Blueprint
UNITED STATES
|
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
|
Washington, D.C. 20549
|
|
SCHEDULE 14A
|
|
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment
No. )
|
|
Filed by the Registrant [X]
|
|
Filed by a party other than the Registrant [
]
|
|
Check the appropriate box:
|
[ ]
|
Preliminary Proxy Statement
|
[ ]
|
Confidential, for Use of the Commisauditsion Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|
[X]
|
Definitive Proxy Statement
|
[ ]
|
Definitive Additional Materials
|
[ ]
|
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
|
|
CHROMADEX CORPORATION
|
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
|
|
|
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
|
|
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
[X]
|
No fee required.
|
[ ]
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
|
|
(1)
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
Total fee paid:
|
|
|
|
[ ]
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
|
[ ]
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date
of its filing.
|
|
(1)
|
Amount Previously Paid:
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
Filing Party:
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
Date Filed:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ChromaDex Corporation
10900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 650
Los Angeles, CA 90024
NOTICE OF 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2019
April 23, 2019
To the stockholders of ChromaDex Corporation:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of ChromaDex
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“we,”
“us,” “our,” “ChromaDex,” or
the “Company”), which will be held on June 21, 2019, at
11:00 a.m. local time, at the Company’s office located at
10900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90024, for the
following purposes, as more fully described in the accompanying
proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”):
(1)
|
To elect the eight nominees for director named herein;
|
(2)
|
To ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2019; and
|
(3)
|
To transact other business that may properly come before the
meeting and any postponement(s) or adjournment(s)
thereof.
|
Pursuant to the bylaws of the Company, the Board of Directors has
fixed the close of business on April 22, 2019 as the record date
(the “Record Date”) for determination of stockholders
entitled to notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any
adjournment thereof. Holders of the Company’s Common Stock
are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have
elected to provide our beneficial owners and stockholders of record
access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Beneficial owners
are stockholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker,
bank or other agent (i.e., in “street name”).
Accordingly, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
(the “Notice”) will be mailed on or about April 29,
2019 to our beneficial owners and stockholders of record who owned
our Common Stock at the close of business on April 22, 2019.
Beneficial owners and stockholders of record will have the ability
to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the
Notice or request a printed set of the proxy materials be sent to
them by following the instructions in the Notice. Beneficial owners
and stockholders of record who have previously requested to receive
paper copies of our proxy materials will receive paper copies of
the proxy materials instead of a Notice.
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Frank L. Jaksch Jr.
Executive
Chairman of the Board
|
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether
or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date,
sign and return the proxy mailed to you, or vote over the telephone
or the internet as instructed in these materials, as promptly as
possible in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. A
return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United
States) has been provided for your convenience. Even if you have
voted by proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the
meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of
record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at
the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that
record holder.
ChromaDex Corporation
10900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 650
Los Angeles, CA 90024
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JUNE 21, 2019
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
(“Board of Directors” or “Board”) of
ChromaDex Corporation (the “Company”), in connection
with the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual
Meeting”) of the Company, to be held on June 21, 2019, at
11:00 a.m. local time, at the Company’s office located at
10900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon
the following matters:
(1)
|
To elect the eight nominees for director named herein;
|
(2)
|
To ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company's
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2019; and
|
(3)
|
To transact other business that may properly come before the
meeting and any postponement(s) or adjournment(s)
thereof.
|
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 22,
2019 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.
In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have
elected to provide our beneficial owners and stockholders of record
access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Beneficial owners
are stockholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker,
bank or other agent (i.e., in “street name”).
Accordingly, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
(the “Notice”) will be mailed on or about April 29,
2019 to our beneficial owners and stockholders of record who owned
our Common Stock at the close of business on April 22, 2019.
Beneficial owners and stockholders of record will have the ability
to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the
Notice or request a printed set of the proxy materials be sent to
them by following the instructions in the Notice. Beneficial owners
and stockholders of record who have previously requested to receive
paper copies of our proxy materials will receive paper copies of
the proxy materials instead of a Notice.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE
AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD
ON JUNE 21, 2019: THE NOTICE, PROXY STATEMENT, PROXY CARD AND THE
ANNUAL REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.CHROMADEX.COM,
INVESTOR RELATIONS SECTION.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY MATERIAL AND
VOTING
Why did I receive in the mail a Notice of Internet Availability of
Proxy Materials this year instead of a full set of Proxy
Materials?
We are pleased to take advantage of the SEC rule that allows
companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet.
Accordingly, we have sent to our beneficial owners and stockholders
of record a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet
or to request a paper copy may be found in the Notice. Our
stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form
by mail or electronically on an ongoing basis. A
stockholder’s election to receive proxy materials by mail or
electronically by email will remain in effect until the stockholder
terminates its election.
We
intend to mail the Notice on or about April 29, 2019 to all stockholders of
record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Will I receive any other proxy materials by mail?
We may send you a proxy card, along with a second Notice, on
or after May 9,
2019.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The meeting will be held on Friday, June 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. local time at the
Company’s office located at 10900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 650,
Los Angeles, CA 90024. Directions to the Annual
Meeting may be found at www.chromadex.com. Information on how to vote in
person at the Annual Meeting is discussed below.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on April 22, 2019 will be entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting. On this record date, there were 55,514,322
shares of common stock outstanding and
entitled to vote.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If on
April 22, 2019 your shares were
registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent,
Computershare Trust Company,
N.A., then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder
of record, you may vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill
out and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure your vote is
counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or
Bank
If on
April 22, 2019 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather
in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar
organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in
“street name” and the Notice is being forwarded to you
by that organization. The organization holding your account is
considered to be the stockholder 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 regarding how to vote the shares
in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not
vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and
obtain a
valid proxy from your broker or other agent.
What am I voting on?
There
are two matters scheduled for a vote:
●
To elect the eight nominees for director named
herein; and
●
To
ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2019;
What if another matter is properly brought before the
meeting?
The
Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented
for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are
properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in
accordance with their best judgment.
Who May Attend the Annual Meeting?
Record holders and beneficial owners may attend the Annual
Meeting. If your shares are held in street name, you
will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement or other
documentation reflecting your stock ownership as of the Record
Date.
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 each of the other matters to be voted on,
you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain
from voting.
The
procedures for voting are fairly simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you
are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual
Meeting, vote by proxy over the telephone, vote by proxy through
the internet or vote by proxy using a proxy card that you may
request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or
not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to
ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting and
vote in person even if you have already voted by
proxy.
●
To vote in person,
come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you
arrive.
●
To vote using the
proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card that may
be delivered 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.
●
To vote over the
telephone, dial toll-free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) using a touch-tone
phone and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to
provide the company number and control number from the Notice. Your
telephone vote must be received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time on June 20, 2019 to be counted.
To vote
through the internet, go to www.envisionreports.com/CDXC to complete an
electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the company
number and control number from the Notice. Your internet vote must
be received by 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time on June 20, 2019 to be counted.
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 Notice
containing voting instructions from that organization rather than
from the Company. Simply follow
the voting instructions in the Notice to ensure that your vote is
counted. 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 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 April 22,
2019.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you
are a stockholder of record and do not vote by completing your
proxy card, by telephone, through the internet or in person at the Annual
Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or
Bank
If you
are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or
other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your
broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on
whether the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) deems the
particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers
and nominees can use their discretion to vote
“uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are
considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to
“non-routine” matters. Under the rules and
interpretations of the NYSE, “non-routine” matters are
matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of
stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of
directors (even if not contested), executive compensation
(including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation
and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive
compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if
management-supported. Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not
vote your shares on Proposal 1 without your instructions, but may
vote your shares on Proposal 2 even in the absence of your
instruction.
What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make
specific choices?
If you
return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without
marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as
applicable, “For” the election of all eight nominees for director, and “For” the proposal to ratify the
appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company's independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2019. If any other matter is properly presented at the
meeting, your proxyholder (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
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.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?
If you
receive more than one Notice, your shares may be registered in more
than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting
instructions on the Notices to ensure that all of your shares are
voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes.
You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the
meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may
revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
●
You may submit
another properly completed proxy card with a later
date.
●
You may send a
timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to
the Company’s Secretary
at 10900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA
90024.
●
You may attend the
Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting
will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
Your
most current proxy card or telephone or internet proxy is the one
that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or
Bank
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 stockholder proposals and director nominations due for
next year’s Annual Meeting?
To be
considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials for
next year’s annual meeting, your proposal must be submitted
in writing by December 31, 2019, to ChromaDex Corporation, Attn:
Secretary, at 10900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA
90024. If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director
nomination) at the annual meeting that is not to be included in the
Company’s proxy materials for next year’s annual
meeting, such proposal must be received no earlier than the close
of business on March 23, 2020 nor later than the close of business
on April 22, 2020. You are also advised to review the
Company’s Bylaws, which contain additional requirements
relating to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director
nominations.
How are votes counted?
Votes
will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the
meeting, who will separately count, for the proposal to elect
directors, votes “For,” “Withhold” and
broker non-votes; and, with respect to Proposal 2, votes
“For” and “Against,” and abstentions.
Abstentions will be counted towards
the vote total for Proposal 2 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.
What are “broker non-votes”?
As
discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in
“street name” does not give instructions to the broker
or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed
by the NYSE to be “non-routine,” the broker or nominee
cannot vote the shares. These unvoted shares are counted as
“broker non-votes.”
How Many Votes Are Needed for Each Proposal to Pass?
Proposal
|
|
Vote Required
for Approval
|
|
Effect of
Abstention
|
|
Effect of
Broker Non-Vote
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Election of eight (8) members to our Board of
Directors
|
|
Plurality of the votes cast (the eight directors receiving the most
“For” votes)
|
|
None.
|
|
None.
|
Ratification of the Appointment of Marcum LLP as our Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm for our Fiscal Year Ending
December 31, 2019
|
|
“For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on
the matter
|
|
Against.
|
|
None.
|
What Constitutes a Quorum?
To carry on business at the Annual Meeting, we must have a
quorum. A quorum is present when a majority of the shares
entitled to vote, as of the Record Date, are represented in person
or by proxy. Thus, holders representing at least
27,757,162 votes must be represented
in person or by proxy to have a quorum. Your shares 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. Shares owned by us are not considered outstanding
or considered to be present at the Annual Meeting. If there is
not a quorum at the Annual Meeting, our stockholders may adjourn
the meeting.
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 a Current Report on
Form 8-K, which we will file within four business days of the
meeting.
PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Each director to be elected at the Annual Meeting will serve until
the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her
successor is elected, or, if sooner, until such director’s
death, resignation or removal. Unless
otherwise instructed, the persons named in the accompanying proxy
intend to vote the shares represented by the proxy for the election
of the eight nominees listed below. Although it is not contemplated
that any nominee will decline or be unable to serve as a director,
in such event, proxies will be voted by the proxy holder for such
other persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors,
unless the Board of Directors reduces the number of Directors to be
elected. Election of a director to the Board of Directors requires
a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting.
The current Board of Directors consists of Frank Jaksch, Jr.,
Stephen Block, Jeff Baxter, Robert Fried, Kurt Gustafson, Steven
Rubin, Wendy Yu and Tony Lau. The Board of Directors has determined
that a majority of its members, including Stephen Block, Jeff
Baxter, Kurt Gustafson, Steven Rubin, Wendy Yu and Tony Lau are
independent directors within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ
rules.
The following table sets forth the director nominees. It also
provides certain information about the nominees as of the Record
Date.
Nominees for Election to Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
|
Since
|
Frank
Jaksch, Jr.
|
|
50
|
|
|
2000
|
Stephen
A. Block
|
|
74
|
|
|
2007
|
Jeff
Baxter
|
|
57
|
|
|
2015
|
Robert
Fried
|
|
59
|
|
|
2015
|
Kurt
Gustafson
|
|
51
|
|
|
2016
|
Steven
Rubin
|
|
58
|
|
|
2017
|
Wendy
Yu
|
|
43
|
|
|
2017
|
Tony
Lau
|
|
30
|
|
|
2017
|
Frank L. Jaksch Jr., 50,
is a Co-Founder of the Company and has
served as a member of the Board since February 2000. Mr. Jaksch
served as Chairman of the Board from May 2010 to October 2011 and
was its Co-Chairman from February 2000 to May 2010. In June 2018,
Mr. Jaksch transitioned from Chief Executive Officer to Executive
Chairman of the Board. Mr. Jaksch oversees research, strategy and
operations for the Company with a focus on scientific and novel
products for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. From 1993 to
1999, Mr. Jaksch served as International Subsidiaries Manager of
Phenomenex, a life science supply company where he managed the
international subsidiary and international business development
divisions. Mr. Jaksch earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology from
Valparaiso University. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee believes that Mr. Jaksch’s years of experience
working in chemistry-related industries, his extensive sales and
marketing background, and his knowledge of international business
bring an understanding of the industries in which the Company
operates as well as scientific expertise to the
Board.
Stephen A. Block, 74, has been
a director of the Company since October 2007 and Chair of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee since
October 2007. From May 2010 to October 2011, Mr. Block served as
Lead Independent Director to the Board. Until November 2018, when
Senomyx, Inc. was sold to Firmenich, Inc., an unaffiliated third
party, Mr. Block was a director and chair of the nominating and
corporate governance committee and a member of the audit committee
of Senomyx, Inc., where he had served on the board of directors
since 2005. He also is, and since September 2015 has been, a
director of myLAB Box, Inc., a privately held company. Until
December 2011, he also served as the chairman of the board of
directors of Blue Pacific Flavors and Fragrances, Inc., and, until
March 2012, as a director of Allylix, Inc. He served on the boards
of directors of these privately held companies since 2008, and
2007, respectively. Mr. Block retired as senior vice president,
general counsel and secretary of International Flavors and
Fragrances Inc., a leading creator, manufacturer and seller of
flavors and fragrances (“IFF”) in December 2003, having
been IFF’s chief legal officer since 1992. During his eleven
years at IFF he also led the company’s Regulatory Affairs
Department. Prior to 1992, Mr. Block served as senior vice
president, general counsel, secretary and director of GAF
Corporation, a company specializing in specialty chemicals and
building materials, and its publicly traded subsidiary
International Specialty Products Inc., held various management
positions with Celanese Corporation, a company specializing in
synthetic fibers, chemicals and plastics, and practiced law with
the New York firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. Mr. Block
received his B.A. cum laude in Russian Studies from Yale University
and his law degree from Harvard Law School. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Block’s
experience as the chief legal officer of one of the world’s
leading flavor and fragrance companies contributes to the
Board’s understanding of the flavor industry, including the
Board’s perspective on the strategic interests of potential
collaborators, the regulation of the industry, and the viability of
various commercial strategies. In addition, Mr. Block’s
experience in the area of corporate governance and public company
financial reporting is especially valuable to the Board in his
capacity as a member of both the Audit Committee and the
Compensation Committee.
Jeff Baxter, 57, has served as
a director of the Company since April 2015 and has served as a
member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee since April 2015. Mr. Baxter has served as
President and CEO and a Director of VBI Vaccines, Inc.
(NASDAQ:VBIV) since 2009. Previously, he was managing partner for
the venture capital firm, The Column Group, where he played a
pivotal role in the creation of several biotech companies including
Immune Design Corp., a vaccine company based on the Lentiviral
vector platform and TLR adjuvant technologies. Until July 2006, Mr.
Baxter was SVP, R&D Finance and Operations, of GlaxoSmithKline
(GSK). In his 19 years of pharma experience at GSK, he has held
line management roles in R&D, commercial, manufacturing,
finance and the office of the CEO. His most recent position in the
global R&D organization included responsibility for finance,
pipeline resource planning and allocation, business development
deal structuring and SROne (GSK's in-house venture capital fund).
He also chaired GSK's R&D Operating Board. Prior to GSK, he
worked at Unilever and British American Tobacco. Mr. Baxter was
educated at Thames Valley University and is a Fellow of the
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Baxter’s
past experience in the pharmaceutical industry bring financial
expertise, industry knowledge, and research and development
experience to the Board.
Robert Fried, 59, became Chief Executive Officer in June
2018. He has served as a director of the Company since July 2015,
President and Chief Operating Officer from January to June 2018 and
President and Chief Strategy Officer from March 2017 to January
2018. Mr. Fried also served as a member of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee from July 2015 to March 2017. Mr.
Fried has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tiger
Media, Inc., (AMEX: IDI), an information solutions provider focused
on the data fusion market and formerly a Chinese advertising
company prior to its merger with the parent company of Interactive
Data, LLC, from 2011 until June 2015. From 2007 through 2009, he
was the president, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
Ideation Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition
company. From 2007 to 2017, Mr. Fried was the founder and Chief
Executive Officer of Spiritclips LLC, now called Hallmark Movies
Now, a subscription streaming video service, which was acquired by
Hallmark Cards Inc. in 2012. Mr. Fried is an Academy Award winning
motion picture producer whose credits include Rudy, Collateral,
Boondock Saints, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Godzilla, and
numerous others. From December 1994 until June 1996, he was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Savoy Pictures, a unit of
Savoy Pictures Entertainment, Inc., which was sold in 1996 to
Silver King Communications, which is now a part of InterActive
Corp. Mr. Fried has also held several executive positions including
Executive Vice President in charge of Production for Columbia
Pictures, Director of Film Finance and Special Projects for
Columbia Pictures, and Director of Business Development at
Twentieth Century Fox. Mr. Fried holds an M.S. from Cornell
University and an M.B.A. from the Columbia University Graduate
School of Business. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee believes that Mr. Fried’s past experience as
Chairman of the Board of Directors of another public company brings
financial expertise and industry knowledge to the
Board.
Kurt A. Gustafson, 51, has been a director of the Company
and Chair of the Audit Committee since October 2016 and a member of
the Compensation Committee since March 2017. In April 2018, the
Board of Directors appointed Mr. Gustafson as lead independent
director of the Board of Directors. Mr. Gustafson has more than 25
years of diverse experience in corporate finance. He currently
serves as chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and
executive vice president of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:
SPPI). From 2009 to 2013, he served as the chief financial officer
of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO). From 1991 to 2009,
Mr. Gustafson worked at Amgen Inc. (Nasdaq: AMGN), holding various
financial roles as vice president finance, chief financial officer
of Amgen International and treasurer. Prior to joining Amgen Inc.,
he worked in public accounting as staff auditor at Laventhol &
Horwath in Chicago. Mr. Gustafson is currently a member of the
Board of Directors of Xencor, Inc. (Nasdaq: XNCR), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Gustafson serves as Chair of Xencor,
Inc.’s Audit Committee. Mr. Gustafson holds a Bachelors of
Arts degree in Accounting from North Park University in Chicago and
a Masters in Business Administration from University of California,
Los Angeles. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Gustafson’s
past experience as chief financial officer of a public company and
his extensive experience pharmaceutical industry qualify him to
chair the Audit Committee and that Mr. Gustafson brings financial,
merger and acquisition experience, and a background working with
public marketplaces to the Board.
Steven D. Rubin, 58, has been a director of the Company and
a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since
March 2017 and Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee since March 2018. Mr. Rubin has served as OPKO Health,
Inc.’s (NASDAQ: OPK) Executive Vice President –
Administration since May 2007 and as a director since February
2007. Mr. Rubin is a member of The Frost Group, LLC, a private
investment firm. He has extensive experience as a practicing
lawyer, and as general counsel and board member to multiple public
companies. Mr. Rubin currently serves on the board of directors for
the following companies: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.
(OTCBB:NIMU), a medical device company; Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.
(NASDAQ GM:COCP), a biotechnology company developing new treatments
for viral diseases; Eloxx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ELOX), a company
committed to treating patients suffering from rare and ultra-rare
diseases caused by premature termination codon (PTC) nonsense
mutations; Castle Brands, Inc. (NYSE American:ROX), a developer and
marketer of premium brand spirits; Neovasc, Inc. (NASDAQ CM:NVCN),
a company developing and marketing medical specialty vascular
devices; and Red Violet, Inc. (NASDAQ CM:RDVT), a software and
services company. Mr. Rubin previously served as the Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of IVAX from August 2001
until September 2006. Mr. Rubin previously served as a director of
the following companies: VBI Vaccines Inc. (NASDAQ CM: VBIV), a
biopharmaceutical company developing a next generation of vaccines;
Dreams, Inc. (NYSE MKT: DRJ), a vertically integrated sports
licensing and products company; BioCardia, Inc. (OTC US:BCDA), a
clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing novel
therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases, Cogint, Inc. (NASDAQ
GM:COGT), now known as Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNT), an information
solutions provider focused on the data-fusion market, prior to the
spin-off of its data and analytic operations and assets into Red
Violet, Inc.; and Kidville, Inc. (OTCBB:KVIL), an operator of
large, upscale facilities, catering to newborns through
five-year-old children and their families and offers a wide range
of developmental classes for newborns to five-year-olds.
The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee believes that Mr. Rubin’s past
experience as general counsel and board member of multiple public
companies bring financial expertise, industry knowledge, and a
background working with public marketplaces to the
Board.
Wendy Yu, 43, has been a
director of the Company since August 2017 and a member of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since March 2018.
Since 2012, Ms. Yu has served as the Chief Digital Officer of
Horizons Digital Group Limited (affiliate of Horizons Ventures
Limited, a Hong Kong based investment firm), overseeing the Asia
expansion of Horizons’ portfolio companies and directing
public relations, communications, marketing and events. Ms. Yu
graduated from University of Toronto, majoring in Commerce and
Psychology. Ms. Yu serves as the director nominated by Pioneer Step
Holdings Limited pursuant to rights granted to Pioneer Step
Holdings Limited pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase
Agreement, dated April 26, 2017, by and among the Company and the
certain purchasers named therein (the “April 2017 Purchase
Agreement”). The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee believes that Ms. Yu’s experience in management,
marketing and communications bring valuable expertise to the
Board.
Tony Lau, 30, has been a
director of the Company since August 2017 and a member of the
Compensation Committee since March 2018. Since September 2014, Mr.
Lau has been with Horizons Ventures Limited, building the consumer
and retail segment and China market of the Hong Kong based
investment firm. Prior to joining Horizons Ventures Limited, Mr.
Lau was with Goldman Sachs Asia from June 2011 to August 2014. Mr.
Lau has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from the Guanghua
School of Management in Peking, China. Mr. Lau serves as the
director nominated by Champion River Ventures Limited pursuant to
rights granted to Champion River Ventures Limited pursuant to the
April 2017 Purchase Agreement. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee believes that Mr. Lau’s experience in
the finance and consumer products industry bring valuable
experience to the Board.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any of our directors and
executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
During the past ten years, none of our officers, directors,
promoters or control persons have been involved in any legal
proceedings as described in Item 401(f) of Regulation
S-K.
VOTE REQUIRED
Under applicable Delaware law, the election of each nominee
requires the affirmative vote by a plurality of the voting power of
the shares present and entitled to vote on the election of
directors at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is
present.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES NAMED
ABOVE AS DIRECTORS, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE
VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE
ON THE PROXY.
MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Officers
The names of our executive officers and their ages, positions, and
biographies are set forth below. Frank Jaksch’s and Robert
Fried's backgrounds are discussed under the section Nominees for
Election to Board of Directors.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Frank Jaksch, Jr. (1)
|
|
50
|
|
Executive Chairman of the Board
|
Robert Fried (2)
|
|
59
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
Kevin Farr
|
|
61
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Mark Friedman (3)
|
|
61
|
|
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
Lisa Bratkovich (4)
|
|
52
|
|
Chief Marketing Officer
|
Matthew Roberts (5)
|
|
50
|
|
Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of
Innovation
|
Troy Rhonemus (6)
|
|
46
|
|
Executive Vice President
|
(1)
Mr.
Jaksch transitioned from Chief Executive Officer to Executive
Chairman of the Board effective as of June 22, 2018.
(2)
Mr.
Fried transitioned from President and Chief Operating Officer to
Chief Executive Officer effective as of June 22, 2018.
(3)
Mr.
Friedman began serving on January 22, 2018.
(4)
Ms.
Bratkovich began serving on June 4, 2018.
(5)
Mr.
Roberts began serving on November 8, 2018.
(6)
Mr.
Rhonemus resigned effective as of November 20, 2018.
The
persons listed below are our executive officers as of the date
hereof:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Frank Jaksch, Jr.
|
|
50
|
|
Executive Chairman of the Board
|
Robert Fried
|
|
59
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
Kevin Farr
|
|
61
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Mark Friedman
|
|
61
|
|
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
Lisa Bratkovich
|
|
52
|
|
Chief Marketing Officer
|
Matthew Roberts
|
|
50
|
|
Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of
Innovation
|
Kevin Farr, 61, has served as
Chief Financial Officer since October 2017. Mr. Farr previously
served as the Chief Financial Officer of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT)
from February 2000 through September 2017, and prior to that served
in multiple leadership roles at Mattel since 1991. Before joining
Mattel, Mr. Farr spent 10 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Farr
serves on the Corporate Advisory Board of the Marshall School of
Business at the University of Southern California, and as a board
member of Polaris Industries Inc. Mr. Farr received his Master of
Business Administration from Northwestern University J. L. Kellogg
Graduate School of Business, and his B.S. in Accounting from
Michigan State University.
Mark Friedman, 61, has served
as the Company’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
since January 2018. From 2013 to January 2018, Mr. Friedman held
various positions at Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) including Executive
Vice President, General Counsel and Counsel to the Executive
Chairman. Mr. Friedman served as General Counsel and Senior Vice
President of Business Development at Pinkberry from 2008 to 2013,
Senior Vice President and General Counsel at American Golf
Corporation from 2003 to 2008 and Senior Counsel and Associate
Corporate Secretary for BP (NYSE:BP) and Atlantic Richfield Company
from 1994 to 2003. Mr. Friedman received his Juris Doctor degree
from the University of Southern California and his Bachelor of Arts
degree from the University of California,
Davis.
Lisa Bratkovich, 52, has served
as the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer since June 2018. Ms.
Bratkovich joined ChromaDex from Direct Upside Group, a
direct-to-consumer marketing and customer experience transformation
consulting firm, where she served as CEO and Principal since April
2016. Prior to starting her own firm, Ms. Bratkovich spent 13 years
at Guthy|Renker, where she served as Senior Vice President of
Marketing. Ms. Bratkovich is a board member of Girls in Tech, Los
Angeles, which empowers women with education, resources and tools
to help advance their careers in technology. She is also a board
member of Organization of Women Executives, a Southern California
peer network of high-achieving, executive-level women. Ms.
Bratkovich earned her B.A. in Design from the University of
California – Los Angeles.
Matthew Roberts, 50, has served
as the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice
President of Innovation since November 2018. From May 2017 to May
2018, Dr. Roberts served as Chief Technology and Quality Officer at
Pharmavite, LLC, a consumer packaged goods manufacturer of
vitamins, minerals and supplements under Nature Made® brand.
Dr. Roberts also served as Chief Scientific Officer from May 2015
to August 2016 at NBTY, Inc., a manufacturer of vitamins and
nutritional supplements. From 2010 to 2015, Dr. Roberts held
leadership roles at Abbott Nutrition as Vice President of Global
Product Research and Development and Vice President of Strategic
Research. From 1994 to 2009, Dr. Roberts held various positions at
Nestle S.A, Nestle USA and Nestle Purina Pet Care, including
Assistant Vice President of Confectionary Strategic Business Unit.
Dr. Roberts received his Ph.D. in Environmental and Comparative
Toxicology from Cornell University, his Master of Business
Administration from the Olin School of Business at Washington
University and his B.S. in Plant Molecular Biology and Physiology
from Purdue University.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Board has established a corporate Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics that applies to all officers, directors and employees and
which is intended to qualify as a “code of ethics” as
defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act. The Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s
website at www.chromadex.com. If the Company makes any substantive
amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grants any
waiver from a provision of the Code to any executive officer or
director, the Company will promptly disclose the nature of the
amendment or waiver on its website.
Public Availability of Corporate Governance Documents
Our key corporate governance documents, including our Code of
Conduct and the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
are:
●
available
on our corporate website at www.chromadex.com; and
●
available
in print to any stockholder who requests them from our corporate
secretary.
Director Attendance
The Board held 5 meetings during 2018. Each director attended at
least 75% of Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which
he or she served.
Board Qualification and Selection Process
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a
specific written policy or process regarding the nominations of
directors, nor does it maintain minimum standards for director
nominees or consider diversity in identifying nominees for
director. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee does consider the knowledge, experience, integrity and
judgment of potential candidates for nominations to the
Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will
consider persons recommended by stockholders for nomination for
election as directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will consider and evaluate a director candidate
recommended by a stockholder in the same manner as a
committee-recommended nominee. Stockholders wishing to recommend
director candidates must follow the prior notice requirements as
described herein.
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight
The leadership of the Board of Directors is currently structured so
that it is led by an Executive Chairman, Frank Jaksch, who
has authority, among other things, to call and preside over
meetings of the Board of Directors, to set meeting agendas and to
determine materials to be distributed to the Board of
Directors. As Executive Chairman,
Mr. Jaksch will serve as Chairman of the Board and will continue to
serve as an employee and executive officer of the Company. Kurt
Gustafson serves as lead independent director.
The Board of Directors has determined that the leadership
structure, in which there is an Executive Chairman and an
independent director acting as lead independent director, ensures
that the appropriate level of oversight, independence, and
responsibility is applied to all Board decisions, including risk
oversight, and is in the best interests of the Company and those of
the Company’s stockholders. The lead independent director
serves as the liaison between the Executive Chairman and the
independent directors and his responsibilities, among other things,
include facilitating communication with the Board and presiding
over regularly conducted executive sessions of the independent
directors and establishing the agenda for meetings of the
independent directors. The Board of Directors believes that its
strong corporate governance policies and practices, including the
substantial percentage of independent directors on the Board of
Directors, and the robust duties that will be delegated to the lead
independent director, empower the Board of Directors to effectively
oversee the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive
Chairman and provide an effective and appropriately balanced Board
of Directors governance structure.
The entire Board of Directors, as well as through its various
committees, is responsible for oversight of our Company’s
risk management process. Management furnishes
information regarding risk to the Board of Directors as
requested. The Audit Committee discusses risk management
with the Company’s management and independent public
accountants as set forth in the Audit Committee’s
charter. The Compensation Committee reviews the
compensation programs of the Company to make sure economic
incentives are tied to the long-term interests of the
stockholders. The Company believes that innovation and
the building of long-term stockholder value are impossible without
taking risks. We recognize that imprudent acceptance of risk and
the failure to identify risks could be a detriment to stockholder
value. The executive officers of the Company are
responsible for assessing these risks on a day-to-day basis and for
how to best identify, manage and mitigate significant risks that
the Company may face.
Board Committees
The Board has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Other committees may be established by the Board from time to time.
The following table provides membership and meeting information for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 for each of our Board
committees:
Name
|
|
Audit
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance
|
Stephen
Allen (1)
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
X
|
Jeff
Baxter
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
X
|
Stephen
Block
|
|
X
|
|
X(5)
|
|
|
Kurt
Gustafson
|
|
X(5)
|
|
X
|
|
|
Tony
Lau (2)
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
Steven
Rubin (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
X(5)
|
Wendy
Yu (4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
Total
meetings in fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
|
|
6
|
|
4
|
|
3
|
(1)
Mr.
Allen did not stand for re-election at the 2018 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and served as a member of the Compensation Committee
and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee until March 13,
2018.
(2)
On
March 13, 2018, Mr. Lau was appointed as a member of the
Compensation Committee.
(3)
On
March 16, 2018, Mr. Rubin was appointed as Chairperson of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
(4)
On
March 13, 2018, Ms. Yu was appointed as a member of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee.
(5)
Committee
Chairperson.
The following is a description of each of the committees and their
composition:
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors was established by
the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), to oversee the Company’s
corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits
of its financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee
performs several functions, including, among other
things:
●
evaluates
the performance of and assesses the qualifications of the
independent auditors;
●
determines
and approves the engagement of the independent
auditors;
●
determines
whether to retain or terminate the existing independent auditors or
to appoint and engage new independent auditors;
●
reviews
and approves the retention of the independent auditors to perform
any proposed permissible non-audit services;
●
monitors
the rotation of partners of the independent auditors on the
Company’s audit engagement team as required by
law;
●
reviews
and approves or rejects transactions between the company and any
related persons;
●
confers
with management and the independent auditors regarding the
effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting;
●
establishes
procedures, as required under applicable law, for the receipt,
retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing
matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
and
●
meets
to review the Company’s annual audited financial statements
and quarterly financial statements with management and the
independent auditor, including a review of the Company’s
disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.”
The Audit Committee currently consists of three directors: Kurt
Gustafson (chairman), Stephen Block and Jeff Baxter.
The Audit Committee met six times
during the last fiscal year. The Board of Directors has adopted a
written Audit Committee charter that is available to stockholders
on the Company’s website at www.chromadex.com. The
information on our website is not incorporated by reference into
this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report for fiscal year
2018.
The Board of Directors reviews the NASDAQ listing standards
definition of independence for Audit Committee members on an annual
basis and has determined that all members of the Audit Committee
are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule
5605(c)(2)(A) of the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the
Exchange Act).
The Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. Gustafson also
qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as
defined in applicable SEC rules. The Board made a qualitative
assessment of Mr. Gustafson’s level of knowledge and
experience based on a number of factors, including his formal
education and experience as a chief financial officer for public
reporting companies.
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors
This report of the audit committee is required by the SEC and, in
accordance with the SEC's rules, will not be deemed to be part of
or incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating
by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the
Securities Act, or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent
that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and
will not otherwise be deemed "soliciting material" or "filed" under
either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
with management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed
with the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No.
1301, Communications with Audit
Committees, as adopted by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”).
The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and
the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm
required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the
independent accountants’ communications with the audit
committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the
independent registered public accounting firm the accounting
firm’s independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit
Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the
audited financial statements be included in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2018.
The Audit Committee of
The Board of Directors
Kurt
Gustafson (Chairman)
Stephen Block
Jeff Baxter
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee currently consists of three directors:
Stephen Block (chairman), Kurt Gustafson and Tony
Lau. Stephen Allen served on the Compensation Committee
until March 13, 2018. All members of the Compensation Committee are
independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule
5605(d)(2) of the NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation
Committee met four times during fiscal year 2018. The Board has
adopted a written Compensation Committee charter that is available
to stockholders on the Company’s website at
www.chromadex.com. The
information on our website is not incorporated by reference into
this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report for fiscal year
2018.
The Compensation Committee acts on behalf of the Board to review,
modify (as needed) and approve the Company’s compensation
strategy, policies, plans and programs. For this purpose, the
Compensation Committee performs several functions, including, among
other things:
●
establishment
of corporate and individual performance objectives relevant to the
compensation of the Company’s executive officers and
evaluation of performance in light of these stated
objectives;
●
review
and approval (or recommend to the Board of Directors for approval)
of the compensation and other terms of employment or service,
including severance and change-in-control arrangements, of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers
and non-employee directors; and
●
administration
of the Company’s equity compensation plans, pension and
profit-sharing plans, deferred compensation plans and other similar
plan and programs.
If applicable, the Compensation Committee will review with
management the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis
and will consider whether to recommend that it be included in proxy
statements and other filings.
The
Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain, in its
sole discretion, compensation consultants to assist in its
evaluation of executive and director compensation, including the
authority to approve the consultant’s reasonable fees and
other retention terms. In March 2018, the Compensation Committee
retained a consulting firm, Exequity LLP (“Exequity”)
directly, although in carrying out assignments, the consulting firm
may interact with Company management when necessary and
appropriate. Exequity is a nationally recognized provider of
executive compensation advisory services and was deemed independent
pursuant to SEC rules.
The
Compensation Committee generally does not have a specific target
amount of compensation for individual executive officers relative
to a peer group of companies, but it considers peer data for
purposes of assessing the competitiveness of the executive
compensation program. An individual executive officer may earn more
or less than the market median depending on factors described
below, including the individual’s experience and background,
role, and past and future performance.
The
Company paid cash bonuses to its executive officers in 2019 for
2018 performance based upon achievements of certain goals. For
additional information regarding the performance bonus amounts, see
“Executive Compensation.”
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently
consists of three directors: Steven Rubin (chairman), Jeff Baxter
and Wendy Yu. Stephen Allen served on the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee until March 13, 2018. All members of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent (as
independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ
listing standards). The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee met three times during the last fiscal year. The Board
has adopted a written Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
charter that is available to stockholders on the Company’s
website at www.chromadex.com. The information on the website is not incorporated
by reference into this Proxy Statement or the Annual Report for
fiscal year 2018.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve as
directors of the Company consistent with criteria approved by the
Board of Directors, reviewing and evaluating incumbent directors,
selecting or recommending to the Board of Directors for selection
candidates for election to the Board of Directors, making
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the membership
of the committees of the Board of Directors, assessing the
performance of the Board of Directors, and developing a set of
corporate governance principles for the Company.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that
candidates for director nominees should have certain minimum
qualifications, including the ability to read and understand basic
financial statements and having the highest personal integrity and
ethics. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also
intends to consider such factors as possessing relevant expertise
upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management,
having sufficient time to devote to the affairs of the Company,
demonstrated excellence in his or her field, having the ability to
exercise sound business judgment and having the commitment to
rigorously represent the long-term interests of the Company’s
stockholders. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee retains the right to modify these qualifications from
time to time. Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the
context of the current composition of the Board of Directors, the
operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests
of stockholders. In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee typically considers diversity, age,
skills and such other factors as it deems appropriate, given the
current needs of the Board of Directors and the Company, to
maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and
capability.
In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to
expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews
these directors’ overall service to the Company during their
terms, including the number of meetings attended, level of
participation, quality of performance and any other relationships
and transactions that might impair the directors’
independence. In the case of new director candidates, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determines
whether the nominee is independent for NASDAQ purposes, which
determination is based upon applicable NASDAQ listing standards,
applicable SEC rules and regulations and the advice of counsel, if
necessary. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then
uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential
candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a
professional search firm. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee conducts any appropriate and necessary inquiries into the
backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates after
considering the function and needs of the Board of Directors. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets to discuss and
consider the candidates’ qualifications and then selects a
nominee by majority vote which we expect will typically be
recommended to the full Board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider
director candidates recommended by stockholders. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee does not intend to alter the manner
in which it evaluates candidates, including the minimum criteria
set forth above, based on whether or not the candidate was
recommended by a stockholder. Stockholders who wish to recommend
individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee to become nominees for election to the Board
of Directors may do so by delivering a written recommendation to
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at the following
address: ChromaDex Corporation, Attn: Secretary, at 10900
Wilshire Blvd. Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90024, no later than the close of business on the 60th
day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to
the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting.
Submissions must include the name and address of the Company
stockholder on whose behalf the submission is made; the number of
Company shares that are owned beneficially by such stockholder as
of the date of the submission; the full name of the proposed
candidate; a description of the proposed candidate’s business
experience for at least the previous five years; complete
biographical information for the proposed candidate; and a
description of the proposed.
Stockholder Communication
Any stockholder may communicate in writing by mail at any time with
the entire Board of Directors or any individual director (addressed
to “Board of Directors” or to a named director), c/o
ChromaDex Corporation, ATTN: Secretary, 10900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite
650, Los Angeles, CA 90024. All communications will be compiled by
the Secretary of the Company and promptly submitted to the Board of
Directors or the individual directors on a periodic
basis.
Policy Regarding Attendance at Annual Meetings of
Stockholders
The Company does not have a policy with regard to Board
members’ attendance at annual meetings. Eight directors
attended the Company’s most recent annual meeting of
stockholders held on June 22, 2018.
Director Independence
As required under the NASDAQ Stock Market listing standards, a
majority of the members of a listed company’s board of
directors must qualify as “independent,” as
affirmatively determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors consults with the Company’s counsel to ensure that
its determinations are consistent with relevant securities and
other laws and regulations regarding the definition of
“independent,” including those set forth in pertinent
listing standards of NASDAQ, as in effect from time to
time.
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant
identified transactions or relationships between each director, or
any of his or her family members, and the Company, its senior
management and its independent auditors, the Board of Directors has
affirmatively determined that the following directors are
independent directors within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ
listing standards: Stephen Block, Jeff Baxter, Kurt Gustafson,
Steven Rubin, Wendy Yu and Tony Lau. Frank L. Jaksch Jr. and Robert
Fried do not meet the independence standards because of their
employment with the Company.
Please
see “Proposal 1: Election of Directors” for more
information regarding our Board of Directors.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth information concerning the annual and
long-term compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer (the
principal executive officer), General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary and Chief Marketing Officer, each of whom served during
the year ended December 31, 2018 as our named executive officers.
Mark Friedman began serving as General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary on January 22, 2018. Lisa Bratkovich began serving as
Chief Marketing Officer on June 4, 2018.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
(3)
|
|
Robert
Fried
|
2018
|
$379,121
|
$468,330
|
$1,255,003(4)
|
$3,057,990(5)
|
-
|
$5,160,444
|
|
2017
|
$230,769
|
$163,945
|
$2,539,999(6)
|
$876,014(7)
|
-
|
$3,810,727
|
Mark
Friedman
|
2018
|
$281,967(8)
|
$87,974
|
-
|
$1,768,274(9)
|
$6,231
|
$2,144,446
|
|
2017
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Lisa
Bratkovich
|
2018
|
$204,645(10)
|
$41,023
|
-
|
$432,989(11)
|
-
|
$678,657
|
|
2017
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
The
amounts in the column titled “Stock Awards” above
reflect the aggregate award date fair value of restricted stock
awards.
(2)
The
amounts in the column titled “Option Awards” above
reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards
for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017.
See Note 12 of the ChromaDex Corporation Consolidated Financial
Report included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2018, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2019, for a description of
certain assumptions in the calculation of the fair value of the
Company’s stock options.
(3)
The
amount in this column titled “All Other Compensation”
above reflect matching 401(k) contributions.
(4)
166,667
shares of Common Stock were awarded on each of June 22, 2018 and
November 7, 2018 pursuant to Mr. Fried’s employment agreement, which provided the
stock grant upon the achievement of certain performance
goals.
(5)
On January 21, 2018, Robert Fried was granted
options to purchase 300,000 shares of ChromaDex common stock at an
exercise price of $5.85. These options expire on January 21, 2028
and 10/36th
of the options vested on January 21,
2018 and thereafter 1/36th
vest on 12th
of each month for the next 26 months.
Also, on June 22, 2018, Mr. Fried was granted options to purchase
744,097 shares at an exercise price of $3.83. These options expire
on June 22, 2028 and 1/3rd
of the options vest on June 22, 2019
and the remaining options vest in a series of 24 equal monthly
installments thereafter.
(6)
On
March 12, 2018, Robert Fried was awarded 166,667 shares of
restricted Common Stock, which vested on December 20, 2018 in
connection with an amendment to his employment agreement. In
addition, Mr. Fried received 333,333 shares of restricted stock on
December 20, 2018, which were fully vested.
(7)
On March 12, 2018, Robert Fried was granted
options to purchase 500,000 shares of ChromaDex common stock at an
exercise price of $2.715. These options expire on March 12, 2027
and 1/36th
of the options vest monthly from the
grant date.
(8)
Mark
Friedman began serving as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
on January 22, 2018.
(9)
On January 22, 2018, Mark Friedman was granted
options to purchase 500,000 shares of ChromaDex common stock at an
exercise price of $5.65. These options expire on January 22, 2028
and 1/3rd
of the options vest on January 22,
2019 and the remaining shares vest in a series of 24 equal monthly
installments thereafter.
(10)
Lisa
Bratkovich began serving as Chief Marketing Officer on June 4,
2018.
(11)
On June 4, 2018, Lisa Bratkovich was granted
options to purchase 200,000 shares of ChromaDex common stock at an
exercise price of $3.45. These options expire on June 4, 2028 and
1/3rd
of the options vest on June 4, 2019
and the remaining shares vest in a series of 24 equal monthly
installments thereafter.
Employment Agreements
The material terms of employment agreements with the named
executive officers previously entered into by the Company are
described below.
Employment
Agreement with Robert Fried
On June 22, 2018, the Company and Robert Fried, entered into an
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the
“Fried Agreement”). The Fried Agreement amends the
Executive Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Mr.
Fried, dated March 12, 2017, as amended on December 20, 2017.
Pursuant to the Fried Agreement, Mr. Fried is entitled to: (i) an
annual base salary of $450,000; (ii) starting in fiscal year 2019,
an increased annual base salary of $500,000; (iii) an annual cash
bonus for fiscal year 2018 based on direct-to-customer net sales
for 2018 and the Company’s gross profit for 2018; (iv)
starting in fiscal year 2019, an annual cash bonus based on the
achievement of individual and corporate performance targets and
metrics to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company
or the Compensation Committee thereof after reasonable consultation
with Mr. Fried (the “Performance Bonus”), with such
Performance Bonus set at (a) a target of 60% of base salary (based
on a performance achievement of 100%), (b) a threshold Performance
Bonus of 30% of base salary (based on a performance achievement of
75%) and (c) a maximum Performance Bonus of 90% (based on a
performance achievement of 150%); (v) an option to purchase up to
744,097 shares of Company common stock under the Amended 2017 Plan
(the “Option”); (vi) up to 333,333 shares of
fully-vested restricted Company common stock that will be granted
upon the achievement of certain performance goals and (vii)
starting in fiscal year 2019, annual equity grants in amounts
commensurate with Mr. Fried’s position with the Company, in
the discretion of the Company’s Board of
Directors.
Any unvested shares subject to the Option will vest in full upon
termination by the Company of Mr. Fried’s employment without
cause (and other than as a result of Mr. Fried’s death or
disability) or Mr. Fried’s resignation for good reason. If
Mr. Fried’s employment is terminated by the Company without
cause (and other than as a result of Mr. Fried’s death or
disability) or Mr. Fried resigns for good reason, then subject to
executing a release, Mr. Fried will receive (i) continuation of his
base salary for 18 months, (ii) COBRA premiums for 12 months, (iii)
accelerated vesting of any unvested time-based vesting equity
awards that would have otherwise become vested had Mr. Fried
performed continuous service through the one year anniversary of
such termination date (provided that vesting for the Option shall
accelerate as described above), (iv) an extended exercise period
for his options and stock appreciation rights and (v) a prorated
Performance Bonus. In the case of Mr. Fried’s death or
disability, Mr. Fried will be eligible to receive a prorated
Performance Bonus.
Employment Agreement with Mark Friedman
On January 22, 2018, the Company entered into an Employee Agreement
(the "Friedman Agreement") with Mark Friedman, who was appointed by
the Board to serve as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr.
Friedman is entitled to receive certain severance payments per the
terms of the Friedman Agreement. The key terms of the Friedman
Agreement, including the severance terms, are as
follows:
Mr. Friedman is entitled to: (i) an annual base salary of $300,000
and (ii) a discretionary annual bonus based on the achievement of
certain performance goals to be determined by the Board. Pursuant
to the Friedman Agreement, Mr. Friedman also received an option to
purchase up to 500,000 shares of ChromaDex common stock under the
ChromaDex 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, subject to monthly vesting
over a three-year period, with an exercise price equal to $5.65 per
share. Any unvested options will vest in full upon a change of
control of the Company, subject to Mr. Friedman’s continuous
service through such change of control or upon termination by the
Company of Mr. Friedman’s employment without cause or Mr.
Friedman’s resignation for good reason within 90 days before
the change of control.
If Mr. Friedman’s employment is terminated by the Company
without cause or Mr. Friedman resigns for good reason, then,
subject to executing a release, Mr. Friedman will receive (i)
continuation of his base salary for 12 months, (ii) COBRA premiums
for 12 months, (iii) a prorated annual cash bonus, based on the
good faith determination of the Board of the actual results and
period of employment during the year of such termination, (iv)
accelerated vesting of time-based equity that would have otherwise
become vested by the one year anniversary of such termination date
and (v) an extended exercise period for his options.
Employment Agreement with Lisa Bratkovich
On June 4, 2018, the Company entered into an Employee Agreement
(the "Bratkovich Agreement") with Lisa Bratkovich, who was hired by
the Company to serve as Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Bratkovich is
entitled to receive certain severance payments per the terms of the
Bratkovich Agreement. The key terms of the Bratkovich Agreement,
including the severance terms, are as follows:
Ms. Bratkovich is entitled to: (i) an annual base salary of
$350,000, (ii) an annual bonus in 2018 of up to 70% of salary based
on sales of TRU Niagen® and (iii) beginning 2019, a
discretionary annual bonus calculated and paid commensurate with
other executive officers of the Company. Pursuant to the Bratkovich
Agreement, Ms. Bratkovich also received an option to purchase up to
200,000 shares of ChromaDex common stock under the ChromaDex 2017
Equity Incentive Plan, subject to monthly vesting over a three-year
period, with an exercise price equal to $3.45 per share. Any
unvested options will vest in full upon a change of control of the
Company, subject to Ms. Bratkovich’s continuous service
through such change of control or upon termination by the Company
of Ms. Bratkovich’s employment without cause or Ms.
Bratkovich’s resignation for good reason within 90 days
before the change of control.
If Ms. Bratkovich’s employment is terminated by the Company
without cause or Ms. Bratkovich resigns for good reason, then,
subject to executing a release, Ms. Bratkovich will receive (i)
continuation of her base salary for 12 months, (ii) COBRA premiums
for 12 months, (iii) a prorated annual cash bonus, based on the
good faith determination of the Board of the actual results and
period of employment during the year of such termination, (iv)
accelerated vesting of time-based equity that would have otherwise
become vested by the one year anniversary of such termination date
and (v) an extended exercise period for her options.
2018 Director Compensation
Amended and Restated Director Compensation Policy
Under
our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, each of our current
non-employee directors is eligible to receive an annual retainer of
$40,000 for serving on the Board and, if applicable, an additional
annual retainer of $30,000 for serving as the Lead Independent
Director. The chairpersons of the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
receive an additional $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000, respectively,
per year for service as chairperson for such committee. Members of
the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee each receive an additional
$10,000, $7,500 and $5,000, respectively, per year for service on
such committee.
Any
non-employee director who is first elected to the Board will be
granted an option to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock on
the date of his or her initial election to the Board. In addition,
on the date of each annual meeting, each person who continues to
serve as a non-employee member of the Board following such annual
meeting will be granted a stock option to purchase 20,000 shares of
our common stock. All option grants will have an exercise price per
share equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the
date of grant. Each initial grant for a non-employee director will
vest over a three year period, and each annual grant for a
non-employee director will vest over a one year period, in each
case subject to the director’s continuing service on our
Board.
The
following table provides information concerning compensation of our
non-employee directors who were directors during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2018. The compensation reported is for services
as directors for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2018.
Director Compensation Table
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash ($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)
|
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
All Other Compensation ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
Allen
|
32,242
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
32,242
|
Stephen
Block (2)
|
60,250
|
-
|
46,011
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
106,261
|
Jeff
Baxter (3)
|
50,250
|
-
|
46,011
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
96,261
|
Kurt
Gustafson (4)
|
78,500
|
-
|
46,011
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
124,511
|
Steven
Rubin (5)
|
44,208
|
-
|
46,011
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
90,219
|
Wendy
Yu (6)
|
39,255
|
-
|
46,011
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
85,266
|
Tony
Lau (7)
|
41,258
|
-
|
46,011
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
87,269
|
(1)
The
amounts in the column titled “Option Awards” above
reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 12 of the
ChromaDex Corporation Consolidated Financial Report included in the
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC
on March 7, 2019, for a description of certain assumptions in the
calculation of the fair value of the Company’s stock options.
The options have an exercise price of
$3.83 and vest 100% on June 22, 2019.
(2)
On
June 22, 2018, Mr. Block was awarded the option to purchase 20,000
shares of the Company’s common stock.
(3)
On
June 22, 2018, Mr. Baxter was awarded the option to purchase 20,000
shares of the Company’s common stock.
(4)
On
June 22, 2018, Mr. Gustafson was awarded the option to purchase
20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
(5)
On
June 22, 2018, Mr. Rubin was awarded the option to purchase 20,000
shares of the Company’s common stock.
(6)
On
June 22, 2018, Ms. Yu was awarded the option to purchase 20,000
shares of the Company’s common stock.
(7)
On
June 22, 2018, Mr. Lau was awarded the option to purchase 20,000
shares of the Company’s common stock.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock
options and restricted stock granted to our named executive
officers outstanding as of December 31, 2018.
Outstanding Stock Options at 2018 Fiscal Year-End
|
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
|
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned
Options (#)
|
Option Exercise
Price ($)
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
Robert
Fried
|
66,667
|
—
|
|
—
|
3.30
|
7/30/2025
|
|
20,000
|
—
|
|
—
|
2.605
|
11/16/2026
|
|
291,667
|
208,333
|
(1)
|
—
|
2.715
|
3/12/2027
|
|
175,000
|
125,000
|
(2)
|
—
|
5.85
|
1/21/2028
|
|
—
|
744,097
|
(3)
|
—
|
3.83
|
6/22/2028
|
Mark
Friedman
|
—
|
500,000
|
(4)
|
—
|
5.65
|
1/22/2028
|
Lisa
Bratkovich
|
—
|
200,000
|
(5)
|
—
|
3.45
|
6/4/2028
|
(1)
|
13,889 of Mr. Fried’s options vest on 12th
of every month through March 12,
2020.
|
(2)
|
8,333 of Mr. Fried’s options vest on 12th
of every month through March 12,
2020.
|
(3)
|
1/3rd
of Mr. Fried’s options vest on
June 22, 2019 and the remaining options vest in a series of 24
equal monthly installments thereafter.
|
(4)
|
1/3rd
of Mr. Friedman’s options vested
on January 22, 2019 and the remaining options vest in a series of
24 equal monthly installments thereafter.
|
(5)
|
1/3rd
of Ms. Bratkovich’s options vest
on June 4, 2019 and the remaining options vest in a series of 24
equal monthly installments thereafter.
|
Outstanding Restricted Stock at 2018 Fiscal Year-End
Name
|
Number of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not Vested (#)
|
Market Value of Shares
of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
|
Equity incentive plan
awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights
that have not vested (#)
|
Equity incentive plan
awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares, units
or other rights that have not vested
($)
|
Robert
Fried
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
$—
|
Mark
Friedman
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
$—
|
Lisa
Bratkovich
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
$—
|
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information about our equity
compensation plans as of December 31, 2018:
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
|
Number of
securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and
rights
|
Number of
securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column
(A))
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans approved by security holders
|
8,589,379
|
$3.68
|
4,946,497
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved by security holders
|
500,000
|
$5.65
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
9,089,379
|
$3.79
|
4,946,497
|
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers,
directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class
of our equity securities to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership with the SEC and to furnish us with
copies of such reports. To our knowledge, and based solely on our
review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written
representations that no other reports were required, we believe
that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our
executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders were met during
the year ended December 31, 2018 except as follows: Matthew Roberts
filed a late Form 3 on December 11, 2018 after being appointed as
an executive officer of the Company on November 8,
2018.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with Related Persons
The
following is a description of transactions since January 1,
2017 to which the Company has been a party, in which the amount
involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one
percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at
year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any
of the Company’s executive officers, directors or holders of
more than 5% of its common stock, or an affiliate or immediate
family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect
material interest, other than compensation, termination and change
of control arrangements, which are described under "Executive
Compensation."
Asset acquisition
On March 12, 2017, the Company acquired all of the outstanding
equity interests of Healthspan Research LLC ("Healthspan") from
Robert Fried, Jeffrey Allen and Dr. Charles Brenner (the
"Sellers"). At the time of the acquisition, Robert Fried was a
member of the Board, a position he has held since July
2015.
Upon the closing of, and as consideration for, the acquisition, the
Company issued an aggregate of 367,648 shares of the
Company’s common stock to the Sellers. The fair value of
these shares was approximately $1.0 million based on the closing
price of $2.72 per share on March 12, 2017. Also on March 12, 2017,
the Company appointed Robert Fried as President and Chief Strategy
Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Fried continues to serve as a
member of the Board, but resigned as a member of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.
Healthspan was formed in August 2015 to offer and sell finished
bottle product TRU NIAGEN® directly to consumers through
internet-based selling platforms. TRU NIAGEN® is currently the
Company's leading product. Prior to the acquisition, the Company
has supplied certain amount of NIAGEN® to Healthspan as a raw
material inventory in exchange for a 4% equity interest in
Healthspan. An additional 5% equity interest was received for
granting certain exclusive rights to resell NIAGEN® prior to
the total acquisition on March 12, 2017.
In cancellation of a loan owed by Healthspan to Mr. Fried prior to
the acquisition, the Company repaid $32,500 to Mr. Fried on March
13, 2017 and also repaid $100,000 on March 9, 2018. No interest was
paid for the $100,000 repaid on March 9, 2018.
Sale of consumer products
During July 2017, the Company entered into an exclusivity agreement
(the "Watsons Agreement") with A.S. Watson Retail (HK) Limited
(“Watsons”), whereby the Company agreed to exclusively
sell its TRU NIAGEN® dietary supplement product to Watsons in
certain territories in Asia. During the years ended December 30,
2017 and December 31, 2018, the Company sold approximately $4.1
million and $2.9 million, respectively, of TRU NIAGEN® dietary
supplement product pursuant to the Watsons Agreement. As of
December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2018, the trade receivable from
Watsons were approximately $1.0 million and $0.7 million,
respectively.
Li Ka Shing, who beneficially owns more than 10% of the Company's
common stock, beneficially owns approximately 30% of an entity that
beneficially owns approximately 75% of Watsons. In accordance with
the Company's Related-Person Transactions Policy, the Audit
Committee ratified the terms of the Watsons Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold
approximately $0.4 million of TRU NIAGEN® dietary supplement
product to Horizon Ventures, which beneficially owns more than 10%
of the Company’s common stock. In accordance with the
Company’s Related-Person Transactions Policy, the Audit
Committee ratified the sale to Horizon Ventures.
Financings
In April 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement with certain purchasers named therein, pursuant to which
the Company agreed to sell and issue up to $25.0 million of its
common stock at a purchase price of $2.60 per share in three
tranches of approximately $3.5 million, $16.4 million and $5.1
million, respectively. The following table sets forth the number of
shares of common stock purchased by holders of more than 5% of the
Company’s common stock or entities affiliated with
them:
Name
|
|
Champion River
Ventures Limited
|
5,769,230
|
Pioneer
Step Holdings Limited
|
3,846,155
|
In November 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement with certain purchasers named therein, pursuant to which
the Company agreed to sell and issue up to $23.0 million of its
common stock at a purchase price of $4.10 per share. The following
table sets forth the number of shares of common stock purchased by
holders of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock or
entities affiliated with them:
Name
|
|
Champion River
Ventures Limited
|
731,707
|
Pioneer
Step Holdings Limited
|
487,805
|
Winsave
Resources Limited
|
1,219,512
|
Employment Arrangements
The
Company currently maintains written employment agreements with its
named executive officers, as described in "Executive
Compensation."
Equity Granted to Executive Officers and Directors
The
Company has granted equity to its named executive officers and
directors, as more fully described in "Executive
Compensation."
Indemnification Agreements
The
Company has entered, and intends to continue to enter, into
indemnification agreements with its directors and executive
officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in the
Company’s bylaws. These agreements, among other things,
require the Company to indemnify directors and executive officers
for certain expenses incurred by a director or executive officer in
any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of
the Company’s directors or executive officers.
Review, approval or ratification of transactions with related
persons.
On an ongoing basis, the Audit Committee reviews all “related
party transactions” (those transactions that are required to
be disclosed by SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404 and under NASDAQ
rules), if any, for potential conflicts of interest and all such
transactions must be approved by the Audit Committee. In
November 2016, the Company adopted a written Related-Person
Transactions Policy that sets forth the Company’s policies
and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration
and approval or ratification of “related-persons
transactions.” For purposes of the Company’s policy
only, a “related-person transaction” is a transaction,
arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions,
arrangements or relationships) in which the Company and any
“related person” are participants involving an amount
that exceeds $120,000. Transactions involving compensation for
services provided to the Company as an employee, director,
consultant or similar capacity by a related person are not covered
by this policy. A related person is any executive officer,
director, or more than 5% stockholder of the Company, including any
of their immediate family members, and any entity owned or
controlled by such persons. Under the policy, where a transaction
has been identified as a related-person transaction, management
must present information regarding the proposed related-person
transaction to the Audit Committee (or, where Audit Committee
approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of the
Board of Directors) for consideration and approval or
ratification.
PROPOSAL 2:
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed Marcum LLP
(“Marcum”), to serve as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2019 and our Board of Directors has further directed that
management submit the selection of its independent registered
public accountant firm for ratification by the stockholders at the
Annual Meeting. Marcum has audited the Company’s financial
statements since 2013. Representatives of Marcum are not expected
to be present at the Annual Meeting.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of Marcum as the Company’s
independent registered public accountants is not required by
Delaware law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, or
the Company’s bylaws. However, the Audit Committee is
submitting the selection of Marcum to the stockholders for
ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the
stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will
reconsider whether to retain that firm. Even if the selection is
ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the
appointment of different independent registered public accountants
at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that
such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
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 the selection of Marcum.
Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on
Proposal 2 and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker
non-votes will be counted towards a quorum, but will not be counted
for any purpose in determining whether Proposal 2 has been
approved.
Audit Fees
The following table sets forth aggregate fees billed to us by
Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm
during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 30,
2017.
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
|
|
Audit
Fees (1)
|
$350,000
|
$435,000
|
Audit-Related
Fees
|
$—
|
$—
|
Tax
Fees
|
$—
|
$—
|
All
Other Fees
|
$—
|
$—
|
(1)
|
Audit
fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered by
Marcum in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual
financial statements and internal control over financial reporting
and quarterly review of financial statements included in the
Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, review of our
registration statements and related services that are normally
provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or
engagements.
|
All fees described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
In connection with the audit of the financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Company entered into an
engagement agreement with Marcum that sets forth the terms by which
Marcum will perform audit services for the Company. That agreement
is subject to alternative dispute resolution procedures and an
exclusion of punitive damages.
Policy for Pre-Approval of Independent Auditor
Services
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and
permissible non-audit services provided by Marcum. These services
may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services
and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to
one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the specific
service or category of service and is generally subject to a
specific budget. The independent auditor and management are
required to periodically communicate to the Audit Committee
regarding the extent of services provided by the independent
auditor in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the
services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also
pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case
basis.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF MARCUM LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, AND PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A
STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
As of April 22, 2019, there were approximately 55,514,322
shares of our Common Stock
outstanding. The following table sets forth
certain information regarding the ownership of our Common Stock as
of April 22, 2019 by: each person known to us to beneficially own
more than 5% of our Common Stock; each director; each of our
executive officers; and all directors and executive officers as a
group. We calculated beneficial ownership according to
Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act as of that date. Shares
issuable upon exercise of options or warrants that are exercisable
or convertible within 60 days after April 22, 2019 are included as
beneficially owned by the holder. Beneficial ownership
generally includes voting and dispositive power with respect to
securities. Unless otherwise indicated below, the
persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and sole
dispositive power with respect to all shares beneficially owned.
This table is based upon information supplied by officers,
directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G
filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for the
following shareholders is c/o ChromaDex Corporation, 10900 Wilshire
Blvd., Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Name of Beneficial Owner (1)
|
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (2)
|
Aggregate Percentage Ownership
|
|
|
|
Champion
River Ventures (3)
|
6,500,937
|
11.71%
|
Pioneer
Step Holdings (4)
|
4,333,960
|
7.81%
|
Dr.
Phillip Frost (5)
|
3,251,521
|
5.86%
|
Directors
|
|
|
Stephen
Block (6)
|
249,996
|
*
|
Jeff
Baxter (7)
|
129,167
|
*
|
Kurt
Gustafson (8)
|
46,667
|
*
|
Steven
Rubin (9)
|
46,667
|
*
|
Wendy
Yu (10)
|
13,333
|
*
|
Tony
Lau (11)
|
13,333
|
*
|
Frank
L. Jaksch Jr. (12)
|
3,264,573
|
5.78%
|
Robert
Fried (13)
|
2,130,985
|
3.79%
|
Executive Officers
|
|
|
Frank
L. Jaksch Jr.
|
(See above)
|
|
Robert
Fried
|
(See above)
|
|
Kevin
Farr (14)
|
592,181
|
1.06%
|
Mark
Friedman (15)
|
225,222
|
*
|
Lisa
Bratkovich (16)
|
66,667
|
*
|
Matthew
Roberts (17)
|
10,000
|
*
|
All directors and executive officers as a group
|
|
|
(12 persons)
(18)
|
|
|
|
6,788,790
|
11.60%
|
*
Represents less
than 1%.
(1)
Addresses
for the beneficial owners listed are: Champion River Ventures, 7/F,
Cheung Kong Center, 2 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong; Pioneer Step
Holdings, 29th Floor, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong; and Dr. Phillip Frost, 4400 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1500,
Miami, FL 33137.
(2)
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and
includes voting or dispositive power with respect to shares
beneficially owned. Unless otherwise specified, reported ownership
refers to both voting and dispositive power. Shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the conversion of stock options or the exercise of
warrants within the next 60 days are deemed to be converted and
beneficially owned by the individual or group identified in the
Aggregate Percentage Ownership column.
(3)
Based
on beneficial ownership reported on Schedule 13D/A filed with SEC
on November 21, 2017, (i) Champion River Ventures Limited
(“Champion River”) beneficially owned and had sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to 6,500,937 shares (the
“Champion Shares”), (ii) Prime Tech Global Limited
(“Prime Tech”), by virtue of being the sole shareholder
of Champion River, may be deemed to beneficially own and have sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to the Champion Shares,
(iii) Mayspin Management Limited (“Mayspin”), by virtue
of being the sole shareholder of Prime Tech, may be deemed to
beneficially own and have sole voting and dispositive power with
respect to the Champion Shares, and (iv) Li Ka Shing, by virtue of
being the sole shareholder of Mayspin, may be deemed to
beneficially own and have sole voting and dispositive power with
respect to the Champion Shares. Champion River has exercised its
right to designate for appointment one director to our Board of
Directors and has designated, and our Board of Directors has
appointed, Tony Lau to fill such seat. In addition, Mr. Li is one
of 14 directors of Li Ka Shing (Overseas) Foundation
(“LKSOF”), which is the sole stockholder of Winsave
Resources Limited (“Winsave”), which holds 1,219,512
shares of common stock. However, Mr. Li does not report as having
Section 13(d) beneficial ownership over any of the shares owned by
Winsave. Investment decisions by LKSOF are made by the majority
vote of a board of directors currently consisting of 14 persons, of
which Li Ka Shing (“Mr. Li”) is the Chairman.
Investment decisions by Winsave are made by the majority vote of a
board of directors currently consisting of five persons. Mr. Li is
not a director or officer of Winsave. The registered office address
for Champion River and Mayspin is Vistra Corporate Services Centre,
Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands
and the registered office address for PrimeTech is P.O. Box 901,
East Asia Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and
the correspondence address for each of Champion River, PrimeTech,
and Mayspin is c/o 7/F, Cheung Kong Center, 2 Queen’s Road
Central, Hong Kong.
(4)
Based
on beneficial ownership reported on Schedule 13D/A filed with SEC
on November 21, 2017, (i) Pioneer Step Holdings Limited
(“Pioneer Step”) beneficially owned and had sole voting
and dispositive power with respect to 4,333,960 shares (the
“Pioneer Shares”) and (ii) Chau Hoi Shuen Solina Holly,
by virtue of being the sole shareholder of Pioneer Step, may be
deemed to beneficially own and have sole voting and dispositive
power with respect to the Pioneer Shares. Pioneer Step has
exercised its right to designate for appointment one director to
our Board of Directors and has designated, and our Board of
Directors has appointed, Wendy Yu to fill such seat. The registered
office address for Pioneer Step is Vistra Corporate Services
Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin
Islands and its correspondence address is c/o 29th Floor, Harbour
Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. The business address
of Solina Chau is c/o 29th Floor, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road,
Wanchai, Hong Kong.
(5)
Based on beneficial ownership reported on form
Schedule 13D/A filed with SEC on February 14, 2019. Includes
1,321,979 shares of common stock held by Frost Gamma Investments
Trust of which Dr. Phillip Frost is the trustee. Frost Gamma
Limited Partnership is the sole and exclusive beneficiary of Frost
Gamma Investments Trust. Dr. Frost is one of two limited
partners of Frost Gamma Limited Partnership. The general partner of
Frost Gamma Limited Partnership is Frost Gamma, Inc. and the sole
shareholder of Frost Gamma, Inc. is Frost-Nevada Corporation.
Dr. Frost is also the sole shareholder of Frost-Nevada
Corporation. Includes 1,929,542 shares
held by Phillip and Patricia Frost Philanthropic Foundation, Inc.
of which Dr. Phillip Frost is President.
(6)
Includes 16,667 shares of common stock directly
owned by Mr. Block. Includes 233,329 stock options exercisable
within 60days of April 22,
2019.
(7)
Includes
129,167 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(8)
Includes
46,667 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(9)
Includes
46,667 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(10)
Includes
13,333 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(11)
Includes
13,333 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(12)
Includes
2,075,052 shares owned by Black Sheep, FLP beneficially owned by
Mr. Jaksch because he has shared voting power and shared
dispositive power for such shares. Includes 220,501 shares directly
owned by Mr. Jaksch. Includes 969,020 stock options exercisable
within 60 days of April 22, 2019.
(13)
Includes 1,431,574
shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Fried. Includes 6,744
shares held by Jeremy Fried and 6,000 shares held by Benjamin
Fried, who are both sons of Robert Fried. Includes 686,667 stock
options exercisable within 60 days of
April 22, 2019.
(14)
Includes
36,625 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Farr. Includes
555,556 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(15)
Includes
3,000 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Friedman.
Includes 222,222 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April
22, 2019.
(16)
Includes
66,667 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(17)
Includes
10,000 stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2019.
(18)
Includes the shares and stock options included above in
footnotes (6) through (17).
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC
has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g.,
brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements Notices of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials
with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address
by delivering a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
Materials or other Annual Meeting materials addressed to those
shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as
“householding,” potentially means extra convenience
for shareholders
and cost savings for
companies.
This
year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Company
stockholders will be “householding” the Company’s
proxy materials. A single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
Materials will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an
address unless contrary instructions have been received from the
affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your
broker that they will be “householding” communications
to your address, “householding” will continue until you
are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any
time, you no longer wish to participate in
“householding” and would prefer to receive a separate
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, please notify
your broker or the Company. Direct your written request to
ChromaDex Corporation, ATTN: Secretary, 10900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite
650, Los Angeles, CA 90024 or contact the Secretary at
310-388-6706. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of
the Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials at their
addresses and would like to request “householding” of
their communications should contact their
brokers.
OTHER BUSINESS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the management of the
Company has no knowledge of any business that may be presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting, other than that described
above. As to other business, if any, that may properly come before
the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, it is intended that
the Proxy hereby solicited will be voted in respect of such
business in accordance with the judgment of the Proxy
holders.
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Frank Jaksch
Executive
Chairman of the Board
April 23,
2019
|