Unassociated Document
U.S.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed
by
the Registrant x
Filed
by
a Party other than the Registrant o
Check
the
appropriate box:
o |
Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o |
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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x |
Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o |
Definitive
Additional Materials
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o |
Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
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VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
o |
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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1) |
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) |
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction
applies:
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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):
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4) |
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of
transaction:
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o
Fee
paid
previously with preliminary materials.
o
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.
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1) |
Amount
previously paid:
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2) |
Form,
schedule or registration statement no.:
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VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
180
Mt. Airy Road, Suite 102
Basking
Ridge, New Jersey 07920
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To
Our Shareholders:
You
are
cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of VioQuest
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Annual
Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 24, 2007, at the Somerset Hills Hotel,
200 Liberty Corner Road, Warren, New Jersey, 07059, or at any adjournment or
postponement thereof, for the purpose of considering and taking appropriate
action with respect to the following:
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1.
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To
elect five directors;
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2.
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To
approve a sale of all the stock of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary,
Chiral Quest, Inc.;
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3.
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To
authorize an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation in
order to effect a reverse stock split of no more than 1-for-10;
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4.
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To
ratify and approve an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Stock Option Plan,
as amended;
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5.
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To
ratify the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2007;
and
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6.
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To
transact any other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
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The
Board
of Directors of the Company has approved the foregoing proposals and recommends
that the shareholders of the Company vote in their favor.
Only
shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 16, 2007, or their
legal representatives, are entitled to notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting
or any adjournment thereof. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote per share
on all matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
All
shareholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or
not
you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please date, sign, and return the
enclosed proxy card or vote your shares over the telephone or the Internet
as
instructed on the proxy card, as promptly as possible. If you attend the Annual
Meeting, you may withdraw the proxy and vote in person.
By
Order
of the Board of Directors,
VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
/s/
Daniel E. Greenleaf
Daniel
E.
Greenleaf
President
and Chief Executive Officer
April
25,
2007
PROXY
STATEMENT
OF
VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
180
Mt. Airy Road, Suite 102
Basking
Ridge, New Jersey 07920
Annual
Meeting of Shareholders
To
Be Held May 24, 2007
This
Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of VioQuest Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (referred to as “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”), in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies to be voted
at
the Annual Meeting of the Company’s shareholders or any adjournment thereof (the
“Annual Meeting”), to be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 24, 2007, at the Somerset
Hills Hotel, 200 Liberty Corner, Warren, New Jersey 07059. This Proxy Statement
and the accompanying proxy were first mailed on approximately April 25, 2007,
to
the Company’s shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 16,
2007. The Company intends to mail this Proxy Statement and the accompanying
Notice of the Annual Meeting on or about April 25, 2007 to all shareholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
A
form of proxy is enclosed for your use. Please date, sign and return the
enclosed proxy card or vote your shares over the telephone or the Internet
as
instructed on the proxy card at your earliest convenience. Prompt return of
your
proxy will be appreciated. The solicitation of proxies from the shareholders
is
being made by the Board of Directors and management of the Company who will
not
be specially compensated for such solicitation.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY MATERIAL AND VOTING
Why
am I receiving these materials?
We
sent
you this proxy statement, as well as the enclosed proxy card and copy of our
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006, because
our
Board is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting. You are
invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in
this
proxy statement. The Annual Meeting will be held on May 24, 2007, at 10:00
a.m. at the Somerset Hills Hotel, 200 Liberty Corner Road, Warren, New Jersey
07059. However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your
shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed
proxy card or vote your shares over the telephone or the Internet as instructed
on the proxy card.
Who
is entitled to vote?
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on April 16, 2007 may vote
at
the Annual Meeting. As of April 16, 2007, there were 54,621,119 shares of our
common stock outstanding.
Shareholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If
on
April 16, 2007, your shares were registered directly in your name with our
transfer agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., then you are a shareholder of record.
As
a shareholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote
by
proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to
vote
by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual
Meeting and vote in person if you have already voted by proxy.
Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or
Bank
If
on
April 16, 2007, your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an
account at a brokerage firm, bank, or other similar organization, then you
are
the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials
are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your
account is considered to be the shareholder of record for purposes of voting
at
the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your
broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You are also
invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder
of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless
you request and obtain a valid proxy from you broker or other
agent.
What
am I voting on?
There
are
five matters scheduled for a vote:
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·
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election
of five directors to hold office until the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders;
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·
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the
sale of Chiral Quest, our wholly-owned subsidiary;
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·
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authorization
of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to allow us to
complete a reverse stock split at a ratio of no more than
1-for-10;
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·
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ratification
and approval of an amendment to our 2003 Stock Option Plan;
and
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·
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ratification
and approval of the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal
2007.
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How
do I vote?
You
may
either vote “For” all the nominees to the Board of Directors or you may
“Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. For the other matters to
be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The
procedures for voting are as follows:
Shareholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If
you
are a shareholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting,
or
vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted.
You may still attend the meeting and vote in person if you have already voted
by
proxy.
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·
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To
vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting, where a ballot will be
made
available to you.
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·
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To
vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign, and date the enclosed
proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you
return
your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote
your
shares as you direct.
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·
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To
vote by telephone or over the Internet, simply follow the instructions
on
the enclosed proxy card.
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Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or
Bank
If
you
are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank,
or
other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions
with
these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply
complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted.
Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the Internet as instructed
by
your broker or bank, if your broker or bank makes telephone or Internet voting
available. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid
proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent. Follow the instructions from
your
broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker
or
bank to request a proxy form.
How
do I sign the proxy?
Sign
your
name exactly as it appears on the form of proxy. If you are signing in a
representative capacity (for example, as a guardian, trustee, executor,
administrator, attorney-in-fact or the officer or agent of a company), include
your name and title or capacity. If the shares are held in custody (for example,
under the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act), the custodian should sign, not the
minor or other beneficiary. If the shares are held in joint ownership, both
owners must sign.
How
many votes do I have?
On
each
matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you
own as of the close of business on April 16, 2007.
What
if I return a proxy card but do not make specific
choices?
If
you
return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections
your
shares will be voted “For” the election of all nominees for director, “For” the
sale of Chiral Quest, “For” the authorization of an amendment to our Certificate
of Incorporation to allow the reverse stock split, “For” the ratification and
approval of the amendment to the 2003 Stock Option Plan, and “For” the
ratification and approval of the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm. If any other matter is properly
presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on
your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best
judgment.
Who
is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We
will
pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these mailed
proxy
materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person,
by
telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will
not
be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also
reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding
proxy materials to beneficial owners.
Who
is soliciting your vote?
The
Board
of Directors is soliciting your vote through this Proxy Statement.
How
does the Board recommend you vote on the proposals?
The
Board
recommends you vote your shares FOR
the
director nominees, the sale of Chiral Quest, the authorization of an amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation to allow the reverse stock split, for the
amendment to the 2003 Stock Option Plan, and for the appointment of J.H. Cohn,
LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm.
What
does it mean if you receive more than one proxy or voting instruction
form?
If
you
receive more than one proxy card, your shares are registered in more than one
name or are registered in different accounts. Please complete, sign and return
all proxy forms you receive to ensure all your shares are voted.
Can
I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Yes.
You
can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting.
If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any
one of three ways:
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· |
You
may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date;
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· |
You
may send a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our
Secretary at 180 Mt. Airy Road, Suite 102, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
07920; or
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· |
You
may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending
the
Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your
proxy.
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If
your
shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow
the instructions provided by your broker or bank.
When
are shareholder proposals due for next year’s Annual
Meeting?
To
be
considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be
submitted in writing by the close of business on December 26, 2007 to our
Secretary at 180 Mt. Airy Road, Suite 102 Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920.
If
you wish to bring a matter before the shareholders at next year’s Annual Meeting
and you do not notify us by March 11, 2008, our management will have
discretionary authority to vote all shares for which it has proxies in
opposition to the matter.
How
are votes counted?
Votes
will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting,
who will separately count “For” and “Withhold” and, with respect to proposals
other than the election of directors, “Against” votes, abstentions, and broker
non-votes. Abstentions will be counted against the vote total for each proposal
and will have the same effect as “Against” votes. Broker non-votes have no
effect and will not be counted towards the vote total for any
proposal.
If
your
shares are held by your broker as your nominee (that is, in “street name”), you
will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares
and
follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your
broker to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker,
your
broker can vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but not with
respect to “non-discretionary” items. Discretionary items are proposals
considered routine under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on
which your broker may vote shares held in street name in the absence of your
voting instructions. On non-discretionary items for which you do not give your
broker instructions, the shares will be treated as broker
non-votes.
What
is a broker non-vote?
A
broker
non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy form that does not indicate a
vote
for some of the proposals because the broker did not receive instructions from
the beneficial owner on how to vote on those proposals and does not have
discretionary authority to vote in the absence of instructions.
What
is the purpose of the selling Chiral Quest?
The
sale
of Chiral Quest is being proposed to allow our management to focus our capital
and other resources on our core business, which is the acquisition, development,
and commercialization of pharmaceutical compounds to treat cancer and other
diseases and conditions. A copy of the Purchase Agreement relating to the
proposed transaction is included in this Proxy Statement as Appendix
A.
Will
the sale of Chiral Quest proceed if the proposal is
defeated?
Unlikely.
A vote against the proposed sale will likely prohibit the transaction. However,
as we have previously announced, we are seeking strategic alternatives relating
to Chiral Quest, including the sale or other disposition of that business,
and
we will continue pursuing these alternatives if this proposal is defeated.
What
is the purpose of the reverse stock split?
The
reverse stock split is being proposed to provide us with the necessary
flexibility to seek additional capital by selling shares of our stock, or other
securities that are convertible into shares of our stock. Also, the reverse
split may increase our ability to obtain a listing on a national securities
exchange.
How
will the reverse stock split affect my shares?
We
are
seeking authorization to effect a reverse split of our common stock at a ratio
not to exceed 1-for-10. Assuming a 1-for-10 reverse split, this means that
every
10 shares of our common stock outstanding prior to the reverse stock split
would
represent only 1 share of common stock after the reverse stock split. The
reverse stock split will not change the number of authorized shares or common
stock or the par value of our common stock. Except for any changes resulting
from the treatment of fractional shares, each shareholder will hold the same
percentage of common stock outstanding immediately after the reverse stock
split
as such shareholder did immediately prior to the reverse stock split.
Additionally, the last sale price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board
prior to the effective time of the reverse stock split would be adjusted so
that, after such effective time, the price of our common stock would be
multiplied by the ratio. For example, if the last reported sale price of our
common stock was $0.50 prior to the effective time of the reverse split, and
we
effected a 1-for-10 split, then immediately after such effective time, such
sale
price would be adjusted to $5.00. However, there is no assurance that the price
of our common stock would remain at $5.00 once trading commences following
the
effective time of the reverse split.
Will
the reverse stock split proceed
if the proposal is defeated?
No.
A
vote against the reverse stock split will prohibit us from amending our
Certificate of Incorporation.
Do
you have statutory rights of appraisal if you oppose the reverse stock
split?
No.
What
constitutes a quorum?
A
quorum
of shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting of our shareholders. A
majority of the outstanding shares, present in person or represented by proxy,
constitutes a quorum for the Annual Meeting. On the record date, there were
54,621,119 of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Your
vote
will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one
is
submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote
in person at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be
counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, either the
chairman of the Annual Meeting or a majority of the votes present may adjourn
the Annual Meeting to another date.
How
many votes are needed to elect the directors?
For
the
election of directors to hold office until the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, the five nominees receiving the most “For” votes (among votes
properly cast in person or by proxy) will be elected. Only votes “For” or
“Withhold” will affect the outcome.
How
many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
Proposals
2 and 3, the sale of Chiral Quest and the reverse stock split, require the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares
of
the Company. Abstentions and broker non-votes are the same as a vote against
the
sale of Chiral Quest.
Proposals
4 and 5, the amendment of our 2003 Stock Option Plan, and the ratification
and
approval of the Company’s independent registered public accounting form, each
must receive a “For” vote from the majority of shares present either in person
or by proxy and entitled to vote at the time of the vote. If you “Abstain” from
voting on these proposals, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote.
Broker non-votes will not be counted for the purpose of determining the number
of shares present in person or by proxy for these Proposals and will have no
effect on the outcome of the vote.
How
can I attend the Annual Meeting?
If
you
are a shareholder of record on April 16, 2007, you can attend the Annual Meeting
by presenting acceptable identification at the Annual Meeting. If you are a
street name shareholder you may attend the Annual Meeting by presenting
acceptable identification along with evidence of your beneficial ownership
of
the Company’s common stock. As a street name shareholder, however, you will not
be able to vote your shares unless the organizations through which you hold
your
shares provide proxies giving you authority to vote the shares held for you.
This may require more than one proxy, as the record owner of your shares is
usually not the organization providing you the account in which your shares
are
held.
How
can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual
Meeting?
Preliminary
voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting
results will be published in our quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the second
quarter of 2007, which we expect to file with the SEC on or before August 14,
2007.
SUMMARY
OF PROPOSED SALE OF CHIRAL QUEST
This
summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement. It does
not
contain all of the information that is important to you. We urge you to read
carefully the entire proxy statement, including the appendices to this proxy
statement, to understand fully the proposed sale of Chiral Quest and the
proposed reverse stock split. A copy of the Purchase Agreement, dated April
10,
2007, between VioQuest and Chiral Quest Acquisition Corp. is attached as
Appendix A to this proxy statement.
The
Proposal
to Sell
Chiral Quest
We
are
asking our shareholders at the Annual Meeting to approve a proposal to sell
the
stock of Chiral Quest, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, to Chiral Quest
Acquisition Corp., which we refer to as the Purchaser in this proxy statement.
On April 10, 2007, we and the Purchaser entered into an stock purchase and
sale
agreement, which we refer to as the Purchase Agreement in this proxy statement,
pursuant to which the Purchaser will acquire all of the shares of Chiral Quest
in exchange for $1,700,000, plus the assumption by Purchaser of liabilities
up
to $1,300,000.
The
Purchaser is principally owned by Dr. Xumu Zhang, a director of the Company.
Dr.
Zhang beneficially owns 3,268,314 shares of our common stock.
Approval
of the sale of Chiral Quest’s stock requires the affirmative vote of at least a
majority of all issued and outstanding shares of our common stock.
Summary
of Terms of the Proposed Sale
of
Chiral Quest
On
April
10, 2007, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with Purchaser to which we
agreed to transfer all of the shares of Chiral Quest, Inc., our wholly-owned
subsidiary, for cash consideration of $1,700,000. Assuming all conditions to
the
stock sale are met or waived by the parties, it is anticipated that the sale
of
Chiral Quest will be completed not earlier than May 24, 2007, nor later than
3
business days following approval of the transaction by our shareholders. In
addition, the Purchaser is assuming certain liabilities of Chiral Quest up
to an
amount not to exceed $1,300,000.
The
sale
is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of several conditions, including
the approval of our shareholders. The conditions to the transaction are more
fully described in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Proposal to Sell
Chiral Quest - Terms of the Sale - Closing Conditions.”
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our
common stock as of April 16, 2007 by: (i) each director and nominee for
director; (ii) each of our current executive officers; (iii) all of our
directors and executive officers as a group; and (iv) all those known by us
to
be beneficial owners of at least five percent of our common stock. Beneficial
ownership is determined under rules promulgated by the SEC. Under those rules,
beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has sole
or
shared voting power or investment power and also any shares which the individual
has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date hereof, through the exercise
or conversion of any stock option, convertible security, warrant or other right.
Inclusion of shares in the table does not, however, constitute an admission
that
the named shareholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares.
Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole
voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that person’s
spouse) with respect to all shares of capital stock listed as owned by that
person or entity. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the
following persons is 180 Mount Airy Road, Suite 102, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
07920.
Name
and Address
|
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned (1)
|
|
Percentage
of
Class
|
|
Daniel
Greenleaf
|
|
|
1,834,940
|
(2)
|
|
3.3
|
|
Michael
Cannarsa
|
|
|
133,334
|
(3)
|
|
*
|
|
Yaping
Hong, Ph.D.
|
|
|
175,001
|
(4)
|
|
*
|
|
Brian
Lenz
|
|
|
151,668
|
(5)
|
|
*
|
|
Vincent
M. Aita, Ph.D.
|
|
|
242,374
|
(6)
|
|
*
|
|
Stephen
C. Rocamboli
|
|
|
881,235
|
(7)
|
|
1.6
|
|
Stephen
A. Roth, Ph.D.
|
|
|
102,900
|
(8)
|
|
*
|
|
Michael
Weiser, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
1,904,968
|
(9)
|
|
3.5
|
|
Xumu
Zhang, Ph.D.
|
|
|
3,268,314
|
(10)
|
|
5.9
|
|
Edward
C. Bradley, M.D.
|
|
|
10,000
|
(11)
|
|
*
|
|
Johnson
Y.N. Lau, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
206,666
|
(12)
|
|
*
|
|
All
Executive Officers and Directors as a group (11 persons)
|
|
|
8,846,400
|
|
|
15.3
|
|
Lester
Lipschutz
1650
Arch Street - 22nd
Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia,
PA 19103
|
|
|
10,541,367
|
(13)
|
|
18.7
|
|
Lindsay
A. Rosenwald
787
7th
Avenue, 48th
Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New
York, NY 10019
|
|
|
3,470,999
|
(14)
|
|
6.2
|
|
*
Less
than 1%.
(1) |
Assumes
in each case that the shareholder exercised all options available
to the
person that have vested or will vest within 60 days of April 16,
2007.
|
(2) |
Includes
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.88 per share) of
an
option, 594,264 shares of which were vested as of February 1, 2007
and
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.89 per share) of
an
option, 963,386 shares of which were vested on February 1, 2007;
and
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.56 per share) of
an
option, 197,290 shares of which were vested as of February 1,
2007.
|
(3) |
Includes
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.86 per share) of
an
option, 116,667 shares of which were vested as of January 1, 2007;
and
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.85 per share) of
an
option, 16,667 shares of which vested on March 31,
2007.
|
(4) |
Represents:
(i) shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.50 per share)
of an
option to purchase 50,000 shares, all of which will vest as of April
21,
2007; (ii) shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.40 per
share)
of an option to purchase 50,000 shares, all of which will be vested
as of
April 19, 2007; and (iii) shares issuable upon exercise (at a price
of
$1.08 per share) of an option, 16,667 shares of which vested on January
24, 2007; shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.03 per
share) of
an option, 33,334 shares of which vested on November 29, 2006; and
(iv)
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.85 per share) of
an
option, 25,000 shares of which vested on March 31,
2007.
|
(5) |
Represents:
(i) shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.67 per share)
of an
option, 15,000 shares of which were vested as of October 6, 2006;
(ii)
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.40 per share) of
an
option, 25,000 of which will be vested as of April 19, 2007; (iii)
shares
issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.08 per share) of an option,
20,000 shares of which vested on each of January 24, 2006 and January
24,
2007; (iv) shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.03 per
share)
of an option 33,334 shares of which vested on November 29, 2006;
and (v)
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.85 per share) of
an
option, 33,334 shares of which vested on March 31,
2007.
|
(6) |
Includes
12,900 shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.96 per share)
of an
option, 4,300 shares of which vested on each of October 28, 2004,
October
28, 2005, and October 28, 2006.
|
(7) |
Includes
719,335 shares owned by, and 149,000 shares issuable upon the exercise
of
two warrants held by, Stephen C. Rocamboli as Trustee for The Stephen
C.
Rocamboli April 2005 Trust u/a/d April 7, 2005; and 12,900 shares
issuable
upon exercise (at a price of $1.96 per share) of an option, 4,300
shares
of which vested on each of October 28, 2004, October 28, 2005, and
October
28, 2006.
|
(8) |
Represents:
(i) 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.70 per
share)
of an option, 16,667 shares of which vested on each of February 14,
2004
and February 14, 2005 and 16,666 of which vested on February 14,
2006;
(ii) 8,600 shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.96 per
share)
of an option, 4,300 shares of which vested on each of October 28,
2004,
October 28, 2005, and October 28, 2006; and (iii) shares issuable
upon
exercise (at a price of $0.75 per share) of an option, 40,000 shares
of
which vested on January 12, 2007.
|
(9) |
Includes
i) 280,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of a warrant; and ii)
12,900
shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.96 per share) of
an
option, 4,300 shares of which vested on each of October 28, 2004.
October
28, 2005, and October 28, 2006.
|
(10) |
Includes
487,539 shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $1.49 per share)
of
an option 162,513 shares of which vested on each of May 15, 2004,
May 15,
2005 and May 15, 2006, and another 162,513 shares that will vest
on May
15, 2007.
|
(11) |
Represents
10,000 shares purchased on February 7,
2007.
|
(12) |
Represents:
(i) 75,000 shares issuable upon exercise (at a price of $0.85 per
share)
of an option granted on March 31, 2006; (ii) 56,666 shares issuable
upon
exercise (at a price of $0.75 per share) of an option which vested
on
January 12, 2007; and (iii) 75,000 shares issuable upon exercise
(at a
price of $0.85 per share) of an option which vested on March 31,
2007.
|
(13) |
Based
on Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on October 27, 2005. Represents
shares
owned equally by several trusts established for the benefit of Dr.
Lindsay
A. Rosenwald or members of his immediate family, for which Mr. Lipschutz
is the trustee/investment manager, and over which he has voting control
and investment power. Includes 1,633,000 shares issuable upon the
exercise
of warrants.
|
(14) |
Based
on a Schedule 13G/A filed February 13, 2007. Includes (i) 1,034,169
shares
issuable upon the exercise of warrants and (ii) 392,830 shares held
by
Paramount BioCapital Investments, LLC of which Dr. Rosenwald is the
managing member.
|
PROPOSAL
1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The
number of directors comprising our Board of Directors is currently set at up
to
nine members and our Board is presently composed of seven members. Vacancies
on
our Board of Directors may be filled by persons elected by a majority of our
remaining directors. A director elected by our Board of Directors to fill a
vacancy (including any vacancy created by an increase in the number of
directors) shall serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which
the election of directors is considered and until such director’s successor is
elected and qualified.
Our
Board
of Directors has determined to nominate only five individuals for election
at
the Annual Meeting and will reduce the size of our Board accordingly. Each
nominee is currently a director of the Company who was recommended for election
as a director by our Board’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. If
elected at the Annual Meeting, each of the nominees below would serve until
our
2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and until his successor is elected and
has
qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. It is
our policy to invite directors to attend the Annual Meeting.
The
name
and age of each of the five nominees, his position with the Company, his
principal occupation, and the period during which such person has served as
a
director of the Company are set forth below.
Biographical
Summaries of Nominees for the Board of Directors
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Director
Since
|
Daniel
Greenleaf
|
|
42
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
2005
|
Vincent
Aita, Ph.D.
|
|
33
|
|
Director
|
|
2003
|
Johnson
Y.N. Lau
|
|
46
|
|
Director
|
|
2005
|
Stephen
C. Rocamboli
|
|
35
|
|
Director
|
|
2003
|
Michael
Weiser, M.D.
|
|
44
|
|
Director
|
|
2003
|
Daniel
Greenleaf has
been
our President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors
since February 2005. He joined VioQuest from Celltech Biopharmaceuticals, a
European biotechnology company where he served as President of their U.S.
operations since 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Greenleaf served as Senior Vice
President of Operations for Nabi Biopharmaceuticals a biopharmaceutical
development company, from 2002 to 2003. From 1992 to 2002, Mr. Greenleaf held
a
series of positions of increasing responsibility at Schering-Plough Corporation,
an international pharmaceutical company, including its Vice President, Marketing
and Sales from 2000 to 2002. He holds an MBA from the University of Miami and
a
BA in Economics from Denison University.
Vincent
M. Aita, Ph.D. has
served as a member of the board of directors since February 2003. Dr. Aita
is a
partner at Kilkenny Capital Management, LLC, where he has worked from February
2004 to present. Prior to that, he was a research analyst for Paramount
BioCapital Asset Management, Inc. from November 2000 to January 2004. Prior
to
that, Dr. Aita completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of
Genetics and Development at Columbia University, and concurrently served as
a
scientific consultant for Research Assessment Associates, Inc. From August
1995
to December 1999, Dr. Aita attended Columbia University where he received a
Ph.D. in Genetics from the Columbia Genome Center.
Johnson
Y. N. Lau
has been
a member of our board of directors since November 2005. Since November 2005,
Dr.
Lau has been a managing partner of Roth Capital Partners, an investment bank,
and he also currently serves as the Chairman of Kinex Pharmaceuticals, LLC,
a
position he has held since December 2003. Prior to that, Dr. Lau was an
independent contractor from January 2003 until December 2003 and served in
various capacities at Ribapharm Inc. from August 2000 until January 2003,
including Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously he was
the
Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Development at ICN
Pharmaceuticals and Senior Director of Antiviral Therapy at Schering-Plough
Research Institute. Since September 2004, Dr. Lau has been a director of Chelsea
Therapeutics International, Ltd. (OTCBB: CHTP), a North Carolina based
biotechnology company. He has published over 200 scientific papers and 40
reviews and editorials in leading academic journals and was elected as a Fellow,
Royal College of Physicians in 2004. Dr. Lau holds an M.B.B.S. and M.D. from
the
University of Hong Kong and the degrees of M.R.C.P. and F.R.C.P. from the Royal
College of Physicians.
Stephen
C. Rocamboli has
served as our Chairman since February 2003 and Secretary since November 2006.
He
was our Secretary from February 2003 to December 2003. Since September 2004,
Mr.
Rocamboli has been general counsel of Paramount BioCapital, Inc. and Paramount
BioCapital Investments, LLC and served as deputy general counsel of those
companies from September 1999 to August 2004. From November 2002 to December
2003, Mr. Rocamboli served as a director of Ottawa, Ontario based Adherex
Technologies, Inc. Mr. Rocamboli also serves as a member of the board of
directors of several privately held development stage biotechnology companies.
Prior to joining Paramount, Mr. Rocamboli practiced law in the health care
field. He received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
Michael
Weiser, M.D., Ph.D. has
seved
as a member of the board of directors since February 2003. Since December 2006,
Dr. Weiser has been founder and co-chairman of Actin Capital, LLC and Actin
Biomed, a New York based healthcare investment firm advancing the discovery
and
development of novel treatments for unmet medical needs. Prior to founding
Actin, from July 1998 to December 2006, Dr. Weiser was the Director of Research
at Paramount BioCapital where he was responsible for the scientific, medical
and
financial evaluation of biomedical technologies and pharmaceutical products
under consideration for development. Dr. Weiser completed his Ph.D. in Molecular
Neurobiology at Cornell University Medical College and received his M.D. from
New York University School of Medicine. He performed his post-graduate medical
training in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University
Medical Center. Dr. Weiser also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the
Department of Physiology and Neuroscience at New York University School of
Medicine and received his B.A. in Psychology from University of Vermont. Dr.
Weiser is a member of The National Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha.
Dr.
Weiser currently serves on the board of directors of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (MHA), Hana Biosciences, Inc. (HNAB), Chelsea Therapeutics International
Ltd. (CHTP), Emisphere Technologies Inc. (EMIS), ZIOPHARM Oncology (ZIOP),
and
Paramount Acquisition Corp., as well as several privately held
companies.
Vote
Required
All
shares represented by proxies will be voted “FOR”
the
election of the foregoing nominees unless a contrary choice is specified. If
any
nominee should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for reasons not
presently known, the proxies which would have otherwise been voted for such
nominee will be voted for such substitute nominee as may be selected by the
Board of Directors. In order to be elected as a director, each nominee must
receive the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes present in person
or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
ALL OF
THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND
ITS COMMITTEES
Board
Committees and Meetings
The
Board
held five meetings (either in person or by conference call) in 2006 and took
action by written consent seven times. All directors attended at least 75
percent of the aggregate meetings of the Board and of the committees on which
they served.
The
Board
of Directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee, and a Governance and Nominating Committee. The following table
provides membership for each of the Board committees:
Name
of Committee
|
|
Membership
|
Audit
|
|
Vincent
Aita, Johnson Lau (Chair) and Stephen Rocamboli
|
Compensation
|
|
Vincent
Aita, Stephen Roth and Michael Weiser (Chair)
|
Governance
|
|
Johnson
Lau, Stephen Rocamboli and Stephen Roth
(Chair)
|
Audit
Committee
The
Audit
Committee oversees the Company’s accounting and financial reporting process. For
these purposes, the Audit Committee performs several functions. For example,
the
Committee evaluates and assesses the qualifications of the independent
registered public accounting firm; determines the engagement of the independent
registered public accounting firm; determines whether to retain or terminate
the
existing independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and approves
the
retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any
non-audit services; reviews the financial statements to be included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB; and discusses with management and the
independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit
and the results of the Company’s quarterly financial statements. The Board of
Directors adopted a written Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which can be
found on our company website at www.vioquestpharm.com. The Audit Committee
met
four times in 2006.
Our
Board
of Directors has reviewed the definition of independence for Audit Committee
members and has determined that each of member of our Audit Committee is
independent, as independence for audit committee members is currently defined
by
Section 121 of the Listing Standards of the American Stock Exchange (although
not currently listed on the American Stock Exchange, or AMEX, we have elected
to
follow its guidelines for independence requirements pursuant to an SEC directive
that the standard for audit committee independence be based upon the listing
guidelines of a national securities exchange or national securities market).
The
Board has further determined that Dr. Lau qualifies as an “audit committee
financial expert,” as defined by applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Board’s determination was based on an assessment of a number of
items with regard to Dr. Lau’s background and experience, including his prior
service as the chief executive officer of a public reporting
company.
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors oversees our compensation
policies, plans and programs. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves
corporate performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of
our
executive officers and other senior management; reviews and recommends to the
Board the compensation and other terms of employment of our Chief Executive
Officer and our other executive officers; administers our equity incentive
and
stock option plans; and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the
issuance of awards pursuant to those plans. All current members of the
Compensation Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined
under Section 121 of the AMEX listing standards). The Compensation Committee
met
two times in 2006.
Governance
and Nominating Committee
In
February 2006, the Board established a Governance and Nominating Committee.
The
Governance and Nominating Committee provides assistance to the Board in the
areas of membership selection, committee selection and rotation practices,
evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the Board, and review and
consideration of developments in corporate governance practices. It considers
and recommends to the Board persons to be nominated for election by the
shareholders as directors. In addition to nominees recommended by directors,
the
Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by
shareholders if submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company at the
address of Company’s principal offices. The Board believes that any candidate
for director, whether recommended by shareholders or by the Board, should be
considered on the basis of all factors relevant to the needs of the Company
and
the credentials of the candidate at the time the candidate is proposed. Such
factors include relevant business and industry experience and demonstrated
character and judgment. The Board of Directors adopted a written charter of
the
Governance and Nominating Committee, a copy of which can be obtained without
charge by sending a written request to the Secretary of the Company at the
address of Company’s principal offices. The Governance and Nominating Committee
did not meet in 2006.
Communication
with the Board of Directors
Although
we have not adopted a formal process for shareholder communications with our
Board of Directors, we believe shareholders should have the ability to
communicate directly with the Board so that their views can be heard by the
Board or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate and timely
responses be provided to shareholders. All communications regarding general
matters should be directed to the Secretary of the Company at the address below
and should prominently indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is
intended for the complete Board of Directors or for any particular director(s).
If no designation is made, the communication will be forwarded to the entire
board. Shareholder communications to the Board should be sent to:
Corporate
Secretary
Attention:
Board of Directors [or name(s) of particular directors]
VioQuest
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
180
Mount
Airy Road, Suite 102
Basking
Ridge, New Jersey 07920
Code
of Ethics
We
have
adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers,
directors and employees of our company. In addition, we have adopted a Code
of
Ethics specifically applicable to our Chief Executive Officer and Senior
Financial Officers. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be
obtained without charge by sending a written request to the Secretary of the
Company at the address of Company’s principal offices. If we make any
substantive amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grant
any
waiver from a provision of the code to an executive officer or director, we
will
promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver by filing with the
SEC a
current report on Form 8-K.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE*
The
following is the report of our Audit Committee with respect to our audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
The
purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in its general oversight
of our financial reporting, internal controls and audit functions. The Audit
Committee Charter describes in greater detail the full responsibilities of
the
Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised solely of independent
directors, as defined by the listing standards of American Stock
Exchange.
The
Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the financial statements with management
and J.H. Cohn LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. Management
is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our financial
statements; accounting and financial reporting principles; establishing and
maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rule
13a-15(e)); establishing and maintaining internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)); evaluating the
effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures; evaluating the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and evaluating
any
change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over
financial reporting. J.H. Cohn LLP is responsible for performing an independent
audit of the financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity
of
those financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Our
Audit
Committee has also discussed with J.H. Cohn LLP the matters required to be
discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with
Audit Committees, which includes, among other items, matters related to the
conduct of the audit of our financial statements. Our Audit Committee has
also received written disclosures and the letter from J.H. Cohn LLP required
by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, which relates to the auditor’s
independence from us and our related entities, and has discussed with J.H.
Cohn
LLP their independence from us.
Based
on
the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended
to
our Board of Directors that our audited financial statements be included in
our
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
Submitted
by:
Vincent
M. Aita
Johnson
Y.N. Lau (Chair)
Stephen
C. Rocamboli
*
This report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and
is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended, whether before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any
general
incorporation language in any such filing.
COMPENSATION
OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Biographical
Summaries of our Executive Officers
Our
executive officers and other significant employees are described below. There
are no family relationships among our executive officers or
directors.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions
|
Daniel
Greenleaf
|
|
42
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
Lawrence
Akinsanmi, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
42
|
|
Vice
President of Clinical Operations and Regulatory Affairs
|
Edward
C. Bradley, M.D.
|
|
57
|
|
Chief
Scientific and Medical Officer
|
Michael
Cannarsa
|
|
50
|
|
General
Manager, Chiral Quest
|
Yaping
Hong
|
|
51
|
|
Senior
Vice President of Global Process Research and
Development
|
Brian
Lenz
|
|
34
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
Daniel
Greenleaf has
been
our President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors
since February 2005. His complete biography is set forth above under “Proposal 1
- Election of Directors.”
Lawrence
Akinsanmi, M.D., Ph.D.,
joined
our company in October 2006. Prior to joining us, Dr. Akinsanmi served as global
lead, early development and senior director of regulatory affairs at Daiichi
Medical research, Inc., from January 2004 to September 2006. From January 2002
to December 2003, he served as Senior Director, Regulatory & Medical Affairs
at Omnicare Clinical Research. From February 1997 to October 2001, Dr. Akinsamni
was employed by Immunomedics, Inc., where he served as its Director of
Regulatory and Medical Affairs. Dr. Akinsamni has also held various clinical
research positions at academic and commercial research organizations. Dr.
Akinsanmi’s prior experiences include preparing and supporting IND and NDA
filings with the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities, and he has also been
involved in several oncology drug development projects. Dr. Akinsanmi also
has
broad oncologic drug development knowledge, and has previously worked on several
cancer products at various stages of development, including LymphoCide®,
CeaCide®, Iressa®, Satraplatin®, Camptosar® and Oral Taxane®.
Edward
C. Bradley, M.D.,
joined
VioQuest in February 2007 and serves as the Company’s Chief Scientific and
Medical Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Bradley was the Head of
Global Medical Development for the Imaging franchise of Berlex Schering AG/Bayer
Schering Pharma since March 2005. From January 2002 to March 2005, Dr. Bradley
was the Chief Medical Officer of Berlex Schering AG/Bayer Schering Pharma’s
Berlex Inc. division. From 1997 to January 2002, Dr. Bradley was Executive
Vice
President for Worldwide Medical Sciences & Development at DuPont
Pharmaceuticals Company.
Michael
Cannarsa, Ph.D.,
currently serves as General Manager of Chiral Quest and joined our Company
in
January 2005. Mr. Cannarsa joins us from Chemi Pharma, where he served as
President and VP of Business Development since 2003. From 2001 to 2003, Dr.
Cannarsa was employed by Synthetech, Inc. serving as Director of Business
Development. Prior to Synthetech, Inc., Dr. Cannarsa served as Vice President,
Fine Chemicals Business Development at Symyx Technologies, Inc. from 1999 to
2001. From 1997 to 1999; Dr. Cannarsa was employed by PPG-Sipsy Pharmaceutical
Products as Commercial Development Manager. He holds a Ph.D. from Cornell
University in Physical Organic Chemistry, and a BS in Chemistry from Georgetown
University.
Yaping
Hong, Ph.D.,
has
been our Senior Vice President of Global Research and Development since April
2004 and served as our Director of Process Research and Development from May
2003 to April 2004. Prior to joining Chiral Quest, Dr. Hong was Director of
Process Chemistry for Synthon Chiragenics from August 2001 to May 2003. From
April 1993 to August 2001, Dr. Hong was employed by Sepracor Inc., eventually
serving as Associate Research Fellow from January 2001 to August 2001. Dr.
Hong
holds a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of Waterloo.
Dr. Hong conducted his postdoctoral work from September 1991 to March 1993
at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge
Massachusetts.
Brian
Lenz
has been
our Chief Financial Officer since April 2004 and our Treasurer since December
2003. From October 2003 to April 2004, he served as our Controller and from
December 2003 to November 2006, he served as Secretary. Prior to that he was
Controller of Smiths Detection from July 2000 to September 2003. Previous to
Smiths Detection, Mr. Lenz worked as a Senior Auditor for KPMG LLP from October
1998 to June 2000. Mr. Lenz is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, holds
a
Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Rider University in New
Jersey, and an M.B.A. from Saint Joseph’s University in
Pennsylvania.
Executive
Compensation
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, earned by or
paid
to or earned by (i) each individual serving as our principal executive
officer during our last completed fiscal year; and (ii) up to two other
individuals that served as executive officers at the conclusion of the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006 and who received in excess of $100,000 in total
compensation for such fiscal year. We refer to each of these persons as a named
executive.
Name
and
Principal
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Option
Awards(2)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
|
|
All
Other Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
Daniel
Greenleaf
President
& CEO
|
|
|
2006
|
|
$
|
360,000
|
|
$
|
100,000(1
|
)
|
$
|
818,053
|
(3)
|
$
|
100,000
|
(4)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
1,378,053
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian
Lenz
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
2006
|
|
$
|
134,583
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
86,546
|
(5)
|
$
|
24,412
|
(6)
|
$
|
3,600
|
(7)
|
$
|
249,141
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yaping
Hong
Senior
V.P. of Process R&D
|
|
|
2006
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
87,647
|
(10)
|
$
|
27,225
|
(11)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
279,872
|
|
(1)
|
Pursuant
to Mr. Greenleaf’s employment agreement, he is entitled to a bonus of
$100,000 upon each anniversary of his agreement, provided he continues
to
be employed by us.
|
(2) |
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance
with
SFAS 123(R) of stock option awards, and may include amounts from
awards
granted in and prior to fiscal year 2006. Assumptions used in the
calculation of this amount for employees are identified in Note 7 to
our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006
included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
(3) |
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance
with
SFAS 123(R) of the following stock option awards: (i) the vesting
of
one-third of an option to purchase 891,396 shares granted on February
1,
2005, which vests in three equal annual installments beginning on
February
1, 2006; and (ii) the vesting of one-third of an option to purchase
1,445,080 shares granted on October 18, 2005, which vests in three
equal
installments beginning on February 1, 2006. These stock options are
issued
in accordance with Mr. Greenleaf's employment agreement dated February
1,
2005. See “—Employment Agreements with Named Executives - Daniel
Greenleaf.”
|
(4) |
Amounts
represent bonuses paid to Mr. Greenleaf as a result of the satisfaction
of
certain performance criteria established by our Board of Directors.
See
“—Employment Agreements with Named Executives - Daniel Greenleaf -
Bonus
Compensation.”
|
(5) |
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance
with
SFAS 123(R) of the following stock option awards: (i) the vesting
of
one-third of a 15,000 share option granted on October 6, 2003 which
vests
in equal amounts over 3 years; (ii) the vesting of one-third of a
25,000
share option granted on April 19, 2004, which vests in equal amounts
over
3 years; (iii) the vesting of one-third of a 60,000 share option
granted
on January 24, 2005, which vests in equal amounts over 3 years; and
(iv)
the vesting of one-third of a 100,000 share option granted on November
29,
2005, which vests in equal amounts over 3
years.
|
(6) |
Amount
represents a cash bonus awarded based upon the satisfaction of performance
criteria established by our Board of Directors. See “- Employment
Agreements with Named Executives - Brian Lenz - Bonus Compensation.”
|
(7) |
Represents
amount paid to the named executive as an automobile
allowance.
|
(8) |
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance
with
SFAS 123(R) of the following stock
option awards: (i) one-fourth of 50,000 share option granted on April
21,
2003, which vests in equal amounts over 4 years; (ii) one-third of
a
50,000 share option granted on April 19, 2004, which vest in equal
amounts
over 3 years; (iii) one-third of a 25,000 share option granted on
January
24, 2005, which vests in equal amounts over 3 years; (iv) one-third
of a
100,000 share option granted on November 29, 2005, which vests in
equal
amounts over 3 years.
|
(9) |
Amount
represents a cash bonus awarded based upon the satisfaction of performance
criteria established by our Board of Directors. See “- Employment
Agreements with Named Executives - Yaping Hong - Bonus
Compensation.”
|
Employment
Agreements with Named Executives
Daniel
Greenleaf
Cash
Compensation. Mr.
Greenleaf’s employment with us is governed by an agreement dated as of February
1, 2005. The agreement provides for a 3-year term and an initial annual base
salary of $360,000, plus a guaranteed annual bonus of $100,000 during each
year
of the term of the agreement. Mr. Greenleaf also received a $50,000 signing
bonus upon entering into the agreement, one-half of which was paid immediately
upon signing, with the remaining one-half paid in August 2005. The agreement
further provides that Mr. Greenleaf is further entitled to a “Discretionary
Bonus” in an amount up to $250,000 per year. See “—Bonus Compensation.” Mr.
Greenleaf’s agreement further provides that during his employment he is entitled
to such other benefits generally made available to our other senior management,
which includes eligibility to participate in our 401(k) plan and eligibility
for
group health, dental and life insurance.
Option
Grants.
Pursuant
to Mr. Greenleaf’s employment agreement, we issued to him an option to purchase
891,396 shares of common stock, which represented 5 percent of our outstanding
common stock at the time the agreement was entered into. This option vests
in
three equal annual installments, commencing February 2006 such that two-thirds
of the shares subject to this initial grant are currently exercisable. Mr.
Greenleaf’s employment agreement further provides that, until we have raised $20
million through the sale of our equity securities and we have obtained the
rights to one clinical stage human therapeutic, Mr. Greenleaf is entitled to
receive additional stock options in order to maintain his beneficial ownership
(assuming the exercise of all stock options issued to Mr. Greenleaf) at 5
percent of our outstanding common stock. The employment agreement provides
that
to the extent any of these additional stock options are issued, the options
will
vest in equal installments over the then-remaining term of the employment
agreement and so long as Mr. Greenleaf remains employed by us. The exercise
price of the additional stock options will be equal to the then-current market
value of our common stock at the time of issuance. We have made two additional
stock option grants pursuant to this provision. First, following the completion
of our October 2005 private placement and acquisition of Greenwich Therapeutics,
related to 1,445,080
shares
having an exercise price of $0.89, and which vested in 3 installments beginning
February 1, 2006 and each anniversary thereafter. Second, following the
completion of our October 2006 private placement, Mr. Greenleaf received an
option to purchase 394,580 shares of our common stock, exercisable at $0.56
per
share, vesting in 2 equal installments on February 1, 2007 and February 1,
2008.
As of December 31, 2006, we have raised an aggregate of approximately $12.3
million, meaning Mr. Greenleaf will continue to be entitled to receive the
additional stock options until we have raised an additional approximately $6.7
from the sale of our equity securities.
Bonus
Compensation. Mr.
Greenleaf is also eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon achievement
of
certain performance criteria established by our Board each year. The following
table describes the criteria, the maximum amount for which Mr. Greenleaf was
eligible to receive for 2006 for fully satisfying each criterion, and the amount
he was paid for each such criterion for 2006:
2006
Criteria
|
|
Eligible
Amount
|
|
Amount
Awarded
|
|
Completion
of financings resulting in gross proceeds of a targeted
amount
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
Listing
of common stock on national securities exchange
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Company’s
initiation of 3 clinical trials in 2006
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
Company’s
completion of 3 clinical trials in 2006
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
$
|
20,000
|
|
Acquisition
of new compound
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Acceptance
of NDA filing for review of leishmaniasis indication for
VQD-001
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Chiral
Quest subsidiary net loss of less than targeted amount and revenues
in
excess of a targeted amount
|
|
$
|
20,000
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
Qualitative
factors relating to leadership, teamwork, peer interaction, initiative
and
communication
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
$
|
20,000
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
Severance,
Change of Control and Termination Provision. Under
the
terms of Mr. Greenleaf’s employment agreement, in the event we terminate Mr.
Greenleaf’s employment upon a “change of control” and on the date of such
termination our aggregate market capitalization is less than $38 million, he
is
entitled to receive his base salary for six months thereafter and all of his
stock options scheduled to vest in the calendar year of such termination will
accelerate and be deemed vested upon termination and will remain exercisable
for
12 months following such termination. A “change of control” is defined in the
agreement as either: (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, following
the
date hereof by any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), in one transaction or
a
series of related transactions, of our securities representing 50% or more
of
the combined voting power of our then outstanding securities if such person
or
his or its affiliate(s) do not hold in excess of 50% of such voting power on
the
date the employment agreement; or (ii) the future disposition by us (whether
direct or indirect, by sale of assets or stock, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) of all or substantially all of our business and/or assets in one
transaction or series of related transactions (other than a merger effected
exclusively for the purpose of changing our domicile).
In
the
event we terminate Mr. Greenleaf’s employment during the term of the agreement
other than as a result of death, disability, cause or in connection with a
change of control where our aggregate market capitalization is less than $38
million, then: (i) Mr. Greenleaf is entitled to receive his base salary for
12
months from such termination, his guaranteed bonus for the calendar year in
which such termination occurs, and the portion of any discretionary bonus earned
as of the termination; and (ii) the vesting of his stock options shall
accelerate and be deemed vested and will remain exercisable for 12 months
following such termination.
Brian
Lenz
Base
Compensation.
We do
not have a formal employment agreement with Mr. Lenz, other than the severance
benefits agreement described below. However, Mr. Lenz’s current compensation
arrangement currently provides that he receives an annual base salary of
$185,000, and he is eligible to receive health care benefits and receives an
annual automobile allowance of $3,600.
Bonus
Compensation. Mr.
Lenz
is also eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon achievement of certain
performance criteria established by our Board each year. The following table
describes the criteria, the maximum amount for which Mr. Lenz was eligible
to
receive for 2006 for fully satisfying each criterion, and the amount he was
paid
for each such criterion for 2006:
2006
Criteria
|
|
Eligible
Amount
|
|
Amount
Awarded
|
|
Completion
of financings resulting in gross proceeds of a targeted
amount
|
|
$
|
13,500
|
|
$
|
5,400
|
|
Company’s
initiation of 3 clinical trials in 2006
|
|
$
|
3,825
|
|
$
|
3,825
|
|
Completion
of non-dilutive financing transactions of a targeted
amount
|
|
$
|
5,625
|
|
$
|
2,812
|
|
Listing
of common stock on a national securities exchange
|
|
$
|
9,675
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Chiral
Quest subsidiary net loss of less than targeted amount
|
|
$
|
7,875
|
|
$
|
7,875
|
|
Qualitative
factors relating to leadership, teamwork, peer interaction, initiative
and
communication
|
|
$
|
4,500
|
|
$
|
4,500
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
45,000
|
|
$
|
24,412
|
|
In
addition to cash bonus compensation, Mr. Lenz also received a stock option
grant
in March 2006 relating to 100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise
price of $0.85 per share. This option, which was issued under our 2003 Stock
Option Plan, vests in 3 annual installments commencing March 2007.
Severance,
Change of Control and Termination Provisions.
We
entered into a severance benefits agreement with Mr. Lenz, our Chief Financial
Officer, in August 2006. The agreement provides that, in the event we terminate
Mr. Lenz’s employment within one year following a “change of control” and such
termination is either without “cause,” or is a “constructive termination,” then
(i) Mr. Lenz shall be entitled to receive 12 months of his then annual base
compensation, payable in semi-monthly installments, (ii) any and all outstanding
options to purchase shares of our common stock granted to Mr. Lenz shall
immediately vest and become immediately exercisable (whether granted before
or
after the date of the severance benefits agreement), and (iii) Mr. Lenz shall
be
entitled to participate in our health care and insurance benefits program for
a
period of 12 months thereafter. If Mr. Lenz’s employment is terminated at a time
other than a one-year period following a change of control and is without cause,
then Mr. Lenz shall be entitled to receive (A) one-half of his then annual
compensation, payable in semi-monthly installments over a period of six months
and (B) our health care and insurance benefits program over a period of six
months thereafter.
Under
the
severance benefits agreement, “change of control” has the meaning given that
term in our 2003 Stock Option Plan, where it is defined as the occurrence of
one
of the following events:
|
·
|
the
sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, directly or indirectly,
of
substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction
or in a
series of related transactions) to a person or entity that is not
controlled by the Company;
|
|
·
|
the
approval by our shareholders of any plan or proposal for the liquidation
or dissolution of the Company;
|
|
·
|
any
person becomes after the effective date of the Plan the “beneficial owner”
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,
of (i) 20% or more, but not 50% or more, of the combined voting power
of
our outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at
elections of directors, unless the transaction resulting in such
ownership
has been approved in advance by the board members who continue as
directors, or (ii) 50% or more of the combined voting power of our
outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections
of
directors (regardless of any approval by the continuing directors);
provided that a traditional institution or venture capital financing
transaction shall be excluded from this
definition;
|
|
·
|
a
merger or consolidation to which we are a party if our shareholders
immediately prior to effective date of such merger or consolidation
have
beneficially own, immediately following the effective date of such
merger
or consolidation, securities of the surviving corporation representing
(i)
50% or more, but less than 80%, of the combined voting power of the
surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the
right to vote at elections of directors, unless such merger or
consolidation has been approved in advance by our continuing directors,
or
(ii) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving
corporation’s then outstanding securities (regardless of any approval by
our continuing directors; or
|
|
·
|
after
the date our securities are first sold in a registered public offering,
our continuing directors cease for any reason to constitute at least
a
majority of the Board.
|
Under
Mr.
Lenz’s severance benefits agreement, “cause” means (i) the conviction of a
felony; (ii) the conviction of theft or embezzlement of our property, or the
commission of an act involving moral turpitude that materially and adversely
affects our reputation and business prospects; and (iii) Mr. Lenz’s failure to
substantially perform his material duties and responsibilities, provide we
first
send Mr. Lenz written notice of such failure and allow between 30 and 90 days
to
cure such non-performance.
Under
Mr.
Lenz’s severance benefits agreement, a “constructive termination” is deemed to
occur when he has been demoted or his duties have been materially reduced,
there
has been an adverse change in his annual base salary or benefits, or he has
been
subject to discrimination prohibited by federal or state law.
In
addition, in March 2007, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Lenz that
provided for additional compensation upon the event we sell our Chiral Quest
subsidiary. Specifically, we agreed to pay to Mr. Lenz a cash payment equal
to
1.1667% of the gross proceeds received by us in connection with a sale of Chiral
Quest.
Yaping
Hong
Base
Compensation.
Dr.
Hong, who serves as the Senior Vice President of Process R&D of our Chiral
Quest Subsidiary, currently receives an annual base salary of $160,000, and
is
eligible to receive various other benefits made available to our employees,
including our 401(k) plan and group health, dental and life insurance.
Bonus
Compensation. Dr.
Hong
is also eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon achievement of certain
performance criteria established by our Board each year. The following table
describes the criteria, the maximum amount for which Dr. Hong was eligible
to
receive for 2006 for fully satisfying each criterion, and the amount he was
paid
for each such criterion for 2006:
2006
Criteria
|
|
Eligible
Amount
|
|
Amount
Awarded
|
|
Chiral
Quest revenue of at least at a targeted amount and a margin equal
to or
greater than a targeted percentage
|
|
$
|
9,900
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Chiral
Quest subsidiary net loss of less than targeted amount
|
|
$
|
14,850
|
|
$
|
9,950
|
|
Chiral
Quest subsidiary targeted sales
|
|
$
|
14,850
|
|
$
|
12,326
|
|
Criteria
related to scaling up and employee training at Chiral Quest China
facility
|
|
$
|
9,900
|
|
$
|
4,950
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
49,500
|
|
$
|
27,225
|
|
As
further consideration for Dr. Hong’s continued employment, in March 2007 we
agreed to pay to him additional consideration in the event we completed a sale
of our Chiral Quest subsidiary. Specifically, if we sell Chiral Quest, Dr.
Hong
is entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to 1.1667% of the gross proceeds
received by us from such sale. In addition, upon a sale of Chiral Quest all
of
Dr. Hong's outstanding stock options, to the extent then vested, will remain
exercisable for 12 months.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table sets forth information regarding each unexercised option held
by
each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2006. All of the option
awards described in the following table were issued pursuant to our 2003 Stock
Option Plan. None of our named executive officers received any stock awards
during 2006.
Name
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised Options
Exercisable
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
Unexercisable
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
Daniel
Greenleaf
|
|
|
297,132
|
(2)
|
|
594,264
|
(2)
|
$
|
0.88
|
|
|
02/01/2015
|
|
|
|
|
481,693
|
(2) |
|
963,387
|
(2)
|
$
|
0.89
|
|
|
10/18/2016
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
394,580
|
(2)
|
$
|
0.56
|
|
|
10/18/2016
|
|
Brian
Lenz
|
|
|
15,000
|
(3)
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
1.67
|
|
|
10/06/2013
|
|
|
|
|
16,667
|
(4) |
|
8,333
|
(4)
|
$
|
1.40
|
|
|
04/19/2014
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
(5) |
|
40,000
|
(5)
|
$
|
1.08
|
|
|
01/24/2015
|
|
|
|
|
33,333
|
(6) |
|
66,667
|
(6)
|
$
|
1.03
|
|
|
11/29/2015
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
100,000
|
(7)
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
03/31/2016
|
|
Yaping
Hong
|
|
|
37,500
|
(8)
|
|
12,500
|
(8)
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
04/21/2013
|
|
|
|
|
33,333
|
(4) |
|
16,667
|
(4)
|
$
|
1.40
|
|
|
04/19/2014
|
|
|
|
|
8,333
|
(5) |
|
16,667
|
(5)
|
$
|
1.08
|
|
|
01/24/2015
|
|
|
|
|
33,333
|
(6) |
|
66,667
|
(6)
|
$
|
1.03
|
|
|
11/29/2015
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
75,000
|
(7)
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
03/31/2016
|
|
(1) |
All
options granted pursuant to our 2003 Stock Option
Plan.
|
(2) |
Options
were granted in accordance with Mr. Greenleaf's employment agreement
dated
2/1/2005, which requires additional stock options to be issued to
maintain
Mr. Greenleaf's aggregate stock options to be equal to 5% of the
Company's
outstanding common stock until certain events
occur.
|
(3) |
Options
were granted on October 6, 2003 and vested in three equal amounts
on each
of October 6, 2004, October 6, 2005 and October 6,
2006.
|
(4) |
Options
were granted on April 19, 2004 and vest in three equal amounts on
each of
April 19, 2005, April 19, 2006 and April 19, 2007.
|
(5) |
Options
were granted on January 24, 2005 and vest in three equal amounts
on each
of January 24, 2006, January 24, 2007, and January 24,
2008.
|
(6) |
Options
were granted on November 29, 2005 and vest in three equal amounts
on each
of November 29, 2006, November 29, 2007, and November 29,
2008.
|
(7) |
Options
were granted on March 31, 2006 and vest in three equal amounts on
each of
March 31, 2007, March 31, 2008, and March 31,
2009.
|
(8) |
Options
were granted on April 21, 2003 and vested in four equal amounts on
each of
April 21, 2004, April 21, 2005, April 21, 2006, and April 21,
2007.
|
Director
Compensation
On
April
5, 2006, our board of directors approved a compensation plan for our outside
directors. Pursuant to the plan, each non-employee director serving on the
board
is entitled to receive $15,000 per year, payable upon reelection to the board
by
the shareholders. Additionally, the chair of the audit committee of the board
shall receive $4,000 yearly and each member of a committee is entitled to
receive $1,000 upon each meeting of a committee. Directors who are employees
of
the Company do not receive compensation for their service on the Board and
shall
only receive compensation in their capacities as employees.
The
following table shows the compensation earned by each of our non-officer
directors for the year ended December 31, 2006:
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid
in Cash
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
Vincent
M. Aita
|
|
$
|
17,000
|
|
$
|
4,896
|
(1)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
21,896
|
|
Johnson
Y.N. Lau
|
|
$
|
20,000
|
|
$
|
118,687
|
(2)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
138,687
|
|
Stephen
C. Rocamboli
|
|
$
|
17,000
|
|
$
|
4,896
|
(1)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
21,896
|
|
Stephen
A. Roth
|
|
$
|
17,000
|
|
$
|
31,908
|
(3)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
48,908
|
|
Michael
Weiser
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
$
|
4,896
|
(1)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
20,896
|
|
Xumu
Zhang
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
36,663
|
(4)
|
$
|
120,000
|
(5)
|
$
|
156,663
|
|
(1)
|
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance
with
SFAS 123R of the vesting of one-third of 12,900 options granted on
October
28, 2003 which vest in three annual installments beginning on October
28,
2004. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount for employees
are
identified in Note 7 to our financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2006 as included in our Form 10-KSB for the year
ended
December 31, 2006, a copy of which accompanies this proxy
statement.
|
(2) |
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance
with
SFAS 123R of the award of 75,000 options on March 31, 2006. Assumptions
used in the calculation of this amount for employees are identified
in Note 7 to our financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2006 as included in our Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2006, a copy of which accompanies this proxy
statement.
|
(3)
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance with SFAS 123R of
the
following stock option awards: (i) the vesting of one-third of 50,000 options
granted on July 23, 2003 which vest in three equal annual installments beginning
on July 23, 2004; and (ii) the vesting of one-third of 12,900 options granted
in
October 28, 2003 which vest in three equal annual installments beginning on
October 28, 2004. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount for
employees are identified in Note 7 to our financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2006 as included in our Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2006, a copy of which accompanies this proxy
statement.
(4)
Amount
reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance with SFAS 123R of
the
vesting of one-quarter of 650,052 options granted on June 15, 2003 which vest
in
three annual installments beginning on June 15, 2004. Assumptions used in the
calculation of this amount for employees are identified in Note 7 to
our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 as included
in our Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006, a copy of which
accompanies this proxy statement.
(5)
The
Company and Dr. Zhang entered into a Consulting Agreement dated May 15, 2003,
by
which Dr. Zhang provides consulting services for the Company and receives an
annual consulting fee of $120,000, payable in bi-monthly
installments.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
There
were no interlocks or other relationships with other entities among our
executive officers and directors that are required to be disclosed under
applicable SEC regulations relating to compensation committee interlocks and
insider participation.
PROPOSAL
2 - APPROVAL OF THE SALE OF CHIRAL QUEST
General
Our
Board
of Directors has approved and recommended for shareholder approval a proposal
to
sell our subsidiary, Chiral Quest, Inc. to Chiral Quest Acquisition Corp.,
which
we refer to in this proxy statement as the Purchaser. Pursuant to the terms
of a
Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, we have agreed to sell to the Purchaser
all
of the capital stock of Chiral Quest for total cash consideration of $1,700,000.
The Purchaser will also assume all of Chiral Quest’s liabilities up to a maximum
of $1,300,000. Assuming approval by our shareholders, we anticipate that the
transaction will be completed as soon as practicable following shareholder
approval.
Background of
Chiral Quest
Chiral
Quest’s business was our business since our inception. The company was
originally founded as Chiral Quest, LLC in October 2000 and since its inception
has provided innovative chiral products, technology and services to
pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in all stages of a product lifecycle.
In February 2003, Chiral Quest, LLC merged into CQ Acquisition, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Surg II, Inc., a publicly held shell company, with
CQ
Acquisition remaining as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary
of
Surg II, Inc. Surg II was renamed Chiral Quest, Inc. in connection with this
merger transaction. In August 2004, Chiral Quest, Inc. was renamed VioQuest
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and CQ Acquisition was renamed Chiral Quest, Inc., which
continued to carry on the chiral products and services business.
Since
its
inception in October 2000, Chiral Quest has provided innovative chiral products,
technology and services to pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies. More
particularly, Chiral Quest’s product offering includes proprietary chiral
catalysts and chiral building blocks or client-defined molecules. Chiral Quest
has the rights to certain chemical compounds known as chiral ligands which,
with
the introduction of a metal, serve as catalysts in facilitating the production
of chiral molecules in such a manner that there is a preferential manufacture
of
the desired molecule versus the unwanted mirror-image molecule. Chiral Quest
provides pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturers and other prospective
clients with broad access to technologies for testing purposes at a low upfront
cost, coupled with the opportunity to gain access to such technologies for
specific applications for fees, royalties and certain manufacturing and
development rights. Chiral Quest also provide specialized services to
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and fine chemical companies relating to the
development of chiral manufacturing processes for their products.
Background
of Transaction
On
September 29, 2006, our Board of Directors directed management to seek strategic
alternatives with respect to our Chiral Quest subsidiary, which included
possibly selling or otherwise disposing of that business. In September 2006,
we
engaged a financial advisor to assist in the valuation of Chiral Quest, and
to
introduce us to potential acquiring parties. This advisor also provided us
with
market analyses of recent merger and acquisition transactions involving chiral
chemistry businesses. In November 2006, we also engaged a financial advisor
in
India to introduce us to potential acquiring parties located in that country.
During
the fall of 2006 and through early 2007, our management had discussions and
met
with approximately 50 potential acquirers, both domestic and foreign. By early
March 2007, two potential acquiring parties had emerged as viable candidates
to
purchase Chiral Quest on terms that were acceptable to us. One such party was
a
chemical manufacturer located based in India and the other party was a group
led
by Dr. Xumu Zhang, Ph.D. Dr. Zhang co-founded Chiral Quest, and since 2003,
has
served as Chiral Quest’s Chief Technology Officer and as a member of our Board
of Directors.
During
late February to mid March 2007, our discussions with the two potential buyers
intensified, culminating in our receipt of separate offers from each party.
On
March 16, 2007, our Board of Directors met to review and consider the two
offers, but did not take any action with respect to the offers. Dr. Zhang
appeared at this meeting to present his offer and answer questions of our Board,
but he did not participate in any deliberations or discussions among the Board
relating to the offers received.
Following
the March 16 meeting, our management communicated the concerns our Board had
with the respective offers and invited the two potential buyer groups to submit
revised offers addressing these concerns, which our management requested to
receive prior to our Board’s March 22, 2007 scheduled meeting. The potential
India-based buyer declined to submit a new offer. However, although Dr. Zhang
did not submit a new offer, he again appeared at the March 22 board meeting
to
present his proposal. During the meeting, our Board informed him of the
additional conditions that he would need to satisfy in order for the Board
to
accept his offer for Chiral Quest, even though the consideration offered by
Dr.
Zhang was greater that any other offer received. Dr. Zhang agreed to meet the
Board’s additional conditions and was provided until March 28, 2007 in order to
satisfy such conditions, which included depositing $500,000 in escrow to secure
his agreement to purchase Chiral Quest. Provided Dr. Zhang met the conditions
set forth by our Board, the Board approved the terms of the proposed sale to
Dr.
Zhang. Dr. Zhang was not present during any deliberations of the Board
considering the sale of Chiral Quest.
Following
the March 22, 2007 meeting, Dr. Zhang and his advisors continued negotiating
the
terms of a letter of intent with our management and advisors, as well as the
terms of an escrow agreement to govern the deposit the $500,000. On March 27,
2007, VioQuest, Dr. Zhang and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as escrow agent, entered
into an escrow agreement concerning the $500,000 deposit. On March 28, 2007,
VioQuest and Dr. Zhang entered into a letter of intent, which set forth the
terms and conditions of the proposed sale of the outstanding capital stock
of
Chiral Quest, including the conditions communicated by our Board at the March
22
meeting. The letter of intent provided that Dr. Zhang, or an entity affiliated
with him, would pay $1,700,000 for Chiral Quest, plus assume its outstanding
liabilities.
Immediately
following the execution of the letter of intent, the parties and their
respective counsel and advisors negotiated a definitive purchase agreement.
On
the evening of April 10, 2007, we and Chiral Quest Acquisition Corp., a
newly-formed entity affiliated with Dr. Zhang, entered into a definitive Stock
Purchase and Sale Agreement, which we refer to in this proxy statement as the
Purchase Agreement. We refer in this proxy statement to Chiral Quest Acquisition
Corp. as the Purchaser. The terms of the Purchase Agreement were substantially
as set forth in the parties March 28, 2007 letter of intent.
Our Reasons
for
Sale
In
September 2006, our Board of Directors determined to seek strategic alternatives
with respect to Chiral Quest, including a sale or other disposition of the
operating assets of that business. We believe that by focusing our capital
and
other resources solely on our drug development business we will provide greater
opportunity to maximize shareholder value. In fact, we intend to utilize the
proceeds from the sale of Chiral Quest to fund our drug development
business.
The
Purchaser
The
proposed purchaser of Chiral Quest is a newly-formed, privately-held Delaware
corporation. The Purchaser is, or at the time of closing will be, principally
owned by Dr. Zhang and a Chinese-based venture capital fund. Dr. Zhang
co-founded Chiral Quest and has been a director of VioQuest and Chief Technology
Officer of Chiral Quest since February 2003. Following completion of the sale,
the Purchaser plans to continue operating Chiral Quest’s business in
substantially the same manner as we have operated the business. Because of
Dr.
Zhang’s interest in the transaction, he recused himself from all discussions of
our Board of Directors concerning the proposed transaction.
Terms
of the Sale
The
following summarizes
certain material terms of the Purchase Agreement, which is attached to this
proxy statement as Appendix
A.
This
discussion is not a complete statement of the terms of the Purchase Agreement
and is qualified in its entirety to by the Purchase Agreement.
Purchase
Price.
Under
the terms of the Purchase Agreement, in exchange for all of the outstanding
capital stock of Chiral Quest, the Purchaser will pay to us the cash sum of
$1,700,000, plus assume liabilities of Chiral Quest in an amount up to
$1,300,000. To the extent Chiral Quest’s liabilities exceed $1,300,000 as of the
closing of the transaction, we would be required to pay such excess amount
to
the Purchaser.
Representations
and Warranties.
The
Purchase
Agreement contains customary representations and warranties made by us in favor
of the Purchaser
that
relate to a variety of matters, including:
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the
organization and good standing of Chiral Quest, including its
subsidiaries;
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the
due authorization by us to enter into the Purchase Agreement and,
subject
to approval of our shareholders, to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement;
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the
capitalization of Chiral Quest and its
subsidiaries;
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the
absence of any breach, violation or conflict with any agreement,
instrument, judgment or law to which we or Chiral Quest are
subject;
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the
accuracy of Chiral Quest’s financial statements and their preparation in
accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;
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the
absence of certain undisclosed
liabilities;
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the
absence of certain developments relating to Chiral
Quest;
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the
rights of Chiral Quest to its personal
property;
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the
filing of tax returns and the payment of taxes by us and Chiral
Quest;
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the
rights in Chiral Quest’s intellectual property;
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the
existence of pending or threatened litigation or
proceedings;
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the
compliance with labor laws and other matters relating to Chiral Quest’s
employees;
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Chiral
Quest’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations relating to the
conduct of its business;
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the
use, storage or release of hazardous materials by Chiral
Quest;
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the
existence of related party
transactions;
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certain
material contracts to which Chiral Quest is a party and the absence
of
breaches or defaults with respect to such
contracts;
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the
maintenance of adequate insurance for Chiral Quest and its
business;
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certain
employee benefit plans and matters arising under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974; and
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the
absence of any obligations to pay commissions or fees to any broker,
finder or similar persons relating to the transactions contemplated
by the
Purchase Agreement.
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Pre-Closing
Covenants.
The
Purchase Agreement also contains various covenants and other agreements made
by
us and the Purchaser relating to, among other things:
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our
agreement to allow reasonable access by the Purchaser and its
representatives to Chiral Quest’s properties and records, subject to
certain limitations described in the Purchase
Agreement;
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our
ability to solicit or encourage offers from, or otherwise engage
in
discussions with, third parties relating to the sale of Chiral
Quest;
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our
agreement to maintain the corporate existence, good standing, adequate
insurance of Chiral Quest and to otherwise continue to conduct Chiral
Quest’s business in the ordinary course;
and
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Purchaser’s
agreement to assume the real estate lease for our Monmouth Junction,
New
Jersey facility, from which Chiral Quest operates.
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Non-Competition
and Non-Solicitation Covenants.
Subject
to and following the closing, we agreed not to engage for a period of 10 years,
directly or indirectly, in any business that engages in the design, development,
marketing, manufacture and/or sale of any product which is the same or directly
competitive with any product manufactured, marketed or sold by Chiral Quest
as
of the closing date. We further agreed that for a period of 5 years following
the closing, we will not solicit the customers or employees of Chiral Quest
with
respect to a business that competes with Chiral Quest’s business.
Closing
Conditions.
Each of
Purchaser’s and VioQuest’s obligation to complete the purchase and sale of
Chiral Quest’s capital stock is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of
certain conditions, including the following:
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obtaining
all necessary governmental approvals or permits and third party
consents;
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the
lack of any pending or threatened legal proceedings which present
a
substantial risk of prohibiting the transactions contemplated by
the
Purchase Agreement;
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the
performance by us and Purchaser of all respective agreements and
other
covenants required to be performed by such party prior to the closing;
and
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the
material accuracy of our and Purchaser’s representations and warranties
contained in the Purchase Agreement,
respectively.
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In
addition, our obligation to complete the transaction is subject to the approval
of our shareholders.
Termination.
The
Purchase Agreement may be terminated prior to the closing, as
follows:
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by
the mutual consent of the parties;
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by
either party in the event the transaction is not completed prior
to the
close of business on the day that is 10 days following the date on
which
our shareholders approve the transaction, which we refer to as the
Expiration Date;
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by
either Purchaser or us if there has been a material breach by the
other of
a representation, warranty or covenant contained in the Purchase
Agreement
that has not been cured by the breaching party;
and
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by
either Purchaser or us if, as a result of an event outside either’s
reasonable control, certain closing conditions are incapable of being
satisfied.
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Escrow
Agreement. In
addition to the Purchase Agreement, on March 27, 2007, we also entered into
an
escrow agreement with Purchaser and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as escrow agent.
Under the terms of the escrow agreement, Purchaser deposited the cash sum of
$500,000 with the escrow agent. The escrow agreement provides that these
escrowed funds will be disbursed to us in the event the sale of Chiral Quest
to
Purchaser is not completed as a result of an event that is deemed to be caused
by Purchaser or to be Purchaser’s fault. Among other things, if Purchaser fails
to satisfy a condition precedent to our obligation to close the transaction
by
the Expiration Date, then such failure is deemed to be caused by or the fault
of
Purchaser.
Indemnification;
Limitation of Liability.
We
agreed to indemnify Purchaser after the closing for damages from claims
resulting from or arising out of a breach of a representation, warranty or
covenant made by us in the Purchase Agreement. We will be obligated to indemnify
Purchaser with respect a claim for damages resulting from our breach of a
representation or warranty only if Purchaser provided us with written notice
of
such claim within 6 months following the closing. Additionally, we have no
obligation to indemnify Purchaser until the aggregate amount of damages from
claims exceeds the aggregate total of $75,000, and then only by such excess.
Further, the maximum amount for which we will be obligated to indemnify
Purchaser is $1.7 million, which represents the cash portion of the purchase
price. However, the $75,000 floor and $1.7 million cap do not apply to claims
based on a breach of our representations concerning the capitalization, stock
ownership or tax liability of Chiral Quest.
Closing
Date.
The
Purchase Agreement contemplates that the transaction will be completed not
earlier than May 24, 2007 and not later than the third business day following
approval by our shareholders of the sale of Chiral Quest.
Consequences
to Shareholders
Our
shareholders will not receive any of the proceeds from the proposed sale of
Chiral Quest. Further, under Delaware law, our shareholders are not entitled
to
appraisal rights in connection with the proposed sale of Chiral Quest. As a
result of the proposed transaction, however, we will no longer have any assets
or operate any business that generates revenues. Aside from Chiral Quest, we
are
engaged in the development of biopharmaceutical product candidates for the
treatment of cancers and other diseases and conditions. None of our product
candidates has received the necessary governmental approvals to allow us to
market and sell such products and, until and unless such approvals are obtained,
if ever, we will have no means of generating any operating
revenues.
Material
Federal Income Tax Consequences
to Shareholders
We
have
concluded that there will be no United States federal income tax consequences
to
our shareholders as a result of the proposed sale of Chiral Quest.
Regulatory
Approvals
There
are
no approvals from any governmental authority necessary to complete the sale
of
Chiral Quest.
Incorporation
of Information by Reference
We
file
annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read, without charge,
and
copy the documents we file at the SEC’s public reference rooms in Washington,
D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. You can request copies of these
documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference
rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at no cost from the
SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
This
proxy statement is accompanied by a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
for
the year ended December 31, 2006. We incorporate by reference the information
contained in such report, which is considered a part of this proxy statement.
Accordingly, you are urged to read the information in such annual report as
it
contains important information containing our business, financial results and
condition and other matters.
Vote Required
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of
our
issued and outstanding common stock is required to authorize the sale of Chiral
Quest, as proposed hereby. The enclosed form of proxy provides a means for
shareholders to (i) vote for the proposed sale of Chiral Quest, (ii) vote
against the proposed sale, or (iii) abstain from voting with respect to the
proposed sale of Chiral Quest. Each properly executed proxy received in time
for
the Annual Meeting will be voted at such meeting as specified therein.
If
a shareholder executes and returns a proxy but does not specify otherwise,
the
shares represented by such shareholder’s proxy will be voted for the proposed
sale of Chiral Quest.
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
APPROVAL
OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF CHIRAL QUEST.
PROPOSAL
3 - AUTHORIZATION OF
THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
General;
Purpose
As
of
April 16, 2007, we had 54,621,119 shares of our common stock outstanding and
an
additional 22,430,191 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the
exercise of outstanding options and warrants. Our Certificate of Incorporation
authorizes us to issue up to 110,000,000 shares of capital stock, 10,000,000,
of
which is undesignated preferred stock, meaning that we are only authorized
to
issue an additional 32,948,960 shares of common stock. In light of the current
market price of our common stock, the number of remaining shares that we are
authorized to issue limits our flexibility to raise additional capital through
equity financings.
In
addition, the last closing price of our common stock on April 12, 2007 was
$0.50
per share. Generally speaking, we will not be able to obtain a listing for
our
common stock on a national securities exchange, including the Nasdaq, unless
the
per share price of our common stock is significantly higher that current market
prices. If we effect a reverse split, the trading price of our common stock
immediately prior to the effective time of such split will be proportionately
increased following the reverse split. Accordingly, an additional reason for
effecting a reverse split is to help us obtain a listing on a national
securities exchange.
In
order
to increase the number of shares of common stock that we are authorized to
issue, our Board of Directors has adopted a resolution seeking authorization
of
our shareholders to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a
combination, or reverse split, of our common stock at a ratio no greater that
1-for-10. If this proposal is approved by our shareholders, then our Board
will
have discretion to effect the reverse split in a ratio it deems in the Company’s
best interests. For example, if this proposal is approved by our shareholders
at
the annual meeting, and our Board subsequently approves a reverse split at
the
maximum authorized ratio of 1-for-10, this means that every 10 shares of common
stock outstanding prior to the effective time of the reverse stock split will
represent only 1 share of common stock after the stock split.
Although
we intend to obtain additional financing, likely through selling shares of
our
common stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable for shares
of
common stock, we do not have any specific plans or arrangements to undertake
such a financing transaction. A reverse stock split will provide us with the
necessary flexibility to complete a financing transaction involving the sale
of
shares of our common stock. Any such stock offerings will generally have the
effect of diluting the interests of existing shareholders, however.
If
this
proposal is approved by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting, we may effect
the reverse stock split, if ever, within one year after the Annual Meeting.
If
we determine to effect a reverse split, we will file an amendment to our
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, which
will
provide that our shares of common stock then issued and outstanding will be
combined at a ratio determined by our Board, which will not exceed 1-for-10.
Any
reverse split will not change the number of authorized shares or the par value
of our common stock. Except for any changes resulting from the treatment of
fractional shares, each shareholder will hold the same percentage of common
stock outstanding immediately after the reverse stock split as such shareholder
did immediately prior to the reverse stock split. We may abandon the proposed
stock split if our Board of Directors deems it advisable.
Certain
Risks Associated With the Reverse Stock Split
There
can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of our common stock
after the proposed reverse stock split will be equal to or greater than the
total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split or that
the
per share market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split
will either exceed or remain higher than the current per share market
price.
There
can
be no assurance that the market price per new share of our common stock after
the reverse stock split will rise or remain constant in proportion to the
reduction in the number of old shares of our common stock outstanding before
the
reverse stock split. For example, based on the market price of our common stock
on April 20, 2007 of $0.55 per share, following a 1-for-10 reverse split there
can be no assurance that the post-split market price of our common stock would
be $5.50 per share or greater. Accordingly, the total market capitalization
of
our common stock after the proposed reverse stock split may be lower than the
total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split and, in
the
future, the market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split
may not exceed or remain higher than the market price prior to the proposed
reverse stock split. In many cases, the total market capitalization of a company
following a reverse stock split is lower than the total market capitalization
before the reverse stock split.
A
decline in the market price for our common stock after the reverse stock split
may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence
of a
reverse stock split, and the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely
affected following a reverse stock split.
The
market price of our common stock will also be based on our performance and
other
factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. If
a
reverse stock split is effected and the market price of our common stock
declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage
of
our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence
of a reverse stock split. In many cases, both the total market capitalization
of
a company and the market price of a share of such company’s common stock
following a reverse stock split are lower than they were before the reverse
stock split. Furthermore, the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely
affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the
reverse stock split.
Principal
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
Corporate
Matters.
If our
shareholders approve this Proposal 3 authorizing a reverse stock split at a
ratio up to 1-for-10, and assuming our Board of Directors determines to effect
a
reverse split at the maximum authorized ratio of 1-for-10, the reverse stock
split would have the following effects:
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every
10 shares of common stock outstanding prior to the effective time
of the
reverse split would be automatically combined into one share of common
stock;
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the
number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding will
be
reduced proportionately based on the 1-for-10 split
ratio;
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based
on the 1-for-10 ratio, proportionate adjustments will be made to
the per
share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise
of all outstanding options and warrants entitling the holders thereof
to
purchase shares of our common stock, which will result in approximately
the same aggregate price being required to be paid for such options
or
warrants upon exercise of such options or warrants immediately preceding
the reverse stock split; and
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the
number of shares reserved for issuance under our existing stock option
plans will be reduced proportionately based on the 1-for-10 split
ratio.
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When
effected, the reverse stock split will be effected simultaneously for all of
our
common stock and the ratio will be the same for all of our common stock. The
reverse stock split will affect all of our shareholders uniformly and will
not
affect any shareholder’s percentage ownership interests in our company, except
to the extent that the reverse stock split results in any of our shareholders
owning a fractional share. As described below, shareholders holding fractional
shares will be entitled to cash payments in lieu of such fractional shares.
Such
cash payments would reduce the number of post-split shareholders to the extent
there are shareholders presently holding fewer than 10 shares. This, however,
is
not the purpose for which we are effecting the reverse stock split. Common
stock
outstanding following the reverse stock split will remain fully paid and
non-assessable. We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Fractional
Shares.
No
scrip or fractional certificates will be issued in connection with any reverse
stock split. Shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional
shares because they hold, as of a date prior to the effective time of the
reverse split, a number of shares of our common stock not evenly divisible
by
the split ratio selected by the Board of Directors will be entitled, upon
surrender of certificate(s) representing such shares, to a cash payment in
lieu
thereof. The cash payment will equal the product obtained by multiplying (a)
the
fraction to which the shareholder would otherwise be entitled by (b) the per
share closing sales price of our common stock on the day immediately prior
to
the effective time of the reverse stock split, as reported on the OTC Bulletin
Board. The ownership of a fractional interest will not give the holder thereof
any voting, dividend or other rights except to receive payment therefore as
described herein.
Shareholders
should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various jurisdictions where
our shareholders reside, where we are domiciled and where the funds will be
deposited, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after
the effective time may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each
such jurisdiction. Thereafter, shareholders otherwise entitled to receive such
funds may have to seek to obtain them directly from the state to which they
were
paid.
If
approved and effected, the reverse stock split will result in some shareholders
owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of our common stock. Brokerage
commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat
higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100
shares.
Accounting
Matters.
Any
reverse stock split would not affect the par value of our common stock, which
is
$.001 per share. As a result, as of the effective time of any reverse stock
split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our common stock
will be reduced proportionately based on the applicable split ratio, and the
additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which
the
stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss and net book value
of our common stock will be restated because there will be fewer shares of
common stock outstanding.
Potential
Anti-Takeover Effect.
Although the increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares
could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect (for example,
by permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a person
seeking to effect a change in the composition of our Board of Directors or
contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the reverse stock split
of
us with another company), the reverse stock split is not being proposed in
response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate shares of our common
stock or obtain control of our company, nor is it part of a plan by management
to recommend a series of similar amendments to our Board of Directors and
shareholders. Other than the reverse stock split proposal, we do not currently
contemplate recommending the adoption of any other amendments to our Certificate
of Incorporation that could be construed to affect the ability of third parties
to take over or change the control of our company.
Procedure
for Effecting Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Stock
Certificates
In
order
to effect a reverse split, we will file an amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware to amend our existing
Certificate of Incorporation. The reverse stock split will become effective
at
the time specified in the amendment, which is referred to below as the
“effective time.” Beginning at the effective time, each certificate representing
shares of common stock prior to the effective time of the reverse split will
be
deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of resulting combined
number of shares following such reverse split. The text of the amendment to
effect the reverse stock split will be in substantially the form attached hereto
as Appendix
B;
provided, however, that the form of amendment attached hereto is subject to
modification to include such changes as may be required by the office of the
Secretary of State of Delaware and as the Board of Directors deems necessary
and
advisable to effect the reverse stock split, including the insertion of the
effective time and the reverse split ratio (not to exceed 1-for-10), as
determined by the Board of Directors.
As
soon
as practicable after the effective time, shareholders will be notified that
the
reverse stock split has been effected. We expect that our transfer agent, Wells
Fargo, will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange
of
stock certificates. Holders of pre-split common shares will be asked to
surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing such shares in
exchange for certificates representing post-split shares of common stock in
accordance with the procedures to be set forth in the letter of transmittal
that
we send to our shareholders. No new certificates will be issued to a shareholder
until such shareholder has surrendered such shareholder's outstanding
certificate(s), together with the properly completed and executed letter of
transmittal, to the exchange agent. Any pre-split share certificates submitted
for transfer, whether pursuant to a sale, other disposition or otherwise, will
automatically be exchanged for certificates representing post-split shares.
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT
ANY CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
No
Dissenters' Rights
Under
the
Delaware General Corporation Law, our shareholders are not entitled to
dissenters' rights with respect to the reverse stock split, and we will not
independently provide shareholders with any such right.
Federal Income
Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The
following is a summary of certain material federal income tax consequences
of
the reverse stock split, does not purport to be a complete discussion of all
of
the possible federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split and
is
included for general information only. Further, it does not address any state,
local or foreign income or other tax consequences. Also, it does not address
the
tax consequences to holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as
banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding
companies, foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers
and
tax-exempt entities. The discussion is based on the provisions of the United
States federal income tax law as of the date hereof, which is subject to change
retroactively as well as prospectively. This summary also assumes that the
pre-split shares of common stock were, and the post-split shares of common
stock
will be, held as a “capital asset,” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (i.e., generally, property held for investment). The tax
treatment of a shareholder may vary depending upon the particular facts and
circumstances of such shareholder. Each shareholder is urged to consult with
such shareholder's own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of
the
reverse stock split.
Other
than the cash payments for fractional shares discussed below, no gain or loss
should be recognized by a shareholder upon such shareholder's exchange of
certificates representing pre-split shares for post-split shares pursuant to
the
reverse stock split. The aggregate tax basis of the post-split shares received
in the reverse stock split (including any fraction of a post-split share deemed
to have been received) will be the same as the shareholder's aggregate tax
basis
in the pre-split shares exchanged therefore. In general, shareholders who
receive cash in exchange for their fractional share interests in the post-split
shares as a result of the reverse stock split will recognize gain or loss based
on their adjusted basis in the fractional share interests redeemed. The
shareholder's holding period for the post-split shares will include the period
during which the shareholder held the pre-split shares surrendered in the
reverse stock split.
Our
view
regarding the tax consequences of the reverse stock split is not binding on
the
Internal Revenue Service or the courts. ACCORDINGLY, EACH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD
CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO ALL OF THE POTENTIAL
TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.
Vote Required
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares is
required for approval of this proposal.
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
THE
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.
PROPOSAL
4 - TO RATIFY AND APPROVE
AN
AMENDMENT TO THE 2003 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Shareholders
are requested in this Proposal 4 to ratify and approve an amendment to our
2003
Stock Option Plan, or 2003 Plan, increasing the number of shares available
for
issuance from 6,500,000 to 7,500,000. The affirmative vote of the holders of
a
majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled
to
vote at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify and approve the 2003
Plan.
Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals
presented to the shareholders and will have the same effect as negative votes.
Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any
purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.
The
brief
summary of the 2003 Plan which follows is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the complete text, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as
Appendix
C.
General
In
June
2003, the Board approved and adopted the 2003 Plan in the form attached hereto
as Appendix
C.
The
shareholders approved an amendment to the 2003 Plan in May 2006 to increase
the
number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance to a total of 6,500,000
shares of Common Stock for issuance. The Board approved an amendment to the
2003
Plan in February 2007 to increase to 7,500,000 the number of shares of Common
Stock authorized for issuance. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, stock
options relating to an aggregate of 6,807,432 shares of Common Stock had been
granted at exercise prices ranging from $0.54 to $11.20, leaving a total of
692,568 shares available for issuance.
The
purpose of the Plan is to increase shareholder value and to advance the
interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of economic incentives, or
Incentives, designed to attract, retain and motivate employees of and
consultants to the Company.
The
Plan
provides that a committee, or the Committee, composed of at least two
disinterested members of the board of directors of the Company may grant
Incentives in the following forms: (a) stock options; (b) stock appreciation
rights, or SARs; (c) stock awards; (d) restricted stock; (e) performance shares;
and (f) cash awards. Incentives may be granted to participants who are employees
of or consultants to the Company (including officers and directors of the
Company who are also employees of or consultants to the Company) selected from
time to time by the Committee. In the event there is no Committee, then the
entire Board shall have responsibility for administering the 2003 Plan.
Types
of Incentives
Stock
Options
Under
the
2003 Plan, the Committee may grant non-qualified and incentive stock options
to
eligible participants to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company.
The
2003 Plan confers on the Committee discretion, with respect to any such stock
option, to determine the number and purchase price of the shares subject to
the
option, the term of each option and the time or times during its term when
the
option becomes exercisable. The purchase price for incentive stock options
may
not be less than the fair market value of the shares subject to the option
on
the date of grant. The number of shares subject to an option will be reduced
proportionately to the extent that the optionee exercises a related SAR. The
term of a non-qualified option may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant
and the term of an incentive stock option may not exceed 10 years from the
date
of grant. Any option shall become immediately exercisable in the event of
specified changes in corporate ownership or control. The Committee may
accelerate the exercisability of any option. The Committee may approve the
purchase by the Company of an unexercised stock option for the difference
between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares covered
by
such option.
The
option price may be paid in cash, check, bank draft or by delivery of shares
of
Common Stock valued at their fair market value at the time of purchase or by
withholding from the shares issuable upon exercise of the option shares of
Common Stock valued at their fair market value or as otherwise authorized by
the
Committee.
In
the
event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of or consultant to the Company
for any reason, including death, any stock option or unexercised portion thereof
which was otherwise exercisable on the date of termination of employment shall
expire at the time or times established by the Committee.
Stock
Appreciation Rights
A
stock
appreciation right, or a SAR, is a right to receive, without payment to the
Company, a number of shares, cash or any reverse stock split thereof, the amount
of which is determined pursuant to the formula described below. A SAR may be
granted with respect to any stock option granted under the Plan, or alone,
without reference to any stock option. A SAR granted with respect to any stock
option may be granted concurrently with the grant of such option or at such
later time as determined by the Committee and as to all or any portion of the
shares subject to the option.
The
2003
Plan confers on the Committee discretion to determine the number of shares
as to
which a SAR will relate as well as the duration and exercisability of a SAR.
In
the case of a SAR granted with respect to a stock option, the number of shares
of Common Stock to which the SAR pertains will be reduced in the same proportion
that the holder exercises the related option. The term of a SAR may not exceed
ten years and one day from the date of grant. Unless otherwise provided by
the
Committee, a SAR will be exercisable for the same time period as the stock
option to which it relates is exercisable. Any SAR shall become immediately
exercisable in the event of specified changes in corporate ownership or control.
The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any SAR.
Upon
exercise of a SAR, the holder is entitled to receive an amount which is equal
to
the aggregate amount of the appreciation in the shares of Common Stock as to
which the SAR is exercised. For this purpose, the "appreciation" in the shares
consists of the amount by which the fair market value of the shares of Common
Stock on the exercise date exceeds (a) in the case of a SAR related to a stock
option, the purchase price of the shares under the option or (b) in the case
of
a SAR granted alone, without reference to a related stock option, an amount
determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may pay the
amount of this appreciation to the holder of the SAR by the delivery of Common
Stock, cash, or any reverse stock split of Common Stock and cash.
Restricted
Stock
Restricted
stock consists of the sale or transfer by the Company to an eligible participant
of one or more shares of Common Stock which are subject to restrictions on
their
sale or other transfer by the employee. The price at which restricted stock
will
be sold will be determined by the Committee, and it may vary from time to time
and among employees and may be less than the fair market value of the shares
at
the date of sale. All shares of restricted stock will be subject to such
restrictions as the Committee may determine. Subject to these restrictions
and
the other requirements of the 2003 Plan, a participant receiving restricted
stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder as to those shares,
including, for example, the right to vote such shares.
Stock
Awards
Stock
awards consist of the transfer by the Company to an eligible participant of
shares of Common Stock, without payment, as additional compensation for services
to the Company. The number of shares transferred pursuant to any stock award
will be determined by the Committee.
Performance
Shares
Performance
shares consist of the grant by the Company to an eligible participant of a
contingent right to receive cash or payment of shares of Common Stock. The
performance shares shall be paid in shares of Common Stock to the extent
performance objectives set forth in the grant are achieved. The number of shares
granted and the performance criteria will be determined by the
Committee.
Non-Transferability
of Most Incentives
No
stock
option, SAR, performance share or restricted stock granted under the Plan is
transferable by its holder, except in the event of the holder's death, by will
or the laws of descent and distribution. During an employee's lifetime, an
Incentive may be exercised only by him or her or by his or her guardian or
legal
representative.
Amendment
to the Plan
The
Board
of Directors may amend or discontinue the 2003 Plan at any time. However, no
such amendment or discontinuance may, subject to adjustment in the event of
a
merger, recapitalization, or other corporate restructuring, (a) change or
impair, without the consent of the recipient thereof, an Incentive previously
granted, (b) materially increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
which may be issued to all participants under the 2003 Plan, (c) materially
change or expand the types of Incentives that may be granted under the 2003
Plan, (d) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation
in the 2003 Plan, or (e) materially increase the benefits accruing to
participants. Certain 2003 Plan amendments require shareholder approval,
including amendments which would materially increase benefits accruing to
participants, increase the number of securities issuable under the 2003 Plan,
or
change the requirements for eligibility under the 2003 Plan.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
The
following discussion sets forth certain United States income tax considerations
concerning the ownership of Common Stock. These tax considerations are stated
in
general terms and are based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
regulations thereunder and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof.
This discussion does not address state or local tax considerations with respect
to the ownership of Common Stock. Moreover, the tax considerations relevant
to
ownership of Common Stock may vary depending on a holder's particular
status.
Long-term
capital gains currently are generally subject to lower tax rates than ordinary
income or short-term capital gains. The maximum long-term capital gains rate
for
federal income tax purposes is currently 15 percent while the maximum ordinary
income rate and short-term capital gains rate is effectively 35 percent.
Incentive
Stock Options. Incentive
stock options under the 2003 Plan are intended to be eligible for the favorable
federal income tax treatment accorded “incentive stock options” under the Code.
There
generally are no federal income tax consequences to the option holder or the
Company by reason of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option.
However, the exercise of an incentive stock option may increase the option
holder’s alternative minimum tax liability, if any.
If
an
option holder holds stock acquired through exercise of an incentive stock option
for at least two years from the date on which the option is granted and at
least
one year from the date on which the shares are transferred to the option holder
upon exercise of the option, any gain or loss on a disposition of such stock
will be a long-term capital gain or loss.
Generally,
if the option holder disposes of the stock before the expiration of either
of
these holding periods (a “disqualifying disposition”), then at the time of
disposition the option holder will realize taxable ordinary income equal to
the
lesser of (i) the excess of the stock’s fair market value on the date of
exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the option holder’s actual gain,
if any, on the purchase and sale. The option holder’s additional gain or any
loss upon the disqualifying disposition will be a capital gain or loss, which
will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for
more
than one year.
To
the
extent the option holder recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying
disposition, the Company will generally be entitled (subject to the requirement
of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the
satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a corresponding business expense
deduction in the tax year in which the disqualifying disposition occurs.
Non-statutory
Stock Options. Non-statutory
stock options granted under the 2003 Plan generally have the following federal
income tax consequences:
There
are
no tax consequences to the option holder or the Company by reason of the grant
of a non-statutory stock option. Upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option,
the option holder normally will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to
the
excess, if any, of the stock’s fair market value on the date of exercise over
the option exercise price. However, to the extent the stock is subject to
certain types of vesting restrictions, the taxable event will be delayed until
the vesting restrictions lapse unless the participant elects to be taxed on
receipt of the stock. With respect to employees, the Company is generally
required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount
based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of
reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the
satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, the Company will generally be
entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income
realized by the option holder.
Upon
disposition of the stock, the option holder will recognize a capital gain or
loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount
paid for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon exercise
of the option (or vesting of the stock). Such gain or loss will be long-term
or
short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year.
Potential
Limitation on Company Deductions. Section 162(m)
of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation
paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent that
compensation to such covered employee exceeds $1 million. It is possible
that compensation attributable to stock options, when combined with all other
types of compensation received by a covered employee from the Company, may
cause
this limitation to be exceeded in any particular year.
Certain
kinds of compensation, including qualified “performance-based compensation,” are
disregarded for purposes of the deduction limitation. In accordance with
Department of Treasury regulations issued under Section 162(m),
compensation attributable to stock options will qualify as performance-based
compensation if the option is granted by a compensation committee comprised
solely of “outside directors” and either (i) the plan contains a
per-employee limitation on the number of shares for which options may be granted
during a specified period, the per-employee limitation is approved by the
shareholders, and the exercise price of the option is no less than the fair
market value of the stock on the date of grant, or (ii) the option is
granted (or exercisable) only upon the achievement (as certified in writing
by
the compensation committee) of an objective performance goal established in
writing by the compensation committee while the outcome is substantially
uncertain, and the option is approved by shareholders. The 2003 Plan limits
the
number of shares relating to stock option grants awarded to an individual in
any
year to 900,000.
Vote
Required
Ratification
and approval of the amendment to the 2003 Plan requires the affirmative vote
of
the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of
our
common stock, present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A shareholder
who abstains with respect to this proposal is considered to be present and
entitled to vote on he proposal at the Annual Meeting, and is in effect casting
a negative vote, but a shareholder (including a broker) who does not give
authority to a proxy vote, or withholds authority to vote in this proposal,
shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on this proposal.
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
THE
RATIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2003 PLAN.
PROPOSAL
5 - TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Subject
to ratification by the shareholders, the Board of Directors has appointed J.H.
Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for
fiscal year 2007. J.H. Cohn has performed this function for the Company
commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. The Company expects
that representatives of J.H. Cohn will be in attendance 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.
Fees
Billed to the Company by Its Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
The
following is a summary of the fees billed to us by J.H. Cohn LLP, our
independent registered public accounting firm for professional services rendered
for fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:
Fee
Category
|
|
2006
Fees
|
|
2005
Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
$
|
140,148
|
|
$
|
113,280
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees (1)
|
|
$
|
46,950
|
|
$
|
50,512
|
|
Tax
Fees (2)
|
|
$
|
36,285
|
|
$
|
31,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
Other Fees (3)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Fees
|
|
$
|
223,383
|
|
$
|
195,011
|
|
(1) |
Audit-Related
Fees consist principally of assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the
Company’s financial statements but not reported under the caption “Audit
Fees.” These fees include review of registration statements and other
filings made with the SEC, review of SEC comment letters and related
responses, and acquisition-related
services.
|
(2)
|
Tax
Fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax
planning.
|
(3)
|
All
Other Fees consist of aggregate fees billed for products and services
provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, other
than
those disclosed above.
|
Policy
on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services
of
Independent Auditors
At
present, the audit committee approves each engagement for audit or non-audit
services before the Company engages its independent registered public accounting
firm to provide those services. The audit committee has not established any
pre-approval policies or procedures that would allow the Company’s management to
engage its independent registered public accounting firm to provide any
specified services with only an obligation to notify the audit committee of
the
engagement for those services. None of the services provided by the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2006 was obtained
in
reliance on the waiver of the pre-approval requirement afforded in SEC
regulations.
Vote
Required
Ratification
of J.H. Cohn LLP’s appointment as the independent registered public accounting
firm of the Company for the fiscal year 2007 requires the affirmative vote
of
the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock, present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A shareholder
who abstains with respect to this proposal is considered to be present and
entitled to vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting, and is in effect
casting a negative vote, but a shareholder (including a broker) who does not
give authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote on this
proposal, shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on this
proposal.
THE
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF J.H. COHN LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2007.
OTHER
MATTERS
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
Mr.
Rocamboli and Dr. Weiser, both of whom are directors of our company, are former
shareholders of Greenwich Therapeutics, Inc., which company we acquired in
October 2005. Mr. Rocamboli owned 144,000 shares of Greenwich common stock
and
Dr. Weiser owned 280,000 shares of Greenwich common stock. Accordingly, upon
completion of the merger, Mr. Rocamboli received approximately 616,320 shares
of
our common stock and 144,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants,
and
now beneficially owns approximately 1.8 percent of our outstanding common stock.
Dr. Weiser received approximately 1,198,400 shares of our common stock and
280,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and now beneficially
owns
approximately 4.0 percent of our outstanding common stock. Mr. Rocamboli’s and
Dr. Weiser’s interests in Greenwich were made known to our board of directors at
the outset of the negotiating process between the companies and neither attended
or otherwise participated in any meeting and other discussion of the board
in
all matters relating to the merger with Greenwich.
Mr.
Rocamboli is also an employee of Paramount BioCapital, Inc. or its affiliates,
a
corporation of which Dr. Lindsay A. Rosenwald is the chairman and sole
shareholder. Together with various trusts for the benefit of Dr. Rosenwald
or
members of his immediate family, Dr. Rosenwald owned approximately 48 percent
of
Greenwich’s outstanding common stock. Upon completion of the merger with
Greenwich, Dr. Rosenwald and the trusts now beneficially own approximately
29
percent of our outstanding common stock.
On
February 25, 2004, the Company completed the sale of its securities in a private
placement to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $7.2
million. Paramount BioCapital, Inc. participated as one of three placement
agents for this transaction, for which it received approximately $300,000 in
commissions.
On
October 18, 2005, the Company completed the sales of its securities in a private
placement to accredited investor for gross proceeds of approximately $8.4
million. Paramount BioCapital, Inc., which served as the placement agent for
this transaction, for which it received approximately $587,000 in commissions,
together with an accountable expense allowance of $50,000, and issued 5-year
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,117,997 shares of common stock at a
price
of $1.00 per share. Net proceeds to the Company after deducting placement agent
fees and other expenses relating to the private placement, were approximately
$7.5 million.
As
a
result of its acquisition of Greenwich Therapeutics, on October 18, 2005, the
Company assumed outstanding indebtedness of Greenwich of $823,869, all of which
is payable to Paramount BioCapital Investments, Inc. pursuant to a promissory
note dated October 17, 2005, referred to as the Note. At the closing of the
merger, the Note was amended to provide that one-third would be converted into
securities of the Company on the same terms as the Company’s October 2005
private placement, one-third of the outstanding indebtedness under the Note
would be repaid upon the completion by the Company of a financing resulting
in
gross proceeds of at least $5 million, and the final one-third would be payable
upon completion by the Company of one or more financings resulting in aggregate
gross proceeds of at least $10 million (inclusive of the amounts raised in
a
previous $5 million financing. Accordingly, on October 18, 2005, upon completion
of the private placement, the Company satisfied a portion of the total
indebtedness outstanding under the Note by making a cash payment of $264,623
and
another portion by issuing to Paramount BioCapital Investments, Inc. 392,830
shares valued at the $.75 offering price of the October 2005 private placement,
the equivalent of $294,623 of the Company’s common stock. In the event the
Company does not complete the financing(s) resulting in aggregate gross proceeds
of at least $10 million prior to the Note’s maturity date, the Company will be
required to satisfy the final portion in October 2006. Dr. Lindsay A. Rosenwald
and certain trusts established for the benefit of Dr. Rosenwald and his family
collectively held approximately 48% of Greenwich’s capital stock prior to
completion of the merger. Together, Dr. Rosenwald and such trusts also owned
approximately 16% of the Company’s common stock prior to the completion of the
merger. In addition to Dr. Rosenwald’s relationship with Greenwich, as described
above, two directors of the Company, Stephen C. Rocamboli and Michael Weiser,
M.D., Ph.D., owned approximately 3.6% and 7%, respectively, of Greenwich’s
outstanding common stock. Mr. Rocamboli and Dr. Weiser are also employees of
Paramount BioCapital, Inc.
In
August
2006, we entered into a consulting agreement with Paramount Corporate
Development, an affiliate of Paramount BioCapital, Inc., pursuant to which
it
provided us strategic and technical assessment of our clinical development
programs. The consulting agreement is for a total of $90,000, for a period
of
three months for $30,000 per month commencing in August 2006.
On
October 18, 2006, we completed a private placement of our securities, resulting
in gross proceeds of approximately $3.95 million. We engaged Paramount
BioCapital, Inc. as our exclusive placement agent in connection with the
offering, and Paramount in turn engaged various brokerdealers as sub-agents
to
assist with the offering. In consideration for their services, we paid an
aggregate of approximately $276,000 in commissions to the placement agents
(including sub-agents) in connection with the offering, of which $56,000 was
paid to Paramount, plus an additional $30,000 as reimbursement for expenses.
We
also issued to the placement agents 5-year warrants to purchase an aggregate
of
394,580 shares of common stock at a price of $0.55 per share, of which warrants
to purchase 80,000 were allocated to Paramount BioCapital, Inc.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our officers,
directors, and persons who are the beneficial owners of more than 10% of our
common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports
of
changes in ownership of our common stock. Officers, directors, and beneficial
owners of more than 10% of our common stock are required by SEC regulators
to
furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Based solely
on a review of the copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments that we
received with respect to transactions during 2006, we believe that all such
forms were filed on a timely basis, except for stock option grants made to
each
of Drs. Roth and Lau on January 12, 2006, which were not reported on Form 4
until February 16, 2006.
The
Board
of Directors does not intent to present to the Annual Meeting any other matter
not referred to above and does not presently know of any matters that may be
presented to the Annual Meeting by others. However, if other matters come before
the Annual Meeting, it is the intent of the persons name in the enclosed proxy
to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors
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|
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VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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/s/
Daniel E. Greenleaf
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Daniel
E. Greenleaf
President
and Chief Executive Officer
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INDEX
TO
APPENDICES
TO PROXY STATEMENT
Appendix
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|
Description
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A
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Stock
Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Company and Chiral Quest
Acquisition Corp. dated April 10, 2007
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B
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Form
of Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation
of
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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|
|
|
C
|
|
2003
Stock Option Plan, as amended
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Appendix
A
STOCK
PURCHASE & SALE AGREEMENT
This
Stock Purchase & Sale Agreement (this "Agreement")
is
made and entered into effective as of April 10, 2007 (the “Effective
Date”)
by and
between Chiral Quest Acquisition Inc. (“Buyer”),
and
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Seller”),
relating to the sale by Seller and purchase by Buyer of all of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of Chiral Quest, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
(“Company”).
WHEREAS,
there
are currently issued and outstanding 1,000 shares of Common Stock of the
Company
(the “Shares”),
all
of which are owned beneficially and of record by Seller; and
WHEREAS,
Buyer
desires to purchase the Shares and Seller desires to sell the Shares on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth in this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree
as
follows:
1. Purchase
& Sale of the Shares.
Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, at the Closing to be held in accordance
with
the provisions of Section
3
below,
Buyer agrees to purchase the Shares from Seller, and Seller agrees to sell
the
Shares to Buyer.
2. Purchase
Price and Adjustment.
At the
Closing (as defined in Section
3
below),
Buyer shall pay to Seller the sum of one-million-seven-hundred-thousand United
States Dollars (US$1,700,000) in cash (the “Purchase
Price”)
by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to Seller’s account, as designated
in a writing delivered by Seller to Buyer prior to Closing. Except as otherwise
set forth in this Agreement, the parties understand and agree that all
liabilities owed by the Company as of the Closing will be retained by the
Company as of and following the Closing, and that Seller will not be responsible
for the payment or satisfaction thereof as of and following the Closing.
The
Purchase Price shall be subject to the following adjustment:
(a) Within
30
days after the Closing, the Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Seller a written
statement of all the liabilities of the Seller and the Subsidiaries (as defined
in Section 4.4) as of the close of business on the Closing Date (the
“Closing
Liabilities Statement”).
The
Closing Liabilities Statement shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP using
the same accounting principles, policies and methodologies used in preparing
the
financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.6. Seller shall reasonably
co-operate with Buyer in preparing the Closing Liabilities Statement. Seller
shall have 15 days after delivery to review the Closing Liabilities Statement
and deliver to Buyer any objections by written notice (a “Notice
of Objection”).
If
Seller does not deliver a Notice of Objection within such 15-day period,
Seller
will be deemed to have accepted the Closing Liabilities Statement. If Seller
does deliver a Notice of Objection, Buyer and Seller shall use their reasonable
best efforts to agree on the Closing Liabilities Statement. If the parties
are
not able to agree on the amount of the Closing Liabilities within 15 days
following the delivery of the Notice of Objection, the disagreement shall
be
settled in accordance with Section 9.10 of this Agreement.
(b) If
the
Closing Liabilities, as finally determined in accordance with Section 2(a),
exceed $1,300,000 (the “Maximum
Liability Amount”),
Seller shall, not later than 10 days following the date of final determination
of the Closing Liabilities, pay to Buyer the amount by which the Closing
Liabilities exceed the Maximum Liability Amount to a wire account designated
in
writing by Buyer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company,
in
the ordinary course of its business, may incur liabilities that would cause
it
to exceed the Maximum Liability Amount, it shall first obtain Buyer’s consent
prior to incurring such excess liabilities and, if Buyer so consents, the
Maximum Liability Amount shall be increased by the amount of such additional
liabilities.
(c) In
addition to the payment of the Purchase Price, subject to adjustment as
described in Section 2(a) and (b), above, Buyer shall also pay to Seller
at the
Closing an amount equal to the aggregate pre-paid expenses paid by Seller
on
behalf of the Company as of the Closing, including without limitation, payroll
expenses, insurance and lease payments. The pre-paid expenses as of the date
hereof are set forth in Schedule
2(c),
an
update of which shall be provided to Buyer one (1) day prior to the Closing
Date, which update shall not materially differ from the pre-paid expenses
as set
forth in Schedule
2(c).
3. Closing.
The
Closing (“Closing”)
shall
take place at the offices of Seller located at 180 Mount Airy Road, Suite
102,
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 commencing at 11:00 a.m., local time, on a date not
earlier than May 24, 2007 and not later than three (3) business days following
approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by Seller’s
stockholders (the “Last
Closing Date”),
or at
such other time, date and place as may be mutually agreed upon in writing
by the
parties hereto (the "Closing
Date").
All
proceedings to take place at the Closing shall take place simultaneously,
and no
delivery shall be considered to have been made until all such proceedings
have
been completed. The Closing shall be deemed to have taken place at 11:59
p.m.,
local time, on the Closing Date.
At
the
Closing, Buyer shall pay the Purchase Price in cash as provided in Section
2,
and
Seller shall assign and transfer to Buyer good and valid title in and to
the
Shares, free and clear of all liens, by delivering to Seller a certificate
representing the Shares, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed
stock powers in form reasonably satisfactory to Seller endorsed in blank.
At the
Closing, there shall also be delivered to Seller and Buyer the certificates
and
other documents to be delivered under Section
7.3
and
Section
7.4
hereof.
4. Representations
and Warranties of Seller.
Seller
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to Buyer:
4.1 Organization
& Corporate Power.
Seller
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of the State of Delaware, and is duly qualified and in good standing
to do
business. Seller has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota,
and is duly qualified and in good standing to do business as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction where the failure to be so qualified would
have
a materially adverse effect upon the Company. Each Subsidiary is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their
respective jurisdictions, and each Subsidiary is duly qualified and in good
standing to do business. The Company and each Subsidiary have all requisite
corporate power and authority to conduct their respective businesses as is
now
being conducted and to own and lease the properties which each now owns and
leases. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, each as amended to date,
of
the Company and each of the Subsidiaries, as delivered to the Buyer prior
to the
date hereof, are true and complete copies thereof as currently in
effect.
4.2 Authorization.
This
Agreement, and each and every other agreement, document and instrument to
be
executed by Seller in connection herewith, has been effectively authorized
by
all necessary action on the part of Seller, except for approval by the
shareholders of Seller contemplated by Section
7.4(c),
has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a
legal,
valid and binding obligation of Seller enforceable against Seller in accordance
with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization and other laws of general application relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles. The resolutions of Seller’s
Board of Directors authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by
Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, as
delivered to the Buyer prior to the date hereof, are true and complete copies
thereof as currently then in effect.
4.3 Capitalization.
The
authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 1,000 shares of Common
Stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of the date hereof, there are 1,000
shares
of Common Stock of the Company issued and outstanding, all of which are owned,
beneficially and of record, by Seller. The authorized capital stock of the
Subsidiaries is set forth in Schedule
4.3.
(“Subsidiary
Shares”),
all
of which are owned, beneficially and of record, by the Company. All Shares
and
Subsidiary Shares are (a) duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and (b) free and clear of (i) any lien, charge, mortgage,
pledge,
conditional sale agreement, or other encumbrance of any kind or nature
whatsoever, and (ii) any claim as to ownership thereof or any rights, powers
or
interest therein by any third party, whether legal or beneficial, and whether
based on contract, proxy or other document or otherwise. The delivery of
a
certificate at the Closing representing the Shares will transfer to Buyer
good
and valid title to the Shares, free of any liens or encumbrances. Except
as set
forth above, there are no shares of capital stock or other securities of
the
Company or the Subsidiaries issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding.
As of
the date hereof, there are no warrants, options, calls, commitments or other
rights to subscribe for or to purchase from the Company or the Subsidiaries
any
capital stock of the Company or the Subsidiaries or any securities convertible
into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock, or any other securities
of
the Company or the Subsidiaries. There are no agreements pursuant to which
the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries is or may become obligated to issue any
shares of its capital stock or any other securities, nor is there outstanding
any commitment, obligation or agreement on the part of the Company or the
Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the outstanding
shares of its capital stock or other securities.
4.4 Subsidiaries. Schedule
4.4
attached
hereto lists each corporation or other entity in which the Company holds
at
least a 50 percent ownership interest (each, a “Subsidiary”
and,
collectively, the “Subsidiaries”).
Other
than as identified on Schedule
4.4,
neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary own, beneficially or of record, any equity
interest in any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint
venture or other entity.
4.5 No
Conflicts or Consents.
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation by Seller
of
any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or compliance with any of the
provisions hereof, will (a) conflict with or result in a breach of, violation
of, or default under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any material
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, lease, credit agreement or other
agreement, document, instrument or obligation to which Seller, the Company
or
any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective assets
or
properties may be bound, or (b) violate any judgment, order, injunction,
decree,
statute, rule or regulation applicable to Seller, the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries, or any of their respective assets or properties. Other than
the
approval of Seller’s stockholders, no authorization, consent or approval of any
public body or authority or any third party is necessary for the consummation
by
Seller of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than those
for
which consent or approval has been obtained or which are immaterial.
4.6
Financial
Statements.
Seller
has made available to Buyer unaudited financial statements of the Company
for
each of its fiscal years ended 2005 and 2006 (including those of Subsidiary
consolidated from), consisting of the Company's consolidated balance sheets
as
of such dates and the related consolidated income statements and consolidated
cash flow statements for the periods then ended. Such financial statements
are
(a) derived from the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
which books and records have been consistently maintained in a manner which
reflects, and such books and records do fairly and accurately reflect in
all
material respects, the assets and liabilities of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, (b) fairly and accurately present in all material respects
the
financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries on the respective
dates
of such statements and the results of its operations for the periods indicated,
and (c) have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)
consistently applied throughout the periods involved.
4.7 Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
Except
as and to the extent reflected or reserved against in the financial statements,
the Company and the Subsidiaries have no existing uninsured liability or
obligation (whether accrued, to become due, contingent or otherwise, excluding
performance of agreements made in the ordinary course of business) which
individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a
materially adverse effect on the assets or condition (financial or otherwise)
of
the Company or the Subsidiaries.
4.8 Absence
of Certain Developments.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.8,
since
the date of the latest financial statements, there has been (a) no declaration,
setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect
to
the Shares or Subsidiary Shares, or redemption, purchase or other acquisition
of
any Shares or Subsidiary Shares or any split-up or other recapitalization
relative to any Shares or Subsidiary Shares or any action authorizing or
obligating the Company to do any of the foregoing; (b) no loss, destruction
or
damage to any material property or asset of the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries, whether or not insured; (c) no acquisition or disposition of
any
material assets or any other transaction by the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries otherwise than for fair value and in the ordinary course of
business; (d) no discharge or satisfaction by the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries of any lien or encumbrance or payment of any obligation or
liability (absolute or contingent) other than current liabilities shown on
the
balance sheet of the latest financial statements, or current liabilities
incurred since the date thereof in the ordinary course of business; (e) no
sale,
assignment or transfer by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of
its
tangible or intangible assets except in the ordinary course of business,
(f) no
cancellation or waiver by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any debts,
claims or obligations, or mortgage, pledge, subjection of any assets to any
lien, charge, security interest or other encumbrance, or waiver by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries of any rights of value which, in any such case,
are
material to the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (g) no
payment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any bonus to or change
in
the compensation of any current or former director, officer or employee,
whether
directly or by means of any bonus, pension plan, contract or commitment;
(h) no
write-off or material reduction in the carrying value of any asset which
is
material to the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (i) no
disposition or lapse of rights as to any intangible property which is material
to the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (j) except for
ordinary travel advances, no loans or extensions of credit to shareholders,
officers, directors or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(k)
no change in accounting methods or practices; (l) no material tax election,
(m)
no transfer, assignment or license with respect to any Intellectual Property
(as
defined in Section 4.11); (n) no delay in payments of liabilities of the
Company
or any of its Subsidiaries as they became due and payable; (o) no amendment,
termination of any Material Agreements (as defined in Section 4.18) and no
cancellation, modification or waiver of debts or claims held by the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries; and (p) no binding agreement to do any of the things
described in this Section.
4.9 Tangible
Personal Property; Real Property.
The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to, or
in the
case of leased equipment a valid leasehold interest in, and is in possession
of,
all items of personal property used by it in the current conduct its business,
free and clear of all material title defects, mortgages, pledges, security
interests, conditional sales agreements, liens, restrictions or encumbrances
whatsoever. All leases of tangible personal property to which the Company
or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party and which are material to the business of
the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries are fully effective in accordance with
their
respective terms, and there exists no default on the part of the Company
or any
of its Subsidiaries or termination thereof. Each item of capital equipment
reflected in the financial statements which is used in the current conduct
of
the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries’ business is in good operating and
usable condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and is suitable
for use in the ordinary course of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’
business, as applicable, and fit for its intended purposes. The personal
property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries constitute all of the
personal property necessary to conduct the business of the Company and the
Subsidiaries in the same manner as such is and since December 31, 2006 has
been
conducted by the Company and the Subsidiaries, except that the accounting
software used by the Company is owned by the Seller.
The
Company owns no real property.
4.10 Taxes.
(a) The
Company, the Subsidiaries and Seller (“Filers”)
have
timely filed all returns, declarations, reports, or information returns or
statements relating to Taxes (as defined below) with respect to their
businesses, including any schedule or attachment thereto and including any
amendment thereof (“Tax
Returns”)
that
are required to be filed under federal, state, local or foreign law. All
such
Tax Returns were complete in all material respects. All Taxes owed by Filers
with respect to the business of the Company (whether or not shown on any
of said
Tax Returns) have been paid for all periods for which Tax Returns have been
filed. No Filer is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within
which to file any Tax Return, other than with respect to extensions filed
by
Seller and the Company relating to federal and State of New Jersey Tax Returns
for 2006. No outstanding claim has been made by any authority in a jurisdiction
where Filers do not file Tax Returns that Seller or the Company may be subject
to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(b) Seller
has withheld and accrued or paid all Taxes required to have been withheld
and
paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor,
independent contractor, or other third party relating in any manner to the
business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(c) There
is
no dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability relating in any manner to
the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries either (i) claimed or raised by any
authority or (ii) as to which Seller has knowledge based upon personal
contact or correspondence with any agent of such authority.
(d) For
purposes of this Agreement, “Tax”
or
“Taxes”
means
any federal, state, county, local or foreign income, gross receipts, license,
payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall
profits, environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), customs duties, capital stock,
franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment,
disability, facility, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration,
value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any
kind
whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether
disputed or not.
4.11 Intellectual
Property.“Intellectual
Property”
shall
mean (a) any and all inventions, technology, patents, and reissuances,
continuations, continuations-in-part, divisions and reexaminations of such
patents, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names,
domain
names and corporate names, including all goodwill associated therewith, (c)
copyrightable works and copyrights (including software, databases, data and
related documentation), (d) mask works, (e) trade secrets and confidential
business information (including ideas, research and development, know-how,
formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques,
technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer and supplier
lists,
pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals),
and (f) all registrations, applications, renewals, and recordings which are
material to the business as current conducted, including the Intellectual
Property set forth on Schedule
4.11.
(a) To
the
knowledge of Seller, the Company and each Subsidiary either owns the entire
right, title, and interest to, or holds an existing, valid and enforceable
license to use, including the license set forth in Schedule
4.11(a),
all the
Intellectual Property material to its business as currently
conducted;
(b) There
are
no actions instituted or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened by any third
party pertaining to, or challenging, the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s use of,
or right to use, any Intellectual Property, except as set forth in Schedule
4.11(b),
attached hereto;
(c) To
the
knowledge of Seller, neither the Intellectual Property of the Company and
the
Subsidiaries nor the conduct of the respective businesses of the Company
and the
Subsidiaries infringes in any material respect any Intellectual Property
of any
third party, except as set forth in Schedule
4.11 (c),
attached hereto;
(d) To
the
knowledge of Seller, no third party is infringing upon any Intellectual Property
of the Company or any Subsidiary, except as set forth in Schedule
4.11 (d),
attached hereto; and
(e) All
employees and consultants of the Company or its Subsidiaries have signed
non-disclosure agreements related to the Company’s or Subsidiaries Intellectual
Property Rights and such agreements are currently in full force and effect.
4.12 No
Pending Litigation or Proceedings.
There
are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to Seller’s knowledge,
threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(including actions, suits or proceedings where liabilities may be adequately
covered by insurance) at law or in equity or before or by any federal, state,
municipal or other governmental department, commission, court, board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or, to Seller’s knowledge,
affecting any of the current or former shareholders, officers or directors
of
the Company in connection with the business, operations or affairs of the
Company. Neither Seller, the Company nor any Subsidiary has, during the past
two
years, been threatened with any action, suit, proceedings or claim (including
actions, suits, proceedings or claims where its liabilities may be adequately
covered by insurance) for personal injuries allegedly attributable to products
sold or services performed by the Company asserting a particular defect or
hazardous property in any of the Company’s products, services or business
practices or methods, nor has the Company been a party to or threatened with
proceedings brought by or before any federal or state agency; and, to Seller’s
knowledge, there are no defects or hazardous property, claimed or actual,
in any
such product, service or business practice or method.
4.13 Labor
Relations.
To
Seller’s knowledge, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in
all material respects with applicable laws with respect to labor relations,
employment and employment practices, occupational safety and health standards,
terms and conditions of employment, human rights, pay equity and workers’
compensation, and is not involved in any unfair labor practices. The Company
and
each of its Subsidiaries has no obligations under any collective bargaining
agreement or other contract with a labor union nor, to Seller’s knowledge, is
any union, labor organization or group of employees of the Company or any
of its
Subsidiaries presently seeking the right to enter into collective bargaining
with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on behalf of any of its employees.
Seller has made available to Buyer a copy of all written personnel policies,
including without limitation vacation, severance, bonus, pension, profit
sharing
and commissions policies, applicable to any of the Company’s and Subsidiaries’
employees. Each of the Company’s and Subsidiaries’ employment agreements are in
full force and effect and no event has occurred on the Company’s part, or, to
the knowledge of the Company, on the employee’s part, which, with notice or
lapse of time or both, would constitute a material breach or cause for
termination under such employment agreements.
4.14 Compliance
with Laws.
The
Company and each of the Subsidiaries hold all licenses, franchises, permits,
authorizations and regulatory approvals necessary for the lawful conduct
of its
business as presently conducted, and has complied with all applicable statutes,
laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all governmental bodies, agencies
and
subdivisions having, asserting or claiming jurisdiction over it, with respect
to
any part of the conduct of its business and corporate affairs, where the
failure
to so hold or comply could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
affect upon the Company’s or Subsidiaries’ condition (financial or otherwise),
business, assets or properties.
4.15 Environmental
Matters.
To
Seller’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has used,
generated, manufactured, installed, released, discharged, stored or disposed
of
any Hazardous Materials (as defined below) on, under, in or about the site
of
any real property owned, leased or otherwise occupied by the Company or any
of
its Subsidiaries, other than substances commonly used in research and
development and chemical process manufacturing and used and disposed of in
accordance with all relevant rules and regulations. The term “Hazardous
Materials”
shall
mean any substance, material or waste which is regulated by any local government
authority or the United States Government.
4.16 [Reserved]
4.17 Related
Party Transactions.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.17,
there
will be no related party transactions between the Company or Subsidiaries
on the
one hand and officers, directors, or the Seller on the other hand in existence
as of the Closing, and there are no debts, liabilities or obligations between
Seller and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that will not by their
terms
or otherwise terminate on or before the Closing.
4.18 Material
Contracts.
Schedule
4.18
sets
forth each contract, as of March 30, 2007, to which the Company or a Subsidiary
is a party and under the terms of which: (a) the obligation of the Company
or
the Subsidiary thereunder exceeds $50,000; or (b) the remaining noncancellable
term of such Contract is more than one (1) year (each, a “Material
Contract,”
and
together, the “Material
Contracts”).
Each
Material Contract is: (i) a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company
or the Subsidiary party thereto: (ii) enforceable against the Company or
the
Subsidiary party thereto in accordance with its terms; (iii) is in full force
and effect; and (iv) not in material default by the Company, or, to the
knowledge of the Company, the other party, and no event has occurred on the
Company’s part, or, to the knowledge of the Company, on the other party’s part,
which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a material
breach
or material default, or permit termination, modification or acceleration,
under
the Material Contract.
4.19
Insurance. The
Seller maintains, and through the Closing Date will maintain, adequate insurance
including self-insurance insuring the operations of the Company' and
Subsidiaries’ business. All policies of insurance of any kind maintained, owned
or held by Seller which cover Company' and Subsidiaries’ business are in full
force and effect, all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods
up to
and including the Closing Date have been paid, and no notice of cancellation
or
termination has been received with respect to any such policy which has not
been
replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation
or termination. The insurance policies are sufficient for compliance with
all
requirements of applicable laws and all agreements to which the Company or
any
of the Subsidiaries is a party.
4.20 ERISA.
Schedule
4.20
lists
each employee benefit plan that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries maintains
or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries contributes or has any
obligation to contribute.
(a)
Each
such employee benefit plan (and each related trust, insurance contract or
fund)
has been maintained, funded and administered in accordance with the terms
of
such employee benefit plan and complies in form and in operation in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (“ERISA”),
the
Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”),
and
other applicable laws.
(b)
All
required reports and descriptions have been timely filed and/or distributed
in
accordance with the applicable requirements of ERISA and the Code with respect
to each such employee benefit plan. The requirements of the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”)
have
been met in all material respects with respect to each such employee benefit
plan. All contributions that are due have been made within the time
periods prescribed by ERISA and the Code to each such employee benefit
plan. Each such employee benefit plan has received a determination from
the Internal Revenue Service that such employee benefit plan is a "qualified
plan" under Code sec. 401(a), and Sellers are not aware of any facts or
circumstances that could adversely affect the qualified status of any such
employee benefit plan.
4.21 Broker’s
or Finders.
Seller
has not incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for
brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions or similar payment in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
5. Representations
& Warranties of Buyer.
Buyer
hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:
5.1 Organization
& Authorization.
Buyer is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the
State of Delaware. Buyer has full corporate power and authority to execute
and
deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement, and each and every
other
agreement, document and instrument to be executed by Buyer in connection
herewith, has been effectively authorized by all necessary action on the
part of
Buyer, has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes
a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer enforceable against Buyer
in
accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general application relating
to or
affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. The resolutions of
Buyer’s Board of Directors authorizing the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Buyer, which have previously been provided to Seller by Buyer,
are
true and complete copies thereof as currently in effect.
5.2 Consents.
Except
as already set forth, no authorization, consent or approval of any public
body
or authority or any third party is necessary or required to be obtained by
Buyer, and no filings, registrations or declarations are required to be filed
by
Buyer, in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than consents
or
approvals that have been obtained.
5.3 No
Pending Material Litigation or Proceedings.
There
are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to Buyer’s knowledge,
threatened, against or affecting Buyer (including actions, suits or proceedings
where liabilities may be adequately covered by insurance) at law or in equity
or
before or by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department,
commission, court, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign, which might prevent the purchase of the Shares by Buyer from Seller
pursuant to this Agreement or the performance by Buyer of any of the obligations
to be performed by Buyer hereunder.
5.4 Broker’s
or Finders.
Buyer
has
not incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage
or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions or similar payment in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby.
6. Covenants
of the Parties.
Seller
and Buyer hereby covenant to and agree with the other that between the Effective
Date and the Closing:
6.1 Access
to Properties and Records; Confidentiality.
(a) Except
as
set forth in subsection (b), the Company shall give Buyer and its authorized
representatives full access in business hours, in such a manner as not unduly
to
disrupt normal business activities nor to cause undue anxiety to the Company’s
employees, to any and all of their premises, properties, contracts, books,
records and affairs, and Seller will cause the officers of the Company to
furnish any and all data and information pertaining to their business that
Buyer
may from time to time reasonably require.
(b) Buyer
will not, without the prior written consent of Seller’s Chief Executive Officer
(which consent may be given by email), initiate any discussions or other
communications, directly or indirectly, whether in person, by telephone,
through
written correspondence, email or otherwise, with (i) any employee (whether
at
the Company’s Princeton, NJ or Jiashan, China facilities), consultant, supplier,
vendor, customer or licensor of the Company, or (ii) with any other person
or
entity, including their respective representatives, with which Seller has
engaged in discussions concerning the sale of the Company including, without
limitation, any parties listed on Schedule
6.1
hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties understand and acknowledge that
Buyer
may wish to engage in discussions with Michael Cannarsa and Ken Li (the
“Designated
Employees”),
both
of whom are current Company employees, concerning transition and other matters
relating to the operation of the Company’s business following the Closing (an
“Authorized
Discussion”).
To
the extent Buyer desires to initiate an Authorized Discussion, it shall first
notify Seller’s Chief Financial Officer, Brian Lenz, of its desire to so engage
in such discussion, providing reasonable advance notice of the proposed time
thereof. To the extent any Authorized Discussion occurs, Mr. Lenz shall be
allowed to be present or otherwise participate. However, nothing in this
Section
6.1 shall prohibit Buyer from engaging in discussions concerning the transaction
under this Agreement with its advisors, attorneys and lenders.
(c) Between
the date hereof and the Closing Date, the parties hereto agree that no party
shall, without the prior written consent of the others as to substance,
existence and timing, disclose publicly or to any third party the existence
of
this Agreement or the terms and conditions hereof, or any prior correspondence
or any subsequent negotiations between the parties, including any confidential
information obtained thereby, except to the extent required by law, securities
exchange rules or regulations applicable to the parties or their affiliates,
or
in connection with discussions between the Buyer and its lenders. The parties
will cooperate with each other to coordinate any and all public statements
and
releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Following
the
Closing, Seller shall keep confidential and shall not disclose to any third
party all information not then in the public domain relating in any manner
to
the Company. The parties further agrees that, until the Closing, or in the
event
of termination without Closing, that certain existing Confidentiality Agreement
dated March 28, 2007 between Buyer and Seller shall survive and continue
in full
force and effect in accordance with its stated terms.
6.2 Exclusivity.
From the
Effective Date until the earliest of (a) the Last Closing Date, (b) the
Closing, or (c) such earlier date as this Agreement is terminated,
neither
Seller, the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries,
directors, officers, employees, representatives or agents, shall directly
or
indirectly, alone or with others, solicit, encourage or initiate any offer
or
proposal from, or engage in or continue any discussions or negotiations with
or
provide any additional information to, or accept any offer from, any person,
entity or group (other than Seller and its officers, directors, employees,
advisors, agents and representatives) concerning any inquiries or proposals
for
(a) the acquisition of all or any material part of the Company's capital
stock or assets (other than the sale of inventory in the ordinary course
of
business), (b) any merger, consolidation, joint venture or other material
business venture or material transaction involving the Company (other than
in
the ordinary course of business), or (c) any other transaction that is
inconsistent with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior
to
receipt of the approval of the Seller’s stockholders to the sale of the Shares
as contemplated hereby, Seller may, to the extent required by the fiduciary
obligations of Seller’s Board of Directors, as determined in good faith by it
based on the advice of outside counsel, in response to a Company Takeover
Proposal that was not solicited by Seller and that did not otherwise result
from
a breach or a deemed breach of this Section 6.2, (x) furnish information
with
respect to the Company to any person pursuant to a customary confidentiality
agreement (as determined by Seller’s independent counsel) and (y) participate in
discussions or negotiations (including solicitation of a revised Company
Takeover Proposal) with such person regarding any Company Takeover Proposal.
Without limiting the foregoing, it is agreed that any violation of the
restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence by any executive officer
of
Seller or any affiliate, director or investment banker, attorney or other
advisor or representative of Seller, whether or not such person is purporting
to
act on behalf of Seller, the Company or otherwise, shall be deemed to be
a
breach of this Section 6.2 by Seller. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Company
Takeover Proposal”
means
any proposal or offer for a merger, consolidation, acquisition, dissolution,
recapitalization, or other business combination involving Company, any proposal
for the issuance by the Company of a material amount of its equity securities
as
consideration for the assets or securities of another person or any proposal
or
offer to acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, a material equity
interest in, any voting securities of, or a substantial portion of the assets
of, the Company, other than the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.3 Corporate
Existence, Rights and Franchises.
Seller
shall take all necessary actions to cause the Company and Subsidiaries to
maintain in full force and effect their respective corporate existence, rights,
franchises and good standing. No change shall be made to the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or the Subsidiaries.
6.4 Insurance.
Seller
shall take all necessary actions to cause the Company to maintain in force
until
the Closing all of its existing insurance policies, subject only to variations
in amounts required by the ordinary operation of their business.
6.5 Conduct
of Business in the Ordinary Course. Seller
shall not permit to be done any act which would result in the breach of any
of
the covenants of the Company contained herein or which would cause the
representations and warranties of the Company contained herein to become
untrue
or inaccurate as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. Without limiting
the
generality of the foregoing, except as may be contemplated by this Agreement,
Seller shall take all necessary actions to cause the Company to (a) operate
its
business diligently in the ordinary course of business as an ongoing concern,
and will use its best efforts to preserve intact its organization and operations
at current levels and to make available to Buyer the services of present
employees and to preserve for Buyer relationships with its suppliers and
customers and others having business relationships with the Company; (b)
maintain in reasonable operating condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
all
of the Company’s assets and properties; (c) maintain the books, accounts and
records of the Company in the usual, regular and ordinary manner, on a basis
consistent with past practice in recent periods; (d) refrain from entering
into
any contract, agreement, sales order, lease, capital expenditure or other
commitment of a value in excess of $50,000 (other than purchases of raw
materials and sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business), or
from
modifying, amending, canceling or terminating any of such contracts, agreements,
leases or other commitments presently in force, except as expressly contemplated
by this Agreement, without the prior approval of Buyer (which approval shall
not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed and which may be verbal to be followed
by
written confirmation); (e) refrain from paying any dividend, or making any
other
distribution in respect of, or from redeeming, the Shares or Subsidiary Shares;
and (f) refrain from issuing any capital stock or other securities convertible
into capital stock.
6.6 Risk
of Loss.
In the
event that all or a material part of the assets or properties of the Company,
taken as a whole, are destroyed, substantially damaged, or their use
substantially impaired, prior to the Closing, or are taken by eminent domain
by
any governmental entity, Buyer shall be entitled to elect within fifteen
(15)
business days of notice thereof to terminate this Agreement, in which case
all
parties hereto shall pay their own expenses. In the event that Buyer elects
not
to terminate this Agreement as provided immediately above, Buyer shall have
a
period of fifteen (15) business days within which to obtain the agreement
of
Seller as to an appropriate adjustment to the aggregate Purchase Price for
the
Shares, at the end of which period this Agreement shall terminate if such
further agreement has not been reached, and all parties shall pay their own
expenses.
6.7 Best
Efforts; Consents.
Each of
the parties shall use its best efforts to obtain any and all necessary permits,
approvals, qualifications, consents, releases or authorizations from third
parties and governmental authorities which are required to be obtained prior
to
the Closing or which the failure to obtain would have a material adverse
effect
on the Company after Closing, and shall use its best efforts to close the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the terms set forth herein,
and
to make or complete all filings, proceedings and waiting periods required
to be
made or completed prior to the Closing. The foregoing shall include Seller
causing the Company to use its best efforts to obtain consents, in form and
substance satisfactory to Buyer, from any and all lienholders and those holding
security interests in their assets, to all of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement.
6.8 No
Equitable Conversion.
Prior to
the Closing, neither the execution of this Agreement nor the performance
of any
provision contained herein shall cause either Buyer, on the one hand, or
the
Company or Seller, on the other hand, to be or become liable for or in respect
of the operations or business of the other, for the cost of any labor or
materials furnished to or purchased by the other, for compliance with any
laws,
requirements or regulations of, or taxes, assessments or other charges now
or
hereafter due to, any governmental authority, or for any other charges or
expenses whatsoever pertaining to the conduct of the business or the ownership,
title, possession, use or occupancy of the property of the other, and each
hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the other harmless from any such
liability.
6.9 Assignment
of Lease.
Effective
as of the Closing, Seller shall assign to Buyer, and Buyer agrees to accept
from
Seller, an assignment of all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to
that certain Lease Agreement dated March 28, 2003, as amended through January
19, 2006 (the “Lease
Agreement”),
between Seller and Princeton Corporate Plaza, LLC (“Lessor”).
Seller’s lease relating to the Company’s Princeton, New Jersey facility. The
parties will reasonably cooperate in obtaining the consent of the Lessor
under
such lease to the extent required by the terms and conditions of the Lease
Agreement.
7. Conditions
to the Obligations of the Parties.
The
respective obligations of the parties hereto to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be subject to the fulfillment or written waiver,
at or
prior to the Closing, of the following conditions:
7.1 Regulatory
Approvals and Third Party Consents.
There
shall have been obtained any and all permits, approvals and qualifications
of,
and there shall have been made or completed all filings, proceedings and
waiting
periods, required by any governmental body, agency or regulatory authority
which
are required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
All
necessary consents of third parties shall have been obtained, including the
Lessor’s consent as described in Section
6.9
hereof
and consents set forth on Schedule
7.1.
7.2 No
Action or Proceeding.
No
claim, action, suit, investigation or other proceeding shall be pending or
threatened before any court or governmental agency which presents a substantial
risk of the restraint or prohibition of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement or the obtaining of material damages or other relief in connection
therewith.
7.3 Obligations
of Buyer.
The
obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are expressly subject to the satisfaction of each of the further
conditions set forth below, any or all of which may be waived by Buyer in
whole
or in part in writing:
(a) Seller
shall have performed the agreements and covenants required to be performed
by
Seller under this Agreement prior to the Closing, there shall have been no
material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
liabilities, earnings, business or prospects of the Company, as a whole,
since
the date hereof, and the representations and warranties of Seller contained
herein shall, except as contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as
qualified in a writing dated as of the date of the Closing delivered by Seller
to Buyer and accepted by Buyer, be true in all respects on and as of the
Closing
Date as if made on and as of such date, and Buyer shall have received a
certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by the President of Seller,
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and its counsel, to such effect.
(b) Seller
shall have provided Buyer with certified copies of resolutions (certified
as of
the Closing Date as being in full force and effect by the Secretary of Seller)
duly adopted by the Board of Directors and the shareholders of Seller
authorizing the making and performance by Seller of this Agreement.
7.4 Obligations
of Seller.
The
obligation of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are expressly subject to the satisfaction of each of the further
conditions set forth below, any or all of which may be waived, in whole or
in
part, by Seller in writing:
(a) Buyer
shall have performed the agreements and covenants required to be performed
by
Buyer under this Agreement prior to the Closing, and the representations
and
warranties of Buyer contained herein shall, except as contemplated or permitted
by this Agreement or as qualified in a writing dated as of the date of the
Closing delivered by the Buyer to Seller and accepted by Seller, be true
in all
respects on and as of the date of Closing as if made on and as of such date,
and
Buyer shall have provided Seller with a certificate, dated as of the Closing
Date, signed by the President of Buyer, reasonably satisfactory to the Company
and its counsel, to such effect.
(b) Buyer
shall have provided Seller with certified copies of resolutions (certified
as of
the Closing Date as being in full force and effect by the Secretary of Buyer)
duly adopted by the Board of Directors of Buyer authorizing the making and
performance by Buyer of this Agreement.
(c) Seller’s
stockholders shall have ratified and approved the transactions contemplated
herein.
8. Termination
of Obligations; No Survival of Liabilities.
8.1 Termination
of Agreement.
Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement may be terminated by either party in writing
if
the Closing does not occur on or before the close of business seven days
after
the Last Closing Date (“Termination
Date”),
and
may otherwise be terminated at any time before the Closing as follows and
in no
other manner:
(a) Mutual
Consent.
By
mutual written consent of Buyer and Seller.
(b) Conditions
to Buyer's Performance Not Met.
By
Buyer in writing if any event beyond its reasonable control occurs which
would
render impossible the satisfaction of one or more conditions set forth in
Sections
7.1, 7.2 and 7.3
to
consummate the transaction.
(c) Conditions
to Seller’s Performance Not Met.
By
Seller in writing if any event beyond its reasonable control occurs which
would
render impossible the satisfaction of one or more conditions set forth in
Sections 7.1,
7.2 and 7.4
to
consummate the transaction.
(d) Breach
of Representation, Warranty or Covenant.
By
Buyer or Seller in writing if there has been a material misrepresentation
or
material breach on the part of the other party in its representations,
warranties and covenants set forth herein, which, if curable, has not been
cured
within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the other party
of its
intention to terminate if such misrepresentation or breach
continues.
(e) Risk
of Loss.
Pursuant to the terms set forth in Section
6.6
above.
8.2 Effect
of Termination.
If this
Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are abandoned,
this Agreement shall become void and of no further force and effect, except
for
the provisions of (a) Section 6.1(b)
relating
to the obligations to keep confidential certain information and data,
(b) Section
9.1
and
10.2
relating
to certain expenses, (c) Section 9.10
relating
to arbitration, (d) Section
10.1
relating
to provision of notices, (e) Section
10.6
relating
to choice of law, and (f) this Section
8.2;
provided, however, that if any party hereto intentionally and in bad faith
fails
to perform its obligations in this Agreement or intentionally and in bad
faith
fails to perform acts that are reasonably necessary to the fulfillment of
conditions hereof or intentionally and in bad faith prevents the fulfillment
of
a condition in this Agreement, the other party may seek any available legal
and
equitable remedies in addition to those provided herein. The Escrow Agreement
between the parties, dated March 29, 2007, shall remain in effect and the
Escrow
Funds (as defined therein) shall be distributed in accordance with the
provisions therein.
9. Additional
Agreements of the Parties.
9.1 Taxes
& Expenses.
(a) Except
as
otherwise expressly provided in subsection (b) immediately below, each of
Seller
and Buyer shall pay all of their own respective taxes, attorneys’ fees and other
costs and expenses payable in connection with or as a result of the transactions
contemplated hereby and the performance and compliance with all agreements
and
conditions contained in this Agreement respectively to be performed or observed
by each of them.
(b) Seller
shall pay any and all income taxes which become due on account of the sale
and
transfer of the Shares to Buyer, and Buyer shall pay any and all sales, transfer
and use taxes, if any, related thereto, each while reserving the right to
contest any assessment of taxes as a consequence of the sale and transfer
of the
Shares.
9.2 Survival
of Representations & Warranties.
(a) The
representations and warranties contained herein and in any other document
or
instrument delivered by or on behalf of a party pursuant hereto, shall survive
the Closing for
a
period of six (6) months from the Closing Date (the
“Warranty
Period”)
and
shall
thereafter be terminated and of no further force or effect, except that the
representations set forth in Sections
4.3 and 4.4
shall
survive indefinitely. The
covenants and agreements contained herein and in any other document or
instrument delivered by or on behalf of a party hereto shall survive the
Closing, to the extent not waived, until terminated or extinguished by the
applicable terms of this Agreement or other document.
(b) Nothing
contained in Section
9.2
shall in
any way affect any obligations of any party under this Agreement that are
to be
performed, in whole or in part, after the Closing, nor shall it prevent or
preclude either party from pursuing any and all available remedies at law
or in
equity for actual fraud or felonious criminal activity (as such criminal
activity is evidenced by a conviction before a court of competent jurisdiction).
After expiration of the Warranty Period, a party’s sole recourse shall be for
claims of actual fraud or felonious criminal activity.
9.3 Indemnification
of Buyer.
Seller
shall indemnify, defend and hold Buyer and its officers, directors, agents
and
employees, and each person, if any, who controls or may control Buyer
(individually a “Buyer
Indemnified Person”
and
collectively the “Buyer
Indemnified Persons”)
harmless from and against any liability, loss, cost, expense, claim, lien
or
other damage, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and
expenses (all of the foregoing items for purposes of this Agreement are referred
to as “Damages”),
resulting from, arising out of or incurred with respect to:
(a) subject
to
Sections 9.2,
9.5 and 9.6,
any
inaccuracy in a representation or warranty of Seller herein or in any other
document or instrument delivered by or on behalf of a party pursuant hereto
(subject, with respect to any representation or warranty in this Agreement,
to
the timely submission of the Claim(s) respecting such representation or warranty
prior to the expiration of the applicable period specified in Section 9.2);
and
(b) subject
to Section
9.5
(the
limitations of which, however, shall not apply to the covenants in Section
9.11)
and
Section
9.6,
any
breach of a covenant or agreement of Seller herein (provided, however, that
with
respect to any covenant
or agreement in this Agreement, Seller’s indemnification obligation shall be
subject to the timely submission of the Claim(s) respecting such covenant
or
agreement prior to the expiration of the applicable period specified in
Section 9.2).
9.4 Indemnification
of Seller. Buyer
shall indemnify and hold Seller and its officers, directors, agents, and
employees, successors and assigns (each, a “Seller
Indemnified Person,”
and
collectively, the “Seller
Indemnified Persons”)
harmless from and against any Damages resulting from, arising out of or incurred
with respect to:
(a) subject
to Sections 9.2,
9.5 and 9.6,
any
inaccuracy in or breach of a representation or warranty of Buyer in this
Agreement or
in any
other document or instrument delivered by or on behalf of a party pursuant
hereto (subject
to the timely submission of the Claim(s) respecting such representation or
warranty prior to the expiration of the applicable period specified in
Section 9.2);
and
(b) subject
to Section
9.5
(the
limitations of which, however, shall not apply to the covenants in Section
9.11)
and
Section
9.6,
any
breach of a covenant or agreement of Buyer herein (subject to the timely
submission of the Claim(s) respecting such covenant or agreement prior to
the
expiration of the applicable period specified in Section 9.2).
9.5 Indemnification
Threshold; Maximum Liability; Limitations.
No party
hereto shall have any liability to the other party for inaccuracies in, breaches
or violations of or defaults under representations, warranties, covenants
(other
than the covenants included in Section 9.11) or agreements under this Agreement
unless and until the gross aggregate amount of such first party’s claims against
the other party for any such inaccuracies, breaches, violations and defaults
exceeds $75,000, and, thereafter, only for such amounts as may exceed $75,000
(the “Liability
Floor”).
Despite anything to the contrary in this Agreement or otherwise, a party’s
maximum aggregate liability arising under or relating in any manner to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein shall be $1,700,000 (the
“Liability
Cap”).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section shall not apply
to
Damages resulting from (a) Seller’s actual fraud or felonious criminal activity
(as such criminal activity is evidenced by a conviction before a court of
competent jurisdiction), and (b) breaches of Sections
4.3, 4.4 or 4.10.
9.6 Procedures
for Indemnification.
(a) Subject
to the other provisions of this Section
9,
Buyer
Indemnified Person(s) or Seller Indemnified Person(s) may seek indemnification
(the “Indemnified
Person”)
from
the other (the “Indemnifying
Person”)
for
any Damages
with respect to any indemnification claim of the Indemnified Person under
this
Agreement (a “Claim”)
by
promptly (and in any event, no later than ninety (90) days after any such
Indemnified Person first has any knowledge of such Damages or Claim) providing
written notice (a “Claim
Notice”)
during
any applicable Warranty Period to the Indemnifying Person specifying in
reasonable detail the Damages claimed (and a reasonable estimate thereof),
the
individual items of such Damages included in the amount so stated, the date
each
such item was paid or properly accrued or arose, the nature of the
misrepresentation, breach of warranty, covenant, agreement or claim to which
such item is related, and all material facts in the knowledge of such
Indemnified Person or to which it reasonably has access pertaining to such
Claim.
If
the
Indemnifying Person with respect to such Claim: (i) agrees
with the Indemnified Person with respect to such Claim, a memorandum setting
forth such agreement shall be prepared and signed by both parties; or (ii)
disputes
the existence or the amount of such Claim, the Indemnifying Person shall
notify
the Indemnified Person in writing (with reasonable specificity) within twenty
(20) days following the Indemnifying Person’s receipt of the Claim Notice (the
“Response
Notice”)
and
the parties will negotiate in good faith to resolve such Claim for up to
thirty
(30) days or such other period of time as the parties mutually agree (and,
if
the
parties should then agree with respect to such Claim, a memorandum setting
forth
such agreement shall be prepared and signed by both parties).
(b) If
(i) no
Response Notice is received by the Indemnified Person within twenty (20)
days
after the Indemnifying Person’s receipt of any particular Claim Notice, or (ii)
the parties are unable to agree within the thirty (30) day negotiation period
specified in Section
9.6(a)
after
the Indemnified Person’s receipt of any particular Response Notice, then the
Claim at issue will be deemed disputed and the matter shall be promptly
submitted to arbitration under the provisions of Section
9.10.
Any
decision of the arbitrator with respect to both the existence and amount
of such
Claim shall be final and binding on the parties hereto.
9.7 Third-Party
Claims.
In the
event a Buyer Indemnified Person becomes aware of any third-party claim which
could result in Damages for which it or any other Buyer Indemnified Person
may
be entitled to indemnification hereunder, such Buyer Indemnified Person shall
promptly notify Seller in writing of such third party claim, and Seller shall
be
entitled, at its own expense, to participate in any defense of such claim.
Unless the Buyer Indemnified Persons first waive any and all rights to claim
Damages against any Seller Indemnified Person with respect to such third
party
claim, Buyer shall not settle any such third party claim without the consent
of
Seller. In the event that Seller has consented to any settlement, including
the
amount, of any third party claim to which any Buyer Indemnified Person is
entitled to indemnification under this Section
9,
Seller
shall have no power or authority to object under any provision of this
Section
9
to the
amount of such Claim by Buyer for indemnity with respect to such
settlement.
9.8 Knowledge
of Breach.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event Buyer has knowledge
at
the time of execution of this Agreement of any inaccuracy in, breach or
violation of or default under any of Seller’s representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, then Buyer shall be
precluded following the Closing from recovering any Damages or other relief
(whether under Section
9
of this
Agreement or otherwise, but not including under Section
2
of this
Agreement) from Seller with respect to such inaccuracy, breach, violation
or
default. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the
event Seller has knowledge at the time of execution of this Agreement of
any
inaccuracy in, breach or violation of or default under any of Buyer’s
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement, then Seller shall be precluded following the Closing from recovering
any Damages or other relief (whether under Section
9
of this
Agreement or otherwise) from Buyer with respect to such inaccuracy, breach,
violation or default. As a result of due diligence, the parties may mutually
agree to amend this Agreement prior to Closing to correct any inaccuracy
in any
representation, warranties, covenants or agreements contained
herein.
9.9. Exclusive
Remedy.
Except
with respect to Seller’s fraud or felonious criminal activity (as such criminal
activity is evidenced by a conviction before a court of competent jurisdiction
and any related Damages, indemnification pursuant to this Section
9
shall be
each Buyer Indemnified Person’s sole and exclusive legal remedy for any and all
Damages (including, without limitation, those articulated in any and all
Claims)
arising with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
(including without limitation, any and all claims arising from any inaccuracies
in or breach of any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant
by Seller
(or any other Seller Indemnified Person) contained in this Agreement or in
any
other document or instrument delivered by or on behalf of a party pursuant
hereto, except for injunctive relief or specific performance in connection
with
the enforcement of Section
6.1,
Section
6.2
and
Section
9.11.
9.10 Arbitration.
(a) Except
for injunctive relief or specific performance in connection with the enforcement
of Section
6.1,
Section
6.2
and
Section
9.11,
any and
all disputes, controversies and claims whether of law or fact and of any
nature
whatsoever respecting this Agreement (including, without limitation, any
and all
Claims under Section
9)
shall
be exclusively decided by binding arbitration in the State of New Jersey.
The
arbitration shall be conducted under and in accordance with the rules of
The
American Arbitration Association (the “Arbitration
Rules”).
(b) The
arbitrator shall be selected as follows: In the event the parties to a dispute
to be decided by arbitration pursuant to this Section
9.10
agree in
writing on an arbitrator, the arbitration shall be conducted by such arbitrator.
In the event that the parties are unable to select an arbitrator within thirty
(30) days after the date an issue is submitted to arbitration hereunder,
the
arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with the Arbitration Rules. The
parties to the arbitration shall equally bear the fees and expenses of the
arbitrator.
(c) At
the
written request of any party to the arbitration, the arbitration proceedings
will be conducted in the utmost secrecy, in such case all documents, testimony
and records shall be received, heard and maintained by the arbitrator(s)
in
secrecy under seal, available for the inspection only of the parties to such
arbitration and their respective approved agents, who shall agree in advance
and
in writing to receive all such information confidentially and to maintain
such
information in secrecy until such information shall have, without any violation
of this paragraph, become generally and publicly known. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a party may publicly disclose such information relating to the
arbitration as deemed by its legal counsel to be required by law.
(d) The
arbitrator shall be able to decree any and all relief of an equitable nature,
including, but not limited to, such relief as a temporary restraining order,
a
temporary or a permanent injunction, and shall also be able to award actual
damages, subject to compliance with the Liability Floor and Liability Cap
set
forth in Section
9.5
and
excluding all punitive, special, consequential and incidental damages. The
final
decision of the arbitrator shall constitute a conclusive determination of
the
matter in question, shall be binding upon the parties hereto and shall not
be
contested by any of them. The decree or judgment of an award rendered by
the
arbitrator may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction
thereof.
9.11 Covenant
Not to Compete and Non-Solicitation.
Neither
Seller nor any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control
with
Seller (an “Affiliate”)
shall,
at any time within a ten (10) year period commencing immediately following
the
Closing (the “Effective
Period”),
directly or indirectly engage in, or have any interest of more than five
(5)
percent in any person, firm, corporation or business (whether as an agent,
security holder, creditor, contractor or otherwise) that engages in the design,
development, marketing, manufacture and/or sale of any product which is the
same
as or directly competitive with any product manufactured, marketed or sold
by
the Company as of the Closing Date (the “Company’s
Business”),
in
any area throughout the world (the “Territory”).
It is
expressly understood and agreed that Buyer is purchasing the Shares for the
purpose of causing the Company to continue to engage in the Company’s Business
in the Territory. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereinabove, nothing
contained herein shall prevent a third party from acquiring Seller at any
time,
even if such third party sells one or more products which are the same as
or
directly competitive with the Company’s Business. For a period of five (5) years
after Closing, Seller or its Affiliates will not, directly or indirectly,
induce
or attempt to induce any customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to
reduce or cease doing business with the Company or such Subsidiary, or solicit
the business of any customer of the Company’s Business; provided,
however,
that
nothing herein shall restrict Seller from soliciting the business of any
such
customer with respect to any business, transaction or other relationship
that
does not compete with the Company’s Business. For a period of five (5) years
after Closing, Seller or its Affiliates will not directly or indirectly initiate
any offer of employment to, or in any other manner solicit the services of,
any
person who is an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of
the
date of termination or expiration for employment by Seller with respect to
a
business that competes with the Company’s Business, unless Seller first obtains
Seller’s prior written consent or such person’s relationship with the Company
has been terminated for at least six (6) months prior thereto. In the event
that
this Agreement is terminated or expires without Closing for any reason, then
for
a period of two (2) years thereafter, Buyer will not directly or indirectly
initiate any offer of employment to, or in any other manner solicit the services
of, any person who is an employee of the Company as of the date of termination
or expiration, unless Buyer first obtains Seller’s prior written consent or such
person’s relationship with the Company has been terminated for at least six (6)
months prior thereto. The parties agree that a breach of the foregoing covenants
may cause irreparable damage to the non-breaching party, the extent of which
may
be difficult to ascertain, and that the award of damages may not be adequate
relief. Therefore, the parties agree that, in the event of a breach or a
threatened breach of those covenants, the non-breaching party may institute
an
action to compel the specific performance of the covenants. The parties further
consent to the granting of such remedy, agree not to assert adequacy of money
damages as a defense, and agree that such remedy shall be cumulative, not
exclusive, and in addition to any other available remedies.
9.12 Cash
Management.
All
cash held by the Company or any Subsidiary in accounts located outside the
United States shall be maintained by the Company or such Subsidiary at and
after
the time of Closing. All cash held by either the Company or Seller in accounts
located in the United States shall, at Closing, be retained by Seller. Seller
agrees that any and all cash, whether in currency, check or wire form, and
all
other property received by Seller after the Closing Date (excluding tax refunds)
and related to the business of the Company shall be for the account of Buyer,
and Seller shall deliver all such cash to Buyer with a written accounting
thereof.
9.13 Further
Assurances.
After
the Closing Date, each party shall execute and deliver such further
certificates, agreements and other documents and take such other actions
as may
be necessary or appropriate to consummate or implement the transactions
contemplated hereby or to evidence such transactions.
9.14 Employment.
After
Closing, Buyer shall not be obligated to continue to employ, or cause the
Company to continue to employ all or any of its employees, or to continue
to
provide them with comparable benefits; provided however, that Buyer shall
cause
the Company to honor all applicable benefit plan obligations, and Buyer
acknowledges that it and the Company have the sole responsibility and obligation
for any actions taken on or after the Closing Date to terminate or modify
the
employment of any employee of the Company, and Buyer will hold Seller harmless
from any claims or obligations with respect thereto. At Buyer’s request, Company
agrees to use reasonable efforts to facilitate the continued employment of
key
employees and officers of the Company after the Closing.
10. Miscellaneous.
10.1 Notices.
All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be
deemed given upon personal delivery, facsimile transmission (with written
or
facsimile confirmation of receipt), addressed to the parties at the following
addresses:
If
to Seller:
VioQuest
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
180
Mt. Airy Road, Suite 102
Basking
Ridge, NJ 07920
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile:
(908) 766-4455
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|
With
copy to:
Maslon
Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP
90
South Seventh Street, Suite 3300
Minneapolis,
MN 55402-4140
Attention:
Christopher J. Melsha
Facsimile:
(612) 642-8343
|
If
to Buyer:
Mr.
Xumu Zhang
28
Meadowlark Drive
Plainsboro,
NJ 08536
Facsimile:
732-445-6312
|
|
With
copy to:
Tim
Ryan
The
Trout Group
740
Broadway
New
York, NY 10003
Facsimile:
(646) 378-2901
and
Carter
Ledyard & Milburn LLP
2
Wall Street
New
York, NY 10005
Attention:
Alan J. Bernstein
Facsimile:
(212) 732-3232
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10.2 Expenses.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, all fees, costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such fees, costs
or
expenses.
10.3 Integration.
This
Agreement and the Exhibits, Schedules, documents, instruments and other
agreements between the parties hereto that are referred to herein constitute
the
entire agreement among the parties with respect to the specific subject matter
set forth herein or therein and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to
the
subject matter hereof or thereof, including, without limitation, any term
sheets
or letters of intent.
10.4 Assignment.
No party
hereto shall assign or transfer or permit the assignment or transfer of this
Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party; provided,
however, that a change in control of Seller shall not be deemed an assignment
hereof.
10.5 Severability.
Any
portion or provision of the Agreement which is invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the
extent
of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in
any way
the remaining portions or provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or, to the
extent permitted by law, rendering that or any other portion or provision
of the
Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other
jurisdiction.
10.6 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be
governed in all respects, including validity, interpretation and effect,
by the
laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to its rules of conflicts
of
law.
10.7 No
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Except
as provided in Section
9
as to
Indemnified Parties, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties
hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied
shall
give or be construed to give to any person or entity, other than the parties
hereto and such assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.
10.8 Facsimile
Signatures.
Signatures to this Agreement received by a party via facsimile shall be deemed
to be original signatures for all purposes.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this
Stock
Purchase & Sale Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
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VioQuest
Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Daniel E.
Greenleaf |
|
Daniel
E. Greenleaf |
|
President & Chief
Executive Officer |
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Chiral
Quest Acquisition
Corp. |
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By: |
/s/ Xumu
Zhang |
|
Xumu
Zhang |
|
Its:
Chairman |
Appendix
B
FORM
OF
CERTIFICATE
OF AMENDMENT
OF
THE
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
OF
VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Pursuant
to Section 242 of the General
Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware
It
is
hereby certified that:
l. VioQuest
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a corporation formed under the laws of the State
of
Delaware, and its Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of
the
Secretary of State on October 14, 2005, as amended.
2. The
Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by deleting the text of Article
4
in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
4.
Number
of Shares.
A. The
corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock designated "Common
Stock" and "Preferred Stock," respectively. The total number of shares of
Common
Stock authorized to be issued is 150,000,000, and each such share will have
a
par value of $0.001. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock authorized
to
be issued is 10,000,000, and each such share will have a par value of
$0.001.
B. Effective
12:01 a.m. on , 2007
(the "Effective Time") every [ ] shares
of Common Stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding immediately prior
to
the Effective Time ("Old Common Stock") shall automatically be combined,
without
any action on the part of the holder thereof, into one (1) share of fully
paid
and nonassessable Common Stock of the Corporation ("New Common Stock"), subject
to the treatment of fractional shares interests described below.
C. Following
the Effective Time, each holder of Old Common Stock shall be entitled to
receive
upon surrender of such holder's certificate(s) representing Old Common Stock
(whether one or more, "Old Certificates") for cancellation pursuant to
procedures adopted by the Corporation, a certificate(s) representing the
number
of whole shares of New Common Stock (whether one or more, "New Certificates")
into which and for which the shares of Old Common Stock formerly represented
by
such Old Certificates so surrendered are reclassified under the terms hereof.
From and after the Effective Time, Old Certificates shall represent only
the
right to receive New Certificates and, where applicable, cash in lieu of
fractional shares, as provided below.
D. No
fractional shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be issued. No
shareholder of the Corporation shall transfer any fractional shares of Common
Stock of the Corporation. The Corporation shall not recognize on its stock
record books any purported transfer of any fractional share of Common Stock
of
the Corporation. A holder of Old Certificates at the Effective Time who would
otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of New Common Stock shall,
in
lieu thereof, be entitled to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to
the
fraction to which the shareholder would otherwise be entitled multiplied
by the
last reported per share sale price of the Common Stock on the day immediately
prior to the Effective Time, as reported on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin
Board
(or if such price is not available, then such other price as determined by
the
Board of Directors).
E. The
Preferred Stock may be divided into, and may be issued from time to time
in one
or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (“Board”) is
authorized from time to time to establish and designate any such series of
Preferred Stock, to fix and determine the variations in the relative rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions as between and among such series
and
any other class of capital stock of the Corporation and any series thereof,
and
to fix or alter the number of shares comprising any such series and the
designation thereof. The authority of the Board from time to time with respect
to each such series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of
the
following:
(i)
The designation of the series;
(ii) The
number of shares of the series and (except where otherwise provided in the
creation of the series) any subsequent increase or decrease therein;
(iii) The
dividends, if any, for shares of the series and the rates, conditions, times
and
relative preferences thereof;
(iv) The
redemption rights, if any, and price or prices for shares of the series;
(v) The
terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption
of
the series;
(vi) The
relative rights of shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Corporation;
(vii) Whether
the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class
or
series of shares of the Corporation, and, if so, the specification of such
other
class or series, the conversion prices or rate or rates, any adjustments
thereof, the date or dates as of which such shares shall be convertible and
all
other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made;
(viii) The
voting rights, if any, of the holders of such series; and
(ix) Such
other designations, powers, preference and relative, participating, optional
or
other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions
thereof.
3. This
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in
accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.
The
undersigned is signing this certificate on ______________, 2007.
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Daniel
Greenleaf |
|
President and
Chief
Executive Officer |
Appendix
C
VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2003
Stock Option Plan
(as
amended through February 26, 2007)
1. Purpose.
The
purpose of the 2003 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”)
of
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (f/k/a Chiral Quest, Inc., the “Company”)
is to
increase shareholder value and to advance the interests of the Company
by
furnishing a variety of economic incentives (“Incentives”)
designed to attract, retain and motivate employees, directors and consultants.
Incentives may consist of opportunities to purchase or receive shares of
Common
Stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company (“Common
Stock”),
monetary payments or both on terms determined under this Plan.
2. Administration.
2.1 The
Plan shall be administered by a committee of the Board of Directors of
the
Company (the “Committee”).
The
Committee shall consist of not less than two directors of the Company who
shall
be appointed from time to time by the board of directors of the Company.
Each
member of the Committee shall be a “non-employee director” within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules
and
regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange
Act”),
and
an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The
Committee shall have complete authority to determine all provisions of
all
Incentives awarded under the Plan (as consistent with the terms of the
Plan), to
interpret the Plan, and to make any other determination which it believes
necessary and advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. The
Committee’s decisions and matters relating to the Plan shall be final and
conclusive on the Company and its participants. No member of the Committee
will
be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect
to the
Plan or any Incentives granted under the Plan. The Committee will also
have the
authority under the Plan to amend or modify the terms of any outstanding
Incentives in any manner; provided, however, that the amended or modified
terms
are permitted by the Plan as then in effect and that any recipient on an
Incentive adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented
to
such amendment or modification. No amendment or modification to an Incentive,
however, whether pursuant to this Section 2 or any other provisions of
the Plan,
will be deemed to be a re-grant of such Incentive for purposes of this
Plan. If
at any time there is no Committee, then for purposes of the Plan the term
“Committee” shall mean the Company’s Board of Directors.
2.2 In
the event of (i) any reorganization, merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
split,
reverse stock split of shares, rights offering, extraordinary dividend
or
divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in corporate
structure or shares, (ii) any purchase, acquisition, sale or disposition of
a significant amount of assets or a significant business, (iii) any change
in accounting principles or practices, or (iv) any other similar change, in
each case with respect to the Company or any other entity whose performance
is
relevant to the grant or vesting of an Incentive, the Committee (or, if
the
Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board
of
directors of the surviving corporation) may, without the consent of any
affected
participant, amend or modify the vesting criteria of any outstanding Incentive
that is based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company
(or any subsidiary or division thereof) or such other entity so as equitably
to
reflect such event, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating
such financial performance of the Company or such other entity will be
substantially the same (in the sole discretion of the Committee or the
board of
directors of the surviving corporation) following such event as prior to
such
event; provided, however, that the amended or modified terms are permitted
by
the Plan as then in effect.
3. Eligible
Participants.
Employees of the Company or its subsidiaries (including officers and employees
of the Company or its subsidiaries), directors and consultants, advisors
or
other independent contractors who provide services to the Company or its
subsidiaries (including members of the Company’s scientific advisory board)
shall become eligible to receive Incentives under the Plan when designated
by
the Committee. Participants may be designated individually or by groups
or
categories (for example, by pay grade) as the Committee deems appropriate.
Participation by officers of the Company or its subsidiaries and any performance
objectives relating to such officers must be approved by the Committee.
Participation by others and any performance objectives relating to others
may be
approved by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) and authority
to
designate participants who are not officers and to set or modify such targets
may be delegated.
4. Types
of Incentives.
Incentives under the Plan may be granted in any one or a reverse stock
split of
the following forms: (a) incentive stock options and non-statutory stock
options
(Section 6); (b) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”)
(Section 7); (c) stock awards (Section 8); (d) restricted stock (Section
8); and
(e) performance shares (Section 9).
5. Shares
Subject to the Plan.
5.1. Number
of Shares.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6, the number of shares of Common
Stock
which may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed 7,500,000 shares of
Common
Stock. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under the Plan or that are
subject
to outstanding Incentives will be applied to reduce the maximum number
of shares
of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan.
5.2. Cancellation.
To the
extent that cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock is delivered upon the
exercise of an SAR pursuant to Section 7.4, the Company shall be deemed,
for
purposes of applying the limitation on the number of shares, to have issued
the
greater of the number of shares of Common Stock which it was entitled to
issue
upon such exercise or on the exercise of any related option. In the event
that a
stock option or SAR granted hereunder expires or is terminated or canceled
unexercised or unvested as to any shares of Common Stock, such shares may
again
be issued under the Plan either pursuant to stock options, SARs or otherwise.
In
the event that shares of Common Stock are issued as restricted stock or
pursuant
to a stock award and thereafter are forfeited or reacquired by the Company
pursuant to rights reserved upon issuance thereof, such forfeited and reacquired
shares may again be issued under the Plan, either as restricted stock,
pursuant
to stock awards or otherwise. The Committee may also determine to cancel,
and
agree to the cancellation of, stock options in order to make a participant
eligible for the grant of a stock option at a lower price than the option
to be
canceled.
6. Stock
Options.
A stock
option is a right to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company.
The
Committee may designate whether an option is to be considered an incentive
stock
option or a non-statutory stock option. To the extent that any incentive
stock
option granted under the Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an “incentive
stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such incentive stock
option will continue to be outstanding for purposes of the Plan but will
thereafter be deemed to be a non-statutory stock option. Each stock option
granted by the Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following
terms
and conditions:
6.1. Price.
The
option price per share shall be determined by the Committee, subject to
adjustment under Section 11.6.
6.2. Number.
The
number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option shall be determined
by
the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6. The number
of
shares of Common Stock subject to a stock option shall be reduced in the
same
proportion that the holder thereof exercises a SAR if any SAR is granted
in
conjunction with or related to the stock option. No individual may receive
options to purchase more than 900,000 shares in any year.
6.3. Duration
and Time for Exercise.
Subject
to earlier termination as provided in Section 11.4, the term of each stock
option shall be determined by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years
and
one day from the date of grant. Each stock option shall become exercisable
at
such time or times during its term as shall be determined by the Committee
at
the time of grant. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any
stock
option. Subject to the foregoing and with the approval of the Committee,
all or
any part of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the right
to
purchase has accrued may be purchased by the Company at the time of such
accrual
or at any time or times thereafter during the term of the option.
6.4. Manner
of Exercise.
Subject
to the conditions contained in this Plan and in the agreement with the
recipient
evidencing such option, a stock option may be exercised, in whole or in
part, by
giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of shares of
Common
Stock to be purchased and accompanied by the full purchase price for such
shares. The exercise price shall be payable (a) in United States dollars
upon
exercise of the option and may be paid by cash; uncertified or certified
check;
bank draft; (b) at the discretion of the Committee, by delivery of shares
of
Common Stock that are already owned by the participant in payment of all
or any
part of the exercise price, which shares shall be valued for this purpose
at the
Fair Market Value on the date such option is exercised; or (c) at the discretion
of the Committee, by instructing the Company to withhold from the shares
of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the stock option shares of Common
Stock
in payment of all or any part of the exercise price and/or any related
withholding tax obligations, which shares shall be valued for this purpose
at
the Fair Market Value or in such other manner as may be authorized from
time to
time by the Committee. The shares of Common Stock delivered by the participant
pursuant to Section 6.4(b) must have been held by the participant for a
period
of not less than six months prior to the exercise of the option, unless
otherwise determined by the Committee. Prior to the issuance of shares
of Common
Stock upon the exercise of a stock option, a participant shall have no
rights as
a shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no adjustment
will be
made for dividends or distributions with respect to such stock options
as to
which there is a record date preceding the date the participant becomes
the
holder of record of such shares, except as the Committee may determine
in its
discretion.
6.5. Incentive
Stock Options.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the following additional
provisions shall apply to the grant of stock options which are intended
to
qualify as Incentive Stock Options (as such term is defined in Section
422 of
the Code):
(a) The
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted)
of
the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options
are
exercisable for the first time by any participant during any calendar year
(under the Plan and any other incentive stock option plans of the Company
or any
subsidiary or parent corporation of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000.
The
determination will be made by taking incentive stock options into account
in the
order in which they were granted.
(b) Any
Incentive Stock Option certificate authorized under the Plan shall contain
such
other provisions as the Committee shall deem advisable, but shall in all
events
be consistent with and contain all provisions required in order to qualify
the
options as Incentive Stock Options.
(c) All
Incentive Stock Options must be granted within ten years from the earlier
of the
date on which this Plan was adopted by board of directors or the date this
Plan
was approved by the Company’s shareholders.
(d) Unless
sooner exercised, all Incentive Stock Options shall expire no later than
10
years after the date of grant. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercisable
after ten (10) years from its date of grant (five (5) years from its date
of
grant if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant
owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting
power
of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation
of the Company).
(e) The
exercise price for Incentive Stock Options shall be not less than 100%
of the
Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant with
respect
to an Incentive Stock Option; provided that the exercise price shall be
110% of
the Fair Market Value if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted,
the
participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary
corporation of the Company.
7. Stock
Appreciation Rights.
An SAR
is a right to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of shares
of
Common Stock, cash or any reverse stock split thereof, the amount of which
is
determined pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 7.4. An SAR may
be
granted (a) with respect to any stock option granted under this Plan, either
concurrently with the grant of such stock option or at such later time
as
determined by the Committee (as to all or any portion of the shares of
Common
Stock subject to the stock option), or (b) alone, without reference to
any
related stock option. Each SAR granted by the Committee under this Plan
shall be
subject to the following terms and conditions:
7.1. Number;
Exercise Price.
Each
SAR granted to any participant shall relate to such number of shares of
Common
Stock as shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as
provided
in Section 11.6. In the case of an SAR granted with respect to a stock
option,
the number of shares of Common Stock to which the SAR pertains shall be
reduced
in the same proportion that the holder of the option exercises the related
stock
option. The exercise price of an SAR will be determined by the Committee,
in its
discretion, at the date of grant but may not be less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant.
7.2. Duration.
Subject
to earlier termination as provided in Section 11.4, the term of each SAR
shall
be determined by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years and one day
from
the date of grant. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, each SAR
shall
become exercisable at such time or times, to such extent and upon such
conditions as the stock option, if any, to which it relates, is exercisable.
The
Committee may in its discretion accelerate the exercisability of any
SAR.
7.3. Exercise.
An SAR
may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the
Company,
specifying the number of SARs which the holder wishes to exercise. Upon
receipt
of such written notice, the Company shall, within 90 days thereafter, deliver
to
the exercising holder certificates for the shares of Common Stock or cash or
both, as determined by the Committee, to which the holder is entitled pursuant
to Section 7.4.
7.4. Payment.
Subject
to the right of the Committee to deliver cash in lieu of shares of Common
Stock
(which, as it pertains to officers and directors of the Company, shall
comply
with all requirements of the Exchange Act), the number of shares of Common
Stock
which shall be issuable upon the exercise of an SAR shall be determined
by
dividing:
(a) the
number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is exercised multiplied
by
the amount of the appreciation in such shares (for this purpose, the
“appreciation” shall be the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the shares
of Common Stock subject to the SAR on the exercise date exceeds (1) in
the case
of an SAR related to a stock option, the exercise price of the shares of
Common
Stock under the stock option or (2) in the case of an SAR granted alone,
without
reference to a related stock option, an amount which shall be determined
by the
Committee at the time of grant, subject to adjustment under Section 11.6);
by
(b) the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date.
In
lieu
of issuing shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a SAR, the Committee
may
elect to pay the holder of the SAR cash equal to the Fair Market Value
on the
exercise date of any or all of the shares which would otherwise be issuable.
No
fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the exercise of
an SAR;
instead, the holder of the SAR shall be entitled to receive a cash adjustment
equal to the same fraction of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common
Stock
on the exercise date or to purchase the portion necessary to make a whole
share
at its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.
8. Stock
Awards and Restricted Stock.
A stock
award consists of the transfer by the Company to a participant of shares
of
Common Stock, without other payment therefore, as additional compensation
for
services to the Company. The participant receiving a stock award will have
all
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to the shares
of
Common Stock issued to a participant as a stock award under this Section
8 upon
the participant becoming the holder of record of such shares. A share of
restricted stock consists of shares of Common Stock which are sold or
transferred by the Company to a participant at a price determined by the
Committee (which price shall be at least equal to the minimum price required
by
applicable law for the issuance of a share of Common Stock) and subject
to
restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the participant, which
restrictions and conditions may be determined by the Committee as long
as such
restrictions and conditions are not inconsistent with the terms of the
Plan. The
transfer of Common Stock pursuant to stock awards and the transfer and
sale of
restricted stock shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
8.1. Number
of Shares.
The
number of shares to be transferred or sold by the Company to a participant
pursuant to a stock award or as restricted stock shall be determined by
the
Committee.
8.2. Sale
Price.
The
Committee shall determine the price, if any, at which shares of restricted
stock
shall be sold or granted to a participant, which may vary from time to
time and
among participants and which may be below the Fair Market Value of such
shares
of Common Stock at the date of sale.
8.3. Restrictions.
All
shares of restricted stock transferred or sold hereunder shall be subject
to
such restrictions as the Committee may determine, including, without limitation
any or all of the following:
(a) a
prohibition against the sale, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance of
the
shares of restricted stock, such prohibition to lapse at such time or times
as
the Committee shall determine (whether in annual or more frequent installments,
at the time of the death, disability or retirement of the holder of such
shares,
or otherwise);
(b) a
requirement that the holder of shares of restricted stock forfeit, or (in
the
case of shares sold to a participant) resell back to the Company at his
or her
cost, all or a part of such shares in the event of termination of his or
her
employment or consulting engagement during any period in which such shares
are
subject to restrictions; or
(c) such
other conditions or restrictions as the Committee may deem
advisable.
8.4. Escrow.
In
order to enforce the restrictions imposed by the Committee pursuant to
Section
8.3, the participant receiving restricted stock shall enter into an agreement
with the Company setting forth the conditions of the grant. Shares of restricted
stock shall be registered in the name of the participant and deposited,
together
with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company. Each such certificate
shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
The
transferability of this certificate and the shares of Common Stock represented
by it are subject to the terms and conditions (including conditions of
forfeiture) contained in the 2003 Stock Option Plan of VioQuest Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., (the “Company”), and an agreement entered into between the registered
owner and the Company. A copy of the 2003 Stock Option Plan and the agreement
is
on file in the office of the secretary of the Company.
8.5. End
of
Restrictions.
Subject
to Section 11.5, at the end of any time period during which the shares
of
restricted stock are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer,
such
shares will be delivered free of all restrictions to the participant or
to the
participant’s legal representative, beneficiary or heir.
8.6. Shareholder.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan, each participant receiving restricted
stock shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to shares
of stock
during any period in which such shares are subject to forfeiture and
restrictions on transfer, including without limitation, the right to vote
such
shares. Dividends paid in cash or property other than Common Stock with
respect
to shares of restricted stock shall be paid to the participant currently.
Unless
the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion, any dividends
or
distributions (including regular quarterly cash dividends) paid with respect
to
shares of Common Stock subject to the restrictions set forth above will
be
subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends
or
distributions relate. In the event the Committee determines not to pay
dividends
or distributions currently, the Committee will determine in its sole discretion
whether any interest will be paid on such dividends or distributions. In
addition, the Committee in its sole discretion may require such dividends
and
distributions to be reinvested (and in such case the participant consents
to
such reinvestment) in shares of Common Stock that will be subject to the
same
restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions
relate.
9. Performance
Shares.
A
performance share consists of an award which shall be paid in shares of
Common
Stock, as described below. The grant of a performance share shall be subject
to
such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, including
the
following:
9.1. Performance
Objectives.
Each
performance share will be subject to performance objectives for the Company
or
one of its operating units to be achieved by the participant before the
end of a
specified period. The number of performance shares granted shall be determined
by the Committee and may be subject to such terms and conditions, as the
Committee shall determine. If the performance objectives are achieved,
each
participant will be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash as determined
by the
Committee. If such objectives are not met, each grant of performance shares
may
provide for lesser payments in accordance with formulas established in
the
award.
9.2. Not
Shareholder.
The
grant of performance shares to a participant shall not create any rights
in such
participant as a shareholder of the Company, until the payment of shares
of
Common Stock with respect to an award.
9.3. No
Adjustments.
No
adjustment shall be made in performance shares granted on account of cash
dividends which may be paid or other rights which may be issued to the
holders
of Common Stock prior to the end of any period for which performance objectives
were established.
9.4. Expiration
of Performance Share.
If any
participant’s employment or consulting engagement with the Company is terminated
for any reason other than normal retirement, death or disability prior
to the
achievement of the participant’s stated performance objectives, all the
participant’s rights on the performance shares shall expire and terminate unless
otherwise determined by the Committee. In the event of termination of employment
or consulting by reason of death, disability, or normal retirement, the
Committee, in its own discretion may determine what portions, if any, of
the
performance shares should be paid to the participant.
10. Change
of Control.
10.1 Change
in Control.
For
purposes of this Section 10, a “Change
in Control”
of
the
Company will mean the following:
(a) the
sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, directly or indirectly, of
substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction or in
a
series of related transactions) to a person or entity that is not controlled
by
the Company;
(b) the
approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for
the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(c) any
person becomes after the effective date of the Plan the “beneficial owner” (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,
of (i)
20% or more, but not 50% or more, of the combined voting power of the Company’s
outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections
of
directors, unless the transaction resulting in such ownership has been
approved
in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below), or (ii) 50%
or more
of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily
having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval
by the Continuing Directors); provided that a traditional institution or
venture
capital financing transaction shall be excluded from this
definition;
(d) a
merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the shareholders
of
the Company immediately prior to effective date of such merger or consolidation
have “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation,
of securities of the surviving corporation representing (i) 50% or more,
but
less than 80%, of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then
outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections
of
directors, unless such merger or consolidation has been approved in advance
by
the Continuing Directors, or (ii) less than 50% of the combined voting
power of the surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily
having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval
by the Continuing Directors); or
(e) after
the date the Company’s securities are first sold in a registered public
offering, the Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute at
least a
majority of the Board.
10.2 Continuing
Directors.
For
purposes of this Section 10, “Continuing Directors” of the Company will mean any
individuals who are members of the Board on the effective date of the Plan
and
any individual who subsequently becomes a member of the Board whose election,
or
nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the Continuing Directors (either by specific vote
or by
approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such individual is named as a
nominee for director without objection to such nomination).
10.3 Acceleration
of Incentives.
Without
limiting the authority of the Committee under the Plan, if a Change in
Control
of the Company occurs whereby the acquiring entity or successor to the
Company
does not assume the Incentives or replace them with substantially equivalent
incentive awards, then, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in its
sole
discretion in the agreement evidencing an Incentive at the time of grant,
then
as of the date of the Change of Control (a) all outstanding options and
SARs
will vest and will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain
exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the
participant to whom such options or SARs have been granted remains in the
employ
or service of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any acquiring
entity or successor to the Company; (b) the restrictions on all shares
of
restricted stock awards shall lapse immediately; and (c) all performance
shares
shall be deemed to be met and payment made immediately.
10.4 Cash
Payment for Options.
If a
Change in Control of the Company occurs, then the Committee, if approved
by the
Committee in its sole discretion either in an agreement evidencing an option
at
the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an option, and without
the
consent of any participant affected thereby, may determine that:
(a) some
or all participants holding outstanding options will receive, with respect
to
some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such options, as of
the
effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, cash in an
amount
equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares immediately
prior to
the effective date of such Change in Control of the Company over the exercise
price per share of such options; and
(b) any
options as to which, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control,
the
Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such options
is less
than or equal to the exercise price per share of such options, shall terminate
as of the effective date of any such Change in Control.
If
the
Committee makes a determination as set forth in subparagraph (a) of this
Section
10.4, then as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the
Company
such options will terminate as to such shares and the participants formerly
holding such options will only have the right to receive such cash payment(s).
If the Committee makes a determination as set forth in subparagraph (b)
of this
Section 10.4, then as of the effective date of any such Change in Control
of the
Company such options will terminate, become void and expire as to all
unexercised shares of Common Stock subject to such options on such date,
and the
participants formerly holding such options will have no further rights
with
respect to such options.
11. General.
11.1. Effective
Date.
The
Plan will become effective upon approval by the Company’s board of directors.
11.2. Duration.
The
Plan shall remain in effect until all Incentives granted under the Plan
have
either been satisfied by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the
payment
of cash or been terminated under the terms of the Plan and all restrictions
imposed on shares of Common Stock in connection with their issuance under
the
Plan have lapsed. No Incentives may be granted under the Plan after the
tenth
anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders of the
Company.
11.3. Non-transferability
of Incentives.
Except,
in the event of the holder’s death, by will or the laws of descent and
distribution to the limited extent provided in the Plan or the Incentive,
unless
approved by the Committee, no stock option, SAR, restricted stock or performance
award may be transferred, pledged or assigned by the holder thereof, either
voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law
or
otherwise, and the Company shall not be required to recognize any attempted
assignment of such rights by any participant. During a participant’s lifetime,
an Incentive may be exercised only by him or her or by his or her guardian
or
legal representative.
11.4. Effect
of Termination or Death.
In the
event that a participant ceases to be an employee of or consultant to the
Company, or the participants other service with the Company is terminated,
for
any reason, including death, any Incentives may be exercised or shall expire
at
such times as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion
in the
agreement evidencing an Incentive. Notwithstanding the other provisions
of this
Section 10.4, upon a participant’s termination of employment or other
service with the Company and all subsidiaries, the Committee may, in its
sole
discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the date of
grant,
including following such termination), cause options and SARs (or any part
thereof) then held by such participant to become or continue to become
exercisable and/or remain exercisable following such termination of employment
or service and Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Shares and Stock Awards
then
held by such participant to vest and/or continue to vest or become free
of
transfer restrictions, as the case may be, following such termination of
employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee;
provided, however, that no Incentive may remain exercisable or continue
to vest
beyond its expiration date. Any Incentive Stock Option that remains unexercised
more than one (1) year following termination of employment by reason of
death or
disability or more than three (3) months following termination for any
reason
other than death or disability will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory
Stock Option.
11.5. Additional
Conditions.
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary: (a) the Company
may, if
it shall determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, at the time
of
award of any Incentive or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant
to
any Incentive, require the recipient of the Incentive, as a condition to
the
receipt thereof or to the receipt of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant
thereto, to deliver to the Company a written representation of present
intention
to acquire the Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant
thereto
for his or her own account for investment and not for distribution; and
(b) if
at any time the Company further determines, in its sole discretion, that
the
listing, registration or qualification (or any updating of any such document)
of
any Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant thereto is
necessary on any securities exchange or under any federal or state securities
or
blue sky law, or that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory
body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with
the
award of any Incentive, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant
thereto,
or the removal of any restrictions imposed on such shares, such Incentive
shall
not be awarded or such shares of Common Stock shall not be issued or such
restrictions shall not be removed, as the case may be, in whole or in part,
unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall
have
been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the
Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered
into
pursuant to the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any shares
of
Common Stock under this Plan, and a participant may not sell, assign, transfer
or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any Incentives
granted under the Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such
shares a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities
Act”),
and
any applicable state or foreign securities laws or an exemption from such
registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities
laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit
from any other regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion,
deems necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance,
sale or
transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the
parties
involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing
shares
of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company
in order
to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.
11.6. Adjustment.
In the
event of any merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with
any
other corporation or corporations, there shall be substituted for each
of the
shares of Common Stock then subject to the Plan, including shares subject
to
restrictions, options, or achievement of performance share objectives,
the
number and kind of shares of stock or other securities to which the holders
of
the shares of Common Stock will be entitled pursuant to the transaction.
In the
event of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
split,
reverse stock split of shares or other similar change in the corporate
structure
of the Company or shares of the Company, the exercise price of an outstanding
Incentive and the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the
Plan,
including shares subject to restrictions, options or achievements of performance
shares, shall be adjusted in proportion to the change in outstanding shares
of
Common Stock in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights
of the
participants. In the event of any such adjustments, the purchase price
of any
option, the performance objectives of any Incentive, and the shares of
Common
Stock issuable pursuant to any Incentive shall be adjusted as and to the
extent
appropriate, in the discretion of the Committee, to provide participants
with
the same relative rights before and after such adjustment.
11.7. Incentive
Plans and Agreements.
Except
in the case of stock awards or cash awards, the terms of each Incentive
shall be
stated in a plan or agreement approved by the Committee. The Committee
may also
determine to enter into agreements with holders of options to reclassify
or
convert certain outstanding options, within the terms of the Plan, as Incentive
Stock Options or as non-statutory stock options and in order to eliminate
SARs
with respect to all or part of such options and any other previously issued
options.
11.8. Withholding.
(a) The
Company shall have the right to (i) withhold and deduct from any payments
made
under the Plan or from future wages of the participant (or from other amounts
that may be due and owing to the participant from the Company or a subsidiary
of
the Company), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all legally
required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all foreign, federal, state
and
local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable
to an
Incentive, or (ii) require the participant promptly to remit the amount
of such
withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing
any
shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Incentive. At any time when
a
participant is required to pay to the Company an amount required to be
withheld
under applicable income tax laws in connection with a distribution of Common
Stock or upon exercise of an option or SAR, the participant may satisfy
this
obligation in whole or in part by electing (the “Election”)
to
have the Company withhold from the distribution shares of Common Stock
having a
value up to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the shares
to be
withheld shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on
the date
that the amount of tax to be withheld shall be determined (“Tax
Date”).
(b) Each
Election must be made prior to the Tax Date. The Committee may disapprove
of any
Election, may suspend or terminate the right to make Elections, or may
provide
with respect to any Incentive that the right to make Elections shall not
apply
to such Incentive. An Election is irrevocable.
(c) If
a participant is an officer or director of the Company within the meaning
of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then an Election is subject to the following
additional restrictions:
(1) No
Election shall be effective for a Tax Date which occurs within six months
of the
grant or exercise of the award, except that this limitation shall not apply
in
the event death or disability of the participant occurs prior to the expiration
of the six-month period.
(2) The
Election must be made either six months prior to the Tax Date or must be
made
during a period beginning on the third business day following the date
of
release for publication of the Company’s quarterly or annual summary statements
of sales and earnings and ending on the twelfth business day following
such
date.
11.9. No
Continued Employment, Engagement or Right to Corporate Assets.
No
participant under the Plan shall have any right, because of his or her
participation, to continue in the employ of the Company for any period
of time
or to any right to continue his or her present or any other rate of
compensation. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as giving
an
employee, a consultant, such persons’ beneficiaries or any other person any
equity or interests of any kind in the assets of the Company or creating
a trust
of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company
and any
such person.
11.10. Deferral
Permitted.
Payment
of cash or distribution of any shares of Common Stock to which a participant
is
entitled under any Incentive shall be made as provided in the Incentive.
Payment
may be deferred at the option of the participant if provided in the
Incentive.
11.11. Amendment
of the Plan.
The
Board may amend, suspend or discontinue the Plan at any time; provided,
however,
that no amendments to the Plan will be effective without approval of the
shareholders of the Company if shareholder approval of the amendment is
then
required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code or the rules of any stock
exchange
or Nasdaq or similar regulatory body. No termination, suspension or amendment
of
the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Incentive without the consent
of
the affected participant; provided, however, that this sentence will not
impair
the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate
under
Section 11.6 of the Plan.
11.12. Definition
of Fair Market Value.
For
purposes of this Plan, the “Fair
Market Value”
of
a
share of Common Stock at a specified date shall, unless otherwise expressly
provided in this Plan, be the amount which the Committee or the board of
directors of the Company determines in good faith in the exercise of its
reasonable discretion to be 100% of the fair market value of such a share
as of
the date in question; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing,
if
such shares are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or are quoted on the
Nasdaq
National Market System or Nasdaq SmallCap Stock Market (“Nasdaq”),
then
Fair Market Value shall be determined by reference to the last sale price
of a
share of Common Stock on such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq on the
applicable date. If such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq is closed for
trading on such date, or if the Common Stock does not trade on such date,
then
the last sale price used shall be the one on the date the Common Stock
last
traded on such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq.
11.13 Breach
of Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions, or Non-Compete
Agreements.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event that
a
participant materially breaches the terms of any confidentiality, assignment
of
inventions, or non-compete agreement entered into with the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company, whether such breach occurs before or after
termination of such participant’s employment or other service with the Company
or any subsidiary, the Committee in its sole discretion may immediately
terminate all rights of the participant under the Plan and any agreements
evidencing an Incentive then held by the participant without notice of
any
kind.
11.13 Governing
Law.
The
validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the
Plan
and any rules, regulations and actions relating to the Plan will be governed
by
and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota,
notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any
jurisdictions.
11.14 Successors
and Assigns.
The
Plan will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and
permitted assigns of the Company and the participants in the Plan.
VIOQUEST
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Thursday,
May 24, 2007
10:00
a.m. (EDT)
Somerset
Hills Hotel
200
Liberty Corner Road
Warren,
New Jersey 07059
This
proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting
on
May 24, 2007.
If
no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4 and
5.
The
undersigned, a stockholder of VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hereby appoints
Daniel E. Greenleaf and Brian Lenz, and each of them, as proxies, with full
power of substitution, to vote on behalf of the undersigned the number of shares
which the undersigned is then entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to be held on May 24, 2007 at
10:00 a.m. (EDT) at the Somerset Hills Hotel, 200 Liberty Corner Road, Warren,
New Jersey 07059, and at any and all adjournments thereof, with all the powers
which the undersigned would possess if personally present.
The
undersigned hereby revokes all previous proxies relating to the shares covered
hereby and acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement
relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
There
are three ways to vote your Proxy
Your
telephone or Internet vote authorized the Named Proxies to vote your shares
in
the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy
card.
VOTE
BY PHONE - TOLL FREE - 1-800-560-1965 - QUICK *** EASY ***
IMMEDIATE
· |
Use
any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week,
until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on May 23,
2007.
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Please
have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security
Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple
instructions the voice provides
you.
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VOTE
BY INTERNET - http://www.eproxy.com/vqph/ -- QUICK *** EASY ***
IMMEDIATE
· |
Use
the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until
12:00
p.m. (CT) on May 23, 2007.
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· |
Please
have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security
Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple
instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic
ballot.
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VOTE
BY MAIL
Mark,
sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we’ve
provided or return it to VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., c/o Shareowner
Services,SM P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873.
If
you vote by Phone or Internet, plead do not mail your Proxy
Card
Please
detach here
The
Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4 and
5.
1.
Election of directors:
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01
Vincent M. Aita
02
Daniel E. Greenleaf
03
Johnson Y. N. Lau
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04
Stephen C. Rocamboli
05
Michael Weiser
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o
Vote FOR all
nominees
(except
as marked)
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o Vote
WITHHELD
from
all nominees
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(Instructions:
To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write
the
number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the
right).
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2.
To approve the sale of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Chiral
Quest, Inc., as described in the accompanying proxy
statement;
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oFor
oAgainst
oAbstain
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3.
To authorize an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation in
order to effect a reverse stock split of no more than
1-for-10;
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4.
To ratify and approve an amendment to the Company’s 2003 Stock Option
Plan, as amended;
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5.
To ratify the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2007;
and
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6.
To transact any other business as may properly come before the
Annual
Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
WHEN
PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF
NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL DESCRIBED
ABOVE.
Address
Change? Mark Box o Indicate
changes below:
Date:
________________________, 2007
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Signature(s)
in Box
Please
sign exactly as your name(s) appear on Proxy. If held in joint
tenancy,
all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should
include
title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of
corporation
and title of authorized officer signing proxy.
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