UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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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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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
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VAXART, INC. |
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
VAXART, INC.
170 Harbor Way, Suite 300
South San Francisco, California 94080
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Vaxart, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The meeting will be held in a virtual-only format via live webcast on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time through live webcast of the meeting, which you can access by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024 and entering the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials for the following purposes:
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To elect the board of directors’ six nominees for director to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
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To adopt an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of our common stock to 350,000,000 shares. |
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To approve, contingent upon approval of Proposal No. 2, an amendment and restatement of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 15,000,000 shares to 43,900,000 shares. |
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To approve, contingent upon approval of Proposal No. 2, an amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,800,000 shares to 3,600,000 shares |
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To ratify the selection by our Audit Committee of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024. |
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To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement. |
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To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting. |
These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice.
The record date for the Annual Meeting is April 12, 2024. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Michael J. Finney
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D.
Chair of the Board
South San Francisco, California
April 29, 2024
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We are primarily providing access to our proxy materials over the internet pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s notice and access rules. On or about April 30, 2024, we expect to mail to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that will indicate how to access our 2024 Proxy Statement and 2023 Annual Report on the internet and will include instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of the annual meeting materials, including the notice of annual meeting, proxy statement, and proxy card. |
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Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting electronically, please submit a proxy or voting instructions for your shares promptly using the directions on your Notice, or, if you elected to receive printed proxy materials by mail, your proxy card, by one of the following methods: (1) over the internet at http://www.proxyvote.com, (2) by telephone by calling the toll-free number (800) 690-6903, or (3) if you elected to receive printed proxy materials by mail, by marking, dating, and signing your proxy card and returning it in the accompanying postage-paid envelope. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote if you attend the meeting electronically. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank, or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
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EXHIBITS:
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Exhibit A: Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation |
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VAXART, INC.
170 Harbor Way, Suite 300
South San Francisco, California 94080
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 11, 2024
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Who is Vaxart?
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company primarily focused on the development of oral recombinant vaccines based on our Vector-Adjuvant-Antigen Standardized Technology (“VAAST”) proprietary oral vaccine platform. Our oral vaccines are designed to generate broad and durable immune responses that may protect against a wide range of infectious diseases and may be useful for the treatment of chronic viral infections and cancer. Our investigational vaccines are administered using a room temperature-stable tablet, rather than by injection.
We are developing prophylactic vaccine candidates that target a range of infectious diseases, including norovirus (a widespread cause of acute gastroenteritis), coronavirus, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”)), and influenza.
We believe our oral tablet vaccine candidates offer important advantages:
First, they are designed to generate broad and durable immune responses, including systemic, mucosal and T cell responses, which may enhance protection against certain infectious diseases, such as norovirus, COVID-19 and influenza, and may have potential clinical benefit for certain cancers and chronic viral infections, such as those caused by human papillomavirus.
Second, our tablet vaccine candidates are designed to provide a more efficient and convenient method of administration, enhance patient acceptance and reduce distribution bottlenecks, which we believe will improve the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns.
Vaxart Biosciences, Inc. was originally incorporated in California under the name West Coast Biologicals, Inc. in March 2004 and changed its name to Vaxart, Inc. (“Private Vaxart”) in July 2007, when it reincorporated in the state of Delaware.
On February 13, 2018, Private Vaxart completed a reverse merger (the “Merger”) with Aviragen Therapeutics, Inc. (“Aviragen”), pursuant to which Private Vaxart survived as a wholly owned subsidiary of Aviragen. Under the terms of the Merger, Aviragen changed its name to Vaxart, Inc. and Private Vaxart changed its name to Vaxart Biosciences, Inc. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Vaxart,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” in this proxy statement mean Vaxart, Inc., the combined company.
Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the Internet?
Pursuant to rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we have sent you a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”), because the board of directors of Vaxart is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), including at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in your Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the internet or to request a printed copy may be found in your Notice.
We intend to mail the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials on or about April 30, 2024, to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Will I receive any other proxy materials by mail?
No, you will not receive any other proxy materials by mail unless you request a paper copy of proxy materials. To request that a full set of the proxy materials be sent to your specified postal address, please go to http://www.proxyvote.com, call (800) 579-1639, or send an email to sendmaterials@proxyvote.com. Please have your proxy card in hand when you access the website or call and follow the instructions provided therein.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The meeting will be held in a virtual-only format via live webcast on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time at http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024. Information on how to vote electronically at the Annual Meeting is discussed below. You will also be able to listen and participate in the Annual Meeting as well as vote and submit your questions during a live webcast of the meeting by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024 and entering the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2024, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, there were 176,838,011 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If on the record date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote electronically at the meeting by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024, vote by proxy, or vote in advance of the meeting by visiting http://www.proxyvote.com and entering the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting electronically, we urge you to submit a proxy to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If on the record date, your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and your Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to electronically attend the Annual Meeting or vote by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024 and entering the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares electronically at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.
What am I voting on?
There are six matters scheduled for a vote:
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Proposal No. 1 – To elect six directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
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Proposal No. 2 – To adopt an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of our common stock to 350,000,000 shares. |
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Proposal No. 3 – To approve, contingent upon approval of Proposal No. 2, an amendment and restatement of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 15,000,000 shares to 43,900,000 shares. |
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Proposal No. 4 – To approve, contingent upon approval of Proposal No. 2, an amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,800,000 shares to 3,600,000 shares. |
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Proposal No. 5 – To ratify the selection by our Audit Committee of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024. |
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Proposal No. 6 – To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement. |
What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?
The board of directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.
How do I vote?
You may either vote “For” the nominees to the board of directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for all nominees or any nominee you specify. For all other proposals you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting.
The procedures for voting are simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote electronically at the Annual Meeting, vote by proxy at the meeting, vote by proxy in advance of the meeting through the internet by visiting http://www.proxyvote.com and entering the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice, or submit a proxy to vote your shares in advance of the meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time or by telephone or the internet. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting electronically, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting virtually and vote electronically even if you have already voted by proxy.
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To vote electronically at the Annual Meeting, visit http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024 and enter the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice. |
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To submit a proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card that may be delivered and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, the proxyholders named therein will vote your shares as you direct. |
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To submit a proxy over the telephone, dial toll-free (800) 690-6903 using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from your Notice. Your telephone vote should be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on June 10, 2024 in order to ensure that it is counted. |
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To submit a proxy through the internet, go to http://www.proxyvote.com to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from your Notice. Your proxy submitted by internet should be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on June 10, 2024 in order to ensure that it is counted. |
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a Notice containing voting instructions from that organization rather than from Vaxart. Simply follow the voting instructions in your Notice to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote electronically at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form. You may also vote during the meeting by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024 and entering the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice.
The ability to submit a proxy via the internet may be provided to allow you to submit a proxy to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your internet access, such as usage charges from internet access providers and telephone companies.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you hold as of April 12, 2024.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record and do not submit a proxy by completing and delivering your proxy card or through the internet or telephone, and do not vote virtually at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under the rules and interpretations of NYSE, which apply regardless of whether an issuer is listed on the NYSE or The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposal Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 without your instructions, but may vote your shares on Proposal No. 5 even in the absence of your instruction.
What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as applicable:
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“For” the election of the six nominees for director; |
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“For” the adoption of the amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of our common stock to 350,000,000 shares; |
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“For” the approval of the amendment and restatement of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 15,000,000 shares to 43,900,000 shares; |
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“For” the approval of the amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,800,000 shares to 3,600,000 shares; |
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“For” the ratification of the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024; and |
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“For” the non-binding, advisory approval of executive compensation. |
If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using your proxyholder’s best judgment.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks, and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. We have engaged Morrow Sodali to assist in the solicitation of proxies and provide related advice and informational support for a fee of $8,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses and customary disbursements.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?
If you receive more than one Notice, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each of your Notices to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
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You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date. |
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You may grant a subsequent proxy by telephone or through the internet. |
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You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our Secretary at 170 Harbor Way, Suite 300, South San Francisco, California 94080. |
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You may attend the Annual Meeting virtually and vote electronically by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VXRT2024 and entering the 16‐digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Simply attending or participating in the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
Your latest proxy card or other proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.
When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for the 2025 Annual Meeting?
Stockholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for stockholder action at annual meetings for inclusion in our proxy statement in accordance with regulations adopted by the SEC under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. To be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, such proposals must be received by our Secretary at our executive offices at 170 Harbor Way, Suite 300, South San Francisco, California 94080, no later than December 31, 2024. Our Bylaws set an advance notice procedure for proposals a stockholder wishes to present directly at an annual meeting (rather than submitting for inclusion in our proxy statement under Rule 14a-8) and for director nominations.
To be considered for presentation at the 2025 annual meeting, proposals that are not submitted for inclusion in our proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 and nominations (whether or not submitted for inclusion in or proxy statement under Rule 14a-19) submitted through our advance notice procedure must be received at the above address not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of this year’s annual meeting of stockholders. However, in the event that the date of the 2025 annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 70 days (60 days with respect to nominations), from the first anniversary of this year’s annual meeting, then such a proposal or nomination must be received no earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of the 2025 annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to the 2025 annual meeting and (B) the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the 2025 annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the 2025 annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. You are also advised to review our Bylaws, which contain a description of the information required to be submitted with notices of any such proposal or nomination as well as additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.
In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our Bylaws, including advance notice of director nominations, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than Vaxart nominees must, in addition to complying with the requirement of our Bylaws, provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, no later than April 14, 2025. Such notice may be mailed to the Corporate Secretary at 170 Harbor Way, Suite 300, South San Francisco, California 94080.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the inspector of elections appointed for the meeting, who will separately count, (a) for the proposal to elect directors, votes “For,” “Withhold” and broker non-votes, and (b) with respect to the other proposals, votes “For” and “Against,” abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes. Assuming a quorum is present, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect, and will not be counted towards the vote total, for Proposal Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Abstentions will have no effect on Proposal No. 5 and, because Proposal No. 2 5 is “routine,” we do not expect that any broker non-votes will occur with respect to that proposal.
What are “broker non-votes”?
As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed by NYSE to be “non-routine,” the broker or nominee cannot vote the shares. When there is at least one “routine” matter to be considered at a meeting, and a broker exercises its discretionary authority on any such “routine” matter with respect to any uninstructed shares, “broker non-votes” occur with respect to the “non-routine” matters for which the broker lacks discretionary authority to vote such uninstructed shares.
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
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Proposal No. 1 – For the election of directors, the nominees receiving the most “For” votes from the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected. Assuming a quorum is present, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal. |
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Proposal No. 2 – To adopt the amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such proposal. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have no effect on this proposal. Assuming a quorum is present, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal. |
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Proposal No. 3 – To approve the amendment and restatement of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, the proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal. Additionally, stockholder approval of this proposal is contingent upon approval of Proposal No. 2. |
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Proposal No. 4 – To approve the amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal. Additionally, stockholder approval of this proposal is contingent upon approval of Proposal No. 2. |
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Proposal No. 5 – To ratify the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024, the proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such proposal. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have no effect on this proposal. Because this proposal is “routine,” we do not expect that any broker non-votes will occur with respect to this proposal. |
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Proposal No. 6 – To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement, the proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such proposal. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal. |
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is generally required to hold a valid meeting of stockholders. A quorum is present if stockholders holding at least one-third in voting power of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy.
Any shares that you hold of record will be counted towards the establishment of a quorum only if you submit a valid proxy or if you or your proxy attend the meeting virtually. If you are a beneficial holder of shares held through a broker, bank, or other nominee, your shares will be counted towards the establishment of a quorum if you provide voting instructions with respect to such shares, if you obtain a proxy to vote such shares and attend the meeting virtually or if you fail to provide voting instructions with respect to such shares and your broker, bank, or other nominee exercises its discretionary authority and votes your shares on Proposal No. 5 at the meeting.
Shares for which abstentions or broker non-votes occur on any proposal will be counted towards the establishment of a quorum.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a current report on Form 8-K within four business days after the meeting, we intend to file a current report on Form 8‑K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional current report on Form 8-K to publish the final results.
What can I do if I need technical assistance accessing or participating in the meeting?
If you encounter any technical difficulties accessing the Annual Meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the live webcast log-in page.
If I can’t attend the meeting, how do I vote or listen to it later?
You do not need to attend the virtual meeting to vote if you submitted your vote via proxy in advance of the meeting. A replay of the meeting, including the questions answered during the meeting, will be available on http://www.vaxart.com for one year following the meeting date.
What happens if a change to the Annual Meeting is necessary due to exigent circumstances?
We intend to hold the Annual Meeting in a virtual-format only via live webcast. Please monitor the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.vaxart.com for updated information. If you are planning to attend our Annual Meeting virtually, please check the website one week prior to the Annual Meeting date. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections, concerning our business, operations, and financial performance and condition as well as our plans, objectives, and expectations for business operations and financial performance and condition. Any statements contained herein that are not of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. You can identify these statements by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. As a result, any or all of our forward-looking statements in this proxy statement may turn out to be inaccurate. Factors that could materially affect our business operations and financial performance and condition include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties described under “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and any risk factors disclosed in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the filing date of this proxy statement. Unless required by law, we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or otherwise. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this proxy statement.
This proxy statement also contains market data related to our business and industry. These market data include projections that are based on a number of assumptions. If these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. As a result, our markets may not grow at the rates projected by these data, or at all. The failure of these markets to grow at these projected rates may harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, and the market price of our common stock.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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What am I voting on? |
Electing the six director nominees identified below to hold office until the 2025 Annual Meeting of stockholders or until his or her successor is elected or appointed. |
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Vote recommendation: |
FOR the election of each of the six director nominees. |
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Vote required: |
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast such that the six nominees receiving the most votes FOR votes in favor of their election will be elected as directors. |
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Effect of abstentions: |
None |
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Effect of broker non-votes: |
None. |
Our board of directors is comprised of six members all of whom, except Steven Lo who was appointed by our board of directors to fill a vacancy, were previously elected by our stockholders. All our directors have one-year terms and stand for election annually. The board of directors has determined that all of the director nominees except for Mr. Lo are independent directors, as defined by The Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. Mr. Lo is not independent because he serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The nominees listed below are currently directors of Vaxart. If elected at the Annual Meeting, these nominees would serve until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or until a successor has been duly elected and qualified, or, if sooner, until the director’s death, resignation, or removal. Our policy is to encourage directors and nominees for director to attend the annual meeting of our stockholders. With respect to our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, three members of our board of directors attended the meeting.
Vacancies and newly created directorships on the board of directors may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors, whether or not a quorum. A director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall serve for the remainder of the full term and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or, if sooner, until the director’s death, resignation, or removal.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Accordingly, the six nominees receiving the highest number of FOR votes in favor of their election will be elected. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of each nominee named below. If any such nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, shares that would have been voted for that nominee will instead be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by Vaxart, if any. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected. We have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Nominees for Election to Serve Until the 2025 Annual Meeting
|
Name |
Age |
Position(s) |
||
|
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D. |
65 |
Director |
||
|
Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. |
76 |
Director |
||
|
Steven Lo |
57 |
Director |
||
|
W. Mark Watson |
73 |
Director |
||
|
David Wheadon, M.D. |
66 |
Director |
||
|
Robert A. Yedid |
66 |
Director |
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2018 and Chair of our board of directors since March 2023. He previously served as a member of Private Vaxart’s board of directors since 2007. Since October 2004, Dr. Finney has served as the Managing Director of Finney Capital, an investment firm. Since 1986, Dr. Finney has served as a founder, executive, director and/or investor in various life sciences companies. Currently, he sits on six private company boards. Dr. Finney served as Vaxart’s Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2011, and as interim Chief Executive Officer from January 16, 2024 to March 17, 2024. Dr. Finney received an A.B. in biochemical sciences from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in biology (genetics) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
We believe Dr. Finney is qualified to serve on the board of directors because of his extensive experience within the life sciences industry, including as an executive and a director in the biotechnology industry.
Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2022. Dr. Heron has served on the board of directors of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) since July 2002. From February 2009 to October 2015, Dr. Heron served as Chair and CEO of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private drug development company acquired by Pfizer, Inc. in April 2021. She currently serves on the boards of Visgenx, Inc., a private early-stage therapeutics company, BlueWhale Bio, Inc., a private early stage therapeutics company, and Watershed Medical, Inc., a private early-stage therapeutics company. She is also an advisor to Kyto Technology and Life Science, Inc. (OTCQB: KBPH). From July 2001 to October 2008, Dr. Heron was Chair and CEO of Labcyte Inc., a private biotechnology company. Before joining Labcyte Inc., she spent six years in positions of increasing responsibility at the Applied Biosystems Group of Applera Corporation, a biotechnology company, including the position of General Manager and Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Dr. Heron earned a B.S. in chemistry with highest distinction and a Ph.D. in analytical biochemistry from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.
We believe Dr. Heron is qualified to serve on the board of directors because of her extensive experience in life science sales and marketing, finance and accounting, corporate governance matters, and research and development.
Steven Lo has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer, and a member of the board of directors since March 2024. He has over 25 years of experience in healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, including over 12 years of C-level experience in publicly traded biotech companies. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lo served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Valitor, Inc., a private biotech company, from August 2022 to March 2024. From October 2019 to August 2022, Mr. Lo was the President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the board of directors of Zosano Pharma Corporation (“Zosano”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. On June 1, 2022, Zosano filed a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. From September 2015 to October 2019, he was the Chief Commercial Officer at Puma Biotechnology, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on the development and commercialization of innovative products to enhance cancer care. At that company, he built and led business development and the worldwide commercialization of the company’s first product. Prior to that, he was Chief Commercial Officer of Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated, where he established the commercial organization to launch the company’s first product. Earlier in his career, he spent 13 years at Genentech, Inc., a member of Roche Group, in a variety of leadership roles of increasing responsibility in commercial and drug development. He worked in numerous areas, including oncology, endocrinology and other specialty therapeutics. Mr. Lo started his career in the pharmaceutical industry at AstraZeneca after holding positions in finance and operations at Kaiser Permanente. Mr. Lo obtained a Master of Health Administration from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis.
We believe Mr. Lo is qualified to serve on the board of directors because of his extensive experience within the life sciences industry, including his experience leading, advising, and working with biotechnology companies.
W. Mark Watson has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2022. Mr. Watson is a Certified Public Accountant with over 40 years of experience in public accounting and auditing, having spent his entire career from January 1973 to June 2013 at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its predecessor, most recently as Central Florida Marketplace Leader. He has served as lead audit partner and lead client service partner on public companies ranging from middle market firms to Fortune 500 enterprises. Mr. Watson also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Inhibitor Therapeutics, Inc. and as a director and member of the Audit Committee of Sykes Enterprises, Inc and BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. Mr. Watson served as a trustee of Tekla World Healthcare Fund (THW), Tekla Healthcare Opportunities Fund (THQ), Tekla Healthcare Investors (HQH), and Tekla Life Sciences Investors (HQL) until the Fall of 2023. Mr. Watson also serves on the Board of Moffitt Cancer Center and as its Audit Committee Chair. As a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Mr. Watson is qualified to serve on the Board due to his expertise in public accounting and his experience with life science and pharmaceutical companies. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Marquette University.
We believe Mr. Watson is qualified to serve on the board of directors because of his extensive experience as a Certified Public Accountant focused on health and life sciences and his other professional and civic engagements.
David Wheadon, M.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2021. He served as Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs, Patient Safety and Quality Assurance for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals from 2014 to 2019 and as Executive Vice President, Research and Advocacy at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from 2013 to 2014. From 2009 to 2013, Dr. Wheadon served as Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs and as a member of the Management Committee of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (“PhRMA”). Prior to his joining PhRMA, Dr. Wheadon held senior regulatory and clinical development leader roles at Abbott Laboratories and GlaxoSmithKline plc. Dr. Wheadon began his career as a clinical research physician in neuroscience at Eli Lilly & Company. Dr. Wheadon currently serves on the board of directors of Sotera Health, Inc. He formerly served on the board of directors of Assertio Holdings, Inc. (formerly Assertio Therapeutics, Inc.), Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. and Chemocentryx, Inc. Dr. Wheadon holds an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his fellowship training in Psychiatry at the Tufts, New England Medical Center.
We believe Dr. Wheadon is qualified to serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive experience as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry and expertise in regulatory affairs, government policy and clinical strategy.
Robert A. Yedid has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2019. He is also a board member of Enalare Therapeutics, a private biotechnology company. Mr. Yedid has been a Managing Director at LifeSci Advisors, LLC, a global healthcare dedicated investor relations/public relations firm since 2014. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Yedid served as a Managing Director at ICR Inc., in its healthcare investor relations group. Prior to working in investor relations, Mr. Yedid invested exclusively in the public healthcare companies as a portfolio manager at Hillhouse Capital Management and as a portfolio manager and senior research analyst at Principled Capital from 2001-2011. From 1999 to 2000, he was a Vice President at Warburg Pincus, a global private equity and venture capital firm, investing in healthcare. While at Warburg, Mr. Yedid served as a member of the board of directors of The Medicines Company (which was eventually acquired by Novartis) and a board member of Eurand International S.p.a., an Italian-based specialty pharma company (which was acquired by Forest Laboratories). Mr. Yedid began his career as an investment banker, including serving as a Managing Director in the healthcare finance group at Bear Stearns & Co. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
We believe Mr. Yedid is qualified to serve on the board of directors because of his extensive experience within the life sciences industry, including working as managing director of a firm focused on investor relations in the global healthcare sector.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE NAMED NOMINEES.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among the members of the board of directors and our executive officers.
Independence of the Board of Directors
As required under The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the board of directors. The board of directors consults with our counsel to ensure that its determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and us, our senior management and our independent auditors, the board of directors has affirmatively determined that all of our current directors, other than Mr. Lo due to his positions as our current President and Chief Executive Officer, are independent within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. In making this determination, the board of directors found that none of the independent nominees for director had a material or other disqualifying relationship with Vaxart.
Board Leadership Structure
We currently have separate individuals serving in the roles of Chair of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer in recognition of the differences between the two roles. The board of directors believes that the decision as to whether the positions of Chair and Chief Executive Officer should be combined or separated, and whether an executive or an independent director should serve as Chair if the roles are split, should be based upon the particular circumstances facing the Company. For example, while Dr. Finney (the Chair of the board of directors) served as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer from the date of our prior Chief Executive Officer’s resignation on January 15, 2024 until Steven Lo’s appointment as our new Chief Executive Officer on March 18, 2024, the board of directors appointed Dr. Wheadon to serves as the independent Lead Director. The board of directors believes that it is important to retain the flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the offices of Chair of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer in any manner that it determines to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Company and the day-to-day leadership of the Company, while the Chair of the board of directors provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer, prepares the agendas for board meetings, determines materials to be distributed to the board of directors, and presides over the meetings of the board of directors. We believe this balance of shared leadership between the two positions is appropriate and is a strength for the Company.
As discussed above, except for our Chief Executive Officer, our board of directors is comprised of independent directors. The active involvement of these independent directors, combined with the qualifications and significant responsibilities of our Chief Executive Officer, provide balance in the board of directors and promote strong, independent oversight of our management and affairs.
Role of the Board of Directors in Risk Oversight
The board of directors has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of Vaxart’s risks. The board of directors regularly reviews information regarding our credit, liquidity, and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The Audit Committee’s charter mandates the Audit Committee to review and discuss with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, as appropriate, our major financial risk exposures and the steps taken by management to monitor and control these exposures. In addition, the Audit Committee discusses major financial, information security (including cybersecurity) and data privacy risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Nominating and Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the board of directors and potential conflicts of interest. The Science and Technology Committee assists the board of directors with its oversight responsibility for risk management in areas affecting the Company’s research and development activities. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire board of directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors met 14 times during 2023. Each member of the board of directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the board of directors and of the committees on which the member served, held during the portion of 2023 for which the member was a director or committee member.
As required under applicable Nasdaq listing standards, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Vaxart independent directors met at least twice in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors were present. Dr. Finney, the Chair of the board of directors, or Mr. Davis, the former Chair of the board of directors until March 2023, presided over the executive sessions.
INFORMATION REGARDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Governance Committee. The board of directors has adopted a written charter for each committee that is available to stockholders on the Investors section of our website at http://www.vaxart.com.
The following table provides membership and meeting information for each of the committees of the board of directors during 2023:
|
Name |
Audit |
Compensation |
Nominating and Governance |
Science and Technology Committee |
||||
|
Todd C. Davis (1) |
√ |
|||||||
|
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D. (2) |
√ |
√* |
||||||
|
Andrei Floroiu (3) |
||||||||
|
Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. (4) |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|||||
|
W. Mark Watson |
√* |
√ |
||||||
|
David Wheadon, M.D. (5) |
√* |
√ |
√ |
|||||
|
Robert A. Yedid |
√ |
√* |
|
* |
Committee Chair |
|
(1) |
Mr. Davis resigned from the board of directors in March 2023. Dr. Finney was appointed as Chair of the board of directors in March 2023. |
|
(2) |
Dr. Finney no longer serves on the Compensation Committee as of March 2023. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Floroiu resigned from the board of directors in January 2024. |
|
(4) |
Dr. Heron was appointed to the Compensation Committee in March 2023. |
|
(5) |
Dr. Wheadon was appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee in March 2023. |
The following table provides membership and meeting information for each of the committees of the board of directors as of March 31, 2024:
|
Name |
Audit |
Compensation |
Nominating and Governance |
Science and Technology Committee |
||||
|
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D. |
√* |
|||||||
|
Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. |
√ |
√* |
√ |
|||||
|
Steven Lo |
||||||||
|
W. Mark Watson |
√* |
√ |
||||||
|
David Wheadon, M.D. |
√* |
√ |
√ |
|||||
|
Robert A. Yedid |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
* |
Committee Chair |
Committees of the Board of Directors
Below is a description of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, and Science and Technology Committee of the board of directors. Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities.
Audit Committee
The board of directors reviews the Nasdaq listing standards definition of independence for Audit Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Nasdaq listing standards). The Audit Committee held five meetings and acted through written consent in lieu of holding a meeting one time during 2023.
The board of directors determined that Mr. Watson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in applicable SEC rules. The board of directors made a qualitative assessment of Mr. Watson’s level of knowledge and experience based on a number of factors, including Mr. Watson’s over 40 years of experience in public accounting and auditing and status as a Certified Public Accountant.
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the board of directors with respect to our accounting, financial, and other reporting and internal control practices and to oversee its independent registered accounting firm. Specific responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:
|
● |
selecting a qualified firm to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements; |
|
● |
helping to ensure the independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm; |
|
● |
discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewing, with management and the independent auditors, the Company’s interim and year-end operating results; |
|
● |
developing procedures for employees to anonymously submit concerns about questionable accounting, ethical, and auditing matters; |
|
● |
reviewing policies on risk assessment and risk management; |
|
● |
reviewing with management the type and presentation of the Company’s environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) disclosures and the adequacy and effectiveness of applicable internal controls related to such disclosures; |
|
● |
reviewing related party transactions in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to related party transactions; |
|
● |
reviewing cyber risk on a quarterly basis and reporting to the board of directors; |
|
● |
obtaining and reviewing a report by the independent registered public accounting firm at least annually, that describes the independent auditor’s internal quality control procedures, any material issues with such procedures, and any steps taken to deal with such issues when required by applicable law, as well as all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and |
|
● |
approving (or, as permitted, pre-approving) all audit and all permissible non-audit services, other than de minimis non-audit services, to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. |
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 with Vaxart’s management. The Audit Committee discussed with Vaxart’s independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC. The Audit Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from Vaxart’s independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm’s independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in Vaxart’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
W. Mark Watson (Chair)
Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D.
Robert A. Yedid
The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of Vaxart under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Compensation Committee
All members of the Compensation Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(d)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards). The Compensation Committee held two meetings and acted through written consent in lieu of holding a meeting zero times during 2023.
The primary purpose of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the board of directors to oversee our compensation policies, plans and programs and to review and determine the compensation to be paid to our executive officers, directors and other senior management, as appropriate. Specific responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include:
|
● |
reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors approve, the compensation of our executive officers; |
|
● |
reviewing and recommending to our board of directors the compensation of our directors; |
|
● |
reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors approve, the terms of compensatory arrangements with our executive officers; |
|
● |
reviewing and administering our stock and equity compensation, incentive compensation, and other employee benefit plans; |
|
● |
periodically reviewing, and consulting with and advising management on, the Company’s strategies and policies related to human capital management, including talent acquisition, development and retention, internal pay equity, diversity and inclusion and corporate culture; |
|
● |
overseeing the succession process for leadership talent for the Company, including for the CEO and selected senior executives; |
|
● |
selecting independent compensation consultants and assessing whether there are any conflicts of interest with any of the committee’s compensation advisers; |
|
● |
reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors approve, incentive compensation and equity plans, severance agreements, change-of-control protections and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers and other senior management, as appropriate; and |
|
● |
reviewing and establishing general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees and reviewing our overall compensation philosophy. |
Compensation Committee Processes and Procedures
Typically, the Compensation Committee will meet at least twice annually and with greater frequency if necessary. The agenda for each meeting is usually developed by the Chair of the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee meets regularly in executive session. However, from time to time, various members of management and other employees as well as outside advisors or consultants may be invited by the Compensation Committee to make presentations, to provide financial or other background information or advice, or to otherwise participate in Compensation Committee meetings. Our Chief Executive Officer may not participate in, or be present during, any deliberations or determinations of the Compensation Committee regarding his or her compensation. The charter of the Compensation Committee grants the Compensation Committee full access to all books, records, facilities, and personnel of the Company.
The Compensation Committee charter authorizes the Compensation Committee to delegate authority to one or more members of the Compensation Committee or to one or more executive officers of the Company, and to form and delegate authority to one or more subcommittees and to one or more committees of executive officers of the Company for any purpose that the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, except that the Compensation Committee may not delegate authority to approve compensation for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or other officers of the Company subject to the reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, unless such delegation is to a subcommittee consisting of at least two members of the Compensation Committee.
In addition, under its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to obtain, at the expense of the Company, advice and assistance from compensation consultants and internal and external legal, accounting or other advisors and other external resources that the Compensation Committee considers necessary or appropriate in the performance of its duties. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility for the oversight of the work of any consultants or advisers engaged for the purpose of advising the Compensation Committee. In particular, the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain, in its sole discretion, compensation consultants to assist in its evaluation of executive and director compensation, including the authority to approve the consultant’s reasonable fees and other retention terms. Under its charter, the Compensation Committee may select, or receive advice from, a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Compensation Committee, other than in-house legal counsel and certain other types of advisers, only after taking into consideration six factors, prescribed by the SEC and Nasdaq, that bear upon the adviser’s independence; however, there is no requirement that any adviser be independent.
Nominating and Governance Committee
As of December 31, 2023, we had two members on our Nominating and Governance Committee, both of whom are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards). The Nominating and Governance Committee held zero meetings and acted by written consent in lieu of holding meetings one time during 2023. Specific responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee include:
|
● |
identifying, evaluating and selecting, or recommending that the board of directors approve, nominees for election to the board of directors; |
|
● |
overseeing the annual evaluation of the effectiveness and performance of the board of directors, and periodically conducting an individual evaluation of each director; |
|
● |
considering and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding the composition of the committees of the board of directors; |
|
● |
reviewing developments in corporate governance practices; |
|
● |
evaluating the adequacy of corporate governance practices and reporting; |
|
● |
reviewing succession plans for key executive officers; |
|
● |
developing and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters; |
|
● |
assisting in overseeing and monitoring the Company’s approach and strategy relating to environmental, legal and social responsibility, diversity, and other corporate citizenship and sustainability matters; and |
|
● |
overseeing an annual evaluation of the board of directors’ performance. |
The Nominating and Governance Committee believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including the ability to read and understand basic financial statements, being over 21 years of age and having the highest personal integrity and ethics. The Nominating and Governance Committee also intends to consider such factors as possessing relevant expertise upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management, having sufficient time to devote to the affairs of the Company, demonstrated excellence in his or her field, having the ability to exercise sound business judgment and having the commitment to rigorously represent the long-term interests of our stockholders. However, the Nominating and Governance Committee retains the right to modify these qualifications from time to time. Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context of the current composition of the board of directors, the operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of stockholders. In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and Governance Committee typically considers diversity, age, skills, and such other factors as it deems appropriate, given the current needs of the board and the Company, to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and capability. Recently, in recruiting and nominating candidates for our board of directors, our Nominating and Governance Committee has focused on increasing diversity overall, considering, among other factors, gender, race, nationality, country of origin, and cultural diversity of potential director nominees and plans to continue considering diversity and assess its effectiveness in this regard in evaluating the composition of the board of directors.
In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews these directors’ overall service to Vaxart during their terms, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance and any other relationships and transactions that might impair the directors’ independence. The Nominating and Governance Committee also takes into account the results of the board of directors’ self-evaluation, conducted annually on a group and individual basis. In the case of new director candidates, the Nominating and Governance Committee also determines whether the nominee is independent for Nasdaq purposes, which determination is based upon applicable Nasdaq listing standards, applicable SEC rules and regulations, and the advice of counsel, if necessary. The Nominating and Governance Committee then uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm. The Nominating and Governance Committee conducts any appropriate and necessary inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates after considering the function and needs of the board of directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee meets to discuss and consider the candidates’ qualifications and then selects a nominee for recommendation to the board of directors by majority vote.
The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the minimum criteria set forth above, based on whether or not the candidate was recommended by a stockholder. Stockholders who wish to recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee to become nominees for election to the board of directors may do so by delivering a written recommendation to the Nominating and Governance Committee at the following address: 170 Harbor Way, Suite 300, South San Francisco, California 94080. Submissions must include the full name of the proposed nominee, a description of the proposed nominee’s business experience for at least the previous five years, complete biographical information, a description of the proposed nominee’s qualifications as a director, and a representation that the nominating stockholder is a beneficial or record holder of Vaxart’s stock and has been a holder for at least one year. Any such submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
Science and Technology Committee
The members of our Science and Technology Committee are Drs. Finney, Heron, and Wheadon. Dr. Finney serves as the Chair of our Science and Technology Committee. Specific responsibilities of the Science and Technology Committee include:
|
● |
to assist the board of directors in its oversight of the Company’s research and development (“R&D”) programs; |
|
● |
to assist in discussing significant emerging trends and issues in science and technology and consider the potential impact of such on the Company’s R&D programs; and |
|
● |
to provide advice to the Company’s management and to the board of directors in connection with the prioritization, allocation, deployment, utilization, and investment of resources in the Company’s R&D programs. |
The following matrix is provided in accordance with applicable Nasdaq listing requirements:
|
Board Diversity Matrix (as of April 12, 2024) |
||||
|
Total Number of Directors |
6 |
|||
|
Female |
Male |
Non-Binary |
Did Not Disclose Gender |
|
|
Part I: Gender Identity |
||||
|
Directors |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Part II: Demographic Background |
||||
|
African American or Black |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Alaskan Native or Native American |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Asian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hispanic or Latinx |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
White |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
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Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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LGBTQ+ |
1 |
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Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
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In addition to gender and demographic diversity, we also recognize the value of other diverse attributes that directors may bring to our board of directors, including veterans of the U.S. military.
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Communications addressed to the board of directors will be reviewed by one or more Vaxart executive officers, who will determine whether the communication should be presented to the board of directors. The purpose of this screening is to allow the board of directors to avoid having to consider irrelevant or inappropriate communications (such as advertisements, solicitations, and hostile communications).
Communications to the board of directors must be sent in writing in care of our Corporate Secretary to our headquarters at 170 Harbor Way, Suite 300, South San Francisco, California 94080 or delivered via e-mail to ir@vaxart.com. All communications directed to the Audit Committee in accordance with our whistleblower policy that relate to questionable accounting or auditing matters involving Vaxart will be promptly and directly forwarded to the Audit Committee.
We have adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to all officers, directors, and employees. The Code of Conduct is available on the Investors section of our website at http://www.vaxart.com. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Conduct or grant any waiver from a provision of the Code of Conduct to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website.
Our insider trading policy prohibits our directors, officers, and other employees, as well as consultants, contractors, advisors, and agents of the Company, from engaging in speculative trading activities, including hedging transactions (such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts) or other inherently speculative transactions with respect to our securities, and from pledging our securities as collateral for any loans. Our insider trading policy also prohibits such persons from purchasing or selling our securities while in possession of material nonpublic information and contains restrictions relating to pre-clearance procedures and blackout periods. Directors and employees are permitted to enter into trading plans that are intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. The insider trading policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and applicable listing standards.
We adopted a Compensation Recovery Policy in October 2023, which applies to certain incentive compensation received by an executive officer on or after October 2, 2023 and which complies with the applicable requirements for compensation recovery (or “clawback”) policies adopted by the SEC and The Nasdaq Stock Market. Pursuant to the policy, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement of its financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period, the Compensation Committee will cause the Company to recovery reasonably promptly, subject to certain exceptions, any erroneously awarded incentive compensation received by any covered executive officer during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare such an accounting restatement. Covered executive officers include both current and former executive officers.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
The board of directors has documented our governance practices by adopting Corporate Governance Principles to assure that the board of directors will have the necessary authority and practices in place to review and evaluate our business operations as needed and to make decisions that are independent of our management. The Corporate Governance Principles are also intended to align the interests of directors and management with those of our stockholders. The Corporate Governance Principles set forth the practices the board of directors intends to follow with respect to board composition and selection, board meetings and involvement of senior management, chief executive officer performance evaluation and succession planning, and board committees and compensation. The Corporate Governance Principles, as well as the charters for each committee of the board of directors, may be viewed on the Investors section of our website at http://www.vaxart.com.
ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
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What am I voting on? |
To adopt an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase our authorized number of shares of common stock from 250,000,000 shares to 350,000,000 shares. |
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Vote recommendation: |
“FOR” the adoption of the amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation. |
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Vote required: |
A majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
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Effect of abstentions: |
None. |
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Effect of broker non-votes: |
None. |
General
On March 12, 2024, the board of directors unanimously voted to approve, and to recommend to our stockholders that they approve at the Annual Meeting, an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase our authorized number of shares of common stock from 250,000,000 shares to 350,000,000 shares (the “Authorized Shares Increase”) by filing a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation in the form attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A (the “Certificate of Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
Background and Purpose of the Authorized Shares Increase
The board of directors has determined that we do not currently have enough authorized shares of common stock to accommodate our forecasted capital raising needs, based on the current outstanding shares of common stock and shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options, warrants and other arrangements. As of April 12, 2024, we had 176,838,011 shares of common stock outstanding. In addition, the board of directors has reserved shares as of April 12, 2024:
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20,814,899 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $2.61 per share under all equity incentive plans, excluding the 2024 Inducement Award Plan; |
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1,000,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.16 per share under the 2024 Inducement Award Plan; |
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140,596 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted-average exercise price of $4.54 per share; |
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3,063,997 shares issuable on the vesting of restricted stock units under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan; |
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250,000 shares issuable on the vesting of restricted stock units under the 2024 Inducement Award Plan; |
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1,404,517 shares available for future issuance under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which may be increased by 15,000,000 shares to an aggregate of 16,404,517 shares upon approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting (see Proposal No. 3 for further information); |
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1,750,000 shares available for future issuance under our 2024 Inducement Award Plan; and |
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1,065,325 shares available for future issuance under our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which may be increased by 1,800,000 shares to an aggregate of 2,865,325 shares upon approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting (see Proposal No. 4 for further information). |
The board of directors believes it is in our best interest to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to give us greater flexibility in considering and planning for future corporate needs, including, but not limited to: raising additional capital, which is needed to fund our ongoing clinical and nonclinical research programs; making long-term equity incentive awards under our equity compensation plans; attracting and retaining key employees, consultants, advisors, executive officers, and directors; considering potential strategic transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and business combinations; funding operations; issuing shares pursuant to the Controlled Equity Offering℠ Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and B. Riley Securities Inc.; and other general corporate purposes. The board of directors believes that additional authorized shares of common stock will enable us to take timely advantage of market conditions and favorable financing and acquisition opportunities that may become available to us without the delay and expense associated with convening a special meeting of our stockholders. The board of directors has determined that we do not currently have enough shares to accommodate these needs.
In addition to the rationale noted above, as described in Proposal No. 3, in order to attract and retain employees with the necessary background and talent, we are seeking stockholder approval of an amendment and restatement of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 15,000,000 shares to 43,900,000 shares. Additionally, in addition to the rationale noted above, as described in Proposal No. 4, we are seeking stockholder approval of an amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,800,000 shares to 3,600,000 shares. A portion of the authorized share increase will be used for the reservation of such additional shares for issuance under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Except as discussed above and in Proposal Nos. 3 and 4, the board of directors has no other plans to issue any additional shares of common stock at this time; however, it desires to have shares available to provide flexibility to issue for business and financial purposes in the future, and believes that 350,000,000 shares is adequate for the foreseeable future.
Impact of the Authorized Shares Increase if Implemented
The adoption of the Authorized Shares Increase would not affect the rights, powers or preferences of the shares of common stock currently outstanding, although it could allow, in the future, further dilution of the outstanding shares of common stock.
Procedure for Effecting the Authorized Shares Increase
If the stockholders approve Proposal No. 2 and the board of directors decides to implement the Authorized Shares Increase, the Authorized Shares Increase will become effective either upon the filing of the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such other date and time as is specified therein. Although the board of directors intends to file the Certificate of Amendment as soon as practicable after the Annual Meeting if Proposal No. 2 is approved, the board of directors may determine in its discretion not to effect the Authorized Shares Increase at any time prior to the effectiveness of the Certificate of Amendment.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast will be required to adopt this amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL NO. 2.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
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What am I voting on? |
To approve an amendment and restatement of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 15,000,000 shares to 43,900,000 shares. |
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Vote recommendation: |
“FOR” the approval of the amendment and restatement of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. |
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Vote required: |
A majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
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Effect of abstentions: |
None. |
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Effect of broker non-votes: |
None. |
Summary of the Proposal
At the Annual Meeting, we will request that our stockholders approve an amendment and restatement of the Vaxart, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2019 Plan”), attached hereto as Exhibit B. The amendment and restatement of the 2019 Plan was approved by our board of directors on March 12, 2024, subject to approval by our stockholders. If approved, the amendment and restatement will increase the number of shares of our common stock reserved under the 2019 Plan by 15,000,000 shares to 43,900,000 shares.
Approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2019 Plan by our stockholders will allow us to grant stock options, restricted stock unit awards, and other awards at levels determined appropriate by our board of directors or its Compensation Committee.
The effectiveness of this Proposal No. 3 and the amendment and restatement of the 2019 Plan is contingent on the approval of Proposal No. 2 to approve an amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. As a result, if the stockholders do not approve Proposal No. 2, then the amendment and restatement to the 2019 Plan cannot become operative even if the stockholders approve this Proposal No. 3.
Requested Shares
The 2019 Plan was initially approved by our stockholders on April 23, 2019. At that time, 1,600,000 shares were reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan, which was: (i) increased to 8,000,000 shares through an amendment to the 2019 Plan adopted by the Company’s stockholders on June 8, 2020; (ii) increased to 16,900,000 shares through an amendment to the 2019 Plan adopted by the Company’s stockholders on June 16, 2021; and (iii) then increased again to 28,900,000 shares through an amendment to the 2019 Plan adopted by the Company’s stockholders on August 4, 2022, in each case subject to equitable adjustments in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or other extraordinary dividend, or other similar change in the Company’s common stock or capital structure.
The board of directors believes that the future success of the Company depends, in large part, on our ability to attract, motivate, and retain high-caliber employees, consultants, and directors. Equity compensation is a key component of our compensation program because it helps us attract, motivate, and retain talented employees, consultants, and directors and align their interests with those of our stockholders.
As of April 12, 2024, and excluding the proposed increase in the number of shares reserved under the 2019 Plan, there were 1,404,517 shares available for issuance under the 2019 Plan pursuant to future awards. Based on our historical grant practices, as summarized below, and our projected recruiting and retention needs, we anticipate that the Company will no longer be able to grant annual equity awards under our long-term incentive program for employees and our non-employee director compensation program beyond 2024 unless we reserve more shares for issuance under the 2019 Plan.
Stock price volatility, combined with maintaining our existing workforce, has contributed to a sooner-than-expected need for additional shares under the 2019 Plan.
To maintain the flexibility to keep pace with our competitors and effectively attract, motivate, and retain a high-caliber workforce, we are asking our stockholders to authorize an additional 15,000,000 shares for issuance under the 2019 Plan, which would increase the aggregate number of shares available for issuance as future awards under the 2019 Plan to 43,900,000 shares.
It is essential that we continue the use of equity compensation to better position us in the market and allow us to retain our skilled employees while attracting talented new employees to help us achieve our objectives, which include increasing stockholder value by growing the business. Without the approval of an addition to our share reserve, we will not be able to continue to compete in this highly competitive market, which would ultimately result in the loss of critical talent and inhibit our ability to meet our future growth objectives.
We intend to grant future equity awards under the 2019 Plan in amounts that are reasonable and consistent with market data prepared by the Compensation Committee’s independent consultant. Based on our projected recruiting and retention needs, we believe that the proposed share increase would allow us to continue granting equity awards under the 2019 Plan to employees, consultants, and directors for approximately three more years.
In determining the number of additional shares to reserve for issuance under the 2019 Plan, our board of directors also considered the number of shares available for future awards, the potential dilution resulting from the proposed increase, equity plan guidelines established by certain proxy advisory firms, and advice provided by the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant.
Our board of directors also considered the number of shares available for issuance under the Vaxart, Inc. 2024 Inducement Award Plan. On February 27, 2024, the board of directors adopted the 2024 Inducement Award Plan without stockholder approval pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The board of directors reserved 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for issuance under the 2024 Inducement Award Plan, subject to adjustment as provided in the plan document. The terms of the 2024 Inducement Award Plan are substantially similar to the terms of the 2019 Plan, with the exception that incentive stock options may not be issued under the 2024 Inducement Award Plan and equity awards under the 2024 Inducement Award Plan (including nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards) may be issued only to an employee who is commencing employment with the Company or any subsidiary or who is being rehired following a bona fide interruption of employment by the Company or any subsidiary, in either case if he or she is granted such award in connection with his or her commencement of employment and such grant is an inducement material to his or her entering into employment with the Company or such subsidiary. As of April 12, 2024, there were 1,750,000 shares available for issuance under the 2024 Inducement Award Plan pursuant to future awards.
Key Plan Features
The 2019 Plan includes provisions that are designed to protect our stockholders’ interests and to reflect corporate governance best practices including:
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No single trigger acceleration. Generally, there is no single-trigger acceleration of vesting upon change in control. The 2019 Plan does not provide for automatic vesting of awards upon a change in control; although certain performance-based stock option grants made to our Chief Executive Officer in 2020 were eligible to vest on a single trigger basis. |
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Prohibition on liberal share recycling. The 2019 Plan prohibits liberal share recycling, meaning that shares tendered in payment of the exercise price of a stock option, shares withheld to satisfy a tax withholding obligation, and shares that are repurchased by the Company with stock option proceeds will not be added back to the share reserve. In addition, when a stock appreciation right is settled in shares, all of the shares underlying the stock appreciation right will be counted against the share reserve. |
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No payment of dividends or equivalents on unvested awards. Dividends or dividend equivalents payable with respect to any awards granted under the 2019 Plan will be accumulated or reinvested until such award is earned, and the dividends or dividend equivalents shall not be paid if the underlying award does not become vested. No dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to stock options or stock appreciation rights. |
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Awards subject to forfeiture/clawback. Awards granted under the 2019 Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with our Compensation Recovery Policy adopted in October 2023 that we adopted pursuant to Nasdaq rules and other applicable law (see “Description of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan — Compensation Recovery (i.e., Clawback) Policy” below). In addition, we may impose other clawback, recovery, or recoupment provisions in an award agreement, including a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares or other cash or property upon the occurrence of cause. |
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No liberal change in control definition. The change in control definition in the 2019 Plan is not a “liberal” definition. A change in control transaction must actually occur in order for the change in control provisions in the 2019 Plan to be triggered. |
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No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 2019 Plan must have an exercise or strike price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is granted. |
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Administration by our board of directors or independent committee. The 2019 Plan will be administered by our board of directors, which may in turn delegate authority to administer the 2019 Plan to a committee with the members of such committee being “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and “independent” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards. |
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Material amendments require stockholder approval. Consistent with Nasdaq rules, the 2019 Plan requires stockholder approval of any material revisions to the 2019 Plan. In addition, certain other amendments to the 2019 Plan require stockholder approval. |
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No re-pricing of stock options or stock appreciation rights. The 2019 Plan does not permit the “repricing” of stock options and stock appreciation rights without stockholder approval. This includes a prohibition on cash buyouts of underwater options or stock appreciation rights. |
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Limit on non-employee director awards and other awards. The maximum number of shares subject to stock awards granted during any calendar year to any of our non-employee directors, taken together with any cash fees paid by the Company to such non-employee director during such calendar year, may not exceed $600,000 in total value, or $750,000 in total value with respect to the calendar year in which the individual is first appointed or elected to our board of directors (calculating the value of any such stock awards based on the grant date fair value of the stock awards for financial reporting purposes). |
Stockholder Approval
If this Proposal No. 3 is approved, the amendment and restatement of the 2019 Plan will become effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting.
Overhang
The following table provides certain additional information regarding our equity incentive plans.
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As of April 12, 2024 (the Record Date) |
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Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options* |
21,814,899 | |||
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Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options* |
$ | 2.54 | ||
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Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options* (in years) |
7.56 | |||
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Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding full value awards* |
3,313,997 | |||
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Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2019 Plan |
1,404,517 | |||
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Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under other the 2024 Inducement Award Plan |
1,750,000 | |||
* Includes awards granted under the equity incentive plans and the 2024 Inducement Award Plan
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As of Record Date |
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Total number of shares of common stock outstanding |
176,838,011 | |||
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Per-share closing price of common stock as reported on Nasdaq Capital Market |
$ | 0.9101 | ||
Burn Rate
The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to our 2019 Plan for 2021, 2022, and 2023:
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2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
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Total number of shares of common stock subject to stock options granted |
5,178,438 | 6,376,657 | 7,399,849 | |||||||||
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Total number of shares of common stock subject to full value awards granted |
- | 915,278 | 3,231,471 | |||||||||
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Total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31 |
125,594,393 | 134,199,429 | 153,452,833 | |||||||||
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Burn Rate |
4.1 | % | 5.4 | % | 6.9 | % | ||||||
Our burn rate is calculated as the total amount of equity granted in any year, divided by the number of common shares outstanding. For purposes of this calculation (i) stock options were counted in the year granted, and (ii) performance-based restricted share unit awards were counted in the year earned (and only to the extent earned). Our future burn rate will depend on a number of factors, including the number of participants in the 2019 Plan, our stock price, changes to our compensation strategy, changes in business practices or industry standards, changes in our capital structure due to stock splits or similar events, the compensation practices of our competitors or changes in compensation practices in the market generally, and the methodology used to establish the equity award mix.
Description of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan
The material features of the 2019 Plan are described below. The following description of the 2019 Plan is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the 2019 Plan, as amended and restated, which is attached as Exhibit B.
Purpose
The 2019 Plan is designed to secure and retain the services of our employees, directors, and consultants, provide incentives for our employees, directors, and consultants to exert maximum efforts for our success and our affiliates’ success, and provide a means by which our employees, directors, and consultants may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of our common stock.
Types of Awards
The terms of the 2019 Plan provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, other stock awards, and performance awards that may be settled in cash, stock, or other property.
Shares Available for Awards
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the share reserve under the 2019 Plan, as amended and restated, will not exceed 43,900,000 shares.
The following shares of our common stock will become available again for issuance under the 2019 Plan: (i) any shares subject to a stock award that are not issued because such stock award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to a stock award that are not issued because such stock award is settled in cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to a stock award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares.
The following shares of our common stock will not become available again for issuance under the 2019 Plan: (i) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an award (including any shares subject to such award that are not delivered because such stock award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to such award (i.e., “net exercised”)); (ii) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with a stock award; (iii) any shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise, strike or purchase price of a stock award; and (iv) in the event that a stock appreciation right is settled in shares of common stock, the gross number of shares subject to such award.
Eligibility
All of our employees and six non-employee directors as of April 12, 2024, were eligible to participate in the 2019 Plan and may receive all types of awards other than incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted under the 2019 Plan only to our employees (including officers) and employees of our affiliates.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit
Under the 2019 Plan, the maximum number of shares of our common stock subject to stock awards granted during any one calendar year to any of our non-employee directors, taken together with any cash fees paid by the Company to such non-employee director during such calendar year, will not exceed $600,000 in total value, or $750,000 with respect to the calendar year in which the individual is first appointed or elected to the board of directors (calculating the value of any such stock awards based on the grant date fair value of such stock awards for financial reporting purposes).
Administration
The 2019 Plan will be administered by our board of directors, which may in turn delegate authority to administer the 2019 Plan to a committee. Our board of directors has delegated concurrent authority to administer the 2019 Plan to our Compensation Committee, but may, at any time, revoke some or all of the power delegated to our Compensation Committee. Our board of directors and our Compensation Committee are each considered to be a Plan Administrator for purposes of this Proposal No. 3.
Subject to the terms of the 2019 Plan, the Plan Administrator may determine the recipients, the types of awards to be granted, the number of shares of our common stock subject to or the cash value of awards, and the terms and conditions of awards granted under the 2019 Plan, including the period of their exercisability and vesting. The Plan Administrator also has the authority to provide for accelerated exercisability and vesting of awards. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Plan Administrator also determines the fair market value applicable to a stock award and the exercise or strike price of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 2019 Plan.
The Plan Administrator may also delegate to one or more of our officers with the authority to designate employees who are not officers to be recipients of certain stock awards and the number of shares of our common stock subject to such stock awards. Under any such delegation, the Plan Administrator will specify the total number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to the stock awards granted by such officer. The officer may not grant a stock award to himself or herself.
Stock Options
Stock options may be granted under the 2019 Plan pursuant to stock option agreements. The 2019 Plan permits the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options, or ISOs, and nonstatutory stock options, or NSOs.
The exercise price of a stock option granted under the 2019 Plan may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the stock option on the date of grant and, in some cases (see “Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not be less than 110% of such fair market value. The closing price of a share as reported on Nasdaq on April 12, 2024, was $0.9101 per share.
The term of stock options granted under the 2019 Plan may not exceed ten years and, in some cases (see “Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not exceed five years. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates (referred to in this Proposal No. 3 as “continuous service”) terminates (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability), the participant may exercise any vested stock options for up to three months following the participant’s termination of continuous service. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service terminates due to the participant’s disability or death (or the participant dies within a specified period, if any, following termination of continuous service), the participant, or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, may exercise any vested stock options for up to 12 months following the participant’s termination due to the participant’s disability or for up to 18 months following the participant’s death.
Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service is terminated for cause (as defined in the 2019 Plan), all stock options held by the participant will terminate upon the participant’s termination of continuous service and the participant will be prohibited from exercising any stock option from and after such termination date. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, the term of a stock option may be extended if the exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability) would be prohibited by applicable securities laws or if the sale of any common stock received upon exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause) would violate our insider trading policy. In no event, however, may a stock option be exercised after its original expiration date.
Acceptable forms of consideration for the purchase of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of a stock option under the 2019 Plan will be determined by the Plan Administrator and may include payment: (i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us; (ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; (iii) by delivery to us of shares of our common stock (either by actual delivery or attestation); (iv) by a net exercise arrangement (for NSOs only); or (v) in other legal consideration approved by the Plan Administrator.
Stock options granted under the 2019 Plan may become exercisable in cumulative increments, or “vest,” as determined by the Plan Administrator at the rate specified in the stock option agreement. Shares covered by different stock options granted under the 2019 Plan may be subject to different vesting schedules as the Plan Administrator may determine.
Our board of directors may provide for limitations on the transferability of awards, in its sole discretion. Option awards are generally not transferable other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise provided under our 2019 Plan.
Limitations on Incentive Stock Options
The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of shares of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. The stock options or portions of stock options that exceed this limit or otherwise fail to qualify as ISOs are treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any affiliate unless the following conditions are satisfied:
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the exercise price of the ISO must be at least 110% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the ISO on the date of grant; and |
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the term of the ISO must not exceed five years from the date of grant. |
The aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs under the 2019 Plan is a number of shares of common stock equal to three multiplied by the total share reserve set forth above.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock appreciation rights may be granted under the 2019 Plan pursuant to stock appreciation right agreements. Each stock appreciation right is denominated in common stock share equivalents. The strike price of each stock appreciation right will be determined by the Plan Administrator, but will in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the stock appreciation right on the date of grant. The Plan Administrator may also impose restrictions or conditions upon the vesting of stock appreciation rights that it deems appropriate. The appreciation distribution payable upon exercise of a stock appreciation right may be paid in shares of our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the stock appreciation right agreement. Stock appreciation rights will be subject to the same conditions upon termination of continuous service and restrictions on transfer as stock options under the 2019 Plan.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan pursuant to restricted stock award agreements. A restricted stock award may be granted in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us, the participant’s services performed for us or any of our affiliates, or any other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Plan Administrator. Shares of our common stock acquired under a restricted stock award may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by us in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator. Rights to acquire shares of our common stock under a restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock award agreement. A restricted stock award agreement shall provide that any dividends paid on restricted stock will be subject to the same vesting conditions as apply to the shares subject to the restricted stock award. Upon a participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason, any shares subject to restricted stock awards held by the participant that have not vested as of such termination date may be forfeited to or repurchased by us.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Restricted stock unit awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements. Payment of any purchase price may be made in any form of legal consideration acceptable to the Plan Administrator. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by the delivery of shares of our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Restricted stock unit awards may be subject to vesting in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator. Dividend equivalents may be credited in cash or in respect of shares of our common stock covered by a restricted stock unit award, provided that any such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s restricted stock unit award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason.
Performance Awards
The 2019 Plan allows us to grant performance stock and cash awards.
A performance stock award is a stock award that is payable (including that may be granted, may vest, or may be exercised) contingent upon the attainment of pre-determined performance goals during a performance period. A performance stock award may require the completion of a specified period of continuous service. The length of any performance period, the performance goals to be achieved during the performance period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such performance goals have been attained will be determined by the Plan Administrator in its discretion. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the performance stock award agreement, the Plan Administrator may determine that cash may be used in payment of performance stock awards.
A performance cash award is a cash award that is payable contingent upon the attainment of pre-determined performance goals during a performance period. A performance cash award may require the completion of a specified period of continuous service. At the time of grant of a Performance Cash Award, the length of any performance period, the performance goals to be achieved during the performance period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such performance goals have been attained will be determined by our board of directors, except that the Plan Administrator also may make any such determinations. The Plan Administrator may specify the form of payment of performance cash awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for a participant to have the option for his or her performance cash award to be paid in cash or other property.
Performance goals could be based on any one or more of the following performance criteria: (1) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (2) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (3) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (4) total stockholder return; (5) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (6) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (7) stock price; (8) margin (including gross margin); (9) income (before or after taxes); (10) operating income; (11) operating income after taxes; (12) pre-tax profit; (13) operating cash flow; (14) sales or revenue targets; (15) increases in revenue or product revenue; (16) expenses and cost reduction goals; (17) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (18) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (19) market share; (20) cash flow; (21) cash flow per share; (22) share price performance; (23) debt reduction; (24) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (25) subscriber satisfaction; (26) stockholders’ equity; (27) capital expenditures; (28) debt levels; (29) operating profit or net operating profit; (30) workforce diversity; (31) growth of net income or operating income; (32) billings; (33) the number of subscribers, including but not limited to unique subscribers; (34) employee retention; and (35) other measures of performance selected by the Plan Administrator.
Performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. The Plan Administrator is authorized to make appropriate adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated net sales and operating earnings; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting standards required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (iv) to exclude the effects of any items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (v) to exclude the effects to any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; and (vi) to make other appropriate adjustments selected by the Plan Administrator.
In addition, the Plan Administrator retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon the attainment of any performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the performance criteria it selects to use for a performance period.
Other Stock Awards
Other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other stock awards under the 2019 Plan. Subject to the terms of the 2019 Plan, the Plan Administrator will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such other stock awards will be granted, the number of shares of our common stock to be granted and all other terms and conditions of such other stock awards.
Compensation Recovery (i.e., Clawback) Policy
Awards granted under the 2019 Plan are subject to recoupment in accordance with our Compensation Recovery Policy, which our board of directors adopted in October 2023. In addition, the Plan Administrator may impose other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an award agreement as the Plan Administrator determines necessary or appropriate, including a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of our common stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of cause.
Changes to Capital Structure
In the event of certain capitalization adjustments, the Plan Administrator will appropriately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the 2019 Plan; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs; and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding stock awards.
Corporate Transaction
In the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the 2019 Plan and described below), the Plan Administrator may take one or more of the following actions with respect to stock awards, contingent upon the closing or consummation of the corporate transaction:
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arrange for the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) to assume or continue the award or to substitute a similar stock award for the award (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to our stockholders pursuant to the transaction); |
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arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the stock award to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company); |
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accelerate the vesting (and, if applicable, the exercisability) of the stock award and provide for its termination prior to the effective time of the transaction; |
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arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the award; |
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cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award, to the extent not vested or exercised prior to the effective time of the transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the board of directors may consider appropriate; and |
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make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the board of directors, equal to the excess, if any, of the value of the property the participant would have received upon exercise of the awards prior to the transaction over any exercise price payable by the participant in connection with the exercise. The plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards or portions of stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in the same manner. |
The Plan Administrator is not required to take the same action with respect to all stock awards or portions of stock awards or with respect to all participants. The Plan Administrator may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a stock award.
For purposes of the 2019 Plan, a corporate transaction generally will be deemed to occur in the event of the consummation of: (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets; (ii) a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities; (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation; or (iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.
Change in Control
In the event of a change in control, awards granted under the 2019 Plan will not receive automatic acceleration of vesting and exercisability, although this treatment may be provided for in an award agreement. Under the 2019 Plan, a change in control is defined to include (1) the acquisition of any person of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our then outstanding stock; (2) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which our stockholders immediately prior to the transaction do not own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity (or the parent of the surviving entity); (3) a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets to an entity that did not previously hold more than 50% of the voting power over our capital stock and (4) individuals who constitute our incumbent board of directors ceasing to constitute at least a majority of our board of directors.
Plan Amendments and Termination
Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our 2019 Plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. No incentive stock options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date our board of directors adopted our 2019 Plan. No stock awards may be granted under our 2019 Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences to participants and us with respect to participation in the 2019 Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any local, state, or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any participant may depend on his or her particular situation, each participant should consult the participant’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired the 2019 Plan. The 2019 Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.
Nonstatutory Stock Options
Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of an NSO if the stock option is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Upon exercise, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. If the participant is employed by us or one of our affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding taxes. The participant’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to his or her fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock option, and the participant’s capital gain holding period for those shares will begin on that date.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.
Incentive Stock Options
The 2019 Plan provides for the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, a participant generally is not subject to ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. If the participant holds a share received upon exercise of an ISO for more than two years from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year from the date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to as the required holding period, the difference, if any, between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the participant’s tax basis in that share will be long-term capital gain or loss.
If, however, a participant disposes of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the required holding period, which is referred to as a disqualifying disposition, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. However, if the sales proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale. If the amount realized on a disqualifying disposition exceeds the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the holding period for the share exceeds one year.
For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market value of a share of stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of the stock option generally will be an adjustment included in the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the stock option is exercised. If, however, there is a disqualifying disposition of the share in the year in which the stock option is exercised, there will be no adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to that share. In computing alternative minimum taxable income, the tax basis of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO is increased by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to that share for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year the stock option is exercised.
We are not allowed a tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO after the required holding period. If there is a disqualifying disposition of a share, however, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant, subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and provided that either the employee includes that amount in income or we timely satisfy our reporting requirements with respect to that amount.
Exercise of Stock Options
Acceptable forms of consideration for the purchase of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of a stock option under the 2019 Plan will be determined by the Plan Administrator and may include payment: (i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us; (ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; or (iii) in other legal consideration approved by the Plan Administrator.
Restricted Stock Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock.
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock award.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock unit award structured to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. To comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the stock subject to a restricted stock unit award may generally only be delivered upon one of the following events: a fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death, disability or a change in control. If delivery occurs on another date, unless the restricted stock unit award otherwise complies with or qualifies for an exception to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (including delivery upon achievement of a performance goal), in addition to the tax treatment described above, the recipient will owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock unit award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized when the stock is delivered.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock unit award.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock appreciation rights are granted pursuant to stock appreciation grant agreements adopted by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator determines the purchase price or strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of common stock on the date of grant. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, we will pay the participant an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess, if any, of the per share fair market value of common stock on the date of exercise over the purchase price or strike price and (2) the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. This amount may be paid in shares of common stock, in cash, in any combination of cash and shares of common stock or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the award agreement. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2019 Plan vests at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the Plan Administrator.
The Plan Administrator determines the term of stock appreciation rights granted under the 2019 Plan, which may be up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of a participant’s stock appreciation right agreement provide otherwise, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause, disability or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The term of the stock appreciation right may be further extended in the event that exercise of the stock appreciation right following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or by our insider trading policy. If a participant’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases due to disability or death, or a participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant (or, if applicable, a beneficiary) may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of 12 months (in the case of disability) or 18 months (in the case of death). Stock appreciation rights generally terminate immediately upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
New Plan Benefits
The Compensation Committee and the board of directors retain discretion under the 2019 Plan to determine which directors, officers, employees, and consultants will receive awards and the amount and type of awards. Therefore, we are not able to determine the total number of individuals who will participate in the 2019 Plan or the total amount of awards granted thereunder.
Registration with the SEC
The Company intends to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the issuance of additional shares under the 2019 Plan with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act after approval of the amended and restated 2019 Plan by our stockholders.
Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
Approval of this Proposal No. 3 requires that the proposal be approved by a majority of the votes cast on Proposal No. 3. Abstentions and broker non-votes will count towards a quorum and have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal No. 3.
The board of directors recommends that our stockholders adopt the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the amended and restated 2019 Equity Incentive Plan is hereby APPROVED.”
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2022 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
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What am I voting on? |
To approve an amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,800,000 shares to 3,600,000 shares. |
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Vote recommendation: |
“FOR” the approval of the amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
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Vote required: |
A majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
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Effect of abstentions: |
None. |
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Effect of broker non-votes: |
None. |
Summary of the Proposal
At the Annual Meeting, we will request that our stockholders approve an amendment and restatement of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2022 ESPP”), attached hereto as Exhibit C. The amendment and restatement of the 2022 ESPP was approved by our board of directors on March 12, 2024, subject to approval by our stockholders. If approved, the amendment and restatement will increase the number of shares of our common stock reserved under the 2022 ESPP by 1,800,000 shares to 3,600,000 shares.
The effectiveness of this Proposal No. 4 and the adoption of the amended and restated 2022 ESPP is contingent on the approval of Proposal No. 2 to approve an amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. As a result, if the stockholders do not approve Proposal No. 2, then the amended and restated 2022 ESPP cannot become operative even if the stockholders approve this Proposal No. 4.
Requested Shares
The 2022 ESPP was initially approved by our stockholders on August 4, 2022. At that time, 1,800,000 shares were reserved for issuance under the 2022 ESPP, subject to equitable adjustments to reflect a share split, reverse share split, share dividend, combination, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization, arrangement or reclassification of the shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.
The board of directors believes in improving opportunities for our employees to reap the benefits of increases in our stock’s value. The ability to contribute a portion of earnings to purchase our shares represents a key benefit for our employees. We believe that the 2022 ESPP improves our ability to attract, retain, and incentivize our talent, and ultimately, better aligns the interests of our employees with those of our stockholders.
Therefore, the Board believes that it is in the Company’s and the stockholders’ best interests to ensure that the 2022 ESPP reserves a sufficient number of shares of common stock to allow the 2022 ESPP to continue to operate without restriction or interruption for approximately two years.
Based on current employee participation rates in the 2022 ESPP, the Company expects that the number of shares allocated for issuance under the 2022 ESPP will be exhausted during 2024. Therefore, the board of directors proposes to amend and restate the 2022 ESPP to allow for the issuance of an additional 1,800,000 shares of common stock under the 2022 ESPP, which it has determined is reasonable and appropriate at this time. In addition, as of April 12, 2024, a total of 1,065,325 shares were available for future purchases under the ESPP and employees purchased a total of 734,675 shares under the ESPP during 2023. The proposed increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2022 ESPP represents approximately 1.02% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of April 12, 2024.
Summary of the 2022 ESPP
The following general description of material features of the 2022 ESPP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the 2022 ESPP set forth in Exhibit C.
Purpose and Eligibility
The 2022 ESPP is intended to assist our employees in acquiring share ownership interest in Vaxart, to encourage our employees to remain with Vaxart, and to better align their interests with those of our stockholders. The 2022 ESPP is intended to have two components: a component intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code (the “423 Component”) and a component that is not intended to so qualify (the “Non-423 Component”). Except as otherwise provided, the Non-423 Component will be operated and administered in the same manner as the 423 Component, except where prohibited by law.
Our executive officers and all our other employees who have worked at Vaxart will be allowed to participate in the 2022 ESPP, provided that (a) they are customarily scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week; and (b) their customary employment is more than five months in a calendar year. The administrator may, in its discretion, exclude any or all of the following unless prohibited by applicable law, so long as, for offerings under the 423 Component, any such exclusion is applied uniformly to all employees: (i) any employee who is a highly compensated employee (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code) or any highly compensated employee with compensation above a specified level, who is an officer, or who is subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act; or (ii) any employee who is a citizen or resident of a jurisdiction outside the United States if the grant of the option is prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction governing such employee or compliance with the laws of the jurisdiction would cause the Section 423 Component or any offering or option granted thereunder to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any employee who, after the granting of the option, would possess 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of Vaxart shall not be eligible. In addition, no employee shall be granted an option under the Section 423 Component which permits the employee to purchase shares under all of our “employee stock purchase plans” that would accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of fair market value of our stock (determined at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time.
Administration
The 2022 ESPP will be administered by the Compensation Committee or its delegates, subject to applicable laws. The administrator will have full and exclusive authority to interpret the terms of the 2022 ESPP and determine eligibility, subject to the conditions of the 2022 ESPP, as described below.
Share Reserve
The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the 2022 ESPP will be equal to 3,600,000 shares, subject to equitable adjustments to reflect a share split, reverse share split, share dividend, combination, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization, arrangement or reclassification of the shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. Shares made available for sale under the 2022 ESPP may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. If any right granted under the 2022 ESPP shall for any reason terminate without having been exercised, the shares not purchased under such right shall again become available for issuance under the 2022 ESPP.
Contributions and Purchases
The 2022 ESPP will permit participants to purchase common stock through contributions (in the form of payroll deductions or otherwise to the extent permitted by the administrator) of up to 15% of their eligible compensation, which includes a participant’s regular earnings or base salary, but excludes bonuses and commissions, equity compensation and other similar compensation. The 2022 ESPP initially will have purchase periods of approximately 6 months in duration commencing with the first trading day after one exercise date and ending with the next exercise date, as determined by the administrator. The offering periods will start on such trading days as determined by the administrator prior to each such offering period. The administrator may, in its discretion, modify the terms of future purchase periods and offering periods, provided that no offering period may be longer than 27 months.
Amounts contributed and accumulated by the participant during any offering period will be used to purchase shares of our common stock at the end of each six-month purchase period. The purchase price of the shares will be 85% of the lower of the fair market value of our common stock on the first trading day of the offering period or on the last trading day of the offering period. As of April 12, 2024, the closing market price of a share of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq was $0.9101 per share.
Withdrawal and Termination of Participation
A participant may withdraw from the 2022 ESPP voluntarily at any time by filing a notice of withdrawal prior to the close of business on the date established by the administrator. A participant will be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the plan upon the termination of the participant’s employment for any reason or in the event the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the 2022 ESPP.
Restriction on Transfers
A participant may not transfer rights granted under the 2022 ESPP other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise provided under the 2022 ESPP.
Adjustments
In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits available under the 2022 ESPP, the administrator will make adjustments, as it may deem equitable, to the number and class of shares that may be delivered, the applicable purchase price for shares, and/or the numerical share limits, pursuant to the 2022 ESPP.
Dissolution or Liquidation
In the event of our proposed liquidation or dissolution, any offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new exercise date, and will terminate immediately prior to such liquidation or dissolution unless otherwise determined by the administrator. The administrator will notify participants of the new exercise date in writing or electronically, at which time any participant’s purchase rights will be automatically exercised, unless the participant has earlier withdrawn from the offering period.
Certain Transactions
In the event of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction, an acquiring or successor corporation may assume or substitute each outstanding option. If the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the outstanding option, the offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new exercise date. The administrator will notify each participant in writing or electronically that the exercise date has been changed and that the participant’s option will be exercised automatically on the new exercise date, unless the participant has already withdrawn from the offering period.
Effective Date
The 2022 ESPP was approved by the board of directors on March 12, 2024, subject to stockholder approval. If approved by our stockholders, the 2022 ESPP will be effective on the date it is approved by our stockholders.
Amendment or Termination
The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the 2022 ESPP at any time and from time to time. Unless earlier terminated by the board of directors, the 2022 ESPP shall automatically terminate at the end of the day immediately prior to the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the 2022 ESPP. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision), with respect to the Section 423 Component, or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the 2022 ESPP in such a manner and to such a degree as required by Section 423 of the Code or such other law, regulation or rule.
Summary of Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
Section 423 Component
The following summary is intended only as a general guide to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of participation in the 2022 ESPP under the 423 Component. The summary is based on existing U.S. laws and regulations, and there can be no assurance that those laws and regulations will not change in the future. The summary does not purport to be complete and does not discuss the tax consequences upon a participant’s death, or the provisions of the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which the participant may reside. As a result, tax consequences for any particular participant may vary based on individual circumstances.
The rights of participants to make purchases under the 2022 ESPP are intended to qualify under the provisions of Section 423 of the Code. Assuming such qualification, no income will be taxable to a participant until the sale or other disposition of shares purchased under the 2022 ESPP. Upon such sale or disposition, the participant will generally be subject to tax in an amount that depends upon the holding period of such shares prior to disposing of them.
If the shares are sold or disposed of more than two years from the first day of the offering period during which the shares were purchased and more than one year from the date of purchase, or if the participant dies while holding the shares, the participant (or his or her estate) will recognize ordinary income generally measured as the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time such sale or disposition over the purchase price of such shares or (ii) an amount equal to 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the first day of the offering period. Any additional gain will be treated as long-term capital gain. If the shares are held for at least the holding periods described above but are sold for a price that is less than the purchase price, there will be no ordinary income and the difference will be a long-term capital loss. We will not be entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of a right to purchase our shares, or the sale of such shares by a participant, where such participant holds such shares for at least the holding periods described above.
Any sale or other disposition of shares before the expiration of the holding periods described above will be a “disqualifying disposition,” and the participant will recognize ordinary income generally measured as the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date the shares are purchased over the purchase price, and we will be entitled to an income tax deduction for such ordinary income. Any additional gain or loss on such sale or disposition will be a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period following the date the shares were purchased by the participant prior to such sale or disposition, and we will not be entitled to an income tax deduction for any such capital gain.
Non-423 Component
The following summary is intended only as a general guide to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of participation in the 2022 ESPP under the Non-423 Component. Rights granted under the Non- 423 Component are not intended to qualify for favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment associated with rights granted under an “employee stock purchase plan” that qualifies under provisions of Section 423 of the Code. Under this component, a participant will have compensation income equal to the value of the shares at the time of purchase, less the purchase price. When a participant sells shares purchased under the ESPP, he or she also will have a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the value of shares at the time of purchase. Any capital gain or loss will be short-term or long-term, depending on how long the shares have been held.
Any compensation income that a participant receives upon sale of shares that he or she purchased under the Non-423 Component is subject to withholding for income, Medicare and social security taxes, as applicable.
New Plan Benefits
Participation in the 2022 ESPP is voluntary and each eligible employee will make his or her own decision whether and to what extent to participate in the 2022 ESPP. It is therefore not possible to determine the benefits or amounts that will be received in the future by individual employees or groups of employees under the 2022 ESPP.
Registration with the SEC
The Company intends to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the issuance of shares under the 2022 ESPP with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act after approval of the 2022 ESPP by our stockholders.
Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
Approval of this Proposal No. 4 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on Proposal No. 4. Abstentions and broker non-votes will count towards a quorum and have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal No. 4.
The board of directors recommends that our stockholders adopt the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that that the amended and restated 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is hereby APPROVED.”
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL NO. 4.
PROPOSAL NO. 5
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
What am I voting on? |
Ratification of the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024. |
|
Vote recommendation: |
“FOR” the ratification of WithumSmith+Brown, PC. |
|
Vote required: |
A majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
|
Effect of abstentions: |
None. |
|
Effect of broker non-votes: |
Because this is a routine proposal, we do not expect that there will be any broker non-votes. |
The Audit Committee of the board of directors has selected WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024 and has further directed that management submit the selection of its independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Our lead audit partner at WithumSmith+Brown, PC serves no more than five consecutive years in that role. Representatives of WithumSmith+Brown, PC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Neither our Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to Vaxart for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, by WithumSmith+Brown, PC.
|
WithumSmith+Brown, PC for the Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
WithumSmith+Brown, PC for the Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
|
Audit Fees (1) |
$ | 669,361 | $ | 707,227 | ||||
|
Audit-Related Fees |
- | - | ||||||
|
Tax Fees |
- | - | ||||||
|
All Other Fees |
- | - | ||||||
|
Total Fees |
$ | 669,361 | $ | 707,227 | ||||
|
(1) |
Audit Fees consisted of fees for professional services rendered for the audits of our financial statements, including the audits of our annual financial statements and reviews of our interim quarterly reports, and services provided in connection with SEC filings, including consents and comfort letters. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm, WithumSmith+Brown, PC. The policy generally pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services and tax services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of the Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, explicit, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service. The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committee’s members, but the decision must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by WithumSmith+Brown, PC is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
All services rendered by WithumSmith+Brown, PC for the year ended December 31, 2023 were pre-approved in accordance with the policies set forth above.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL NO. 5.
TO APPROVE, ON A NON-BINDING, ADVISORY BASIS, THE COMPENSATION
OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT
|
What am I voting on? |
A non-binding vote, known as “say-on-pay,” to approve the 2023 compensation of our named executive officers. |
|
Vote recommendation: |
“FOR” the approval of our 2023 named executive officer compensation. |
|
Vote required: |
A majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
|
Effect of abstentions: |
None. |
|
Effect of broker non-votes: |
None. |
In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to vote on a non-binding advisory basis, commonly referred to as “say-on-pay”, to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in the compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement. The board of directors has adopted, consistent with the stockholders’ vote on the matter in 2023, a policy of providing for annual “say-on-pay” votes until the next vote on the frequency of such advisory votes, which is currently expected to occur at the 2029 annual meeting of stockholders. This “say-on-pay” vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies, and practices described in this proxy statement.
This non-binding, advisory proposal is not binding on the board of directors or us. Nevertheless, the views expressed by the stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to management and the board of directors and, accordingly, the board of directors and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding named executive officer compensation arrangements.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The board of directors recommends that our stockholders adopt the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the Executive Compensation section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying narrative disclosure and related material, set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting, is hereby APPROVED.”
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers as of the record date.
|
Name |
Age |
Position(s) |
||
|
Steven Lo |
57 |
President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer, and Director |
||
|
Phillip E. Lee |
37 |
Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer |
||
|
Sean Tucker, Ph.D. |
56 |
Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer |
||
|
Edward B. Berg |
60 |
Senior Vice President and General Counsel |
||
|
James Cummings, M.D. |
58 |
Chief Medical Officer |
The following is biographical information regarding our executive officers, with the exception of Mr. Lo, as of the record date. The biographical information of Mr. Lo is set forth above under Proposal No. 1.
Phillip E. Lee has served as our Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer since December 2022. Prior to joining Vaxart, Mr. Lee was an executive at Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd., a global biotechnology company developing novel vaccines and biologic therapeutics, and served as Chief Financial Officer from January 2021 to July 2022, Chief Operating Officer from February 2022 to July 2022, and Chief Business Officer from January 2021 to February 2022. From April 2018 to January 2021, he served at 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company harnessing the power of directed evolution for targeted genetic medicines, as Senior Director, Finance and was subsequently promoted to Vice President, Finance in January 2019. From December 2015 to March 2018, he served at Cytokinetics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing muscle activators and muscle inhibitors, as Director, Corporate Finance and Business Analysis and was subsequently promoted to Senior Director, Corporate Finance and FP&A in November 2017. He began his career as an investment banker and served at Centerview Partners LLC from June 2009 to July 2015 in positions of increasing responsibility with his last position being Principal. Mr. Lee received a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley.
Sean Tucker, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since February 2010, and as Senior Vice President since March 2021. From March 2004 to February 2010, Dr. Tucker served as our Vice President of Research and Director of Immunology. Prior to these roles, Dr. Tucker held numerous scientific and engineering roles at various biotechnology companies. Dr. Tucker received a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Washington, an M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Washington.
Edward B. Berg has served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since February 2022. Mr. Berg has served in senior legal positions at prominent healthcare companies for most of his more than 30-year career and has represented Fortune 500 and mid-cap companies in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Prior to Vaxart, he served as VP, Deputy General Counsel for BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. from July 2018 to January 2022. Mr. Berg previously served as VP Legal and the head attorney supporting Novartis AG’s biosimilar / generic subsidiary, Sandoz US, from June 2016 to June 2018. Mr. Berg’s previous roles include Deputy General Counsel, Pharmaceutical Operations for Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC and Sanofi NA Pharmaceuticals, and Senior Corporate Counsel, Research & Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Inc. He began his career in healthcare as Senior Attorney / Associate Counsel for Merck & Co, Inc. Mr. Berg received a B.A. from Washington University in economics and political science and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
James Cummings, M.D. has served as our Chief Medical Officer since August 2021. Preceding his role at Vaxart, Dr. Cummings served as President of ICON Government and Public Health Solutions, Inc., a global clinical research organization, from January 2018 until September 2021, providing clinical trial and functional services to government and commercial customers, in support of global health. Prior to joining ICON, Dr. Cummings served as Vice President of Clinical Development and Translational Medicine at Novavax, Inc. from September 2015 until January 2018. There he led the development programs for all Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases to provide a timely, broad response across the spectrum of emerging infectious diseases. Colonel (Retired) Cummings enjoyed a 26-year career in the U.S. Army with a proven track record in vaccine, drug and diagnostics development, most recently as Director of the Department of Defense (DoD) Global Emerging Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Response Systems (DoD GEIS) leading Biosurveillance for the US DoD with laboratories and partners in 71 countries, along with serving as the Consultant to the Surgeon General for all medical research and development. A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Medicine, Dr. Cummings trained in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Fellowships at Walter Reed and the National Capital Consortium and has been elected to fellow in the American College of Physicians (FACP), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (FIDSA) and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (FASTMH).
This section describes the 2023 compensation program established by the Compensation Committee for our named executive officers. Our named executive officers for 2023 were:
|
Name |
Position |
|
Andrei Floroiu, M.B.A. |
Former President and Chief Executive Officer* |
|
Sean Tucker, Ph.D. |
Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer |
|
James Cummings, M.D. |
Chief Medical Officer |
* On January 15, 2024, Mr. Floroiu resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Compensation Objectives
Our mission is the promotion of global health through the development of effective vaccines that can be administered by tablet rather than by injection, providing for the simple and efficient distribution and administration of safe vaccines in any setting. We operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry and continue to evolve our businesses. Our compensation objectives for 2023 are outlined below.
|
Compensation Objective |
Description |
|
Pay-For-Performance |
Emphasize performance-based compensation to motivate executives to achieve strong financial, operational and individual performance in a manner that balances short-term and long-term results |
|
Talent Retention |
Attract and retain high-caliber executives who can effectively manage our complex global business. |
|
Alignment with Stockholder Interests |
Align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders by making stock-based incentives a core element of our executives’ compensation. |
Pay-for-Performance
The guiding principle of our compensation philosophy is that pay should be linked to performance and that the interests of executives and stockholders should be aligned. That principle is embedded in our compensation program, which is designed to optimize alignment between executive pay and actual results.
As described below, the variable components of our compensation program for 2023 were short-term incentives (“STI”) and long-term incentives (“LTI”). Our STI opportunities were provided under an annual cash bonus plan, the payout of which was dependent on corporate and individual performance. Our LTI opportunities were provided through stock options.
Say-on-Pay
The Compensation Committee has considered the results of the most recent stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation in determining compensation policies and decisions. The Company received support from our stockholders for our executive compensation program in 2023, with a favorable “say-on-pay” vote at our 2023 annual meeting of approximately 62% of the votes cast. The Compensation Committee viewed this result as confirmation that our compensation program is appropriately structured to support our strategic initiatives and our pay-for-performance commitment.
Market Practices
Competitive Compensation Levels
We believe that each element of our compensation program should remain competitive in order to retain, and, if necessary, attract experienced, high-caliber executives.
When setting 2023 compensation levels for the named executive officers, the Compensation Committee retained Aon Consulting, Inc. (“Aon”) as its independent compensation consultant, reporting directly to the Compensation Committee and serving at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. During its engagement, Aon was asked to review competitive compensation data, including pay mix and compensation levels. The compensation data was derived from several sources, including the companies in a compensation peer group established by the Compensation Committee, upon advice of Aon, and select compensation surveys. Each of these sources is described below.
For 2023, the Compensation Committee generally attempted to structure base salary and total cash compensation for named executive officers at approximately the 25th to 50th percentile of the market data and LTI opportunities at approximately the 50th to 75th percentile of the market data. The Compensation Committee, however, retained discretion to adjust specific compensation elements and levels above or below these guidelines in order to respond to market conditions, promotions, new hires, individual performance or other circumstances.
Compensation Peer Group
Our compensation peer group consisted of 18 public life science companies that have the following characteristics:
|
● |
US-based, publicly traded, early-stage pre-commercial biopharma companies that sit in biotech “hub” locations |
|
● |
Headcount generally below 200 employees |
|
● |
Market capitalization generally between $100 million and $1.3 billion |
The members of the compensation peer group are as follows:
|
Compensation Peer Group |
|
|
Altimmune |
Iteos Therapeutics |
|
AnaptysBio |
Jounce Therapeutics |
|
Arcturus Therapeutics |
KalVista Pharmaceuticals |
|
Armata Pharmaceuticals |
Kezar Life Sciences |
|
Finch Therapeutics Group |
RAPT Therapeutics |
|
Gritstone bio |
Scholar Rock |
|
IDEAYA Biosciences |
Selecta Biosciences |
|
Inhibrx |
Sutro Biopharma |
|
Inovio Pharmaceuticals |
Vaxxinity |
The Compensation Committee also reviews market data from a special cut of the Radford Global Life Sciences Survey.
Elements of Total Direct Compensation
A brief summary of our total direct compensation - consisting of base salary, STI opportunities and LTI opportunities - for our named executive officers is set forth below.
Annual Base Salaries
We provide a base salary to retain and attract key executive talent and to align our compensation with market practices. Base salaries are reviewed and established by the Compensation Committee on a competitive basis each year to align with market levels.
During the annual performance review process in 2023, the base salaries for our named executive officers were increased, as set forth below. The adjustments during the annual review process generally were intended to align with the market data and reflect internal pay equity considerations. The 2022 and 2023 base salary levels for our named executive officer were as follows:
|
Named Executive Officer |
2022 Annual Base Salary |
2023 Annual Base Salary |
|
Mr. Floroiu |
$550,000 |
$572,000 |
|
Dr. Tucker |
$401,500 |
$433,620 |
|
Dr. Cummings |
$440,000 |
$457,600 |
For more information about the 2023 base salaries for each of our named executive officers, please refer to the “Salary” column of the 2023 Summary Compensation Table on page 51 of this proxy statement.
Short-Term Incentive Compensation
The STI program is designed to motivate our named executive officers to achieve annual business plan objectives and individual goals.
Each year the Compensation Committee establishes a STI award opportunity for our officers. During the annual performance review process in 2023, the Compensation Committee established the short-term incentive opportunity for each of the named executive officers as listed below, which remained unchanged from 2022 levels:
|
Named Executive Officer |
2023 STI Opportunity |
|
Mr. Floroiu |
50% |
|
Dr. Tucker |
40% |
|
Dr. Cummings |
40% |
The 2023 STI payout levels were determined by the Compensation Committee based on an overall assessment of corporate performance and individual contributions. The Compensation Committee approved certain corporate goals and objectives at the beginning of the year that generally focused on deliverables with respect to five primary areas: the norovirus program, manufacturing, research, program portfolio and strength of our balance sheet. Based on its assessment of overall corporate performance and the individual contributions of each participating executive, and its desire to retain a management team that is essential to our continued success, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the board of directors approved, an overall achievement level of 70% for the 2023 STI program.
The amount of the 2023 STI award payable to each named executive officer is set forth in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the 2023 Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement at page 51.
Long-Term Incentives
The Compensation Committee believes that a competitive LTI program is an important component of total direct compensation because it: (i) enhances the retentive value of our compensation; (ii) rewards executives for increasing our stock price and developing long-term value; and (iii) provides executives with an opportunity for stock ownership to align their interests with those of our stockholders.
During the annual performance review process in 2023, the Compensation Committee, with the help of Aon, its independent compensation consultant, conducted a review of the LTI award opportunities for our officers. The Compensation Committee recommended, and the board approved, the following allocation between stock options and RSUs:
|
● |
Stock options represented 75% of the long-term incentive opportunity, with one-fourth of the shares underlying the stock options vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining shares vesting thereafter in thirty-six equal monthly installments, so that all of the options shares would be fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date; and |
|
● |
RSUs represented 25% of the long-term incentive opportunity (but reduced by 50% to reflect that they are full value awards), with one-fourth of the shares underlying the RSUs vesting on each anniversary of the grant date, so that all of the RSUs would be fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. |
The following table reflects the stock options and RSUs granted to our named executive officers in 2023 under the LTI program:
|
Named Executive Officer |
Number of Option Shares |
Number of RSUs |
|
Mr. Floroiu |
750,000 |
175,000 |
|
Dr. Tucker |
410,000 |
90,000 |
|
Dr. Cummings |
410,000 |
90,000 |
2023 Retention Program
In February 2023, the Compensation Committee approved a company-wide retention program to boost morale and incentivize all employees to remain at the Company at least through the norovirus challenge data. The Compensation Committee believed that it was essential to maintain a consistent and focused workforce during this critical period, especially in light of the reduction-in-force. In this regard, the named executive officers received the following retention awards, which vested on December 8, 2023:
|
Named Executive Officer |
Cash Retention Bonus (Paid in RSUs) |
Number of |
Number of RSUs |
|
Mr. Floroiu |
$72,334 |
400,000 |
100,000 |
|
Dr. Tucker |
$42,243 |
205,000 |
45,000 |
|
Dr. Cummings |
$46,293 |
205,000 |
45,000 |
Additional Compensation Arrangements
Severance Benefit Plan
Each of the named executive officers participates in the Severance Benefit Plan (the “Severance Plan”).
Under the Severance Plan, if a participating named executive officer were terminated other than for cause, death or disability, or resigned for good reason, other than in connection with a change in control, he would be entitled to receive (i) continued payment of base salary for six months, and (ii) the portion of health insurance premiums paid by the Company, prior to the termination, under our group health insurance plans as provided under COBRA, until the end of the applicable salary continuation period (or, if earlier, such time as the named executive officer is eligible for health insurance coverage with a subsequent employer).
If a participating named executive officer were terminated other than for cause, death or disability, or resigned for good reason, either during the three months before or in the twelve months after a change in control, then he would be entitled to receive (in lieu of the benefits described above): (i) lump sum cash severance equal twelve months of base salary, (ii) the portion of health insurance premiums paid by the Company, prior to the termination, under our group health insurance plans as provided under COBRA, until the end of the applicable salary continuation period (or, if earlier, such time as the named executive officer is eligible for health insurance coverage with a subsequent employer), (iii) full vesting of any unvested time-based equity awards, and (iv) a pro-rated target annual bonus for the year of termination.
In exchange for the severance benefits, the participating named executive officers must agree to comply with the Company’s standard employee invention assignment and confidentiality agreement, return all company property, and sign a release of claims in favor of the Company.
For purposes of the Severance Plan, the term “cause” generally means (i) engaging in willful or gross misconduct or willful or gross neglect; (ii) the commission of a felony or a crime involving any of the following: moral turpitude, dishonesty, breach of trust or unethical business conduct; or the commission of any crime involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (iii) fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement; or (iv) the abuse of illegal drugs or other controlled substances or habitual intoxication while providing services for the Company or any of its affiliates.
The term “good reason” generally means the occurrence of any of the following events without the participant’s consent; (i) a material diminution in base salary or target bonus; (ii) a material diminution in authority, duties, or responsibilities; or (iii) a relocation of the principal place of employment or service to a location that increases his or her one-way commute distance by more than 35 miles, subject to applicable notice and cure provisions.
The Severance Plan does not provide a tax gross‐up for named executive officers or any other employees in the event they are subject to golden parachute excise taxes on severance or other payments received in connection with a change in control. The Severance Plan promotes retention incentives for our executives by establishing severance protections for participants that are consistent with market levels, while eliminating the need to negotiate individual severance agreements in connection with an executive’s termination or at the time of hire. The enhanced benefits available upon a change in control increase our retention incentives by reducing the personal uncertainty that arises from the possibility of a future business combination and promoting objectivity in the evaluation of transactions that are in the best interests of our stockholders.
Mr. Floroiu
In connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Floroiu entered into a letter agreement with the Company, dated as of June 14, 2020. The letter agreement provided for an initial base salary of $400,000 per year, an initial “target” bonus opportunity of 50% of his annual base salary and coverage under the Severance Plan, with his “Non-CiC Severance Period”, as defined in the Severance Plan, set at three months and his “CiC Severance Period”, as defined in the Severance Plan, set at six months. On May 2, 2023, the board of directors approved an amendment to Mr. Floroiu’s offer letter to increase his “Non-CiC Severance Period” to 6 months, and to increase his “CiC Severance Period” to 12 months.
Under his letter agreement, Mr. Floroiu received a stock option on June 15, 2020 to purchase 845,280 shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, which vests as follows: 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date and 75% in equal monthly installments over the three-year period commencing on such first anniversary, with accelerated vesting with respect to 50% of any then-unvested option shares upon the Company’s execution of a strategic agreement, as determined by the board, and with accelerated vesting in full in the event of a “change in control”. On that same date, Mr. Floroiu received a stock option to purchase 900,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, which vested as follows: (i) one-third if the Company achieves a per share closing price equal to $5.00 or more during any 10-consecutive trading days after the grant date but before November 30, 2020 or such later date as determined by the board (the “Reference Date”), (ii) one-third if the Company achieves a per share closing price equal to $7.50 or more during any 10-consecutive trading days after the grant date but before the Reference Date, and (iii) one-third if the Company achieves a per share closing price equal to $10.00 or more during any 10-consecutive trading days after the grant date but before the Reference Date, in each case subject to continued employment. The performance-based stock option has already vested in full. Mr. Floroiu will not receive any non-employee director cash retainers or other compensation under the Company’s director compensation program for his services as a director while he is serving as Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the letter agreement provides that during the period of his employment with the Company and for a period of two years thereafter, Mr. Floroiu will not compete anywhere in the world outside the State of California with the Company to develop, sell, market, or offer to sell products that are competitive with any products being developed or sold by the Company.
On January 31, 2024, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu. Pursuant to the separation agreement, the Company agreed to provide Mr. Floroiu with the following payments and benefits: (i) continued base salary for 12 months, (ii) subsidized health insurance premiums for 12 months, (iii) the 2023 bonus, if any, to which he would have been entitled to receive had he remained employed by the Company through the payout date, (iv) reimbursement of up to $5,000 in attorney fees incurred in negotiating the agreement, (v) accelerated vesting of his equity awards that would have vested through September 30, 2024, and (vi) up to two years to exercise his vested stock options after termination of employment. In exchange for these benefits, Mr. Floroiu signed a release of claims in favor of the Company and agreed to certain confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation of personnel and customers, non-disparagement and cooperation covenants. The separation benefits were conditioned upon Mr. Floroiu’s non-revocation of the release of claims and his compliance with the restrictive covenants.
Dr. Tucker
In connection with his appointment as Vice President, Research and Director of Immunology, Dr. Tucker entered into a letter agreement with the Company, dated as of May 20, 2006. The letter agreement provided that, if Dr. Tucker’s employment were terminated without “cause”, or he voluntarily resigned for “good reason”, then one-half of his then outstanding and unvested stock options shall vest and become immediately exercisable, except that if there are fewer than one-half of the option shares unvested at that time, then all remaining unvested option shares would vest and become immediately exercisable. During the term of his employment, Dr. Tucker agreed that he would not render any commercial or professional services of any nature to any person or organization, whether or not for compensation, without the prior written consent of the board of directors. He also agreed not to directly or indirectly engage or participate in any business that is competitive with the Company's business.
Dr. Cummings
In connection with his appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the Company, Dr. Cummings entered into a letter agreement with the Company, dated as of August 16, 2021. The letter agreement provides for an initial base salary of $400,000 per year, an initial “target” bonus opportunity of 40% of his annual base salary and an initial grant of a stock option covering 300,000 shares (effective when he commenced the consulting services described below). In addition, the letter agreement provided that, prior to his start date, Dr. Cummings would provide certain consulting services to the Company at the direction of the Chief Executive Officer with respect to clinical and regulatory matters (including clinical trial design and regulatory strategies both in the U.S. and abroad), interactions with pan-governmental organizations such as WHO and CEPI, and business development activities. Dr. Cummings received a consulting fee at the rate of $100 per hour for these services and entered into a standard consulting agreement with the Company, which terminated on September 26, 2021, the day prior to the date he commenced employment.
Retirement Plan
We maintain a tax-qualified retirement plan that provides eligible employees, including our named executive officers, with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax advantaged basis. Eligible employees may defer eligible compensation up to certain tax code limits, which are updated annually. Employees are immediately and fully vested in their own contributions. We make matching contributions to participants in the 401(k) plan annually in arrears in an amount equal to the employee’s deferral up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s annual eligible earnings, which are immediately and fully vested. As a tax-qualified retirement plan, contributions to the 401(k) plan are deductible by us when made, and contributions and earnings on those amounts are not taxable to the employees until withdrawn or distributed from the 401(k) plan. The named executive officers did not participate in, or otherwise receive any benefits under any pension plan or nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding the total compensation for services rendered in all capacities that was earned by our named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
|
Name and Principal Position |
Fiscal Year |
Salary |
Stock Awards(1) |
Option Awards(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(3) |
All Other Compensation(4) |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Andrei Floroiu |
2023 |
$ | 568,333 | $ | 286,833 | $ | 801,895 | $ | 198,917 | $ | 10,866 | $ | 1,866,844 | ||||||||||||
|
Former President and Chief Executive Officer |
2022 |
$ | 532,500 | $ | 432,650 | $ | 2,481,765 | $ | 133,125 | $ | 9,352 | $ | 3,589,392 | ||||||||||||
|
Sean N. Tucker, Ph.D. |
2023 |
$ | 428,267 | $ | 147,542 | $ | 428,840 | $ | 121,414 | $ | 11,422 | $ | 1,137,485 | ||||||||||||
|
Chief Scientific Officer |
2022 |
$ | 392,375 | $ | 222,688 | $ | 1,184,479 | $ | 78,475 | $ | 10,672 | $ | 1,888,689 | ||||||||||||
|
James Cummings, M.D. |
2023 |
$ | 454,667 | $ | 151,593 | $ | 428,840 | $ | 128,128 | $ | 11,706 | $ | 1,174,934 | ||||||||||||
|
Chief Medical Officer |
2022 |
$ | 430,000 | $ | 222,688 | $ | 1,184,479 | $ | 86,000 | $ | 10,956 | $ | 1,934,123 | ||||||||||||
|
(1) |
Represents the grant date fair value of time-based restricted stock unit awards computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718. See Note 11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating value pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. As required by SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. |
|
(2) |
Represents the grant date fair value of stock option awards for the applicable year computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. See Note 11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. As required by SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Our named executive officers will only realize compensation to the extent the trading price of our common stock is greater than the exercise price of such stock options. |
|
(3) |
Represents the bonuses awarded to the named executive officers for the applicable year under the STI program. |
|
(4) |
Amount shown consists of a 401(k) employer match, a Group-term life insurance income inclusion and Health Savings Account benefit employer contribution. |
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2023
The following table presents, for each of our named executive officers, information regarding outstanding stock options held as of December 31, 2023. All stock awards in the following table were granted in the form of RSUs.
|
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name |
Grant Date of Option or Stock Award |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Options Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares or Units of Sock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (9) |
||||||||||||||||
|
Andrei Floroiu |
4/13/2020 |
(1) | 54,720 | - | $ | 1.71 |
4/12/2030 |
||||||||||||||||
|
6/15/2020 |
(6) | 739,620 | 105,660 | $ | 2.46 |
6/14/2030 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
6/15/2020 |
(1) | 900,000 | - | $ | 2.46 |
6/14/2030 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/25/2021 |
(7) | 171,875 | 78,125 | $ | 6.27 |
3/24/2031 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/28/2022 |
(5) | 240,625 | 309,375 | $ | 5.09 |
3/27/2032 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/28/2022 |
63,750 | (10) | $ | 36,516 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
(12) | 400,000 | - | $ | 0.78 |
3/16/2033 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
(13) | - | 750,000 | $ | 0.78 |
3/16/2033 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
175,000 | (14) | $ | 100,240 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
James Cummings, M.D. |
8/16/2021 |
(8) | 175,000 | 125,000 | $ | 8.44 |
8/15/2031 |
||||||||||||||||
|
3/28/2022 |
(15) | 114,844 | 147,656 | $ | 5.09 |
3/27/2032 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/28/2022 |
32,812 | (11) | $ | 18,795 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
(16) | 205,000 | - | $ | 0.78 |
3/16/2033 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
- | 410,000 | $ | 0.78 |
3/16/2033 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
90,000 | (17) | $ | 51,552 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Sean N. Tucker, Ph.D. |
5/8/2014 |
(2) | 11,604 | - | $ | 8.03 |
5/7/2024 |
||||||||||||||||
|
7/23/2015 |
(2) | 10,067 | - | $ | 17.49 |
7/22/2025 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/25/2016 |
(2) | 7,731 | - | $ | 12.98 |
3/24/2026 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
6/24/2017 |
(2) | 9,060 | - | $ | 4.07 |
6/23/2027 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
5/25/2018 |
(2) | 14,000 | - | $ | 5.17 |
5/24/2028 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
5/12/2019 |
(2) | 84,061 | - | $ | 0.77 |
5/11/2029 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/24/2020 |
(2) | 360,000 | - | $ | 1.70 |
3/23/2030 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/25/2021 |
(3) | 68,750 | 31,250 | $ | 6.27 |
3/24/2031 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/28/2022 |
(4) | 114,844 | 147,656 | $ | 5.09 |
3/27/2032 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
3/28/2022 |
32,812 | (11) | $ | 18,795 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
- | 410,000 | $ | 0.78 |
3/16/2033 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
(16) | 205,000 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2023 |
90,000 | (17) | $ | 51,552.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
(1) |
The shares subject to these options are fully vested. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, these options will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. |
|
(2) |
The shares subject to these options are fully vested. |
|
(3) |
The shares subject to this stock option vest as to 25% of the shares underlying the grant on March 25, 2022, the first anniversary of the date that the grant was approved by the board of directors, and thereafter in 36 equal monthly installments such that the stock option shall be fully vested on March 25, 2025. |
|
(4) |
The shares subject to this stock option vest as to 25% of the shares underlying the grant on March 28, 2023, the first anniversary of the date that the grant was approved by the board of directors, and thereafter in 36 equal monthly installments such that the stock option shall be fully vested on March 28, 2026. |
|
(5) |
The unvested shares vest in equal monthly installments through March 28, 2026, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with us through each relevant vesting date. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, the options that would have otherwise vested by September 30, 2024, fully vested as of the separation date of January 16, 2024 and will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. 206,250 shares subject to these options were cancelled as of January 16, 2024. |
|
(6) |
The unvested shares vest in equal monthly installments through June 15, 2024, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with us through each relevant vesting date. The option is subject to accelerated vesting with respect to 50% of any then-unvested option shares upon a substantial strategic agreement, as determined by the board of directors, and to accelerated vesting in full in the event of a “Change in Control” (as defined under the 2019 Plan). Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, these options fully vested as of the separation date of January 16, 2024 and will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. |
|
(7) |
The unvested shares vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the underlying shares vesting on March 25, 2022, and the remaining shares subject to the option vesting in equal monthly installments over the subsequent 36 months, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with us through each relevant vesting date. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, the options that would have otherwise vested by September 30, 2024, fully vested as of the separation date of January 16, 2024 and will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. 31,250 shares subject to these options were cancelled as of January 16, 2024. |
|
(8) |
The unvested shares vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the underlying shares vesting on August 16, 2022, and the remaining shares subject to the option vesting in equal monthly installments over the subsequent 36 months, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with us through each relevant vesting date. |
|
(9) |
The dollar amounts are determined by multiplying the number of RSUs by $0.5728, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 29, 2023, the last trading day of the Company’s fiscal year. |
|
(10) |
One-fourth of the RSUs vested on March 28, 2023 (the first anniversary of the date of the grant). The remaining RSUs are scheduled to vest with one-fourth of the shares underlying the RSUs vesting on each anniversary of the grant date, so that all of the RSUs would be fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, the RSUs that would have otherwise vested by September 30, 2024, fully vested as of the separation date of January 16, 2024 and will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. 42,500 RSUs were cancelled as of January 16, 2024. |
|
(11) |
One-fourth of the RSUs vested on March 28, 2023 (the first anniversary of the date of the grant). The remaining RSUs are scheduled to vest with one-fourth of the shares underlying the RSUs vesting on each anniversary of the grant date, so that all of the RSUs would be fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. |
|
(12) |
The unvested shares fully vested on December 8, 2023. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, the options will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. |
|
(13) |
The unvested shares vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the underlying shares vesting on February 2, 2024, and the remaining shares subject to the option vesting in equal monthly installments over the subsequent 36 months, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with us through each relevant vesting date. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, the options that would have otherwise vested by September 30, 2024, fully vested as of the separation date of January 16, 2024 and will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. 453,125 shares subject to these options were cancelled as of January 16, 2024. |
|
(14) |
Twenty five percent of the shares underlying the award shall vest on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date of February 2, 2023, so that the restricted stock units would be fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the vesting commencement date. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu dated January 31, 2024, the RSUs that would have otherwise vested by September 30, 2024, fully vested as of the separation date of January 16, 2024 and will expire on the second anniversary of the separation date of January 16, 2024. 131,250 RSUs were cancelled as of January 16, 2024. |
|
(15) |
The unvested shares vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the underlying shares vested on March 28, 2023, and the remaining shares subject to the option vesting in equal monthly installments over the subsequent 36 months, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with us through each relevant vesting date. |
|
(16) |
The unvested shares fully vested on December 8, 2023. |
|
(17) |
Twenty five percent of the shares underlying the award shall vest on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date of February 2, 2023, so that the restricted stock units would be fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the vesting commencement date. |
Pay Versus Performance
The information provided below is mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, which requires that we, among other things, report the amount of “compensation actually paid” to our named executive officers. These amounts are calculated in accordance with applicable SEC rules, and do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to our named executive officers during each applicable year.
|
Year |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO1 |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs1 |
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return2 |
Net Income |
||||||||||||||||||
|
2023 |
$ | 1,866,844 | $ | 1,388,914 | $ | 1,156,210 | $ | 928,550 | $ | 10.03 | $ | (82,465 | ) | |||||||||||
|
2022 |
$ | 3,589,392 | $ | (2,069,628 | ) | $ | 1,911,794 | $ | (185,759 | ) | $ | 16.83 | $ | (107,758 | ) | |||||||||
|
2021 |
$ | 2,410,175 | $ | 2,918,258 | $ | 1,575,836 | $ | 1,562,425 | $ | 109.81 | $ | (70,470 | ) | |||||||||||
1 As required by applicable SEC rules, compensation actually paid (“CAP”) was calculated by beginning with the total amount reported in the Summary Compensation Table (the “SCT”) for the applicable year, (i) subtracting the grant date fair value of stock awards reported in the Stock Awards column of the SCT, (ii) subtracting the grant date fair value of option awards reported in the Option Awards column of the SCT, and (iii) adding the change in fair value of stock and option awards for the applicable year.
Fair value amounts were computed in a manner consistent with the fair value methodology used to account for share-based payments in our financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles. The fair value amounts were calculated using our stock price on the last day of each fiscal year or the date of vesting, as applicable. We used the following additional assumptions to determine the fair value of stock option awards under the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model: (i) risk-free return rate: 3.39% - 4.84%; (ii) expected option term (in years): 3.73 – 6.39 years; and (iii) expected volatility: 129.48% - 144.54%.
Mr. Floroiu is included as the PEO for each of the years reported in the table above. The non-PEO named executive officers included in the average for each covered fiscal year were: (i) for 2022 and 2023, Dr. Tucker and Dr. Cummings, and (ii) for 2021, Dr. Tucker, Dr. Cummings and Ms. Echerd.
Following is a reconciliation of the SCT total and the CAP for each of the covered fiscal years.
|
Fiscal |
SCT |
Grant Date Value of New Awards |
Year End Value of New Awards |
Change in Value of Unvested Awards |
Change in Value of Vested Awards |
Fair Value of Vested Awards Granted and Vested in Current Fiscal Year |
Total Equity CAP |
CAP |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Year |
Executives |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
(7)=(3)+(4)+(5)+(6) |
(8) = (1)-(2)+(7) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2023 |
PEO |
$ | 1,866,844 | $ | 1,088,728 | $ | 474,167 | $ | (187,598 | ) | $ | (58,119 | ) | $ | 382,348 | $ | 610,798 | $ | 1,388,914 | ||||||||||||||
|
Non-PEO NEO Average |
$ | 1,156,210 | $ | 578,408 | $ | 255,966 | $ | (84,793 | ) | $ | (18,484 | ) | $ | 198,059 | $ | 350,748 | $ | 928,550 | |||||||||||||||
|
2022 |
PEO |
$ | 3,654,600 | $ | 2,914,415 | $ | 466,717 | $ | (2,438,590 | ) | $ | (837,940 | ) | $ | - | $ | (2,809,813 | ) | $ | (2,069,628 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
Non-PEO NEO Average |
$ | 1,911,794 | $ | 1,407,167 | $ | 226,016 | $ | (676,114 | ) | $ | (240,289 | ) | $ | - | $ | (690,386 | ) | $ | (185,759 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
2021 |
PEO |
$ | 2,410,175 | $ | 1,735,950 | $ | 1,408,095 | $ | 244,489 | $ | 591,449 | $ | - | $ | 2,244,033 | $ | 2,918,258 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Non-PEO NEO Average |
$ | 1,575,836 | $ | 1,205,600 | $ | 942,628 | $ | 23,886 | $ | 225,675 | $ | - | $ | 1,192,189 | $ | 1,562,425 | |||||||||||||||||
(1) The dollar amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
(2) The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
(7) The recalculated value of equity awards for each applicable year includes the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following:
(3) The year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year;
(4) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year;
(5) for awards that vest in the applicable year, the change in the fair value as of the vesting date from the beginning of the applicable year.
(6) for awards that are granted and vest in the applicable year, the change in the fair value as of the vesting date from the beginning of the applicable year.
2 Company total shareholder return (“TSR”) represents the cumulative investment return of an initial fixed $100 investment in our common stock during the period commencing on December 31, 2020 and ending on the last day of the covered fiscal year, assuming reinvestment of all dividends. The Company TSR reflected in the table above may not be indicative of future performance.
3 Reflects net income (loss) for the covered fiscal year, as reported in our Form 10-K for such year. In last year's proxy statement, we included in this column “Loss before income taxes” as reported in our Form 10-K, which was, in thousands: ($107,691) for 2022 and ($70,363) for 2021. We have updated these figures to reflect the “Net loss” as reported in our Form 10-K for the applicable year.
Required Supplemental Graphs Showing Relationship Between:
CAP and Company TSR
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the CAP to our PEO and the other NEOs and the Company’s TSR during the period covered by the Pay versus Performance Table.
CAP and Net Income
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the CAP to our PEO and the other NEOs and the Company’s net income during the period covered by the Pay versus Performance Table.
During 2023, our non-employee directors were compensated in the following manner under our director compensation program.
The Company’s director compensation program is designed to enhance our ability to attract and retain highly qualified directors and to align their interests with the long-term interests of its stockholders. The program includes a cash component, which is intended to compensate non-employee directors for their service on our board of directors and an equity component, which is intended to align the interests of non-employee directors and stockholders. Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for their service on our board of directors.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews compensation paid to our non-employee directors and makes recommendations for adjustments, as appropriate, to the full board of directors. As part of this annual review, the Compensation Committee considers the significant time commitment and skill level required by each non-employee director in serving on our board of directors and its various committees. The Compensation Committee seeks to maintain a market competitive director compensation program and, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant, benchmarks our director compensation program against those maintained by the peer group we use to evaluate our executive compensation program.
In this regard, the Compensation Committee generally attempts to structure the cash compensation for non-employee directors at approximately the 25th to 50th percentile of the market data of the Company’s compensation peer group and equity awards at approximately the 50th to 75th percentile of the market data.
Under the director compensation program for 2023, our non-employee directors received the following cash compensation for their service on our board of directors and its committees:
|
● |
$40,000 annual cash retainer; |
|
● |
$30,000 for the Chair of the board of directors; |
|
● |
$15,000 for the chair of the Audit Committee and $7,500 for each of its other members; and |
|
● |
$10,000 for the chairs of the Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Science and Technology Committee, and $5,000 for each of their other members. |
In addition, each non-employee director who is initially elected or appointed to the board after the effective date of the program shall automatically be granted on the day of such first election or appointment: (i) a stock option to purchase 88,448 shares of our shares of common stock, and (ii) a RSU award covering 14,750 shares of our common stock (the “Initial Award”). Each Initial Award shall vest and become exercisable in substantially equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the non-employee director continuing in service on the board through each such vesting date.
A non-employee director who is serving on the board as of the date of any annual meeting after the effective date of the program, and who will continue to serve as a non-employee director immediately following such meeting, shall automatically be granted on the date of such annual meeting: (i) a stock option to purchase 44,224 shares of our common stock, and (ii) a RSU award covering 7,375 shares of our common stock (the “Annual Award”), which amounts are pro-rated for new directors to reflect their service since the last annual meeting. Each Annual Award shall vest and become exercisable on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant, or (ii) the date immediately prior to the next annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders following the date of grant, subject to the non-employee director continuing in service on the board through such vesting date.
Upon a change in control, all outstanding equity awards that are held by a non-employee director shall become fully vested and exercisable.
2023 Director Compensation
The following table provides director compensation information for each of the non-employee directors of the board of directors who served between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023:
|
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash |
Stock Awards (1) |
Option Awards (1) |
Total |
||||||||||||
|
Todd C. Davis (2) |
$ | 15,833 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 15,833 | ||||||||
|
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D. |
$ | 74,806 | $ | 29,301 | $ | 5,458 | $ | 109,565 | ||||||||
|
Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. |
$ | 56,458 | $ | 27,503 | $ | 5,122 | $ | 89,083 | ||||||||
|
W. Mark Watson |
$ | 60,000 | $ | 29,301 | $ | 5,458 | $ | 94,759 | ||||||||
|
David Wheadon, M.D. |
$ | 58,958 | $ | 29,301 | $ | 5,458 | $ | 93,717 | ||||||||
|
Robert A. Yedid |
$ | 57,500 | $ | 29,301 | $ | 5,458 | $ | 92,259 | ||||||||
|
(1) |
The values shown reflect the grant date fair value of the stock option awards and RSU awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC, Topic 718. See Note 11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating value pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. As required by SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Our non-employee directors will only realize compensation to the extent the trading price of our common stock is greater than the exercise price of such stock options. |
As of December 31, 2023, our non-employee directors held the following stock options and unvested RSUs:
|
Name |
Number of Shares Underlying RSUs |
Number of Shares Underlying Stock Options |
||||||
|
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D. |
7,375 | 169,245 | ||||||
|
Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. |
16,756 | 129,958 | ||||||
|
W. Mark Watson |
17,209 | 132,672 | ||||||
|
David Wheadon |
7,375 | 154,148 | ||||||
|
Robert A. Yedid |
7,375 | 179,485 | ||||||
|
(2) |
On March 17, 2023, Todd C. Davis resigned from the board of directors. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of April 12, 2024, by:
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each nominee for director; |
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each current executive officer |
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all current executive officers and nominees for director as a group; and |
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all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of our outstanding common stock. |
This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13G filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe that each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on 176,838,011 shares outstanding on April 12, 2024, adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Vaxart, Inc., 170 Harbor Way, Suite 300, South San Francisco, California 94080.
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Beneficial Ownership |
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
Shares |
% |
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Greater than 5% Stockholders: |
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RA Capital Management, L.P.(1) |
15,384,615 |
8.7 |
% |
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Executive Officers, Directors and Director Nominees: |
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James Cummings (2) |
834,265 |
* |
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Michael J. Finney (3) |
840,085 |
* |
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Andrei Floroiu (4) |
3,266,985 |
1.8 |
% | |||||
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Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D.(5) |
85,724 |
* |
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Steven Lo |
- |
* |
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Sean Tucker (6) |
1,296,391 |
* |
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W. Mark Watson (7) |
105,997 |
* |
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David Wheadon, M.D. (8) |
168,898 |
* |
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Robert A. Yedid (9) |
197,975 |
* |
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All executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (10 persons) (10) |
4,573,361 |
2.6 |
% |
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* Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
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(1) |
Based on information reported by RA Capital Management, L.P. (“RA Capital”) on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 19, 2024, RA Capital Healthcare Fund, L.P. (the “Fund”) directly holds 15,384,615 shares of common stock. RA Capital Healthcare Fund GP, LLC is the general partner of the Fund. The general partner of RA Capital is RA Capital Management GP, LLC, of which Dr. Peter Kolchinsky and Mr. Rajeev Shah are the controlling persons. RA Capital serves as investment adviser for the Fund and may be deemed a beneficial owner, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Act, of any of our securities held by the Fund. The Fund has delegated to RA Capital the sole power to vote and the sole power to dispose of all securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, including the shares of our common stock. Because the Fund has divested voting and investment power over the securities that it holds and may not revoke such delegation on less than 61 days’ notice, the Fund disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities it holds for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Act. As managers of RA Capital, Dr. Kolchinsky and Mr. Shah may be deemed beneficial owners, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Act, of any of our securities beneficially owned by RA Capital. RA Capital, Dr. Kolchinsky, and Mr. Shah disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities. The address for RA Capital is 200 Berkeley Street, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02116. |
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(2) |
Consists of (i) 144,160 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Cummings, and (ii) 690,105 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
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(3) |
Consists of (i) 663,465 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Finney, and (ii) 169,245 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable and 7,375 shares issuable pursuant to restricted stock unit vesting within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
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(4) |
Consists of (i) 207,610 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Floroiu, and (ii) 3,059,375 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
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(5) |
Consists of (i) 7,810 shares of common stock held directly by Ms. Heron, and (ii) 70,992 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable and 6,922 shares issuable pursuant to restricted stock unit vesting within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
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(6) |
Consists of (i) 176,321 shares held directly by Dr. Tucker, (ii) 51,465 shares held jointly by Frances Chang and Dr. Tucker, (iii) 9,060 shares held by Dr. Tucker’s spouse, and (iv) 1,059,545 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
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(7) |
Consists of (i) 24,916 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Watson, and (ii) 73,706 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable and 7,375 shares issuable pursuant to restricted stock unit vesting within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
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(8) |
Consists of (i) 7,375 shares of common stock held directly by Dr. Wheadon, and (ii) 154,148 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable and 7,375 shares issuable pursuant to restricted stock unit vesting within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
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(9) |
Consists of (i) 11,115 shares held directly by Mr. Yedid, and (ii) 179,485 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable and 7,375 shares issuable pursuant to restricted stock unit vesting within 60 days of April 12, 2024. |
| (10) | Does not include Mr. Floroiu, who resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the board of directors in January 2024. |
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of Vaxart. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the year ended December 31, 2023, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors, and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with, except that, due to administrative oversight, Forms 4 for nine tax withholding transactions were not timely filed with respect to settlements of certain restricted stock units vested as of (i) March 28, 2023, for Mr. Tucker; (ii) December 8, 2023, for Messrs. Berg, Cummings, Lee, and Tucker; (iii) December 15, 2023, for Mr. Lee; and (iv) February 2, 2024, for Messrs. Berg, Cummings, and Tucker.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Related-Party Transaction Policy and Procedures
We have adopted a written Related Party Transaction Policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of “related party transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, a “related party transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (including indebtedness or a guarantee of indebtedness) or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we and any “related party” are, were or will be participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000 and in which any “related party” has a direct or indirect material interest. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, director, consultant or similar capacity by a related party are not covered by this policy. A related party is any executive officer, director, nominee to become a director or more than 5% stockholder of us, including any of their immediate family members, and any entity owned or controlled by such persons. We describe below such transactions or series of similar transactions to which we have been or were a party since January 1, 2022.
Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related party transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related party transaction to the Audit Committee (or, where Audit Committee approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of the board of directors) for consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related parties, the benefits to us of the transaction and whether any alternative transactions were available. To identify related party transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related party transactions, the Audit Committee takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to (a) the risks, costs and benefits to us, (b) the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related party is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated, (c) the terms of the transaction, (d) the availability of other sources for comparable services or products and (e) the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally. In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval. The policy requires that, in determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related party transaction, the Audit Committee consider, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, the best interests of us and our stockholders, as the Audit Committee determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
Certain Related-Person Transactions
Indemnity Agreements
We have entered into indemnity agreements with our executive officers and directors which provide, among other things, that we will indemnify and advance expenses incurred in connection with certain actions, suits or proceedings to such officer or director, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements he or she may be required to pay in actions or proceedings which he or she is or may be made a party by reason of his or her position as a director, officer or other agent of the Company, and otherwise to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law and our Bylaws.
Letter Agreements
We have entered into letter agreements, employment agreements and change in control arrangements with our executive officers. For more information regarding these agreements, see the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement.
On January 31, 2024, we entered into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Floroiu, our former President and Chief Executive Officer. For a description of Mr. Floroiu’s separation arrangements, see the “Executive Compensation — Additional Compensation Arrangements” section of this proxy statement.
Equity Grants
We have granted stock options to our executive officers and members of our board of directors. For a description of our executive officers’ options, see the “Executive Compensation — Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2023” section of this proxy statement.
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Vaxart stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, please notify your broker. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.
FORM 10-K INFORMATION; OTHER SEC FILINGS
We file annual and quarterly reports and other reports and information with the SEC. These reports and other information can be read over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or at our website at http://www.vaxart.com. Information contained on or accessible through, including any reports available on, our website or any other website referenced in this proxy statement is not part of this proxy statement. References to websites in this proxy statement are intended to be inactive textual references only.
A copy of Vaxart’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, is available without charge upon written request to: Secretary, Vaxart, Inc., 170 Harbor Way, Suite 300, South San Francisco, California 94080.
The board of directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Michael J. Finney
Michael J. Finney, Ph.D.
Chair of the Board
April 29, 2024
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
VAXART, INC.
Vaxart, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”),
DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Vaxart, Inc.
SECOND: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 141 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions amending its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, as follows:
The first sentence in Article FOURTH shall be deleted and the following paragraphs shall be inserted in lieu thereof:
“FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 355,000,000 shares consisting of
a) 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and
b) 350,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.”
THIRD: Thereafter, pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, this Certificate of Amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their approval, and was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
[Remainder of the Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer this ____ day of __________, 2024.
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VAXART, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: Steven Lo |
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Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Vaxart, Inc.
2019 Equity Incentive Plan
Adopted by the Board of Directors: February 26, 2019
Approved by the Stockholders: April 23, 2019
1st Amendment Approved by the Stockholders: June 8, 2020
2nd Amendment Approved by the Stockholders: June 16, 2021
3rd Amendment Approved by the Stockholders: August 4, 2022
4th Amendment Approved by the Stockholders: June [●], 2024
1. General.
(a) Eligible Award Recipients. Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.
(b) Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards, (vi) Performance Stock Awards, (vii) Performance Cash Awards, and (viii) Other Stock Awards.
(c) Purpose. The Plan, through the grant of Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate, and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.
2. Administration.
(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).
(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine: (A) who will be granted Awards; (B) when and how each Award will be granted; (C) what type of Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, an Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement or in the written terms of a Performance Cash Award, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.
(iv) To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which an Award may be exercised or vest (or the time at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).
(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair a Participant’s rights under the Participant’s then-outstanding Award without the Participant’s written consent, except as provided in subsection (viii) below.
(vi) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or exempt from, or compliant with, the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. If required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as provided in the Plan (including subsection (viii) below) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
(vii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 422 of the Code regarding “incentive stock options” or (B) Rule 16b-3.
(viii) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided, however, that a Participant’s rights under any Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.
(ix) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.
(x) To adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans related to the operation and administration of the Plan as are necessary or appropriate under local laws and regulations to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement made to ensure or facilitate compliance with the laws or regulations of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).
(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3.
(d) Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one (1) or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Awards, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Stock Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(x)(iii) below.
(e) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(f) Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9 below, neither the Board nor any Committee will have the authority to: (i) reduce the exercise price or strike price of any outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, or (ii) cancel any outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that have an exercise price or strike price greater than the current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in exchange for cash or other Stock Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within twelve months prior to such an event.
(g) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award (other than Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights), as determined by the Board and contained in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested under the terms of such Award Agreement, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of such Award Agreement (including, but not limited to, any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date, if any, such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to a failure to meet any vesting conditions under the terms of such Award Agreement.
3. Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a) Share Reserve.
(i) Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, and the following sentence regarding the annual increase, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards will not exceed 43,900,000 shares (the “Share Reserve”).
(ii) For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. As a single share may be subject to grant more than once (e.g., if a share subject to a Stock Award is forfeited, it may be made subject to grant again as provided in Section 3(b) below), the Share Reserve is not a limit on the number of Stock Awards that can be granted.
(iii) Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.
(i) Shares Available for Subsequent Issuance. The following shares of Common Stock will become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any shares subject to a Stock Award that are not issued because such Stock Award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued; (B) any shares subject to a Stock Award that are not issued because such Stock Award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; and (C) any shares issued pursuant to a Stock Award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares.
(ii) Shares Not Available for Subsequent Issuance. The following shares of Common Stock will not become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of a Stock Award (including any shares subject to such award that are not delivered because such award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to such award (i.e., “net exercised”)); (B) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with a Stock Award; (C) any shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise, strike or purchase price of a Stock Award; and (D) in the event that a Stock Appreciation Right is settled in shares of Common Stock, the gross number of shares of Common Stock subject to such award.
(c) Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be will be a number of shares of Common Stock equal to three (3) multiplied by the Share Reserve.
(d) Limitation on Compensation of Non-Employee Directors. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Stock Awards granted under this Plan or otherwise during any one year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director during such year for service on the Board, will not exceed U.S. $600,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Stock Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Stock Awards for financial reporting purposes), or, with respect to the calendar year in which a Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board, $750,000.
(e) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
4. Eligibility.
(a) Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction), (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(b) Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.
5. Provisions Relating to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.
(b) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.
(c) Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:
(i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;
(ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;
(iv) if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or
(v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.
(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:
(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. The Board may permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable laws or regulations. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.
(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.421-1(b)(2) or comparable non-U.S. law. If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.
(iii) Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company or to any third party designated by the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or the Participant’s legal heirs will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.
(f) Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.
(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date which occurs three (3) months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR will terminate.
(h) Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the period of months (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date which occurs 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service is suspended pending an investigation of the existence of Cause, all of the Participant’s rights under the Option or SAR will also be suspended during the investigation period.
(l) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the U.S. Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company's then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the U.S. Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.
6. Provisions of Stock Awards other than Options and SARs.
(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock may be (x) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (y) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii) Vesting. Shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.
(iii) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
(iv) Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
(b) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii) Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(iii) Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(v) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.
(c) Performance Awards.
(i) Performance Stock Awards. A Performance Stock Award is a Stock Award that is payable (including that may be granted, may vest or may be exercised) contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Stock Award may but need not require the Participant’s completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. The length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.
(ii) Performance Cash Awards. A Performance Cash Award is a cash award that is payable contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Cash Award may also require the completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. At the time of grant of a Performance Cash Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion. The Board may specify the form of payment of Performance Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for a Participant to have the option for his or her Performance Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Board may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.
(iii) Board Discretion. The Board retains the discretion to adjust or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period.
(d) Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.
7. Covenants of the Company.
(a) Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.
(b) Compliance with Law. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency, as necessary, such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan or other securities or applicable laws, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary or advisable for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable law.
(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner or tax treatment of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
(c) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.
(d) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state or foreign jurisdiction in which the Company or the Affiliate is domiciled or incorporated, as the case may be. Furthermore, to the extent the Company is not the employer of a Participant, the grant of an Award will be not establish an employment or other service relationship between the Company and the Participant.
(e) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.
(f) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds U.S. $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
(g) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that such Participant is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.
(h) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however, that (A) no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax that may be required to be withheld by law (or such other amount as may be permitted while still avoiding classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes) ), and (B) with respect to an Award held by any Participant who is subject to the filing requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any such share withholding must be specifically approved by the Compensation Committee as the applicable method that must be used to satisfy the tax withholding obligation or such share withholding procedure must otherwise satisfy the requirements for an exempt transaction under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; (v) by means of a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board, or (vi) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(i) Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).
(j) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.
(k) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
(l) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.
9. Adjustments upon Changes in Common Stock; Other Corporate Events.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.
(c) Corporate Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:
(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);
(ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);
(iii) accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Corporate Transaction with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Corporate Transaction
(iv) arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;
(v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and
(vi) make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the per share amount (or value of property per share) payable to holders of Common Stock in connection with the Transaction, over (B) the per share exercise price under the applicable Stock Award, multiplied by the number of shares subject to the Stock Award. For clarity, this payment may be zero (U.S. $0) if the amount per share (or value of property per share) payable to the holders of the Common Stock is equal to or less than the exercise price of the Stock Award. In addition, any escrow, holdback, earnout or similar provisions in the definitive agreement for the Transaction may apply to such payment to the holder of the Stock Award to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of Common Stock.
The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.
(d) Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.
10. Termination or Suspension of the Plan.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the Adoption Date, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
11. Existence of the Plan.
The Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.
12. Choice of Law.
The law of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.
13. Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) “Adoption Date” means the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
(b) “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 of the Securities 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.
(c) “Award” means a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award.
(d) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award.
(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) “Capital Stock” means each and every class of common stock of the Company, regardless of the number of votes per share.
(g) “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(h) “Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or any applicable foreign jurisdiction; (ii) such Participant’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) such Participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate or of any statutory duty owed to the Company or any Affiliate; (iv) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such Participant’s gross misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated by reason of dismissal without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.
(i) “Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;
(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;
(iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv) individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan, the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company and the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply. To the extent required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred if such transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). The Board may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s consent, amend the definition of “Change in Control” to conform to the definition of “Change in Control” under Section 409A of the Code, and the regulations thereunder.
(j) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(k) “Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(l) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, having one vote per share.
(m) “Company” means Vaxart, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(n) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.
(o) “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law. In addition, to the extent required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the determination of whether there has been a termination of Continuous Service will be made, and such term will be construed, in a manner that is consistent with the definition of “separation from service” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(p) “Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will a Corporate Transaction be deemed to have occurred if such transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(q) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(r) “Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
(s) “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan document, which is the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held in 2019, provided this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at such meeting.
(t) “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.
(u) “Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(v) “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(w) “Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.
(x) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(y) “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(z) “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(aa) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(bb) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(cc) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(dd) “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ee) “Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
(ff) “Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(d).
(gg) “Other Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(hh) “Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” means a person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(ii)“ “Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
(jj) “Participant” means a person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.
(kk) “Performance Cash Award” means an award of cash granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(ii).
(ll) “Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board or Committee (as applicable) will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board or Committee (as applicable): (1) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (2) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (3) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (4) total stockholder return; (5) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (6) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (7) stock price; (8) margin (including gross margin); (9) income (before or after taxes); (10) operating income; (11) operating income after taxes; (12) pre-tax profit; (13) operating cash flow; (14) sales or revenue targets; (15) increases in revenue or product revenue; (16) expenses and cost reduction goals; (17) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (18) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (19) market share; (20) cash flow; (21) cash flow per share; (22) share price performance; (23) debt reduction; (24) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (25) subscriber satisfaction; (26) stockholders’ equity; (27) capital expenditures; (28) debt levels; (29) operating profit or net operating profit; (30) workforce diversity; (31) growth of net income or operating income; (32) billings; (33) the number of subscribers, including but not limited to unique subscribers; (34) employee retention; and (35) other measures of performance selected by the Board.
(mm) “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board or Committee (as applicable) for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board or Committee (as applicable) (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board or Committee (as applicable) will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board or Committee (as applicable) retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Stock Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.
(nn) “Performance Period” means the period of time selected by the Board or Committee (as applicable) over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board or Committee (as applicable).
(oo) “Performance Stock Award” means a Stock Award granted under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(i).
(pp) “Plan” means this Vaxart, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be amended.
(qq) “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).
(rr) “Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ss) “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).
(tt) “Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(uu) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(vv) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(ww) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.
(xx) “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(yy) “Stock Award” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Performance Stock Award or any Other Stock Award.
(zz) “Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(aaa) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.
(bbb) “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
VAXART, INC.
2022 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Amended and Restated as of June [●], 2024)
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The Plan’s purpose is to assist employees of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries in acquiring a share ownership interest in the Company, and to help such employees provide for their future security and to encourage them to remain in the employment of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
The Board initially adopted the Plan on April 18, 2022 and our stockholders approved the Plan on August 4, 2022. On March 12, 2024, the Board amended and restated the Plan, in its entirety, as set forth herein, and our stockholders approved the amended and restated Plan on June [●], 2024.
The Plan consists of two components: The Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component. The Section 423 Component is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. In addition, this Plan authorizes the grant of Options under the Non-Section 423 Component, which need not qualify as Options granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code; such Options granted under the Non-Section 423 Component shall be granted pursuant to separate Offerings containing such sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures as may be adopted by the Administrator and designed to achieve tax, securities laws or other objectives for Eligible Employees and the Designated Subsidiaries in locations outside of the United States. Except as otherwise provided herein or determined by the Administrator, the Non-Section 423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the Section 423 Component. Offerings intended to be made under the Non-Section 423 Component will be designated as such by the Administrator at or prior to the time of such Offering.
For purposes of this Plan, the Administrator may designate separate Offerings under the Plan, the terms of which need not be identical, in which Eligible Employees will participate, even if the dates of the applicable Offering Period(s) in each such Offering are identical, provided that the terms of participation are the same within each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component as determined under Section 423 of the Code.
Solely by way of example and without limiting the foregoing, the Company could, but shall not be required to, provide for simultaneous Offerings under the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component of the Plan.
ARTICLE II
PARTICIPATION
2.1 Eligibility.
(a) Any Eligible Employee who is employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary on a given Enrollment Date for an Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in the Plan during such Offering Period, subject to the requirements of Articles III and IV hereof, and, for the Section 423 Component, the limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Code.
(b) No Eligible Employee shall be granted an Option under the Section 423 Component which permits the Participant’s rights to purchase Shares under the Plan, and to purchase shares under all other employee stock purchase plans of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary subject to Section 423 of the Code, to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of fair market value of such shares (determined at the time such Option is granted) for each calendar year in which such Option is outstanding at any time. The limitation under this Section 2.1(b) shall be applied in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.
2.2 Election to Participate; Payroll Deductions.
(a) Each individual who is an Eligible Employee as of an Offering Period’s Enrollment Date may elect to participate in such Offering Period and the Plan by delivering to the Company or an Agent designated by the Company an enrollment form including a payroll deduction authorization (which enrollment form and payroll deduction authorization shall be in a form established by the Administrator, shall set forth the terms of the Offering, and may be in an electronic format or such other method as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s practices) (a “Participation Election”) no later than the period of time prior to the applicable Enrollment Date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Except as provided in Section 2.2(e) hereof, an Eligible Employee may participate in the Plan only by means of payroll deduction.
(b) Subject to Section 2.1(b) hereof and except as may otherwise be determined by the Administrator, payroll deductions (i) shall equal at least 1% of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date, but not more than 15% of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date; and (ii) shall be expressed as a whole number percentage. Subject to Section 2.2(e) hereof, amounts deducted from a Participant’s Compensation with respect to an Offering Period pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be deducted each Payday through payroll deduction and credited to the Participant’s Plan Account.
(c) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, following at least one payroll deduction, a Participant may increase or decrease the percentage of Compensation designated in his or her enrollment form, subject to the limits of this Section 2.2, or may suspend his or her payroll deductions, at any time during an Offering Period; provided, however, that the Administrator may limit the number of changes a Participant may make to his or her payroll deduction elections during each Offering Period in the applicable Offering (and in the absence of any specific designation by the Administrator, a Participant shall only be allowed to decrease his or her payroll deduction election one time during each Offering Period and shall not be permitted to increase his or her payroll deduction at any time during an Offering Period). Any such change or suspension of payroll deductions shall be effective with the first full payroll period following ten business days after the Company’s receipt of the new enrollment form (or such shorter or longer period as may be specified by the Administrator in the applicable Offering). In the event a Participant suspends his or her payroll deductions, such Participant’s cumulative payroll deductions prior to the suspension shall remain in his or her account and shall be applied to the purchase of Shares on the next occurring Exercise Date and shall not be paid to such Participant unless he or she withdraws from participation in the Plan pursuant to Section 5.1.
(d) Upon the completion of an Offering Period, each Participant in such Offering Period shall automatically participate in the immediately following Offering Period at the same payroll deduction percentage as in effect at the termination of such Offering Period, unless such Participant delivers to the Company or an Agent designated by the Company a different Participation Election with respect to the successive Offering Period in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof, or unless such Participant becomes ineligible or otherwise modifies the Participant’s election for participation in the Plan.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan to the contrary, in non-U.S. jurisdictions where participation in the Plan through payroll deductions is prohibited or otherwise problematic under applicable local laws (as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion), the Administrator may provide that an Eligible Employee may elect to participate through contributions to the Participant’s Plan Account in a form acceptable to the Administrator in lieu of or in addition to payroll deductions; provided, however, that, for any Offering under the Section 423 Component, the Administrator must determine that any alternative method of contribution is applied on an equal and uniform basis to all Eligible Employees in the Offering. Any reference to “payroll deductions” in this Section 2.2 (or in any other section of the Plan) will similarly cover contributions by other means made pursuant to this Section 2.2(e).
ARTICLE III
PURCHASE OF SHARES
3.1 Gant of Option. The Company may make one or more Offerings under the Plan, which may be successive or overlapping with one another, until the earlier of: (i) the date on which all Shares available under the Plan have been purchased or (ii) the date on which the Plan is suspended or terminates. No Offering shall commence prior to the date on which the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of the Plan. The Administrator shall designate the terms and conditions of each Offering in writing in the Participation Election, including without limitation, the Offering Period and the Purchase Periods. Each Participant shall be granted an Option with respect to an Offering Period on the applicable Grant Date. Subject to the limitations of Section 2.1(b) hereof, the number of Shares subject to a Participant’s Option shall be determined by dividing (a) such Participant’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to an Exercise Date and retained in the Participant’s Plan Account on such Exercise Date by (b) the applicable Option Price. The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum number of Shares that a Participant may purchase during any Purchase Periods under such future Offering Periods. Each Option shall expire on the last Exercise Date for the applicable Offering Period immediately after the automatic exercise of the Option in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof, unless such Option terminates earlier in accordance with Article III hereof.
3.2 Option Price. The Option Price shall equal 85% of the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a Share on (a) the applicable Grant Date, and (b) the applicable Exercise Date, or such other price designated by the Administrator; provided that no Option Price shall be designated by the Administrator that would cause the Section 423 Component to fail to meet the requirements under Section 423 of the Code.
3.3 Purchase of Shares.
(a) On each Exercise Date for an Offering Period, each Participant shall automatically and without any action on such Participant’s part be deemed to have exercised the Participant’s Option to purchase at the applicable Option Price the largest number of whole Shares which can be purchased with the amount in the Participant’s Plan Account, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of the Participant’s Option with respect to an Offering Period, unless the Participation Election for the applicable Offering Period specifically provides otherwise. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in advance of an Offering or in accordance with applicable law, any balance that is remaining in the Participant’s Plan Account (after exercise of such Participant’s Option) as of the Exercise Date shall be carried forward into the next Offering Period, unless the Participant has properly elected to withdraw from the Plan, has ceased to be an Eligible Employee or with respect to the maximum limitations set forth in Section 2.1(b) and Section 3.1. Any balance not carried forward to the next Offering Period in accordance with the prior sentence shall promptly be refunded as soon as administratively practicable to the applicable Participant.
(b) As soon as practicable following each Exercise Date, the number of Shares purchased by such Participant pursuant to Section 3.3(a) hereof shall be delivered (either in share certificate or book entry form), in the Company’s sole discretion, to either (i) the Participant or (ii) an account established in the Participant’s name at a stock brokerage or other financial services firm designated by the Company. The Company may require that shares be retained with such brokerage or firm for a designated period of time and/or may establish procedures to permit tracking of disqualifying dispositions of such shares.
3.4 Transferability of Rights. An Option granted under the Plan shall not be transferable, other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution and is exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. No option or interest or right to the Option shall be available to pay off any debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempt at disposition of the Option shall have no effect.
ARTICLE IV
PROVISIONS RELATING TO COMMON STOCK
4.1 Shares Reserved. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 hereof, the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to rights granted under the Plan shall be 3,600,000 shares. Shares made available for sale under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury Shares. If any right granted under the Plan shall for any reason terminate without having been exercised, the Shares not purchased under such right shall again become available for issuance under the Plan.
4.2 Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.
(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but not yet placed under Option, as well as the price per share and the number of Shares covered by each Option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a share split, reverse share split, share dividend, combination, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization, arrangement or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Shares subject to an Option.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”), and shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Administrator. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 5.1 hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 5.2 hereof.
(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent Option substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, any Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a New Exercise Date and any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New Exercise Date. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed sale or merger. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 5.1 hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 5.2 hereof.
4.3 Insufficient Shares. If the Administrator determines that, on a given Exercise Date, the number of Shares with respect to which Options are to be exercised may exceed the number of Shares remaining available for sale under the Plan on such Exercise Date, the Administrator shall make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available for issuance on such Exercise Date in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants exercising Options to purchase Shares on such Exercise Date, and unless additional shares are authorized for issuance under the Plan, no further Offering Periods shall take place and the Plan shall terminate pursuant to Section 6.5 hereof. If an Offering Period is so terminated, then the balance of the amount credited to the Participant’s Plan Account which has not been applied to the purchase of Shares shall be paid to such Participant in one lump sum in cash within 30 days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws).
4.4 Rights as Stockholders. With respect to Shares subject to an Option, a Participant shall not be deemed to be a stockholder of the Company and shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder. A Participant shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company when, but not until, the Shares have been deposited in the designated brokerage account following exercise of the Participant’s Option.
ARTICLE V
TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION
5.1 Cessation of Contributions; Voluntary Withdrawal.
(a) A Participant may cease payroll deductions during an Offering Period and elect to withdraw from the Plan by delivering written notice of such election to the Company or an Agent designated by the Company in such form and at such time prior to the Exercise Date for such Offering Period as may be established by the Administrator (a “Withdrawal Election”). In the event a Participant elects to withdraw from the Plan, amounts then credited to such Participant’s Plan Account shall be returned to the Participant in one lump-sum payment in cash within 30 days after such election is received by the Company, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws), and the Participant shall cease to participate in the Plan and the Participant’s Option for such Offering Period shall terminate upon receipt of the Withdrawal Election.
(b) A Participant’s withdrawal from the Plan shall not have any effect upon the Participant’s eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.
(c) A Participant who ceases contributions to the Plan during any Offering Period shall not be permitted to resume contributions to the Plan during that Offering Period.
5.2 Termination of Eligibility. Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee, for any reason, such Participant’s Option for the applicable Offering Period shall automatically terminate, the Participant shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan, and any balance on such Participant’s Plan Account shall be paid to such Participant or, in the case of the Participant’s death, to the person or persons entitled thereto pursuant to applicable law, within 30 days after such cessation of being an Eligible Employee, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws). If a Participant transfers employment from the Company or any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Section 423 Component to any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Non-Section 423 Component, such transfer shall not be treated as a termination of employment, but the Participant shall immediately cease to participate in the Section 423 Component; however, any contributions made for the Offering Period in which such transfer occurs shall be transferred to the Non-Section 423 Component, and such Participant shall immediately join the then-current Offering under the Non-Section 423 Component upon the same terms and conditions in effect for the Participant’s participation in the Section 423 Component, except for such modifications otherwise applicable for Participants in such Offering. A Participant who transfers employment from any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Non-Section 423 Component to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Section 423 Component shall not be treated as terminating the Participant’s employment and shall remain a Participant in the Non-Section 423 Component until the earlier of (i) the end of the current Offering Period under the Non-Section 423 Component, or (ii) the Enrollment Date of the first Offering Period in which the Participant is eligible to participate following such transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may establish different rules to govern transfers of employment between companies participating in the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component, consistent with the applicable requirements of Section 423 of the Code.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
6.1 Administration.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be composed of members of the Board. The Committee may delegate administrative tasks under the Plan to the services of an Agent or Employees to assist in the administration of the Plan, including without limitation, determining the Designated Subsidiaries participating in the Plan, establishing and maintaining an individual securities account under the Plan for each Participant, determining enrollment and withdrawal deadlines and determining exchange rates. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Administrator under the Plan.
(b) It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The Administrator shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To establish and terminate Offerings;
(ii) To determine when and how Options shall be granted and the provisions and terms of each Offering (which need not be identical);
(iii) To select Designated Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 6.2 hereof; and
(iv) To construe and interpret the Plan, the terms of any Offering and the terms of the Options and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. The Administrator, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, any Offering or any Option, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to administer the Plan, subject to Section 423 of the Code for the Section 423 Component.
(c) The Administrator may adopt rules or procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures, provided that, the adoption and implementation of any such rules and/or procedures would not cause the Section 423 Component to be in noncompliance with Section 423 of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of Participation Elections, Withdrawal Elections, payroll deductions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, payroll tax, withholding procedures and handling of share certificates which vary with local requirements.
(d) The Administrator may adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Designated Subsidiaries or locations, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code. The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 4.1 hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan.
(e) All expenses and liabilities incurred by the Administrator in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Administrator may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Administrator, the Company and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Participants, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Board or Administrator shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the Options, and all members of the Board or Administrator shall be fully protected by the Company in respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation. Any and all risks resulting from any market fluctuations or conditions of any nature and affecting the price of Shares are assumed by the Participant.
6.2 Designation of Subsidiaries. The Administrator shall designate from time to time the Subsidiaries that shall constitute Designated Subsidiaries and determine whether such Designated Subsidiaries shall participate in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component. The Administrator may designate a Subsidiary, or terminate the designation of a Subsidiary, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
6.3 Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each Participant in the Plan. Statements of Plan Accounts shall be given to Participants at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the Option Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.
6.4 No Right to Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any person (including any Participant) the right to remain in the employ of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary or to affect the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any person (including any Participant) at any time, with or without cause, which right is expressly reserved.
6.5 Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) The Board may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time. Unless earlier terminated by the Board, the Plan shall automatically terminate at the end of the day immediately prior to the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision), with respect to the Section 423 Component, or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any such amendment to the Plan in such a manner and to such a degree as required by Section 423 of the Code or such other law, regulation or rule.
(b) If the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may in its discretion modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:
(i) altering the Option Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Option Price;
(ii) shortening any Offering Period so that the Offering Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time of the Administrator action; and
(iii) allocating Shares.
Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Participant.
(c) Upon termination of the Plan, the balance in each Participant’s Plan Account shall be refunded as soon as practicable after such termination, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws).
6.6 Use of Funds; No Interest Paid. All funds received by the Company by reason of purchase of shares of Shares under the Plan shall be included in the general funds of the Company free of any trust or other restriction and may be used for any corporate purpose (except as may be required by applicable local laws). No interest shall be paid to any Participant or credited under the Plan (except as may be required by applicable local laws).
6.7 Term; Approval by Stockholders. No Option may be granted during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within 12 months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Options may be granted prior to such stockholder approval; provided, however, that such Options shall not be exercisable prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders; provided, further that if such approval has not been obtained by the end of the 12-month period, all Options previously granted under the Plan shall thereupon terminate and be canceled and become null and void without being exercised.
6.8 Effect Upon Other Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for employees of the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume Options otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose, including, but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, amalgamation, combination, arrangement, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, shares or assets of any corporation, firm or association.
6.9 Conformity to Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan and the participation in the Plan by any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemption rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
6.10 Notice of Disposition of Shares. Each Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares, acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under the Section 423 Component, if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years after the applicable Grant Date or (b) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to such Participant upon exercise of such Option. The Company may direct that any certificates evidencing shares acquired pursuant to the Plan refer to such requirement.
6.11 Tax Withholding. At the time of any taxable event that creates a withholding obligation for the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the Participant will make adequate provision for any Tax-Related Items. In their sole discretion, and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Company or the Designated Subsidiary that employs or employed the Participant may satisfy their obligations to withhold Tax-Related Items by (a) withholding from the Participant’s wages or other compensation, (b) withholding a sufficient whole number of Shares otherwise issuable following exercise of the Option having an aggregate value sufficient to pay the Tax-Related Items required to be withheld with respect to the Option and/or shares, or (c) withholding from proceeds from the sale of Shares issued upon exercise of the Option, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company.
6.12 Governing Law. The Plan and all rights, agreements and obligations hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law rules thereof or of any other jurisdiction.
6.13 Notices. All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.
6.14 Conditions to Issuance of Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of an Option by a Participant, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed or traded, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.
(b) All certificates for Shares delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with U.S. and non-U.S. federal, provincial, state or local securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted, or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any certificate or book entry evidencing Shares to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.
(c) The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Option, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Option, record the issuance of Shares in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or share plan administrator).
If, pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Administrator determines that Shares will not be issued to any Participant, the Company is relieved from liability to any Participant except to refund to the Participant such Participant’s Plan Account balance, without interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws).
6.15 Equal Rights and Privileges. All Eligible Employees granted Options pursuant to an Offering under the Section 423 Component shall have equal rights and privileges under this Plan to the extent required under Section 423 of the Code so that the Section 423 Component qualifies as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Any provision of the Section 423 Component that is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code shall, without further act or amendment by the Company or the Board, be reformed to comply with the equal rights and privileges requirement of Section 423 of the Code. Eligible Employees participating in the Non-Section 423 Component need not have the same rights and privileges as each other, or as Eligible Employees participating in the Section 423 Component.
6.16 Rules Particular to Specific Countries. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the terms and conditions of the Plan with respect to Participants who are tax residents of a particular non-U.S. country or who are non-U.S. nationals or employed in non-U.S. jurisdictions may be subject to an addendum to the Plan in the form of an appendix or sub-plan (which appendix or sub-plan may be designed to govern Offerings under the Section 423 Component or the Non-Section 423 Component, as determined by the Administrator). To the extent that the terms and conditions set forth in an appendix or sub-plan conflict with any provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the appendix or sub-plan shall govern. The adoption of any such appendix or sub-plan shall be pursuant to Section 6.1 above. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures, with respect to Participants who are non-U.S. nationals or employed in non-U.S. jurisdictions, regarding the exclusion of particular Subsidiaries from participation in the Plan, eligibility to participate, the definition of Compensation, handling of payroll deductions or other contributions by Participants, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, data privacy security, payroll tax, withholding procedures, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold payroll deductions or contributions, provided that the adoption and implementation of any such rules and/or procedures would not cause the Section 423 Component to be in noncompliance with Section 423 of the Code.
6.17 Section 409A. The Section 423 Component of the Plan and the Options granted pursuant to Offerings thereunder are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A. Neither the Non-Section 423 Component nor any Option granted pursuant to an Offering thereunder is intended to constitute or provide for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that any Option granted under the Plan may be or become subject to Section 409A or that any provision of the Plan may cause an Option granted under the Plan to be or become subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and/or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A or with an available exemption therefrom.
ARTICLE VII
DEFINITIONS
As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Administrator” means the Committee, or such individuals to which authority to administer the Plan has been delegated under Section 6.1 hereof.
“Agent” means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or an Employee with regard to the Plan.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any guidance and treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.
“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
“Common Stock” means the common stock, no par value per share, of the Company.
“Company” means Vaxart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.
“Compensation” of an Employee means the regular earnings or base salary paid to the Employee from the Company on each Payday as compensation for services to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary, before deduction for any salary deferral contributions made by the Employee to any tax-qualified or nonqualified deferred compensation plan, including overtime, shift differentials, vacation pay, salaried production schedule premiums, holiday pay, jury duty pay, funeral leave pay, paid time off, military pay, prior week adjustments and weekly bonus, but excluding bonuses and commissions, education or tuition reimbursements, imputed income arising under any group insurance or benefit program, travel expenses, business and moving reimbursements, including tax gross ups and taxable mileage allowance, income received in connection with any stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other compensatory equity awards and all contributions made by the Company or any Designated Subsidiary for the Employee’s benefit under any employee benefit plan now or hereafter established. Such Compensation shall be calculated before deduction of any income or employment tax withholdings, but shall be withheld from the Employee’s net income. The Administrator, in its discretion, may establish a different definition of Compensation for an Offering, which for the Section 423 Component shall apply on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis. Further, the Administrator will have discretion to determine the application of this definition to Eligible Employees outside the United States.
“Designated Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary, including any Subsidiary in existence on the Effective Date and any Subsidiary formed or acquired following the Effective Date, that has been designated by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan, in accordance with Section 6.2 hereof, such designation to specify whether such participation is in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component. A Designated Subsidiary may participate in either the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component, but not both.
“Effective Date” means the date the Plan is initially adopted by the Board, subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders.
“Eligible Employee” means, except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, any Employee: (a) who is customarily scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week; (b) whose customary employment is more than five months in a calendar year; and (c) who, after the granting of the Option, would not be deemed for purposes of Section 423(b)(3) of the Code to possess 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary. For purposes of clause (c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code with regard to the attribution of stock ownership shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an individual, and stock which an Employee may purchase under outstanding options shall be treated as stock owned by the Employee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may exclude from participation in the Section 423 Component as an Eligible Employee: (x) any Employee that is a “highly compensated employee” of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code), or that is such a “highly compensated employee” (A) with compensation above a specified level, (B) who is an officer or (C) who is subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act; or (y) any Employee who is a citizen or resident of a foreign jurisdiction (without regard to whether they are also a citizen of the United States or a resident alien (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) if either (A) the grant of the Option is prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction governing such Employee, or (B) compliance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction would cause the Section 423 Component, any Offering thereunder or an Option granted thereunder to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code; provided that any exclusion in clauses (x) or (y) shall be applied in an identical manner under each Offering to all Employees of the Company and all Designated Subsidiaries, in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(e). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Non-Section 423 Component, the first sentence in this definition shall apply in determining who is an “Eligible Employee,” except (a) the Administrator may limit eligibility further within the Company or a Designated Subsidiary so as to only designate some Employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary as Eligible Employees, and (b) to the extent the restrictions in the first sentence in this definition are not consistent with applicable local laws, the applicable local laws shall control.
“Employee” means any person who renders services to the Company or a Designated Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. “Employee” shall not include any director of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary who does not render services to the Company or a Designated Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary and meeting the requirements of Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2). Where the period of leave exceeds three months, or such other period specified in Treas. Reg. §1.421-1(h)(2), and the individual’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the first day immediately following such three-month period, or such other period specified in Treas. Reg. §1.421-1(h)(2).
“Enrollment Date” means the first date of each Offering Period.
“Exercise Date” means the last day of each Purchase Period, except as provided in Section 4.2 hereof.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.
“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows: (a) If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; (b) If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or (c) If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.
“Grant Date” means the first day of an Offering Period.
“New Exercise Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b) hereof.
“Non-Section 423 Component” means those Offerings under the Plan, together with the sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures, if any, adopted by the Administrator as a part of this Plan, in each case, pursuant to which Options may be granted to Eligible Employees that need not satisfy the requirements for Options granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” that are set forth under Section 423 of the Code.
“Offering” means an offer under the Plan of an Option that may be exercised during an Offering Period as further described in Article III hereof. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator, each Offering to the Eligible Employees shall be deemed a separate Offering, even if the dates and other terms of the applicable Purchase Periods of each such Offering are identical and the provisions of the Plan will separately apply to each Offering. To the extent permitted by Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(1), the terms of each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component need not be identical, provided that the terms of the Section 423 Component and an Offering thereunder together satisfy Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(2) and (a)(3).
“Offering Period” means the periods of approximately six (6) months during which Options shall be granted to Participants, commencing on such Trading Day as designated by the Administrator and terminating on a Trading Day approximately six (6) months later, each as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. The duration and timing of Offering Periods may be established or changed by the Administrator at any time, in its sole discretion and may consist of one or more Purchase Periods. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may an Offering Period exceed 27 months.
“Option” means the right to purchase Shares pursuant to the Plan during each Offering Period.
“Option Price” means the purchase price of a Share hereunder as provided in Section 3.2 hereof.
“Parent” means any entity that is a parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code.
“Participant” means any Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan.
“Participation Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) hereof.
“Payday” means the regular and recurring established day for payment of Compensation to an Employee.
“Plan” means this 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, including both the Section 423 Component and Non-Section 423 Component and any other sub-plans or appendices hereto, as amended from time to time.
“Plan Account” means a bookkeeping account established and maintained by the Company in the name of each Participant.
“Purchase Period” means the period commencing on the first Trading Day of each Offering Period and terminating on the last Trading Day of each Offering Period, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. The duration and timing of Purchase Periods may be established or changed by the Administrator at any time, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a Purchase Period exceed the duration of the Offering Period under which it is established.
“Section 409A” means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.
“Section 423 Component” means those Offerings under the Plan that are intended to meet the requirements under Section 423(b) of the Code.
“Shares” means shares of Common Stock.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
“Tax-Related Items” means any U.S. and non-U.S. federal, provincial, state and/or local taxes (including, without limitation, income tax, social insurance contributions, fringe benefit tax, employment tax, stamp tax and any employer tax liability which has been transferred to a Participant) for which a Participant is liable in connection with his or her participation in the Plan.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the national stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed is open for trading.
“Treas. Reg.” means U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations.
“Withdrawal Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a) hereof.
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PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT, SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 18, 2024
