the full value of the outstanding Awards
in cash or cash equivalents followed by cancellation of such Awards.
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ARTICLE 10. AWARDS UNDER OTHER PLANS.
The Company may grant awards under other plans or programs. Such awards may be settled in the form of Common Shares issued under this Plan. Such Common Shares shall be treated for all purposes under the Plan like Restricted Shares and shall, when issued, reduce the number of Common Shares available under Article 3.
ARTICLE 11. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS.
11.1 RETENTION RIGHTS. Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant. The Company and its Parents, Subsidiaries and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate the service of any Employee, Outside Director or Consultant at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable laws, the Company's certificate of incorporation and by-laws and a written employment agreement (if any).
11.2 STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS. A Participant shall have no dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a stockholder with respect to any Common Shares covered by his or her Award prior to the time when a stock certificate for such Common Shares is issued or, in the case of an Option, the time when he or she becomes entitled to receive such Common Shares by filing a notice of exercise and paying the Exercise Price. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such time, except as expressly provided in the Plan.
11.3 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the obligation of the Company to issue Common Shares 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 Common Shares pursuant to any Award prior to the satisfaction of all legal requirements relating to the issuance of such Common Shares, to their registration, qualification or listing or to an exemption from registration, qualification or listing.
ARTICLE 12. WITHHOLDING TAXES.
12.1 GENERAL. To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant or his or her successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with the Plan. The Company shall not be required to issue any Common Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.
ARTICLE 13. FUTURE OF THE PLAN.
13.1 TERM OF THE PLAN. The Plan, as set forth herein, shall become effective upon approval of the Plan by the Company's stockholders (expected to be obtained on or about December 15, 2014). The Plan shall remain in effect until September 23, 2024, unless earlier terminated under Section 13.2, except that no ISOs shall be granted on or after the 10th anniversary of the later of (a) the date when the Board adopted the Plan or (b) the date when the Board adopted the most recent increase in the number of Common Shares available under Article 3 which was approved by the Company's stockholders.
13.2 AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. The Board may, at any time and for any reason, amend or terminate the Plan. 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. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the termination thereof. The termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not affect any Award previously granted under the Plan.
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ARTICLE 14. DEFINITIONS.
14.1 "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.
14.2 "AWARD" means any award of an Option or a Restricted Share under the Plan.
14.3 "BOARD" means the Company's Board of Directors, as constituted from time to time.
14.4 "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean:
(a) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if more than 50% of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity's securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization;
(b) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;
(c) a change in the identity of a majority of the members of the Company's Board of Directors that becomes effective on a single date (provided, however, that the appointments of new directors upon the deaths or resignations
of directors by the remaining directors then in office shall not constitute a change in identity with respect to such departed director); or
(d) any transaction as a result of which any person is the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities. For purposes of this Subsection (d), the term "person" shall have the same meaning as when used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act but shall exclude (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Parent or Subsidiary and (ii) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Company. 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 transaction.
14.5 "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
14.6 "COMMITTEE" means a committee of the Board, as described in Article 2.
14.7 "COMMON SHARE" means one share of the common stock of the Company.
14.8 "COMPANY" means Biomerica, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
14.9 "CONSULTANT" means a consultant or adviser who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor. Service as a Consultant shall be considered employment for all purposes of the Plan, except as provided in Section 4.2.
14.10 "EMPLOYEE" means an employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
14.11 "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
14.12 "EXERCISE PRICE" means the amount for which one Common Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.
14.13 "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means the market price of Common Shares, determined by the Board or the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. Whenever possible, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee shall be based on the prices reported in The Wall Street Journal. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
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14.14 "ISO" means an incentive stock option described in section 422(b) of the Code.
14.15 "NSO" means a stock option not described in sections 422 of the Code.
14.16 "OPTION" means an ISO or NSO granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Common Shares.
14.17 "OPTIONEE" means an individual or estate who holds an Option.
14.18 "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" shall mean a member of the Board who is not an Employee. Service as an Outside Director shall be considered employment for all purposes of the Plan, except as provided in Section 4.2.
14.19 "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 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 adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as
of such date.
14.20 "PARTICIPANT" means an individual or estate who holds an Award.
14.21 "PLAN: means this Biomerica, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
14.22 "RESTRICTED SHARE" means a Common Share awarded under the Plan.
14.23 "RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT" means the agreement between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Share that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Share.
14.24 "STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT" means the agreement between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to his or her Option.
14.25 "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 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 adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.
ARTICLE 15. EXECUTION.
To record the adoption of the Plan by the Board, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this document in the name of the Company.
BIOMERICA, INC.
By: /s/ Janet Moore
Name: Janet Moore
Title: CFO
Date approved by Board of Directors: September 20, 2017
Date Approved by Shareholders: _______________________________
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