UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed
by the Registrant [X]
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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[X]
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule Sec.240.14a-12
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PolarityTE,
Inc.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]
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No
fee required
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) (1) and 0-11.
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3)
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials:
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date
of its filing.
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(1)
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Amount
previously paid:
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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Party:
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PolarityTE,
Inc.
123
Wright Brothers Drive
Salt
Lake City, UT 84116
(800)
560-3983
Dear
Stockholder,
You
are cordially invited to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) of stockholders of PolarityTE, Inc.
to be held at 10:00 a.m., MT on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at our corporate offices located at 123 Wright Brothers Drive, Salt
Lake City, Utah. The attached notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the matters to be presented at the Annual
Meeting and provide information about us that you should consider when you vote your shares.
We
hope you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, it is important that
your shares are represented. Therefore, when you have finished reading the Proxy Statement, you are urged to complete, sign, date
and return the enclosed proxy card promptly in accordance with the instructions set forth on the card. This will ensure your proper
representation at the Annual Meeting, whether you can attend or not.
Sincerely,
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Richard
Hague
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David
Seaburg
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Paul
Mann
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Chief
Operating Officer
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President
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Chief
Financial Officer
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YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.
PolarityTE,
Inc.
123
Wright Brothers Drive
Salt
Lake City, UT 84116
(800)
560-3983
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held December 19, 2019
To
the Stockholders of PolarityTE, Inc.:
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of PolarityTE, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), will be held at 10:00 a.m., MT on Thursday, December 19, 2019, or such later date or
dates as such Annual Meeting date may be adjourned, at our corporate offices located at 123 Wright Brothers Drive, Salt Lake City,
Utah 84116, for the following purposes:
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1.
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Elect
as a Class II director the nominee named in the Proxy Statement;
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2.
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Approve,
by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers;
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3.
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Ratify
the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as our independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019;
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4.
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Approve
the Company’s 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan; and
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5.
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Transact
such other business as may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
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The
Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 25, 2019, as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of common stock of
record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
or postponements thereof. Each of the items of business listed above is more fully described in the Proxy Statement that accompanies
this notice. In the event there are not sufficient shares to be voted in favor of any of the foregoing proposals at the time of
the Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned to permit further solicitation of proxies.
The
Board of Directors of PolarityTE, Inc., recommends that you vote: “FOR” the election of the Class II director nominee
as a director of PolarityTE, Inc.; “FOR” the proposal to approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation
of our named executive officers; “FOR” the proposal to ratify the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm; and “FOR” the proposal to approve the 2020 Stock Option and Incentive
Plan.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors of PolarityTE, Inc.,
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David Seaburg, President
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Your
vote at the Annual Meeting is important. For information on how to vote your shares, please see the instruction from your
broker or other fiduciary, as applicable, as well as “About the Meeting - Questions and Answers” in the Proxy Statement
that accompanies this notice. We urge you to review the accompanying materials carefully and to vote as promptly as possible,
even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. If you have questions about voting your shares, please contact our Corporate Secretary
at PolarityTE, Inc., at 123 Wright Brothers Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, telephone number (800) 560-3983. If you decide
to change your vote, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted in the manner described in the Proxy Statement that
accompanies this notice.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 19,
2019 AT 10:00 A.M. MT.
The
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our Proxy Statement and our 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders are available
at:
https://www.equitystock.com/shareholders/proxy-voting/polarityte
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POLARITYTE,
INC.
123
Wright Brothers Drive
Salt
Lake City, UT 84116
(800)
560-3983
PROXY
STATEMENT
Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on December 19, 2019
This
Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of PolarityTE, Inc. (the
“Company”, “our”, “us” or “we”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of the Company to be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. MT at our corporate offices located at 123 Wright Brothers
Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual
Meeting, the stockholders of the Company will be asked to consider and vote upon:
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1.
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The
election of one Class II director nominated by the Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”),
for a three-year term, such term to continue until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2022 and until such Director’s
successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal;
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2.
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Approval,
by a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers;
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3.
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The
ratification of the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as our independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2019;
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4.
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Approval
of the 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan; and
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5.
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The
transaction of such other business as may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
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The
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the proxy card, and our 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders are
first being mailed to stockholders of record on or about November 4, 2019, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for
the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 25, 2019, as the record date for the determination
of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”). Only holders of record
of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
Important
Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on Thursday, December 19, 2019: The
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, and 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at:
https://www.equitystock.com/shareholders/proxy-voting/polarityte
Table
of Contents
ABOUT
THE MEETING – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Why
Did You Send Me This Proxy Statement?
We
sent you this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies, in the
accompanying form, to be used at the Annual Meeting to be held at 10:00 a.m. MT on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at our corporate
offices located at 123 Wright Brothers Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, and any adjournments thereof. This Proxy Statement along
with the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders summarizes the purposes of the Annual Meeting and the information
you need to know to vote at the Annual Meeting.
How
Many Votes Do I Have and Who Can Vote?
Each
holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share of common stock. As of the Record Date, there were 26,961,834 shares
of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and there were approximately 109 stockholders of record.
From December 9, 2019, through December 18, 2019, you may inspect a list of stockholders eligible to vote for any purpose germane
to the Annual Meeting. The list of stockholders will be made available at our offices during normal business hours. If you would
like to inspect the list, please contact our Corporate Secretary at PolarityTE, Inc., at 123 Wright Brothers Drive, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84116, telephone number (800) 560-3983, to arrange a visit to our offices. In addition, the list of stockholders will
be available for viewing by stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
How
Do I Vote?
Whether
you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, we urge you to vote by proxy. All shares represented by valid proxies that we receive
through this solicitation, and that are not revoked, will be voted in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card or as
instructed via Internet or telephone. You may specify whether the proxy should vote your shares “for” each nominee
for director or the proxy should “withhold” voting your shares for each nominee for director, and whether you desire
to vote your shares for or against or abstain from voting with respect to each of the other proposals. Except as set forth below,
if you properly submit a proxy without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s
recommendations as noted below. Voting by proxy will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting. If your shares are registered
directly in your name through our stock transfer agent, Equity Stock Transfer, or you have stock certificates, you may vote:
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By
mail. Complete and mail the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. Your proxy will be voted in
accordance with your instructions. If you sign the proxy card, but do not specify how you want your shares voted, they will
be voted as recommended by the Board.
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By
Internet. You can use the Internet to vote up until 7:00 p.m., EDT, on December 18, 2019, by going to www.proxyvote.equitystock.com,
and following the instructions on your proxy card and the website.
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By
Fax: Mark, sign and date the proxy card and return it by fax to (646) 201-9006, Attn: Shareholder Services. If you sign
the proxy card, but do not specify how you want your shares voted, they will be voted as recommended by the Board.
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In
person at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in person or you may vote
by completing a ballot, which will be available at the Annual Meeting.
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If
your shares are held in “street name” (held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee), you must provide the
bank, broker or other nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares and can do so as follows:
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By
Internet or by telephone. Follow the instructions you receive from your broker to vote by Internet or telephone.
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By
mail. You will receive instructions from your broker or other nominee explaining how to vote your shares by mail.
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In
person at the meeting. Contact the broker or other nominee who holds your shares to obtain a broker’s proxy card
and bring it with you to the meeting. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting unless you have a proxy card from
your broker.
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How
Does the Board Recommend That I Vote on the Proposals?
The
Board recommends that you vote as follows:
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FOR
the election of the Board’s nominee as a Class II director;
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FOR
approval, by a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers as set forth in this Proxy
Statement;
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FOR
ratification of the selection of EisnerAmper LLP as our independent public accountant for our fiscal year ending December
31, 2019; and
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FOR
approval of the Company’s 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
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If
any other matter is presented, the proxy card provides that your shares will be voted by the proxy holder listed on the proxy
card in accordance with his or her best judgment. At the time this Proxy Statement was printed, we knew of no matters that needed
to be acted on at the Annual Meeting, other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement.
May
I Change or Revoke My Proxy?
If
you give us your proxy, you may change or revoke it at any time before the Annual Meeting. You may change or revoke your proxy
in any one of the following ways:
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signing
a new proxy card and submitting it as instructed above;
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if
your shares are held in street name, re-voting by Internet or by telephone as instructed above - only your latest Internet
or telephone vote will be counted;
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if
your shares are registered in your name, notifying the Company’s Secretary in writing before the Annual Meeting that
you have revoked your proxy; or
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attending
the Annual Meeting in person and voting in person (attending the Annual Meeting in person will not in and of itself revoke
a previously submitted proxy unless you specifically request it).
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What
If I Receive More Than One Proxy Card?
You
may receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form if you hold shares of our common stock in more than one account,
which may be in registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner described under “How Do I Vote?”
on the proxy card for each account to ensure that all your shares are voted.
Will
My Shares Be Voted If I Do Not Return My Proxy Card?
If
your shares are registered in your name or if you have stock certificates, they will not be voted if you do not return your proxy
card by mail or vote at the Annual Meeting as described above under “How Do I Vote?” If your broker cannot vote your
shares on a matter because it has not received instructions from you and does not have discretionary voting authority on that
matter, or because your broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have discretionary voting authority, this is
referred to as a “broker non-vote.” The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) has rules that govern brokers
who have record ownership of listed company stock (including stock such as ours that is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market) held
in brokerage accounts for their clients who beneficially own the shares. Under these rules, brokers who do not receive voting
instructions from their clients have the discretion to vote uninstructed shares on certain matters (“routine matters”),
but do not have the discretion to vote uninstructed shares as to certain other matters (“non-routine matters”). Under
NYSE interpretations, Proposal 1 (election of Class II directors), Proposal 2 (advisory vote to approve executive compensation)
and Proposal 4 (approval of the 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan) are considered non-routine matters, and Proposal 3 (the
ratification of our independent public accountant) is considered a routine matter.
If
your shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to the bank, broker or other nominee that holds
your shares as described above under “How Do I Vote?,” the bank, broker or other nominee has the authority, even if
it does not receive instructions from you, to vote your unvoted shares for Proposal 3 (the ratification of our independent public
accountant), but does not have authority to vote your unvoted shares on any of the other proposals submitted to stockholders for
a vote at the Annual Meeting. We encourage you to provide voting instructions. This ensures your shares will be voted at the Annual
Meeting in the manner you desire.
What
Vote is Required to Approve Each Proposal and How are Votes Counted?
Proposal
1: Election of Class II Director. Willie C. Bogan, our nominee as a Class II director, will be elected if he
receives the most favorable votes for the position (also known as a plurality). You may either vote FOR the nominee or WITHHOLD
your vote for the nominee. Votes that are withheld will not be included in the vote tally for the election of directors. Brokerage
firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name for the election of directors.
As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have
no effect on the results of this vote.
Proposal
2: Approval, by a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers. The advisory vote
to approve the compensation of our executive officers will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes
cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes either for or against this proposal.
While the results of this advisory vote are non-binding, the Compensation Committee of the Board and the Board value the opinions
of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote, along with other relevant factors, in deciding whether any actions
are necessary to address the concerns raised by the vote and when making future compensation decisions for executive officers.
Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name for this proposal.
As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have
no effect on the results of this vote.
Proposal
3: Ratification of the Appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as Our Independent Public Accountant. Pursuant to the Company’s
bylaws ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent public accountant is determined by a majority of the
votes cast affirmatively or negatively. Accordingly, abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Brokerage firms
have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal. If a broker does not
exercise this authority, such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. We are not required to obtain
the approval of our stockholders to appoint the Company’s independent accountant, and approval of this proposal does not
limit the ability of the Audit Committee of the Board to replace our independent public accounting firm at any time. If our stockholders
do not ratify the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as the Company’s independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2019, the Audit Committee of the Board may reconsider its appointment.
Proposal
4: Approval of the 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for this
proposal is required to approve the Company’s 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. Abstentions will be counted towards
the tabulation of votes cast on this proposal and, therefore, represent a vote against the proposal. Brokerage firms do not have
authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name for the 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have
no effect on the results of this vote.
What
Constitutes a Quorum for the Annual Meeting?
The
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Votes of stockholders of record who are
present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining
whether a quorum exists.
Who
is paying for this proxy solicitation?
The
Company is paying all costs of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. In addition to mailed proxy materials, our directors,
officers and employees may solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. We will not pay our directors,
officers and employees any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents
for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
When
are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?
At
our annual meeting each year, our Board of Directors submits to stockholders its nominees for election as directors. In addition,
the Board of Directors may submit other matters to the stockholders for action at the annual meeting.
Pursuant
to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in the Company’s
proxy statement for consideration at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders by submitting their proposals to the Company in a
timely manner. These proposals must meet the stockholder eligibility and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”). To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, you must submit your proposal in
writing by December 31, 2019, to our Corporate Secretary, PolarityTE, Inc., 123 Wright Brothers Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116,
telephone number (800) 560-3983.
What
Interest Do Officers and Directors Have in Matters to Be Acted Upon?
Members
of the Board of Directors and executive officers of the Company do not have any interest in any proposal that is not shared by
all other stockholders of the Company except for Proposal 1 (a nominee to our Board of Directors will be elected) and Proposal
2 (our executive officers will receive the approved compensation).
Householding
of Annual Disclosure Documents
The
SEC adopted a rule concerning the delivery of annual disclosure documents. The rule allows us or brokers holding shares on your
behalf to send a single set of our annual report and proxy statement to any household at which two or more of our stockholders
reside, if either we or the brokers believe that the stockholders are members of the same family. This practice, referred to as
“householding,” benefits both stockholders and us. It reduces the volume of duplicate information received by you
and helps to reduce our expenses. The rule applies to our annual reports, proxy statements, and information statements. Once stockholders
receive notice from their brokers or from us that communications to their addresses will be “householded,” the practice
will continue until stockholders are otherwise notified or until they revoke their consent to the practice. Each stockholder will
continue to receive a separate proxy card or voting instruction card.
Those
stockholders who either (i) do not wish to participate in “householding” and would like to receive their own sets
of our annual disclosure documents in future years or (ii) who share an address with another one of our stockholders and who would
like to receive only a single set of our annual disclosure documents should follow the instructions described below:
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stockholders
whose shares are registered in their own name should contact our transfer agent, Equity Stock Transfer, and inform them of
their request by calling them at 212-575-5757 or writing them at 237 W. 37th Street, Suite 602, New York, New York 10018;
and
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stockholders
whose shares are held by a broker or other nominee should contact such broker or other nominee directly and inform them of
their requests, stockholders should be sure to include their name, the name of their brokerage firm and their account number.
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PROPOSAL
NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our
Board currently consists of six members and is divided into three classifications:
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Class
I directors, whose terms expire at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Jeff Dyer, Jon Mogford, and Minnie Baylor-Henry,
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One
Class II Director, whose term expires at the Annual Meeting, Willie C. Bogan, and
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Class
III Directors, whose terms expire at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Peter A. Cohen and Rainer Erdtmann.
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One
Class II Director is up for election at the Annual Meeting. The Corporate Governance Committee and Board have unanimously approved
the nomination of Willie C. Bogan for election as a Class II director. If elected, Mr. Bogan will serve until the 2022 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and until a successor is named and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal.
Two
vacancies arose in Class II of the Board and one vacancy in Class III of the Board on August 26, 2019. The Nominating and Governance
Committee of the Board is in the process of identifying potential candidates for election to the Board but is not prepared to
recommend the nomination of any potential candidate at the Annual Meeting. In the event a viable candidate is identified after
the Annual Meeting, under the Company’s bylaws the Board may elect that person to serve as a Director without a stockholder
vote and that director would not be subject to election by the stockholders until the stockholder meeting at which the class of
the Board to which the new director is elected by the Board is up for election by the stockholders.
Unless
otherwise indicated by the stockholder, the accompanying proxy will be voted for the election of Mr. Bogan. Although the Company
knows of no reason why Mr. Bogan could not serve as a director, if he is unable to serve, the accompanying proxy may be voted
for a substitute nominee.
Willie
C. Bogan, age 70, joined the Board in April 2018. Mr. Bogan served as Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of
McKesson Corporation (“McKesson”), a San Francisco-based healthcare services and information technology company (which
has relocated its headquarters to Las Colinas, TX in 2019) currently ranked 6th on the Fortune 500, from July 2009 until his retirement
from McKesson in November 2015. He joined McKesson in November 2006 as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. Before
joining McKesson, Mr. Bogan held senior advisory positions at the following public companies in the San Francisco Bay Area: Bank
of America; Safeway; Charles Schwab; and Catellus Development Corporation, a real estate development company. Prior to becoming
in-house counsel, he was a partner at Steinberg Miller Bogan & Goldstein in Manhattan Beach, California. He started his law
career as a law firm associate in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Bogan graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Dartmouth
College where he majored in Spanish. He received an M.A. degree in Politics and Economics from Oxford University where he studied
as a Rhodes Scholar. He earned his J.D. degree from Stanford Law School. Mr. Bogan is qualified to serve as a member of the Board
because of his knowledge of the healthcare industry and his experience as an advisor to public companies and their boards of directors
on securities law and corporate governance matters.
Vote
Required
Mr.
Bogan will be elected if he receives the most favorable votes for the Class II director position (also known as a plurality).
You may either vote FOR the nominee or WITHHOLD your vote for the nominee. Votes that are withheld will not be included in the
vote tally for the election of the director. Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held
by the firms in street name for the election of directors. As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated
as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote.
The
Board recommends a vote for the election of Mr. Bogan as a Class II director, and proxies solicited by the Board will be voted
in favor thereof unless a stockholder has indicated otherwise on the proxy.
PROPOSAL
NO. 2
ADVISORY
VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Our
Board endeavors to promote good governance practices and recognizes the interest our stockholders have in our executive compensation
program. As part of that effort, and as required pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, our stockholders are
being asked to approve a non-binding advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”)
as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This proposal provides stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our 2018 executive
compensation program. In considering your vote you should review the information on our compensation program and decisions regarding
the NEOs presented in “Executive Compensation.”
We
endeavor to adopt compensation plans for our NEOs that will allow us to attract, motivate and retain talented executive officers
and are aligned with the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders. This advisory stockholders’ vote, commonly
referred to as a “say-on-pay vote,” gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to approve or not approve the compensation
of our NEOs that is disclosed in this Proxy Statement by voting for or against the following resolution (or by abstaining with
respect to the resolution):
RESOLVED,
that the stockholders of the Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s NEOs as disclosed
in this Proxy Statement, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion.
Because
your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on either the Board of Directors or the Company. However, the Company’s Compensation
Committee will consider the outcome of the stockholder vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting when considering future executive
compensation arrangements. In addition, your non-binding advisory vote described in this Proposal 2 will not be construed: (1)
as overruling any decision by the Board of Directors, any board committee or the Company relating to the compensation of the NEOs,
or (2) as creating or changing any fiduciary duties or other duties on the part of the Board of Directors, any board committee
or the Company.
Vote
Required
The
advisory vote to approve the compensation of our executive officers will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal
exceed the votes cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as either votes cast for or against
this proposal. While the results of this advisory vote are non-binding, the Compensation Committee of the Board and the Board
value the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote, along with other relevant factors, in deciding
whether any actions are necessary to address any concerns raised by the vote and when making future compensation decisions for
executive officers
The
Board recommends that stockholders vote for the approval of the compensation of our NEOs, as stated in the above non-binding resolution,
and proxies solicited by the Board will be voted in favor thereof unless a stockholder has indicated otherwise on the proxy.
PROPOSAL
NO. 3
RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EISNERAMPER LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019
The
Audit Committee has appointed EisnerAmper LLP (“EisnerAmper”), independent public accountant, to audit our financial
statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The Board proposes that the stockholders ratify this appointment. We
expect that representatives of EisnerAmper may be present at the Annual Meeting in person or by telephone.
The
following table sets forth the fees billed by EisnerAmper for each of our last two fiscal years ended October 31, 2018 and 2017
and for the two-month period ended December 31, 2018, for the categories of services indicated.
|
|
Two Months Ended
|
|
|
Years Ended October 31,
|
|
|
|
12/31/18 ($)
|
|
|
2018($)
|
|
|
2017($)
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
|
285,200
|
|
|
|
485,210
|
|
|
|
198,540
|
|
Audit Related Fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Other Fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
|
285,200
|
|
|
|
485,210
|
|
|
|
198,540
|
|
Audit
fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our financial statements and review of interim
consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by the principal accountants
relating to statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit
related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit
or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not included in audit fees.
Tax
fees consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. These services include
preparation of federal and state income tax returns.
Other
fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported in the categories described above.
Audit
Committee Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
Our
Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial reporting process, our compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements, and the quality of our internal and external audit processes. The role and responsibilities
of the Audit Committee are set forth in a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available on our website at www.polarityte.com.
The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting, retaining, and determining the compensation of our independent public accountant,
approving the services they will perform, and reviewing the performance of the independent public accountant. The Audit Committee
reviews with management and our independent public accountant our annual financial statements reported in our Form 10-K and our
quarterly financial statements reported in our Forms 10-Q. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the charter annually and
recommends any changes to the Board for approval. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing our overall financial reporting
process. In fulfilling its responsibilities for the financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 and the two-month
transition period ended December 31, 2019, the Audit Committee took the following actions:
●
|
reviewed
and discussed with management and EisnerAmper the audited financial statements for the two-months transition period ended
December 31, 2018, and the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018;
|
●
|
discussed
with EisnerAmper the matters required to be discussed in accordance with the rules set forth by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), relating to the conduct of the audit;
|
●
|
received
written disclosures and the letter from EisnerAmper regarding its independence as required by applicable requirements of the
PCAOB regarding EisnerAmper’s communications with the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee further discussed with
EisnerAmper its independence; and
|
●
|
considered
the status of pending litigation, taxation matters, and other areas of oversight relating to the financial reporting and audit
process that the Audit Committee determined appropriate.
|
Our
Audit Committee approved all services that our independent accountants provided to us in the two-month transition period ended
December 31, 2018, and the past two fiscal years.
Vote
Required
Pursuant
to the Company’s bylaws ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent public accountant is determined
by a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively. Accordingly, abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the
vote. Brokerage firms have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal.
If a broker does not exercise this authority, such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. We are not
required to obtain the approval of our stockholders to appoint the Company’s independent accountant. However, if our stockholders
do not ratify the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as the Company’s independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2019, the Audit Committee of the Board may reconsider its appointment.
The
Board recommends a vote for the ratification of the appointment of EisnerAmper 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.
PROPOSAL
NO. 4
APPROVAL
OF THE COMPANY’S 2020 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
On
October 25, 2019, the Board adopted the PolarityTE, Inc. 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”), subject
to approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting. The 2020 Plan will become effective on the date it is approved by our stockholders.
After the 2020 Plan becomes effective, we may continue to make awards under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan the “2019 Plan”)
and the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) to the extent of the number of shares that are not subject to
outstanding awards. The number of shares of our common stock that may be the subject of awards and issued under the 2020 Plan
is initially 3,000,000.
The
Board believes that stock-based incentive awards can play an important role in the success of the Company by encouraging and enabling
the employees, officers, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative
and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.
The Board believes that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company assures a closer identification of the interests
of such individuals with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf
and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company. The 2020 Plan is designed to enhance the flexibility to grant equity
awards to our officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants and to ensure that we can continue to grant equity awards
to eligible recipients at levels determined to be appropriate by the Board or the Compensation Committee.
As
of September 30, 2019, there were stock options to acquire 6,343,406 shares of common stock outstanding under our equity compensation
plans, with a weighted average exercise price of $13.88 and a weighted average remaining term of 6.09 years. In addition, as of
September 30, 2019, there were 2,027,100 unvested full value awards with time-based vesting forfeiture terms under our equity
compensation plans. Other than the foregoing, no awards under our equity compensation plans were outstanding as of September 30,
2019. As of September 30, 2019, there were 670,516 shares of common stock available for issuance under our equity compensation
plans. Awards outstanding under the 2019 Plan and 2017 Plan will continue to be subject to the terms of those plans and if those
awards subsequently expire, are forfeited or canceled, or are settled in cash, the shares subject to those awards will continue
to be available for new awards under 2019 Plan and the 2017 Plan, as the case may be.
Stockholder
Approval and Board of Directors Recommendation
Stockholder
approval of the 2020 Plan is being sought in order to (i) satisfy the stockholder approval requirements under the rules of Nasdaq
Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”), and (ii) obtain stockholder approval of the number of shares that may be subject to
incentive stock options under Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 422.
The
Board recommends that our stockholders vote “for” the 2020 Plan because it includes several features that we believe
are consistent with the interests of our stockholders and sound corporate governance practices, and will provide us with a share
reserve that will enable us to continue to provide a competitive mix of compensation to our key employees. Unless a contrary choice
is specified, proxies solicited by the Board will be voted “for” approval of the 2020 Plan.
Factors
Considered in Setting Size of Requested Share Reserve
In
setting the proposed number of shares reserved and issuable under the 2020 Plan, the Board considered a number of factors, including
the following:
The
Company’s three-year average burn rate. The Company’s three-year average “burn rate” was approximately
49.3% for fiscal years ending October 31, 2016 through 2018. “Burn rate” is defined as the total number of shares
subject to awards granted to participants in a single year expressed as a percent of the Company’s basic weighted average
common shares outstanding for that year. The Company converted its fiscal year to a calendar year effective December 31, 2018.
For calendar year 2018 the “burn rate” was approximately 15.3%.
Estimated
duration of shares available for issuance under the 2020 Plan. Based on the 3,000,000 shares to be reserved under the 2020
Plan, an estimated carryover of 670,516 unused shares from our existing equity incentive plans, the Company’s three-year
average burn rate as described above, burn rate for calendar year 2018, and other considerations it is expected that the requested
share reserve will be sufficient to accommodate awards up to the Company’s annual meeting of stockholder to be held in 2021.
Dilution
Analysis. As of September 30, 2019, our capital structure consisted of 26,932,764 shares of common stock outstanding and 670,516
shares of common stock remaining available for grant of awards under the 2019 Plan and 2017 Plan. As proposed, an additional 3,000,000
shares of common stock will be available for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2020 Plan. The table below shows our potential
dilution (referred to as “overhang”) based on our fully diluted shares of common stock, the authorization of 3,000,000
shares of common stock for awards under the 2020 Plan, and 670,516 shares that remain available for awards under the 2019 Plan
and 2017 Plan. The 3,670,516 shares of common stock available under the 2020 Plan and existing equity incentive plans represent
approximately 9.8% of fully diluted shares of common stock. The Board believes that this number of shares of common stock under
the 2020 Plan and existing equity incentive plans will enable the Company to continue granting equity awards, which are important
components of the Company’s equity compensation program.
Based
solely on the closing price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 30, 2019, and the maximum
number of shares that would have been available for awards as of such date under the 2020 Plan, the maximum aggregate market value
of the common stock that could potentially be issued under the 2020 Plan is approximately $9.69 million.
Stock Options Outstanding as of September 30, 2019 (1)
|
|
|
6,343,406
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Stock Options Outstanding as of September 30, 2019
|
|
$
|
13.88
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Term of Stock Options Outstanding as of September 30, 2019
|
|
|
6.09 years
|
|
Outstanding Full Value Awards as of September 30, 2019 (2)
|
|
|
2,027,100
|
|
Total Equity Awards Outstanding as of September 30, 2019
|
|
|
8,370,506
|
|
Shares Available for Grant under the Existing Equity Incentive Plans
|
|
|
670,516
|
|
New Shares Available under the 2020 Plan
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
Total Shares Available for Awards under the 2020 Plan and Existing Equity Incentive Plans
|
|
|
3,670,516
|
|
Total Potential Overhang under the under the 2020 Plan and Existing Equity Incentive Plans
|
|
|
12,041,022
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding as of September 30, 2019
|
|
|
26,932,764
|
|
Fully Diluted Shares of Common Stock (3)
|
|
|
37,458,295
|
|
Potential Dilution of 3,670,516 shares as a Percentage of Fully Diluted Shares of Common Stock
|
|
|
9.8
|
%
|
(1)
Includes (i) 1,004,400 stock options granted under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, for which all underlying shares could
again become available for issuance under that plan, (ii) 5,181,560 stock options granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive
Plan, for which all underlying shares could again become available for issuance under that plan (iii) 2,083 stock options
granted under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan; and (iv) 155,363 share awards granted under plans that predate the foregoing
plans.
(2)
Includes the number of shares subject to the following outstanding awards: time-based restricted share awards
– 1,515,491 shares; and, time-based restricted share unit awards – 511,609 shares.
(3)
The “Fully Diluted Shares of Common Stock” in the foregoing table consists of the “Shares of Common Stock
Outstanding as of September 30, 2019” plus the “Total Potential Overhang under the 2020 Plan and Existing Equity
Incentive Plans” described in the foregoing table, minus all outstanding restricted stock awards that are already
included in the number of “Shares of Common Stock Outstanding as of September 30, 2019.”
The
Board believes the granting of equity awards as a component of executive compensation allows us to align the interests of officers
and other employees who are selected to receive awards with those of our stockholders. The 2020 Plan is designed to enable us
to formulate and implement a compensation program that will attract, motivate and retain officers and other employees who we expect
will contribute to our success. The Board believes that awards granted pursuant to the 2020 Plan are a vital component of our
compensation program and, accordingly, that it is important that an appropriate number of shares of common stock be authorized
for issuance under the 2020 Plan.
Description
of the 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
The
major features of the 2020 Plan are summarized below. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of
the 2020 Plan, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A.
Plan
Shares. The maximum number of shares of common stock to be issued under the 2020 Plan is 3,000,000 (the “Initial Limit”).
The 2020 Plan also provides that the number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the plan will automatically increase
each January 1, beginning on January 1, 2021, by 4% of the outstanding number of shares of our common stock on the immediately
preceding December 31 or such lesser number of shares as determined by the Board. Shares of common stock that are forfeited, cancelled,
held back upon the exercise or settlement of an award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, reacquired by us prior to
vesting, satisfied without the issuance of common stock or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) under the 2020 Plan are
added back to the shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan. Additionally, shares we reacquire on the
open market will not be added to the reserved pool under the 2020 Plan;
Administration.
The 2020 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has full power to select, from among
the individuals eligible for awards, the individuals to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to participants,
and to determine the specific terms and conditions of each award, subject to the provisions of the 2020 Plan. The Compensation
Committee may delegate to a committee consisting of one or more officers the authority to grant awards to employees who are not
subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and not on such committee, subject to certain
limitations and guidelines.
Eligibility;
Plan Limits. All full-time and part-time officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants are eligible to participate
in the 2020 Plan, subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee. As of September 30, 2019, approximately 181 individuals
would be eligible to participate in the 2020 Plan, which includes five executive officers, 156 employees who are not executive
officers, six non-employee directors and approximately 20 consultants. There are certain limits on the number of awards that may
be granted under the 2020 Plan. For example, the maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of incentive stock options
may not exceed the lesser of (i) the Initial Limit, as cumulatively increased on each January 1 by four percent of the number
of shares of stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31 or such lesser number of shares approved by
the Compensation Committee, and (ii) the annual limit on the number of shares covered by the stock option required for the stock
option to qualify as an incentive stock option under the Code.
Stock
Options.
The
2020 Plan permits the granting of (i) options to purchase common stock intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section
422 of the Code and (ii) options that do not so qualify. Options granted under the 2020 Plan will be non-qualified options if
they fail to qualify as incentive options or exceed the annual limit on incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may only
be granted to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Non-qualified options may be granted to any persons eligible to receive
incentive options and to non-employee directors and consultants. The option exercise price of each option will be determined by
the Compensation Committee but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Fair
market value for this purpose will be the last reported sale price of the shares of common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market
on the date immediately preceding the grant date. The exercise price of an option may not be reduced after the date of the option
grant, other than to appropriately reflect changes in our capital structure.
The
term of each option will be fixed by the Compensation Committee and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The Compensation
Committee will determine at what time or times each option may be exercised. Options may be made exercisable in installments and
the exercisability of options may be accelerated by the Compensation Committee. In general, unless otherwise permitted by the
Compensation Committee, no option granted under the 2020 Plan is transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order, and options may be exercised during the optionee’s
lifetime only by the optionee, or by the optionee’s legal representative or guardian in the case of the optionee’s
incapacity.
Upon
exercise of options, the option exercise price must be paid in full either in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument
acceptable to the Compensation Committee or by delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of common stock that are beneficially
owned by the optionee and that are not subject to risk of forfeiture. Subject to applicable law, the exercise price may also be
delivered to the Company by a broker pursuant to irrevocable instructions to the broker from the optionee. In addition, the Compensation
Committee may permit non-qualified options to be exercised using a net exercise feature that reduces the number of shares issued
to the optionee by the number of shares with a fair market value equal to the exercise price.
To
qualify as incentive options, options must meet additional federal tax requirements, including a $100,000 limit on the value of
shares subject to incentive options that first become exercisable by a participant in any one calendar year.
Stock
Appreciation Rights. The Compensation Committee may award stock appreciation rights subject to such conditions and restrictions
as the Compensation Committee may determine. Stock appreciation rights entitle the recipient to shares of common stock equal to
the value of the appreciation in the stock price over the exercise price. The exercise price is the fair market value of the common
stock on the date of grant. The term of a stock appreciation right may not exceed ten years.
Restricted
Stock. The Compensation Committee may award shares of common stock to participants subject to such conditions and restrictions
as the Compensation Committee may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance
goals or continued employment with us through a specified restricted period. During the vesting period, restricted stock awards
may be credited with dividend equivalent rights, but dividend equivalents payable with respect to restricted stock awards with
vesting tied to the attainment of performance criteria or service shall not be paid unless and until such conditions are satisfied.
Restricted
Stock Units. The Compensation Committee may award restricted stock units to participants. Restricted stock units are ultimately
payable in the form of shares of common stock (or cash, if so provided in the specific award) subject to such conditions and restrictions
as the Compensation Committee may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance
goals or continued employment with the Company through a specified vesting period. In the Compensation Committee’s sole
discretion, it may permit a participant to make an advance election to receive a portion of his or her future cash compensation
otherwise due in the form of a restricted stock unit award, subject to the participant’s compliance with the procedures
established by the Compensation Committee and requirements of Section 409A of the Code. During the deferral period, the deferred
stock awards may be credited with dividend equivalent rights.
Unrestricted
Stock Awards. The Compensation Committee may also grant shares of common stock that are free from any restrictions under the
2020 Plan. Unrestricted stock may be granted to any participant in recognition of past services or other valid consideration and
may be issued in lieu of cash compensation due to such participant.
Dividend
Equivalent Rights. The Compensation Committee may grant dividend equivalent rights to participants, which entitle the recipient
to receive credits for dividends that would be paid if the recipient had held specified shares of common stock. Dividend equivalent
rights granted as a component of another award (other than a stock option or stock appreciation right) may be paid only if the
related award becomes vested. Dividend equivalent rights may be settled in cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof,
in a single installment or installments, as specified in the award.
Cash-Based
Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant cash bonuses under the 2020 Plan to participants. The cash bonuses may be subject
to the achievement of certain performance goals.
Change
of Control Provisions. The 2020 Plan provides that upon the effectiveness of a “sale event,” as defined in the
2020 Plan, all outstanding awards may be assumed, substituted or otherwise continued by the successor entity. To the extent that
the successor entity does not assume, substitute or otherwise continue such awards, upon the effective time of the sales event
the 2020 Plan and all outstanding awards that remain unexercised or settled will terminate. When a sales event occurs and outstanding
awards are not assumed, substituted or continued, except as may be otherwise specifically provided in an award certificate, all
options and stock appreciation rights with time-based vesting conditions or restrictions that are not vested or exercisable immediately
prior to the effective time of the sale event may become fully vested and exercisable as of the effective time of the sale event
at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, all other awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions may become
fully vested and non-forfeitable as of the effective time of the sale event at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and
all awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and non-forfeitable
in connection with a sale event in the Compensation Committee’s discretion or to the extent specified in an award certificate.
In addition, the Company may make or provide for payment, in cash or in kind, to participants holding options and stock appreciation
rights equal to the difference between the per share cash consideration paid in the sales event and the exercise price of the
options or stock appreciation rights. The Compensation Committee shall also have the option to make or provide for a payment,
in cash or in kind, to grantees holding other awards in an amount equal to the per share cash consideration paid in the sales
event multiplied by the number of vested shares under such awards.
Adjustments
for Stock Dividends, Stock Splits, Etc. The 2020 Plan requires the Compensation Committee to make appropriate adjustments
to the number of shares of common stock that are subject to the 2020 Plan, to certain limits in the 2020 Plan, and to any outstanding
awards to reflect stock dividends, stock splits, extraordinary cash dividends and similar events.
Tax
Withholding. Participants in the 2020 Plan are responsible for the payment of any federal, state or local taxes that the Company
is required by law to withhold upon the exercise of options or stock appreciation rights or vesting of other awards. Subject to
approval by the Compensation Committee, participants may elect to have their tax withholding obligations satisfied by authorizing
the Company to withhold shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to exercise or vesting. The Compensation Committee may also
require awards to be subject to mandatory share withholding up to the required withholding amount.
Amendments
and Termination. The Board of Directors may at any time amend or discontinue the 2020 Plan and the Compensation Committee
may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding award for the purpose of satisfying changes in the law or for any other lawful
purpose. However, no such action may adversely affect any rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent.
To the extent required under Nasdaq rules any amendments that materially change the terms of the 2020 Plan will be subject to
approval by our stockholders. Amendments shall also be subject to approval by our stockholders if and to the extent determined
by the Compensation Committee to be required by the Code to preserve the qualified status of incentive options.
Tax
Aspects Under the Code
The
following is a summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the 2020 Plan. It does not
describe all federal tax consequences under the 2020 Plan, nor does it describe state or local tax consequences.
Incentive
Options
No
taxable income is generally realized by the optionee upon the grant or exercise of an incentive option. If shares of common stock
issued to an optionee pursuant to the exercise of an incentive option are sold or transferred after two years from the date of
grant and after one year from the date of exercise, then (i) upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option
price (the amount paid for the shares) will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital gain, and any loss sustained will
be a long-term capital loss, and (ii) the Company will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. The exercise
of an incentive option will give rise to an item of tax preference that may result in alternative minimum tax liability for the
optionee.
If
shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an incentive option are disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year
and one-year holding periods described above (a “disqualifying disposition”), generally (i) the optionee will realize
ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares of
common stock at exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on a sale of such shares of common stock) over the option price thereof,
and (ii) the Company will be entitled to deduct such amount. Special rules will apply where all or a portion of the exercise price
of the incentive option is paid by tendering shares of common stock.
If
an incentive option is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies for the tax treatment described above, the option is treated
as a non-qualified option. Generally, an incentive option will not be eligible for the tax treatment described above if it is
exercised more than three months following termination of employment (or one year in the case of termination of employment by
reason of disability). In the case of termination of employment by reason of death, the three-month rule does not apply.
Non-Qualified
Options. No income is realized by the optionee at the time a non-qualified option is granted. Generally (i) at exercise, ordinary
income is realized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option price and the fair market value of
the shares of common stock on the date of exercise, and we receive a tax deduction for the same amount, and (ii) at disposition,
appreciation or depreciation after the date of exercise is treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending
on how long the shares of common stock have been held. Special rules will apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of
the non-qualified option is paid by tendering shares of common stock. Upon exercise, the optionee will also be subject to Social
Security taxes on the excess of the fair market value over the exercise price of the option.
Other
Awards. The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with other awards under the 2020 Plan in an
amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant at the time the participant recognizes such income. Participants
typically are subject to income tax and recognize such tax at the time that an award is exercised, vests or becomes non-forfeitable,
unless the award provides for a further deferral.
Parachute
Payments. The vesting of any portion of an award that is accelerated due to the occurrence of a change in control (such as
a sale event) may cause a portion of the payments with respect to such accelerated awards to be treated as “parachute payments”
as defined in the Code. Any such parachute payments may be non-deductible to the Company, in whole or in part, and may subject
the recipient to a non-deductible 20% federal excise tax on all or a portion of such payment (in addition to other taxes ordinarily
payable).
Limitation
on Deductions. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company’s deduction for awards under the 2020 Plan may be limited
to the extent that any “covered employee” (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) receives compensation in excess
of $1 million a year.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides information on our compensation plans at December 31, 2018 under which equity securities are authorized
for issuance.
Plan category
|
|
(a)
Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants, and rights
|
|
|
(b)
Weighted-
average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
|
|
(c)
Number of securities remaining available
for future issuances
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders
|
|
|
6,334,885
|
|
|
$
|
14.18
|
|
|
|
4,527,139
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
7.65
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6,499,885
|
|
|
$
|
14.02
|
|
|
|
4,527,139
|
|
Vote
Required
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for this proposal is required to approve the 2020 Plan. Abstentions will be counted
towards the tabulation of votes cast on this proposal and are, therefore, a vote against the proposal. Brokerage firms do not
have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on the matter of approval of the 2020
Plan. As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will
have no effect on the results of this vote.
The
Board recommends a vote for approval of the 2020 Plan, and proxies solicited by the Board will be voted in favor thereof unless
a stockholder has indicated otherwise on the proxy.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Independence
of Directors
Our
Board is currently comprised of six members. The Board has reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors
has with the Company, either directly or indirectly. Based upon this review, the Board has determined that Jeff Dyer, Dr. Jon
Mogford, Willie C. Bogan, Peter A. Cohen, Rainer Erdtmann, and Minnie Baylor-Henry are “independent directors” as
defined by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Board
Leadership Structure and Risk Management
The
Board believes that the Company’s stockholders are best served if the Board retains the flexibility to adapt its leadership
structure to applicable facts and circumstances, which necessarily change over time. Accordingly, the Board may combine or separate
the roles of the chief executives and chairman, as it deems advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The
independent directors have recently concluded that the most effective leadership structure for the Company at the present is to
maintain the Office of the Chief Executive, consisting of a team of three senior executives who will focus and collaborate on
commercialization, operational and financial performance, and new product development, while Peter A. Cohen serves as non-executive
Chairman of the Board. We believe that separating these positions allows the members of the Office of the Chief Executive to focus
on our day-to-day business, while allowing the Chairman of the Board to lead the Board in its fundamental role of providing advice
to, and independent oversight, of management. Our Board recognizes the time, effort, and energy that the members of the Office
of the Chief Executive are required to devote to their management roles and responsibilities in the current business environment,
as well as the commitment required to serve as our Chairman, particularly as the Boards’ oversight responsibilities continue
to grow. While our bylaws and our corporate governance guidelines do not require that our Chairman and chief executive functions
be separate, our Board believes that having separation is the appropriate leadership structure for us at this time and demonstrates
our commitment to good corporate governance.
Risk
is inherent to every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. We face a number of
risks, including risks relating to our financial condition, development and commercialization activities, operations, strategic
direction, and intellectual property. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks we face, while our Board,
as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, our
Board has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate
and functioning as designed.
The
role of the Board in overseeing the management of our risks is conducted primarily through committees of the Board, as disclosed
in the descriptions of each of the committees below and in the charters of each of the committees. The full Board (or the appropriate
Board committee in the case of risks that are under the purview of a particular committee) discusses with management our major
risk exposures, their potential impact on us, and the steps we take to manage them. When a Board committee is responsible for
evaluating and overseeing the management of a particular risk or risks, we expect the chairman of the relevant committee will
report on this process to the full Board as circumstances dictate. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the
risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships.
Director
Attendance at Board, Committee, and Other Meetings
Directors
are expected to attend Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which they serve, with the understanding that on occasion
a director may be unable to attend a meeting. The Board does not have a policy on director attendance at the Company’s annual
meeting.
The
non-management directors (who also constitute all the independent directors) meet in executive sessions in connection with regularly
scheduled Board meetings and at such other times as the non-management directors deem appropriate.
In
calendar year 2018, the Board held four regular meetings, the non-management directors held four regular and special executive
sessions, the Audit Committee held four regular and special meetings, the Compensation Committee held two regular meetings, and
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held one regular meeting. Each director attended 75% or more of the regular
meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he or she served that were held during his or her term of office. Each of
the non-management (and independent) directors attended 75% or more of the regular and special executive sessions that were held
during his or her term of office.
Committees
of the Board
Our
Board has three standing committees: Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance. Each of the committees is solely
comprised of and chaired by independent directors, each of whom the Board has affirmatively determined is independent pursuant
to the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Each of the committees operates pursuant to its charter. Each of the committees annually
reviews its committee charter. As appropriate, each committee may propose revisions to its charter, which are coordinated through
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and then submitted for consideration by the Board. The responsibilities of each
committee are described in more detail below. The charters for the three committees are available on the Company’s website
at http//www.polarityte.com/ by following the link to “Investor Relations” and then to “Corporate Governance.”
Audit
Committee
The
Audit Committee, among other things, is responsible for:
|
●
|
appointing,
approving the compensation of, overseeing the work of, assessing the independence, qualifications, and performance of, and
determining the retention of the independent auditors;
|
|
●
|
representing
and assisting the Board in its oversight responsibilities regarding the Company’s accounting and financial reporting
processes and the audits of the Company’s financial statements, including the integrity of the financial statements;
|
|
●
|
reviewing
the internal audit function, including its independence, plans, budget, and determining whether to retain or dismiss (if applicable)
the Company’s principal internal auditor;
|
|
●
|
overseeing
the preparation of the report required by SEC rules for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement;
|
|
●
|
approving,
in advance, audit and any permissible non-audit services performed by our independent auditor;
|
|
●
|
reviewing
the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls, including periodically receiving reports from the Company’s
independent auditors, principal executive officer, and principal financial and accounting officer regarding the Company’s
system of internal controls;
|
|
●
|
approving
related person transactions; and
|
|
●
|
reviewing
and discussing the Company’s practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management.
|
The
Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the additional independence criteria applicable
to audit committee members under SEC rules and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board of Directors has adopted a written
charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Audit Committee. The members of the Audit Committee are Rainer
Erdtmann, Peter A. Cohen, and Jeff Dyer. The Board has determined that Rainer Erdtmann, the Audit Committee chairperson, meets
the qualification requirements of an audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K.
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and administering our executive compensation policies. The role of the
Compensation Committee is to (i) formulate, evaluate and approve compensation of the Company’s directors, executive officers
and key employees, (ii) oversee all compensation programs involving the use of the Company’s stock, and (iii) produce, if
required under the securities laws, a report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for
its annual meeting of stockholders. The duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, among other things, include:
●
|
oversee
the assessment of the incentives and risks arising from or related to the Company’s compensation policies and practices,
including but not limited to those applicable to executive officers, and evaluate whether the incentives and risks are appropriate;
|
●
|
review
and approve goals and objectives relevant to an executive officer’s compensation package, establish a procedure for
evaluating an executive officer’s performance, annually evaluate the performance of an executive officer in conjunction
with the Nominating and Governance Committee in light of the goals and objectives established, and review with an executive
officer the results of the Committee’s performance evaluation;
|
●
|
review,
at least annually, and set the base salary and annual and long-term incentive compensation of executive officers, after considering
their annual evaluations.
|
●
|
review
and make periodic recommendations to the Board as to the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans;
|
●
|
administer
the Company’s equity incentive plan;
|
●
|
to
the extent applicable, review and discuss with management the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis section
and related disclosures that SEC rules may require be included in the Company’s annual report and proxy statement and
oversee the preparation of the compensation committee report as required by SEC rules for inclusion in the Company’s
annual report and proxy statement; and
|
●
|
review
and consider recommendations from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with respect to the compensation and benefits
of non-employee directors and recommend any changes to the Board that the Committee deems appropriate.
|
When
appropriate, the Compensation Committee may, in carrying out its responsibilities, form and delegate authority to subcommittees.
The Office of the Chief Executive plays a role in determining the compensation of our other executive officers by evaluating the
performance of those executive officers. These evaluations are then reviewed by the Compensation Committee. This process leads
to a recommendation for any changes in salary, bonus terms and equity awards, if any, based on performance, which recommendations
are then reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee.
The
Compensation Committee has the authority, at the Company’s expense, to select, retain, terminate and set the fees and other
terms of the Company’s relationship with any outside advisors who assist it in carrying out its responsibilities, including
compensation consultants or independent legal counsel.
The
Board has adopted a written charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee consists of Peter A. Cohen, Jon Mogford, and Jeff Dyer. The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the
Compensation Committee meets the additional independence criteria applicable to compensation committee members under SEC and Nasdaq
rules.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, among other things, is responsible for:
●
|
assisting
the Board in determining the desired experience, mix of skills and other qualities to provide for appropriate Board composition,
considering the current Board members and the specific needs of the Company and the Board;
|
●
|
conducting
candidate searches, interviewing prospective candidates and conducting programs to introduce candidates to the Company, its
management and operations, and confirming the appropriate level of interest of such candidates;
|
●
|
advising
the Board regarding the size and composition of the Board and its committees;
|
●
|
coordinating
matters among committees of the Board;
|
●
|
overseeing
the performance of the Board and its Committees;
|
●
|
conducting
an annual review of the performance of the Office of the Chief Executive in conjunction with the Compensation Committee;
|
●
|
proposing
to the Board the slate of corporate officers of the Company and reviewing the succession plans for the executive officers;
|
●
|
recommending
to the Board and monitoring matters with respect to governance of the Company;
|
●
|
overseeing
the Company’s compliance program, including the Company’s codes of conduct and the Company’s policies and
procedures for monitoring compliance; and
|
●
|
recommending
ways to enhance services to and improve communications and relations with the Company’s stockholders.
|
The
Board of Directors has adopted a written charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Willie C. Bogan chairperson, Minnie Baylor-Henry
and Jon Mogford.
Consideration
of Director Nominees
We
seek directors with high standards of ethics and integrity, sound business judgment, and the willingness to make a strong commitment
to the Company and its success. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board, which do not have a formal diversity
policy, consider diversity in a broad sense when evaluating board composition and nominations; and they seek to include directors
with a diversity of experience, professions, skills, and backgrounds that will enable them to make contributions to the Board
and the Company, both as individuals and as part of a group of directors. In determining whether to recommend a director for re-election,
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers the director’s attendance at meetings and participation
in and contributions to the activities of the Board and its committees.
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders, and its process for
considering such recommendations is no different than its process for screening and evaluating candidates suggested by directors,
management of the Company, or third parties.
Corporate
Governance Matters
We
are committed to maintaining strong corporate governance practices that benefit the long-term interests of our stockholders by
providing for effective oversight and management of the Company. Our governance policies, including our Code of Business Ethics
and Practices and Committee Charters, can be found on our website at http://www.polarityte.com/ by following the link to “Investor
Relations” and then to “Corporate Governance.”
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews our corporate governance policies, Code of Business Ethics and Practices,
and Committee Charters periodically in order to consider our policies and charters in light of developments at the Company, changes
in regulations and listing requirements, and the continuing evolution of best practices in the area of corporate governance.
Code
of Conduct
Our
Code of Business Ethics and Practices (the “Code”), which was adopted January 11, 2019, applies to the Company’s
employees, directors, and officers (“Covered Persons”). This includes our President, our Chief Financial Officer,
and our Chief Operating Officer, among others. We require that they avoid conflicts of interest, comply with applicable laws,
protect Company assets, and conduct business in an ethical and responsible manner and in accordance with the Code. The Code prohibits
employees from taking unfair advantage of our business partners, competitors, and employees through manipulation, concealment,
misuse of confidential or privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other practice of unfair dealing
or improper use of information. The Code requires employees to comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations wherever
in the world we conduct business. This includes applicable laws on privacy and data protection, and anti-corruption and anti-bribery.
Our Code is publicly available and can be found on our website at http://www.polarityte.com/ by following the link to “Investor
Relations” and then to “Corporate Governance.”
Communications
with the Board of Directors
Stockholders
and other parties may communicate directly with the Board of Directors or the relevant board member by addressing communications
to:
PolarityTE,
Inc.
c/o
Corporate Secretary
123
Wright Brothers Drive
Salt
Lake City, Utah 84116
All
stockholder correspondence will be compiled by our corporate secretary and forwarded as appropriate.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers, and stockholders who own more than 10% of
the Company’s stock to file forms with the SEC to report their ownership of the Company’s stock and any changes in
ownership. The Company assists its directors and executives by identifying reportable transactions of which it is aware and preparing
and filing the forms on their behalf. All persons required to file forms with the SEC must also send copies of the forms to the
Company. We have reviewed all forms provided to us. Based on that review and on written information given to us by our executive
officers and directors, we believe that all Section 16(a) filings during the past fiscal year were filed on a timely basis and
that all directors, executive officers and 10% beneficial owners have fully complied with such requirements during the calendar
year ended December 31, 2018, except that Paul Mann did not report on a timely basis the transfer of shares to the Company to
satisfy a tax obligation arising from the vesting of restricted stock units.
Report
of Audit Committee
PolarityTE’s
Audit Committee reports to and acts on behalf of the Board of Directors. A brief description of the primary responsibilities of
the Audit Committee is included under “Committees of the Board — Audit Committee” above. Management has primary
responsibility for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the application of
accounting and financial reporting principles and internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting
standards and applicable laws and regulations. Our independent auditor, EisnerAmper LLP (“EisnerAmper”), is responsible
for auditing our financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America, as well as expressing an opinion on the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
The
Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the two-month transition period ended December
31, 2018, and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2108, with management and EisnerAmper. The Audit Committee also discussed
with EisnerAmper the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (PCAOB). In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the PCAOB-required letter from
EisnerAmper regarding its communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Committee has discussed with
EisnerAmper its independence.
Based
on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that (i) the audited financial statements
for the two-month transition period ended December 31, 2018 be included in the Company’s Transition Report on Form 10-K
for that period, which was filed with the SEC, and (ii) the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31,
2018 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018, which was filed with the SEC.
Audit
Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors:
|
Rainer Erdtmann, Chair
|
|
Peter A. Cohen
|
|
Jeff Dyer
|
|
Steve Gorlin (Prior to January 15, 2019)
|
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock of the Company as of October 25,
2019 by (i) each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock, (ii)
each of the Company’s current directors and nominees for director, (iii) each individual who meets the definition of “named
executive officer” under SEC regulations, and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. The number
of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each person is determined under rules promulgated by the SEC. Under such rules,
beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the person has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also
includes any shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date as of which the beneficial ownership determination
is made. Applicable percentages are based upon 26,961,834 voting shares issued and outstanding as of October 25, 2019 and treating
any shares that the holder has the right to acquire within 60 days as outstanding for purposes of computing their percent ownership.
Except as otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders listed below has sole voting and investment power over the shares beneficially
owned, subject to community property laws where applicable, and addresses are c/o PolarityTE, Inc., 123 Wright Brothers Drive,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116.
|
|
Number of
Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Percentage of
Common Stock
|
|
Executive Officers and Directors (1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter A. Cohen
|
|
|
97,984
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
Jeff Dyer
|
|
|
183,141
|
|
|
|
0.68
|
|
Jon Mogford
|
|
|
141,831
|
|
|
|
0.52
|
|
Minnie Baylor-Henry
|
|
|
13,297
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
Willie C. Bogan
|
|
|
35,144
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
Rainer Erdtmann (2)
|
|
|
221,684
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
David Seaburg
|
|
|
482,785
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
Paul Mann
|
|
|
740,268
|
|
|
|
2.72
|
|
Richard Hague
|
|
|
355,204
|
|
|
|
1.32
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (9 persons)
|
|
|
2,271,338
|
|
|
|
8.38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greater that 5% Holders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denver Lough (3)(4)
1287 E. 530 North, Orem, UT 84097
|
|
|
9,407,006
|
|
|
|
32.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barry Honig (3)(4)
555 S. Federal Hwy, #450, Boca Raton, FL 33432
|
|
|
2,267,314
|
|
|
|
8.41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Brauser (5)
4400 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 850, Miami, FL 33137
|
|
|
1,448,168
|
|
|
|
5.37
|
|
(1)
Includes the following number of shares of options that were exercisable or restricted share awards expected to vest within 60
days of October 25, 2019: Peter A. Cohen, 12,644; Jeff Dyer, 143,644; Jon Mogford, 68,268; Minnie Baylor-Henry, 9,428; Willie
C. Bogan, 20,144; Rainer Erdtmann, 52,504; David Seaburg, 93,750; Paul Mann, 276,041; and Richard Hague, 21,666.
(2)
Includes 119,180 shares owned by Point Sur Investors Fund I. Mr. Erdtmann is Managing Director and General Partner of Point
Sur Investors LLC, the general partner of Point Sur Investors Fund I, and as a result may be deemed to have shared voting and
investment control over the shares held by Point Sur Investors Fund I.
(3)
The stock information for Dr. Lough is based solely on information supplied to us by him, or included in statements on Schedule
13D filed by Dr. Lough with the SEC on October 15, 2019, or other public documents filed by Dr. Lough with the SEC. His most recent
Schedule 13D states that he has beneficial ownership of 8,936,719 shares consisting of: (i) 7,050,000 shares of common stock;
(ii) 1,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a stock option issued under the Issuer’s 2017 Equity Incentive
Plan; (iii) 400,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a stock option issued under the Issuer’s 2017 Equity
Incentive Plan; (iv) 195,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a stock option issued under the Issuer’s 2017
Equity Incentive Plan (v) 105,000 shares of common stock from a restricted share award granted September 20, 2018; and (vi) 200,000
shares of common stock from a restricted share award granted August 26, 2019; and (vii) with consideration of those shares withheld
for tax withholding purposes to date which include 13,281 shares. For purposes of calculating the number presented in the table,
only 33,333 shares of the restricted share award granted August 26, 2019, are included because that is the number that has or
will vest within 60 days of the date as of which the beneficial ownership determination is made. The number of shares beneficially
held by Dr. Lough also includes 536,954 shares of the Company’s common stock held by certain other stockholders of the Company
affiliated with Barry Honig who granted an irrevocable proxy to the Dr. Lough to vote such shares subject to certain limitations,
pursuant to exchange agreements between the Company and such stockholders. Dr. Lough previously served as the Company’s
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer beginning on December 1, 2016, and also served as a director of
the Company. Pursuant to a “Settlement Terms” agreement dated August 21, 2019, he resigned all of his offices with
the Company and from the Board of Directors, which was accepted by the Board of Directors effective on August 26, 2019. As part
of the Settlement Terms agreement, Dr. Lough’s executive employment agreement with the Company was terminated, except for
specific sections that survive termination. Dr. Lough has advised the Company he believes the settlement between the parties includes
an agreement to modify his equity awards previously granted under the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to accelerate
vesting of all awards and extend the exercise period for the stock options to ten years from the original grant date. The Company
has advised Dr. Lough it does not agree that modification to his equity awards was included in the settlement or agreed to by
the parties, and the disagreement has yet to be resolved. If vesting of Dr. Lough’s awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive
Plan is not accelerated, his beneficial stock ownership as of October 25, 2019 would be 9,072,631 shares.
(4)
The stock information for Mr. Honig is based on information contained in an amendment to Schedule 13G filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 3, 2019. As stated in that filing, the shares listed for Mr. Honig include (i) 922,000 shares
of common stock held by Barry Honig, individually, (ii) 364,000 shares of common stock held by Barry Honig and his spouse, Renee
Noel Honig (“Renee Honig”), as tenants by the entirety, (iii) 483,054 shares of common stock held by GRQ Consultants,
Inc. Roth 401K FBO Barry Honig (“Roth 401K”), (iv) 434,952 shares of common stock held by GRQ Consultants, Inc. 401K
(“401K”), (v) 49,308 shares of common stock held by GRQ Consultants, Inc. Roth 401K FBO Renee Honig (“Renee
401K”) and (vi) 14,000 shares of common stock held by GRQ Consultants, Inc. (“GRQ Inc.”). Barry Honig’s
father, Alan S. Honig (“Alan Honig”), and Renee Honig are co-trustees of each of 401K, Roth 401K and Renee 401K. Alan
Honig, is the President of GRQ Inc. By virtue of his current relationship with his father with regard to the shares of common
stock held by 401K, Roth 401K, Renee 410K and GRQ Inc. and the spousal relationship with his wife with regard to the shares of
common stock held by 401K, Roth 401K and Renee 401K, Barry Honig may have influence on all of the shares of common stock held
by each of 401K, Roth 401K, Renee 401K and GRQ Inc., and may be deemed, directly or indirectly, to have beneficial ownership of
all such shares of common stock.
(5)
The stock information for Mr. Brauser is based on information contained in an amendment to Schedule 13G filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2019. As stated ion that filing, the shares listed for Mr. Brauser include 464,505 shares
of common stock held by Michael Brauser; 303,601 shares of common stock held by Grander Holdings, Inc. 401K (“401K”),
(ii) 652,196 shares of common stock held by Michael & Betsy Brauser Tenants by Entirety (“TBE”) and (iii) 27,866
shares of common stock held by Betsy & Michael Brauser Charitable Family Foundation (the “Foundation”). Mr. Brauser
is the Trustee of 401K and Chairman of the Foundation and in such capacities is deemed to hold voting and dispositive power over
the securities held by such entities. Mr. Brauser and his wife, Betsy Brauser, jointly hold the securities held by TBE. As a tenant
by entirety with Mrs. Brauser, Mr. Brauser holds voting and dispositive power over the securities jointly held.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Members
of the Board
The
following table sets forth the names and ages of all our directors.
Peter A. Cohen
|
|
73
|
|
Class III Director, Chairman
|
Jeff Dyer
|
|
60
|
|
Class I Director
|
Jon Mogford
|
|
51
|
|
Class I Director
|
Minnie Baylor-Henry
|
|
72
|
|
Class I Director
|
Willie C. Bogan
|
|
70
|
|
Class II Director
|
Rainer Erdtmann
|
|
56
|
|
Class III Director
|
The
following is a summary of the background and qualifications of each of our directors, except Willie C. Bogan whose background
and qualifications are presented under “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors” above.
Peter A. Cohen joined the Board in
June 2018 and became Chairman of the Board in August 2019. Mr. Cohen has served as Vice Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent
Director of Scientific Games Corporation since September 2004. Mr. Cohen was Chairman of Cowen Inc. (formerly known as Cowen Group,
Inc.), a diversified financial services company, and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2009 through December
2017. Mr. Cohen was a founding partner and principal of Ramius LLC, a private investment management firm formed in 1994 that was
combined with Cowen in late 2009. Mr. Cohen served as a member of the board of directors of Chart Acquisition Corp. (which, as
a result of a business combination, is now known as Tempus Applied Solutions Holdings, Inc.) from 2013 to 2015. From November
1992 to May 1994, Mr. Cohen was Vice Chairman of the Board and a director of Republic New York Corporation, as well as a member
of its executive management committee. Mr. Cohen was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Shearson Lehman Brothers from 1983
to 1990.
Jeff
Dyer was appointed to our Board of Directors on March 2, 2017. Mr. Dyer has served as the Horace Beesley Professor of Strategy
at Brigham Young University since September 1999. From August 1993 until September 1999 he served as an Assistant Professor at
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and from July 1984 until September 1988 he served as Management Consultant and Manager
of Bain & Company. Mr. Dyer received his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and MBA from Brigham Young University and
his PhD in management from University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Dyer is qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s
Board because of his extensive business and management expertise and knowledge of capital markets.
Dr.
Jon Mogford was appointed to our Board of Directors on February 8, 2017. Dr. Mogford has served in various capacities for
the Texas A&M University System (“Texas A&M”). Since May 2013, Dr. Mogford has served as the Vice Chancellor
for Research, from August 2012 until April 2013 he served as the Chief Research Officer and from November 2011 until August 2012
he served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives at Texas A&M. Prior to joining Texas A&M in 2011, from
February 2010 until October 2011, Dr. Mogford served as Deputy Director of the Defense Sciences Office (DSO) of the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the U.S. Department of Defense. From July 2005 until January 2009, Dr. Mogford served as Program
Manager of DSO of DARPA. In addition, since November 2016, Dr. Mogford has served as a member of the board of directors of Medovex
Corp. Dr. Mogford is the recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service. Dr. Mogford obtained his
bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Texas A&M University and doctorate in Medical Physiology from the Texas A&M University
Health Science Center, College Station, Texas. His research in vascular physiology continued at the University of Chicago as a
Postdoctoral fellow from 1997 until 1998. Dr. Mogford transitioned his research focus to the field of wound healing at Northwestern
University, both as a Research Associate and as a Research Assistant Professor from 1998 until 2003. He then served as a Life
Sciences Consultant to DARPA on the Revolutionizing Prosthetics program from December 2003 until June 2005. Dr. Mogford is qualified
to serve as a member of the Company’s Board because of his experience and research in regenerative medicine.
Minnie
Baylor-Henry joined the Board in December 2018. She is a regulatory affairs leader who provides regulatory strategic support
services to life sciences companies through her consulting firm, B-Henry & Associates. Before starting her consulting company,
Ms. Baylor-Henry was employed by Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”) and members of the J&J health care group in
a number of positions, including: Worldwide Vice President Regulatory Affairs - Medical Devises for J&J from January 2011
to March 2015; Vice President - Medical & Regulatory Affairs – Specialty Pharmaceuticals, and Vice President-Regulatory
Affairs – Over-the-Counter Products for McNeil Consumer Health Care from August 2003 to October 2008; and, Senior Director,
Regulatory Affairs for RW Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development Corporation from July 1999 to August 2003. From October
2008 to October 2010, Ms. Baylor-Henry served as the National Director Regulatory Affairs Life Sciences for Deloitte. For eight
years prior to August 1999, Ms. Baylor-Henry served in several positions with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, including
Director/Branch Chief – Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and Communications, National Health Fraud Coordinator –
Office of Regulatory Affairs/ Federal/ State Relations, and Regulatory Review Officer. From July 2018, to the present Ms. Baylor-Henry
has served as a director of scPharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-held company engaged in the business of developing technologies
that enable the subcutaneous administration of therapies that have previously been limited to intravenous delivery. Ms. Baylor-Henry
received her pharmacy degree from Howard University’s College of Pharmacy and a law degree from Catholic University’s
Columbus School of Law. Ms. Baylor-Henry is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of her knowledge of the healthcare
industry and experience with the regulatory regimen applicable to biologic and pharmaceutical products.
Rainer
Erdtmann joined the Board in August 2018. He has 26 years of experience in finance and investment banking. For the past three
years Mr. Erdtmann has been a portfolio manager and general partner of Point Sur Investors LLC, specializing in identifying innovative
biotech companies. Prior to Point Sur Investors, from February 2009 until September 2015, Mr. Erdtmann was with Pharmacyclics,
Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company. He began as Vice President, Finance & Administration, Corporate Secretary and acted as the
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer. In that capacity he was responsible for accounting, SEC reporting, audits, and investor
relations. He built and had operational responsibility for Finance, IT, HR, Legal, Facilities, and Events. He later served as
Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs including Corporate Communications. Additionally, he structured and administered
the international revenue for Pharmacyclics into a swiss-based subsidiary. Mr. Erdtmann began his career at Commerzbank, Germany,
where he was an investment banker and portfolio manager for institutional international accounts. Mr. Erdtmann earned the Diplom
Kaufmann degree, with honors, in Finance and Banking from the Westfaelische Wilhelms Universitaet, Muenster, Germany. Mr. Erdtmann
is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of his knowledge of the biotech industry, his deep experience in capital
markets and finance, and his knowledge of commercial and business practices in Europe and North America.
Board
Compensation
The
following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, to each of our directors,
current and former.
Name
|
|
Fees Earned
or
Paid in Cash
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Gorlin(2)
|
|
|
38,000
|
|
|
|
119,500
|
(3)
|
|
|
82,225
|
(7)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
239,775
|
|
Jeff Dyer
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
|
119,500
|
(3)
|
|
|
82,225
|
(7)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
246,775
|
|
Jon Mogford
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
119,500
|
(4)
|
|
|
82,225
|
(7)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
241,775
|
|
Willie C. Bogan
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
777,300
|
(4)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
797,300
|
|
Peter A. Cohen
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
706,200
|
(5)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
716,200
|
|
Rainer Erdtmann
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
800,542
|
(8)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
800,542
|
|
David Seaburg(2)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
1,347,600
|
(6)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
1,347,600
|
|
Minnie Baylor-Henry(8)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
(1)
The figures in these columns represent the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock and option awards, respectively,
granted during fiscal years 2018 and 2017 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 12 to our consolidated financial
statements presented in this Annual Report for details as to the assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of the
restricted stock and option awards.
(2)
The service of these two persons as directors of the Company ended August 26, 2019.
(3)
Represents 5,000 shares at a grant date fair value of $23.91 per common share.
(4)
Represents 30,000 shares at a grant date fair value of $25.91 per common share.
(5)
Represents 30,000 shares at a grant date fair value of $23.54 per common share.
(6)
Represents 60,000 shares at a grant date fair value of $22.46 per common share.
(7)
Represents stock options to purchase 5,000 common shares at an exercise price of $24.59 per common share.
(8)
Represents stock options to purchase 50,000 common shares at an exercise price of $20.47 per common share.
(9)
Minnie Baylor-Henry became a director in December 2018. At that time, she received the initial director compensation previously
approved by resolution of the Board in September 2018 for all new directors. The compensation included a grant to her of 8,975
restricted stock units for an equal number of common shares that vest in three annual installments commencing December 10, 2019,
subject to continued service as a director, and an option to purchase 19,329 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable
over a term of 10 years that vest in three annual installments commencing December 10, 2019, subject to continued service as a
director. The restricted stock units and option were issued under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, and the option
exercise price is $13.65 per share, which is fair value determined under the Plan. The fair value of the compensation determined
in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 is $350,000. Ms. Baylor-Henry will also be entitled to participate in the annual compensation
package the Company provides to its non-employee directors.
The
following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during two-month period ended December 31, 2018, to each of our directors,
current and former.
Name
|
|
Fees Earned
or
Paid in Cash
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Gorlin(2)
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
58,853
|
(3)
|
|
|
90,027
|
(5)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
158,880
|
|
Jeff Dyer
|
|
|
10,167
|
|
|
|
58,853
|
(3)
|
|
|
90,027
|
(5)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
159,047
|
|
Jon Mogford
|
|
|
9,500
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
138,507
|
(6)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
148,007
|
|
Willie C. Bogan
|
|
|
9,167
|
|
|
|
58,853
|
(3)
|
|
|
90,027
|
(5)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
158,047
|
|
Peter A. Cohen
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
58,853
|
(3)
|
|
|
90,027
|
(5)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
157,880
|
|
Rainer Erdtmann
|
|
|
10,833
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
138,507
|
(6)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
149,340
|
|
David Seaburg(2)
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
Minnie Baylor-Henry
|
|
|
2,823
|
|
|
|
127,176
|
(4)
|
|
|
195,996
|
(7)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
325,995
|
|
(1)
The figures in these columns represent the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock and option awards, respectively,
granted during the two months ended December 31, 2018 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 12 to our consolidated
financial statements presented in this Annual Report for details as to the assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value
of the restricted stock and option awards.
(2)
The service of these two persons as directors of the Company ended August 26, 2019.
(3)
Represents 4,020 shares at a grant date fair value of $14.64 per common share.
(4)
Represents 8,975 shares at a grant date fair value of $14.17 per common share.
(5)
Represents stock options to purchase 8,624 common shares at an exercise price of $15.24 per common share.
(6)
Represents stock options to purchase 13,268 common shares at an exercise price of $15.24 per common share.
(7)
Represents stock options to purchase 19,329 common shares at an exercise price of $13.65 per common share.
During
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, our non-employee directors were compensated in accordance with the following terms.
|
●
|
Each
non-employee director receives a quarterly cash retainer of $10,000. The Company’s
Audit Committee Chairman receives a $15,000 annual Service Fee, the Compensation Committee
Chairman receives a $10,000 annual service fee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee Chairman receives an $8,000 annual service fee.
|
|
●
|
Each
non-employee director is entitled to receive 10-year options under the Company equity
incentive plan to purchase that number of shares of the Company’s common stock
valued at $150,000, calculated by dividing $150,000 by the Black-Scholes value of the
stock options based on the closing stock price the day the stock options are awarded.
|
|
●
|
Each
non-employee director is entitled to a fee of $1,500 for each Board of Directors meeting
at which the director is present in person, and each member of our Board committees is
entitled to a fee of $800 for each committee meeting at which the director is present
in person. Each non-employee director is entitled to a fee of $500 for each teleconference
called by either the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President of the Company
or the Chairman of a Board of Directors committee.
|
For
the calendar year ending December 31, 2019, non-employee directors are compensated as follows:
|
●
|
Each
non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer of $45,000;
|
|
●
|
The
non-executive Chairman of the Board will receive an annual fee of $22,500;
|
|
●
|
Our
Audit Committee Chairman will receive an annual fee of $20,000, our Compensation Committee
Chairman will receive an annual fee of $15,000, and our Nominating and Governance Committee
Chairman will receive an annual fee of $10,000;
|
|
●
|
Non-chair
members of our Audit Committee will receive an annual fee of $9,000, of our Compensation
Committee will receive an annual fee of $7,000, and of our Nominating and Governance
Committee will receive an annual fee of $5,000; and
|
|
●
|
Each
non-employee director is entitled to receive an annual equity award with a value of $175,000
determined under the Black-Scholes formula, which may be issued entirely in stock options
exercisable over 10 Years that vest, subject to continuing service, in 12 monthly installments
beginning one month after the grant date, or 65% in stock options and 35% restricted
stock units that vest, subject to continuing service, in a lump sum one year after the
grant date.
|
All
cash fees are payable in quarterly installments subject to continued service through the end of each quarter. Beginning with the
fourth calendar quarter of 2019, each non-employee director may, at his or her option, elect by written notice given to the Company
prior to the end of each calendar quarter to take in lieu of cash for all or a portion of the non-employee director’s cash
compensation payable for the next calendar quarter the equivalent value in stock options that vest monthly in three installments
beginning one month following the grant date exercisable for a term of 10 years, restricted shares that vest monthly in three
installments beginning one month following the grant date; or a combination of the foregoing.
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
In
October 2018, we entered into an office lease covering approximately 7,250 square feet of rental space in the building located
at 40 West 57th Street in New York City. The lease is for a term of three years. The annual lease rate is $60 per square
foot. Initially we will occupy and pay for only 3,275 square feet of space, and we are not obligated under the lease to pay for
the remaining 3,975 square feet covered by the lease unless we elect to occupy that additional space. Comparable annual lease
rates for similar office space in the area range between $67 and $110 per square foot. We believe the terms of the lease are very
favorable to us, and we obtained these favorable terms through the efforts of Peter A. Cohen, a director, which he provided so
that the company he owns, Peter A. Cohen, LLC (“Cohen LLC”), could sublease a portion of the office space.
Initially,
we are using three offices and two work stations in the office and share common areas representing approximately 2,055 square
feet. Cohen LLC is using approximately 1,220 square feet. The monthly lease payment for 3,275 square feet is $16,377. Of this
amount $6,103 is allocated pro rata to Cohen LLC based on square footage occupied. Additional lease charges for operating expenses
and taxes are allocated under the sublease based on the ratio of rent paid by us and Cohen LLC to total rent.
Cohen
LLC identified two associated entities that may wish to occupy an additional 2,753 square feet of space in the office. Under the
terms of the sublease Cohen LLC can add this additional space to the 1,220 square feet occupied, which would bring the total space
occupied by us and Cohen LLC to 6,028 square feet. Because a portion of the additional space subleased to Cohen LLC is less private
and attractive, we agreed to reduce the overall annual lease rate for the Cohen LLC space to $58.60 per square foot, which means
we will be paying an annual lease rate for the space we use of $62.70. Assuming Cohen LLC subleases the additional office space,
our annual lease payment to the lessor would be $361,680, and Cohen LLC would pay to us $232,830 under the sublease.
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Current
Officers
The
following persons are our executive officers and hold the offices set forth opposite their names.
Name
|
|
Position(s)
|
David Seaburg
|
|
President
|
Richard Hague
|
|
Chief Operating
Officer
|
Paul E. Mann
|
|
Chief Financial
Officer
|
Cameron Hoyler
|
|
General Counsel,
Secretary, EVP Corporate Development & Strategy
|
Edward Swanson
|
|
Chief Translational
Medicine Officer
|
The
following is a summary of the background of each of our executive officers.
David
Seaburg, age 49, has served as President of the Company since August 2019. Prior to becoming President, he served as President
of Corporate Development for the Company beginning in March 2019, before that a consultant beginning in August 2018, and a director.
Prior to March 11, 2019, he served as the Managing Director and Head of Sales Trading at Cowen & Company, a diversified financial
services company. Over the course of his 20+ year career at Cowen in both Equity Sales Trading and Trading, Mr. Seaburg advanced
to increasingly senior level roles at the firm. In 2006, Mr. Seaburg was named Head of Sales Trading and appointed to the firm’s
Equity Operating Committee. Mr. Seaburg was a CNBC Fast Money Contributor and provided regular on-air commentary for the network.
Mr. Seaburg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Finance and Economics from Northeastern University.
Richard
Hague, age 59, served as the Chief Commercial Officer of Anika Therapeutics, Inc., from October 2015 to April 2019, when he
joined PolarityTE as Chief Operating Officer. From November 2014 to October 2015, Mr. Hague was the Vice President Sales and Marketing
at TEI Medical where he was responsible for driving the revenue growth of that corporation’s dermal scaffold product, as
well as for the build out of its sales and marketing teams. From 2011 through 2014, Mr. Hague was Vice President Sales, Marketing,
and Commercial Operations for Sanofi Biosurgery’s Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine group. In this role, Mr. Hague
was responsible for the global commercial operations of the group’s products in the orthopedic sports medicine and burn
markets. Prior to this, Mr. Hague was the Senior Director and Head of Sales for Genzyme Biosurgery where he headed the U.S. sales
team in the orthopedics and sports medicine market. Mr. Hague holds a B.S. in marketing from the University of Connecticut.
Paul
E. Mann, age 43, served as the Healthcare Portfolio Manager for Highbridge Capital Management from August 2016 until he joined
the PolarityTE as Chief Financial Officer in June 2018. From August 2013 to March 2016, Mr. Mann served as an analyst with Soros
Fund Management. Prior to joining Soros Fund Management, Mr. Mann was an analyst and portfolio manager with Lodestone Natural
Resources and UBS from September 2011 to March 2013. Prior to moving to the buy-side, Mr. Mann spent 11 years as a sell-side analyst
at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. He started his career as a research scientist at Proctor and Gamble and he has an MA (Cantab)
and an MEng in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University. Mr. Mann is a CFA charter holder.
Cameron
Hoyler, age 35, was appointed General Counsel in April 2017, EVP Corporate Development & Strategy in May 2018, and Secretary
in September 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hoyler was an attorney at King & Spalding LLP, where he practiced in
the Life Sciences and Product Liability groups from September 2012 to April 2017. Mr. Hoyler represented and counseled clients
involved in disputes and transactions in a variety of settings, including product liability, employment, commercial, trademark,
real estate, and insurance coverage. While at King & Spalding LLP, Mr. Hoyler devoted the vast majority of his practice to
representing clients in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca
Pharmaceuticals LP, and McKesson Corporation, in addition to working for clients in other highly-regulated industries, such as
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Monsanto Company. From September 2010 to September 2012, Mr. Hoyler practiced at the law firm of Filice,
Brown, Eassa & McLeod, where his practice included product liability, premises liability, employment, and insurance-related
matters. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, and his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco
School of Law.
Dr.
Edward Swanson, age 34, was appointed Chief Translational Medicine Officer in March 2019, and previously served as Chief Operating
Officer of the Company beginning in December 2016. Dr. Swanson also served as a director form December 2016 to August 2018. Following
completion of his undergraduate degree in Applied Sciences in Biomedical Sciences at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Swanson received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, where he attended as a
student from August 2008 to May 2012, graduating with honors for his thesis researching surgical outcomes within craniofacial
and plastic surgery. From July 2012 until December 2016, Dr. Swanson was a Surgical Resident in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. During his time at
Johns Hopkins, he served in a leadership role within the residency, sitting on the Program Evaluation Committee from July 2015
to December 2016, and The Johns Hopkins Hospital House staff Patient Safety and Quality Council from July 2014 to June 2015. Dr.
Swanson has extensive experience in basic and translational biomedical research, including as a research associate in Wound Healing
in the Division of Plastic Surgery at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School from May 2004 to August
2004, thesis student in Traumatic Brain Injury at the University of Pennsylvania from August 2006 to May 2007, research fellow
in Pancreatic Cancer Cellular Biology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School from July 2007 to July
2008, research fellow in Nanomedicine at Harvard Medical School and MIT from May 2008 to August 2008, and research fellow in Vascularized
Composite Allotransplantation at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School during his final year of medical
school. In addition, Dr. Swanson directed large animal translational research as a lead research associate in the Vascularized
Composite Allotransplantation Laboratory in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine from July 2014 to June 2015.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following Summary Compensation Table sets forth summary information as to compensation paid or accrued to our named executive
officers during the last two fiscal years ended October 31, 2018 and 2017. Our named executive officers include our principal
executive officer at October 31, 2018, Denver Lough, and the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal
executive officer who were serving as executive officers on October 31, 2018, Edward Swanson and Paul E. Mann. There is no individual
who was not serving as an executive officer at the end of the October 31, 2018, fiscal year who served as an executive officer
during that fiscal year and would have been one of the two most highly compensated executive officers had the individual been
serving at the end of the fiscal year.
Name and
Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
Option
Awards ($)(1)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denver Lough
|
|
2018
|
|
|
|
448,462
|
|
|
|
1,010,000
|
|
|
|
2,395,050
|
(2)
|
|
|
9,860,825
|
(5)
|
|
|
13,714,337
|
|
Chairman of the Board,
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
315,000
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
2,121,250
|
(6)
|
|
|
2,536,250
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, Chief R&D Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward Swanson
|
|
2018
|
|
|
|
338,462
|
|
|
|
650,000
|
|
|
|
798,350
|
(3)
|
|
|
2,738,775
|
(7)
|
|
|
4,525,587
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
270,000
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
1,794,578
|
(8)
|
|
|
2,164,578
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul E. Mann
|
|
2018
|
|
|
|
133,846
|
|
|
|
75,666
|
|
|
|
3,971,124
|
(4)
|
|
|
9,682,330
|
(9)
|
|
|
13,862,967
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
(1)
The figures in these columns represent the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock and option awards, respectively,
granted during fiscal years 2018 and 2017 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 12 to our consolidated financial
statements presented in this Annual Report for details as to the assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of the
restricted stock and option awards.
(2)
Represents 105,000 shares at a grant date fair value of $22.81 per common share.
(3)
Represents 35,000 shares at a grant date fair value of $22.81 per common share.
(4)
Represents 100,000 shares at a grant date fair value of $37.05 per common share and 11,667 shares at a grant date fair value of
$22.81 per common share.
(5)
Represents stock options to purchase 400,000 common shares at an exercise price of $24.59 per common share and 195,000 common
shares at an exercise price of $20.12.
(6)
Represents stock options to purchase 1,000,000 common shares at an exercise price of $3.15 per common share.
(7)
Represents stock options to purchase 100,000 common shares at an exercise price of $24.59 and 65,000 common shares at an exercise
price of $20.12.
(8)
Represents stock options to purchase 846,000 common shares at an exercise price of $3.15 per common share.
(9)
Represents stock options to purchase 350,000 common shares at an exercise price of $31.88 per common share and 21,666 common shares
at an exercise price of $20.12.
The
following Summary Compensation Table sets forth summary information as to compensation paid or accrued to our named executive
officers during the two-month period ended December 31, 2018. Our named executive officers include our principal executive officer
at December 31, 2018, Denver Lough, and the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive
officer who were serving as executive officers on December 31, 2018, Edward Swanson and Paul E. Mann.
Name and
Principal Position
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards ($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards ($)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denver Lough
|
|
|
88,333
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
88,333
|
|
Chairman of the Board,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, Chief R&D Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward Swanson
|
|
|
66,667
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
66,667
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul E. Mann
|
|
|
66,667
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
66,667
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative
Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Denver
Lough’s Employment Agreement
We
had a written Employment Agreement with Denver Lough dated November 10, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”), which was
terminated on August 21, 2019. We paid Dr. Lough a bonus of $150,000 when we signed the Employment Agreement. Dr. Lough’s
base salary was $530,000 per year, and he was eligible to receive a bonus in the amount of 100% of annual salary, as may be determined
from time to time by the Board of Directors in its discretion and is eligible to participate in any equity-based incentive compensation
plan or program we adopt. During 2018, Dr. Lough was awarded:
|
●
|
cash bonuses totaling
$1,010,000,
|
|
●
|
restricted stock
units representing the right to receive a total of 105,000 shares of common stock that vest in four equal installments every
six months beginning six months following the grant date, and
|
|
●
|
options to purchase
400,000 common shares at an exercise price of $24.59 and 195,000 common shares at an exercise price of $20.12, both exercisable
for a term of 10 years that vest in 24 equal monthly installments beginning one month after the grant date.
|
On
August 12, 2019, we received from Dr. Lough a written demand claiming that actions taken by the Board of Directors to place him
on administrative leave, and deprive him of the authority to grant salary raises to employees, approve capital expenditures, engage
outside consultants or advisors, and supervise the legal department constitute the assignment of duties that are substantially
different from, or that result in a substantial diminution of the duties originally assigned to him as Chief Executive Officer,
giving him grounds to terminate for “good reason” the Employment Agreement and demanding the foregoing actions be
rescinded within 30 days. On August 21, 2019, we reached a settlement resolving Dr. Lough’s demand and his status, which
included termination of the Employment Agreement on August 21, 2019, except for specific sections that survive termination, including
sections pertaining to (i) non-disclosure of confidential information, (ii) non-competition and non-solicitation, and (iii) indemnification
for service to the Company. The following are the principal terms of the settlement agreement relating to his compensation:
|
●
|
Dr.
Lough will be paid $1,500,000 in cash on October 1, 2019 and paid an additional $1,500,000
payable in equal monthly installments beginning November 1, 2019 and ending April 1,
2021,
|
|
●
|
All
salary under the Employment Agreement ended as of the effective date of his resignation
as an officer and director on August 26, 2019,
|
|
●
|
The
Company will award to Dr. Lough 200,000 restricted stock units that vest in 18 equal
monthly installments beginning October 1, 2019,
|
|
●
|
All
restricted stock units and options to purchase common stock previously granted to Dr.
Lough that were unvested on August 26, 2019, ceased to vest on that date, and
|
|
●
|
Dr.
Lough is entitled to receive a 5% participation payment on profits generated from commercial
transactions (sales or licenses to third parties) associated with U.S. Patent Application
No. 14/954,335 and PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/063114 on and
following the final issuance by the USPTO of a United States Patent under U.S. Patent
Application No. 14/954,335, all as determined pursuant to the terms and conditions in
Section 6(B) of the EEA.
|
Dr.
Lough has advised the Company he believes the settlement between the parties includes an agreement to modify his equity awards
previously granted under the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to accelerate vesting of all awards and extend the exercise
period for the stock options to ten years from the original grant date. The Company has advised Dr. Lough it does not agree that
modification to his equity awards was included in the settlement or agreed to by the parties, and the disagreement has yet to
be resolved. See the discussion in note (3) to the stock ownership table presented under the section above entitled “SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT” for additional information.
Edward
Swanson’s Employment Agreement
We
have a written employment agreement with Dr. Swanson dated November 10, 2017. We paid Dr. Swanson a bonus of $100,000 when we
signed the agreement. The agreement has an initial term of two years and automatically renews for successive one-year periods
unless either party provides the other party with written notice of his or its intention not to renew at least three months prior
to the expiration of the current term. We gave timely notice of non-renewal to Dr. Swanson as a prelude to negotiating a new agreement
before the current agreement expires in November 2019.
Under
the existing agreement Dr. Swanson’s base salary is $400,000 per year. He is eligible to receive a bonus in the amount of
100% of annual salary, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors in its discretion and is eligible to participate
in any equity-based incentive compensation plan or program we adopt. During 2018, Dr. Swanson was awarded:
|
●
|
cash
bonuses totaling $650,000,
|
|
●
|
restricted
stock units representing the right to receive a total of 35,000 shares of common stock
that vest in four equal installments every six months beginning six months following
the grant date, and
|
|
●
|
options
to purchase 100,000 common shares at an exercise price of $24.59 and 65,000 common shares
at an exercise price of $20.12, both exercisable for a term of 10 years that vest in
24 equal monthly installments beginning one month after the grant date.
|
Paul
E. Mann’s Employment Agreement
We
have a written employment agreement with Mr. Mann dated May 12, 2018, which was effective on June 20, 2018, and subsequently amended
on June 28, 2019. The agreement has an initial term that expires on June 30, 2012, and automatically renews for successive one-year
periods unless either party provides the other party with written notice of his or its intention not to renew at least three months
prior to the expiration of the current term.
Mr.
Mann’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $400,000 from inception to June 30, 2019, $200,000 from
July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021, and $400,000 for any renewal term after June 30, 2021. He is eligible to receive a discretionary
annual bonus up to 100% of his base salary as determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is eligible to participate
in any equity-based incentive compensation plan or program we adopt. During 2018, Mr. Mann was awarded:
|
●
|
cash
bonus in the amount of $75,666,
|
|
●
|
restricted
stock units representing the right to receive a total of 100,000 shares of common stock
that vest in four equal installments every six months beginning six months following
the grant date on June 20, 2018,
|
|
●
|
restricted
stock units representing the right to receive a total of 11,667 shares of common stock
that vest in four equal installments every six months beginning six months following
the grant date on September 20, 2018,
|
|
●
|
options
to purchase 350,000 common shares at an exercise price of $31.88 and 21,665 common shares
at an exercise price of $20.12, both exercisable for a term of 10 years that vest in
24 equal monthly installments beginning one month after the grant date.
|
At
the time his agreement was amended in June 2019, Mr. Mann was granted 140,351 shares of common stock restricted from transfer
by reference to continued employment by the Company, and the restriction on transfer lapses with respect to 29,240 shares in December
2019 and the remainder in monthly installments through June 2021.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change-In-Control
Termination
Payments
Under
our employment agreements with Dr. Swanson, and Mr. Mann, we are obligated to make payments or provide benefits to them in the
event of a termination of employment. If employment of any of these officers is terminated for any reason, then the officer is
entitled to receive:
|
●
|
the
sum of his then base salary from the date of termination,
|
|
●
|
reasonable
expenses incurred by the officer relating to the performance of his duties,
|
|
●
|
accrued
but unused vacation time through the date of termination,
|
|
●
|
the
sum of his then annual bonus, and
|
|
●
|
all
equity awards earned and vested prior to the date of termination.
|
Furthermore,
if the officer is terminated for any reason other than by the Company for “cause” or by the officer for “good
reason,” then the officer is entitled to receive the greater of:
|
●
|
a
cash amount equal to the sum of the officer’s base salary, annual bonus, and equity
awards earned during the year immediately preceding the date of termination, or
|
|
●
|
the
amount payable (including base salary, annual bonus, and equity awards) for the remainder
of the term of the employment agreement;
|
subject
to the officer delivering to us a written release agreement.
Under
the agreements, “cause” means: the willful and continued failure of the officer to perform substantially his duties
and responsibilities (other than due to death or disability) and such failure is not cured within 30 days following a written
demand for performance; conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; or fraud, dishonesty, or gross
misconduct that is materially and demonstratively injurious to the Company. “Good reason” means the occurrence of
any of the following events without the officer’s consent: the assignment to the officer of duties that are significantly
different from, or that result in a substantial diminution of, the duties that he assumed at the beginning of the employment agreement;
the assignment to the officer of a title that is different from and subordinate to the title at the beginning of the employment
agreement; or material breach of the employment agreement by the Company. Should the officer be required to serve in a diminished
capacity in a division or unit of another entity (including the acquiring entity), after a change in control, such event constitutes
good reason regardless of the title of the officer.
Change
in Control Plan
On
August 6, 2019, the Board of Directors adopted a change in control compensation plan for our named executive officers and other
senior executives. The plan provides that our executive officers that have been employed the Company for at least 90 days shall
receive severance benefits upon the involuntary termination of their employment within six months after a change of control. A
change in control occurs if, after the adoption of the plan: (i) any person (other than Denver Lough) acquires beneficial ownership
of 30% or more of either the then-outstanding shares of our common stock, or the combined voting power of our then-outstanding
voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (ii) persons who currently constitute the Board of
Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; or (iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger
or consolidation, or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, or our acquisition of assets or stock
of another entity, in each case, unless, (a) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners of either the outstanding shares of our common stock, or the combined voting power of our outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than 80% of, respectively, our then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of our then-outstanding
voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from
the transaction, (b) no person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares
of common stock of the corporation resulting from the transaction, or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting
securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the transaction, and (c) at least a majority
of the members of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from the transaction were members of the Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for the transaction.
For
any participant in the plan who is designated as the Chief Operating Officer (currently Richard Hague), President (currently David
Seaburg), or Chief Financial Officer (currently Paul Mann), the plan provides for a payment equal to the sum of 1.5 multiplied
by the greater of $400,000 or base annual salary, and 1.5 multiplied by the greater of $400,000 or the target bonus established
in an annual executive target bonus plan in effect on the Termination Date. For any other participant, the plan provides for a
payment equal to the sum of 1.0 multiplied by the greater of $350,000 or base annual salary, and 1.0 multiplied by the greater
of $350,000 or the target bonus established in an annual executive target bonus plan in effect on the Termination Date.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock awards outstanding on the last day of the fiscal year
ended October 31, 2018, to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Option
Grant Date
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#)(1)
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#)(1)
|
|
|
Option Exercise Price
($)
|
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
Number
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
|
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)(2)
|
|
Denver
|
|
11-30-2016
|
|
|
958,333
|
|
|
|
41,667
|
|
|
$
|
3.15
|
|
|
11-30-2026
|
|
|
105,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,600,200
|
|
Lough
|
|
11-10-2017
|
|
|
183,333
|
|
|
|
216,667
|
|
|
$
|
24.59
|
|
|
11-10-2027
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9-20-2018
|
|
|
8,125
|
|
|
|
186,875
|
|
|
$
|
20.12
|
|
|
9-20-2028
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward
|
|
11-30-2016
|
|
|
810,750
|
|
|
|
35,250
|
|
|
$
|
3.15
|
|
|
11-30-2026
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
|
$
|
533,400
|
|
Swanson
|
|
11-10-2017
|
|
|
45,833
|
|
|
|
54,167
|
|
|
$
|
24.59
|
|
|
11-10-2027
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9-20-2018
|
|
|
2,708
|
|
|
|
62,292
|
|
|
$
|
20.12
|
|
|
9-20-2028
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul E.
|
|
6-20-2018
|
|
|
58,333
|
|
|
|
291,667
|
|
|
$
|
31.88
|
|
|
6-20-2028
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,524,000
|
|
Mann
|
|
9-20-2018
|
|
|
903
|
|
|
|
20,763
|
|
|
$
|
20.12
|
|
|
9-20-2028
|
|
|
11,667
|
|
|
$
|
177,805
|
|
(1)
|
All stock options
listed vest in 24 monthly installments beginning one month following the grant date.
|
(2)
|
Market value based
on closing stock price of $15.24 on October 31, 2018
|
The
following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock awards outstanding on the last day of the two-month
period ended December 31, 2018, to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Option Grant Date
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#)(1)
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#)(1)
|
|
|
Option Exercise Price
($)
|
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
Number
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
|
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)(2)
|
|
Denver
|
|
11-30-2016
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
3.15
|
|
|
11-30-2026
|
|
|
105,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,416,450
|
|
Lough
|
|
11-10-2017
|
|
|
216,667
|
|
|
|
183,333
|
|
|
$
|
24.59
|
|
|
11-10-2027
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9-20-2018
|
|
|
24,375
|
|
|
|
170,625
|
|
|
$
|
20.12
|
|
|
9-20-2028
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward
|
|
11-30-2016
|
|
|
846,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
3.15
|
|
|
11-30-2026
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
|
$
|
472,150
|
|
Swanson
|
|
11-10-2017
|
|
|
54,167
|
|
|
|
45,833
|
|
|
$
|
24.59
|
|
|
11-10-2027
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9-20-2018
|
|
|
8,125
|
|
|
|
56,875
|
|
|
$
|
20.12
|
|
|
9-20-2028
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul E.
|
|
6-20-2018
|
|
|
87,500
|
|
|
|
262,500
|
|
|
$
|
31.88
|
|
|
6-20-2028
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,011,750
|
|
Mann
|
|
9-20-2018
|
|
|
2,708
|
|
|
|
18,958
|
|
|
$
|
20.12
|
|
|
9-20-2028
|
|
|
11,667
|
|
|
$
|
157,388
|
|
(1)
|
All stock options
listed vest in 24 monthly installments beginning one month following the grant date.
|
(2)
|
Market value based
on closing stock price of $13.49 on December 31, 2018
|
New
Officer Employment Agreements
David
Seaburg
In
August 2018 David Seaburg was elected by the Board of Directors to serve as a director of the Company. Subsequently the Company
entered into a written consulting agreement with Mr. Seaburg pursuant to which he agreed to provide investor relations and other
services to the Company over a period of two years for a fee consisting of (i) quarter-annual cash payment of $10,000, (ii) 60,000
restricted stock units issued under the Company equity incentive plan that vest in four equal installments every six months during
the term of the agreement subject to continued service, and (iii) an annual award under the Company equity incentive plan of options
exercisable over a term of 10 years to purchase common stock in number equal to the number of shares of common stock with a value
of $150,000 at the time of the award based on a Black-Scholes calculation. The agreement terminated effective March 11, 2019,
when he joined the Company as President of Corporate Development. In August 2019 he was elected President.
The
new employment agreement with Mr. Seaburg was effective in March 2019 and subsequently amended on June 28, 2019. The agreement
has an initial term that expires on June 30, 2021, and automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either
party provides the other party with written notice of his or its intention not to renew at least 30 days prior to the expiration
of the current term. Mr. Seaburg’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $325,000 from inception to
June 30, 2019, $162,500 from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021, and $325,000 for any renewal term after June 30, 2021. Mr. Seaburg
is eligible for an annual bonus of up to 40% of his base salary as determined at the discretion of the board of directors. Mr.
Seaburg was also granted under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan an option to purchase 250,000 shares of Company
common stock at a price of $16.50 per share, which vests subject to continued employment in 24 equal monthly installments beginning
April 1, 2018, and a restricted stock award representing the right to receive a total of 40,000 shares of common stock that vests,
subject to continued employment, in four installments every six months beginning on September 1, 2019. At the time his agreement
was amended in June 2019, Mr. Seaburg was granted 114,305 shares of common stock restricted from transfer by reference to continued
employment by the Company, and the restriction on transfer lapses with respect to 23,814 shares in December 2019 and the remainder
in monthly installments through June 2021. Mr. Seaburg is entitled to participate in the Company’s insurance and benefit
plans on the same basis as other employees of the Company.
Richard
Hague
Richard Hague joined us as Chief Operating
Officer in April 2019. The employment agreement with Mr. Hague The new employment agreement with Mr. Hague was effective
in April 2019 and subsequently amended on June 28, 2019. The agreement has an initial term that expires on June 30, 2021,
and automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either party provides the other party with written notice of his
or its intention not to renew at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the current term. Mr. Hague’s employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $370,000 from inception to June 30, 2019, $185,000 from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021,
and $370,000 for any renewal term after June 30, 2021. Mr. Hague is eligible for an annual bonus as determined at the discretion
of the board of directors, with a target of 50% of the base salary. The Company agreed to pay Mr. Hague a signing bonus of $30,000
in two equal installments on the effective date of the engagement and September 1, 2019. On the effective date of his engagement,
Mr. Hague was granted under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (a) an option to purchase 65,000 shares of Company
common stock at an exercise price per share equal to the closing price for the Company’s common stock on April 7, 2019,
which vests subject to continued employment in 24 equal monthly installments beginning May 8, 2019, and (b) a restricted stock
award representing the right to receive a total of 35,000 shares of common stock that vests, subject to continued employment,
in four installments every six months beginning on October 8, 2019. At the time his agreement was amended in June 2019, Mr. Hague
was granted 129,825 shares of common stock restricted from transfer by reference to continued employment by the Company, and the
restriction on transfer lapses with respect to 10,819 shares in August 2019 and the remainder in monthly installments through
June 2021. Mr. Hague is entitled to participate in the Company’s insurance and benefit plans on the same basis as other
employees of the Company.
OTHER
MATTERS
As
of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no other business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any
other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in
respect thereof in accordance with the best judgment and in the discretion of the persons voting the proxies.
ANNEX
A
POLARITYTE,
INC.
2020
STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION
1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS
The
name of the plan is the PolarityTE, Inc. 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan
is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of PolarityTE, Inc. (the “Company”)
and its Affiliates upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business
to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s
welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating
their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.
The
following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
“Act”
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Administrator”
means either the Board or the compensation committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the compensation
committee and which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent.
“Affiliate”
means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined
in Rule 405 of the Act. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary”
status is determined within the foregoing definition.
“Award”
or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive
Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted
Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, and Dividend Equivalent Rights.
“Award
Certificate” means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted
under the Plan. Each Award Certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
“Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cash-Based
Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.
“Consultant”
means a consultant or adviser who provides bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate as an independent contractor
and who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under Instruction A.1.(a)(1) of Form S-8 under the Act.
“Dividend
Equivalent Right” means an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been
paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had
been issued to and held by the grantee.
“Effective
Date” means the date on which the Plan becomes effective as set forth in Section 9.
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Fair
Market Value” of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the
Administrator; provided, however, that if the Stock is listed on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System (“NASDAQ”), NASDAQ Global Market, The New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange or traded
on any established market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of the Stock reported on such exchange and, if there
is no closing price reported for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date
for which there is a closing price reported.
“Incentive
Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined
in Section 422 of the Code.
“Non-Employee
Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
“Non-Qualified
Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option”
or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.
“Registration
Date” means the date upon which the registration statement on Form S-1 that is filed by the Company with respect to
its initial public offering is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Restricted
Shares” means the shares of Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to a risk of forfeiture or
the Company’s right of repurchase.
“Restricted
Stock Award” means an Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may
determine at the time of grant.
“Restricted
Stock Units” means an Award of stock units subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine
at the time of grant.
“Sale
Event” shall mean (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an
unrelated person or entity, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s
outstanding voting power and outstanding stock immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding
voting power and outstanding stock or other equity interests of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if
applicable) immediately upon completion of such transaction, (iii) the sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated
person, entity or group thereof acting in concert, or (iv) any other transaction in which the owners of the Company’s outstanding
voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company
or any successor entity immediately upon completion of the transaction other than as a result of the acquisition of securities
directly from the Company.
“Sale
Price” means the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable, or otherwise to be received
by stockholders, per share of Stock pursuant to a Sale Event.
“Section
409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Service
Relationship” means any relationship as an employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate (e.g., a
Service Relationship shall be deemed to continue without interruption in the event an individual’s status changes from full-time
employee to part-time employee or Consultant).
“Stock”
means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.
“Stock
Appreciation Right” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly
provided for in the applicable Award Certificate) having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on
the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with
respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
“Subsidiary”
means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has at least a 50 percent interest, either
directly or indirectly.
“Ten
Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d)
of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary
corporation.
“Unrestricted
Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Stock free of any restrictions.
SECTION
2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS
(a)
Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator.
(b)
Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms
of the Plan, including the power and authority:
(i)
to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
(ii)
to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, and Dividend
Equivalent Rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;
(iii)
to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;
(iv)
to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of
the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the forms of
Award Certificates;
(v)
to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;
(vi)
subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and
(vii)
at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts
and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related
written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes
arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
All
decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan grantees.
(c)
Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate
to a committee consisting of one or more officers of the Company including the Chief Executive Officer of the Company all or part
of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of Awards to individuals who are (i) not subject
to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and (ii) not members of the delegated committee. Any such
delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of Stock underlying Awards that may be granted during
the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price and the vesting criteria.
The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time, but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions
of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.
(d)
Award Certificate. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Certificates that set forth the terms, conditions
and limitations for each Award, which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the
event employment or service terminates.
(e)
Indemnification. Neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable
for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members
of the Board and the Administrator (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement
by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees)
arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law or under the Company’s certificate of incorporation
or bylaws or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage that may be in effect from time to time or
any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.
(f)
Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in
other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards,
the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered
by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify
the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws;
(iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines
such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices); provided,
however, that no such subplans or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v)
take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval
or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may
not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United
States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.
SECTION
3. STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION
(a)
Stock Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 3,000,000
(the “Initial Limit”), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b), plus on January 1, 2021 and each January
1 thereafter, the number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be cumulatively increased
by the lesser of (i) four (4) percent of the number of shares of Stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December
31 or (ii) such lesser number of shares as determined by the Administrator (the “Annual Increase”). Subject to such
overall limitation, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options
shall not exceed the Initial Limit cumulatively increased on January 1, 2021 and on each January 1 thereafter by the lesser of
the Annual Increase for such year or such lesser number of shares as determined by the Administrator, subject in all cases to
adjustment as provided in Section 3(b). For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any awards under the Plan
that are forfeited, canceled, held back upon exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax
withholding, reacquired by the Company prior to vesting, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or otherwise terminated (other
than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan and, to the extent permitted
under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the shares of Stock that may be issued as Incentive
Stock Options. In the event the Company repurchases shares of Stock on the open market, such shares shall not be added to the
shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, shares of Stock may be issued up to
such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized
but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Company.
(b)
Changes in Stock. Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification,
stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company’s capital stock, the outstanding
shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the
Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed
with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Company
or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment
in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the maximum number of shares that may be issued
in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding
Awards under the Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (iv)
the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan,
without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of shares subject to Stock Options
and Stock Appreciation Rights) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable. The Administrator
shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise
price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or
any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional
shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may
make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.
(c)
Mergers and Other Transactions. In the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, the parties thereto may
cause the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards
with new Awards of the successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and,
if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree. To the extent the parties to such Sale Event do not
provide for the assumption, continuation or substitution of Awards, upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the Plan and all
outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate. In such case, except as may be otherwise provided in the relevant Award
Certificate, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights with time-based vesting conditions or restrictions that are not vested
or exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event may become fully vested and exercisable as of the effective
time of the Sale Event at the discretion of the Administrator, all other Awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions
may become fully vested and non-forfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event at the discretion of the Administrator,
and all Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and non-forfeitable
in connection with a Sale Event in the Administrator’s discretion or to the extent specified in the relevant Award Certificate.
In the event of such termination, (i) the Company shall have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a payment,
in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in
an amount equal to the difference between (A) the Sale Price multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate
exercise price of all such outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (provided that, in the case of an Option or Stock
Appreciation Right with an exercise price equal to or less than the Sale Price, such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall
be cancelled for no consideration); or (ii) each grantee shall be permitted, within a specified period of time prior to the consummation
of the Sale Event as determined by the Administrator, to exercise all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the
extent then exercisable) held by such grantee. The Company shall also have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide
for a payment, in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding other Awards in an amount equal to the Sale Price multiplied by the
number of vested shares of Stock under such Awards.
SECTION
4. ELIGIBILITY
Grantees
under the Plan will be such employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Affiliates as are selected
from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided that Awards may not be granted to employees, Directors
or Consultants who are providing services only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405
of the Act, unless (i) the stock underlying the Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A
or (ii) the Company has determined that such Awards are exempt from or otherwise comply with Section 409A.
SECTION
5. STOCK OPTIONS
(a)
Award of Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Stock Options under the Plan. Any Stock Option granted under the Plan
shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve. Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive
Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary
that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option
does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Stock Options granted pursuant
to this Section 5 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions,
not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. If the Administrator so determines, Stock
Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as
the Administrator may establish.
(b)
Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5
shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value
on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the exercise price of such
Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Stock Options may be granted with an exercise price per share that is less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date
of grant (i) pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code, (ii) to individuals
who are not subject to U.S. income tax on the date of grant, or (iii) the Stock Option is otherwise compliant with Section 409A.
(c)
Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable
more than ten years after the date the Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a
Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.
(d)
Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in
installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate
the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares
acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.
(e)
Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise
to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the
following methods except to the extent otherwise provided in the Option Award Certificate:
(i)
In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;
(ii)
Through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership following such procedures as the Company may prescribe) of shares of Stock
that are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan, such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value
on the exercise date;
(iii)
By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker
to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that
in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such
procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Company shall prescribe as a condition of such
payment procedure; or
(iv)
With respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which
the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair
Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.
Payment
instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer
agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the
optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full
purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Certificate or applicable
provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect
to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation
method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number
of attested shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated
system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless
exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
(f)
Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under
Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect
to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations
become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any
Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
SECTION
6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
(a)
Award of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may grant Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan. A Stock Appreciation
Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the applicable
Award Certificate) having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise over
the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock
Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
(b)
Exercise Price of Stock Appreciation Rights. The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100
percent of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.
(c)
Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Administrator independently
of any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan.
(d)
Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions
as shall be determined on the date of grant by the Administrator. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed ten years.
The terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ
among individual Awards and grantees.
SECTION
7. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
(a)
Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan. A Restricted Stock
Award is any Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the
time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other Service Relationship) or achievement of pre-established
performance goals and objectives.
(b)
Rights as a Stockholder. Upon the grant of the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee
shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Shares and receipt of dividends; provided
that if the lapse of restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock Award is tied to the attainment of performance goals, any
dividends paid by the Company during the performance period shall accrue and shall not be paid to the grantee until and to the
extent the performance goals are met with respect to the Restricted Stock Award. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine,
(i) uncertificated Restricted Shares shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to
the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and
(ii) certificated Restricted Shares shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided
in Section 7(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments
of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe.
(c)
Restrictions. Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of
except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Except as may otherwise be provided by the
Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 16 below, in writing after the Award is issued, if a grantee’s
employment (or other Service Relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, any Restricted Shares
that have not vested at the time of termination shall automatically and without any requirement of notice to such grantee from
or other action by or on behalf of, the Company be deemed to have been reacquired by the Company at its original purchase price
(if any) from such grantee or such grantee’s legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or
other Service Relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Company by the grantee or rights of
the grantee as a stockholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of Restricted Shares that are represented by physical certificates,
a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration.
(d)
Vesting of Restricted Shares. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates or the attainment
of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Shares
and the Company’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates or the attainment of such
pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no
longer be Restricted Shares and shall be deemed “vested.”
SECTION
8. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(a)
Nature of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan. A Restricted Stock
Unit is an Award of stock units that may be settled in shares of Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the
Award Certificate) upon the satisfaction of such restrictions and conditions at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on
continuing employment (or other Service Relationship) or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The
terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among
individual Awards and grantees. Except in the case of Restricted Stock Units with a deferred settlement date that complies with
Section 409A, at the end of the vesting period, the Restricted Stock Units, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form
of shares of Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the Award Certificate). Restricted Stock Units with deferred
settlement dates are subject to Section 409A and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall
determine in its sole discretion in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
(b)
Election to Receive Restricted Stock Units In lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit
a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of an award of Restricted
Stock Units. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified
by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator.
Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of Restricted Stock Units
based on the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment
had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances
to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate.
Any Restricted Stock Units that are elected to be received in lieu of cash compensation shall be fully vested, unless otherwise
provided in the Award Certificate.
(c)
Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a stockholder only as to shares of Stock acquired by the grantee
upon settlement of Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights
with respect to the stock units underlying his Restricted Stock Units, subject to the provisions of Section 11 and such terms
and conditions as the Administrator may determine.
(d)
Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section
16 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall
automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of Service Relationship) with the Company
and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
SECTION
9. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
The
Administrator may grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock
Award under the Plan. An Unrestricted Stock Award is an Award pursuant to which the grantee may receive shares of Stock free of
any restrictions under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services or other valid consideration,
or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.
SECTION
10. CASH-BASED AWARDS
The
Administrator may grant Cash-Based Awards under the Plan. A Cash-Based Award is an Award that entitles the grantee to a payment
in cash upon the attainment of specified performance goals. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based
Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become
vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated
payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award
shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash.
SECTION
11. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
(a)
Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Administrator may grant Dividend Equivalent Rights under the Plan. A Dividend Equivalent
Right is an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of
Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to the grantee.
A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any grantee as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units or as
a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Certificate. Dividend
Equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional
shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the
date of reinvestment or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any.
Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments.
A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of an Award of Restricted Stock Units shall provide that such Dividend Equivalent
Right shall be settled only upon settlement or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend
Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award.
(b)
Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section
16 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically
terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of Service Relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries
for any reason.
SECTION
12. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS
(a)
Transferability. Except as provided in Section 12(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall
be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s
incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or
in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.
(b)
Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 12(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award
Certificate regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) may transfer
his or her Non-Qualified Stock Options to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members,
or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the
Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award. In no event may an Award be transferred
by a grantee for value.
(c)
Family Member. For purposes of Section 12(b), “family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild,
grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law,
daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household
(other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial
interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which
these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.
(d)
Designation of Beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Company, each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the
Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after
the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not
be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated
beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.
SECTION
13. TAX WITHHOLDING
(a)
Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other
amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for income tax purposes, pay to the Company,
or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required
by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted
by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s
obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or stock certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding
obligations being satisfied by the grantee.
(b)
Payment in Stock. The Administrator may require the Company’s tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole
or in part, by the Company withholding from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate
Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due; provided, however,
that the amount withheld does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate or such lesser amount as is necessary to avoid liability
accounting treatment. For purposes of share withholding, the Fair Market Value of withheld shares shall be determined in the same
manner as the value of Stock includible in income earned in respect of the Award. The Administrator may also require the Company’s
tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by an arrangement whereby a certain number of shares of Stock
issued pursuant to any Award are immediately sold and proceeds from such sale are remitted to the Company in an amount that would
satisfy the withholding amount due.
SECTION
14. SECTION 409A AWARDS
Awards
are intended to be exempt from Section 409A to the greatest extent possible and to otherwise comply with Section 409A. The Plan
and all Awards shall be interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified
deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such
additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In
this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section
409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such
payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation
from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being
subject to interest, penalties or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any 409A Award may
not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.
SECTION
15. TERMINATION OF SERVICE RELATIONSHIP, TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.
(a)
Termination of Service Relationship. If the grantee’s Service Relationship is with an Affiliate and such Affiliate
ceases to be an Affiliate, the grantee shall be deemed to have terminated his or her Service Relationship for purposes of the
Plan.
(b)
For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of a Service Relationship:
(i)
a transfer to the employment of the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another;
or
(ii)
an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s
right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence
was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.
SECTION
16. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
The
Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding
Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall materially and adversely
affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. The Administrator is specifically authorized to
exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or effect the repricing
of such Awards through cancellation and re-grants. To the extent required under the rules of any securities exchange or market
system on which the Stock is listed or to the extent determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code to ensure that
Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to
approval by Company stockholders. Nothing in this Section 16 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action
permitted pursuant to Section 3(b) or 3(c).
SECTION
17. STATUS OF PLAN
With
respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received
by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator
shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize
the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect
to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.
SECTION
18. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a)
No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree
with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.
(b)
Issuance of Stock. To the extent certificated, stock certificates to grantees under this Plan shall be deemed delivered
for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States
mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company. Uncertificated Stock shall
be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a Stock transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee
by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known
address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book
entry” records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver
any evidence of book entry or certificates evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise or settlement of any Award, unless
and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary
or advisable), that the issuance and delivery is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities
and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded. Any Stock issued
pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary
or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which
the Stock is listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Stock certificate or notations on any book entry
to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator
may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion,
deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have
the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise
of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.
(c)
Stockholder Rights. Until Stock is deemed delivered in accordance with Section 18(b), no right to vote or receive dividends
or any other rights of a stockholder will exist with respect to shares of Stock to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding
the exercise of a Stock Option or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award.
(d)
Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting
other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable
only in specific cases. The adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(e)
Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s insider
trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.
(f)
Clawback Policy. Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as in effect from time
to time.
SECTION
19. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
This
Plan shall become effective upon the date that the Company’s shareholders approve this Plan if such shareholder approval
occurs before the first anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards
may be made hereunder after the later of the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date or the tenth anniversary of the latest material
amendment of this Plan and no grants of Incentive Stock Options may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the date
the Plan is approved by the Board.
SECTION
20. GOVERNING LAW
This
Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.
DATE
APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: October 25, 2019
DATE
APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: ___________, 2019
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