PRE 14C: Preliminary information statement not related to a contested matter or merger/acquisition
Published on August 11, 2020
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
[X] | Preliminary Information Statement |
[ ] | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) |
[ ] | Definitive Information Statement |
LIXTE BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Information Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] | No fee required. |
[ ] | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
(5) | Total fee paid: | |
[ ] | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
[ ] | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
(3) | Filing Party: | |
(4) | Date Filed: | |
NOTICE OF ACTION TO BE TAKEN WITHOUT A MEETING
August __, 2020
Dear Stockholders:
The purpose of this letter and the enclosed Information Statement is to inform you that stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of the common stock of Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) have executed a written consent in lieu of a meeting to approve (a) an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to approve a reverse split of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-6 (the “Reverse Split”), and (b) the Company’s 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).
Our board of directors has authorized the Reverse Split and the Plan and stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of our common stock have executed a written consent approving the Reverse Split and the Plan (the “Proposals”). The consent we have received constitutes the only stockholder approval required under Delaware corporate law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as presently in effect. Pursuant to Rule 14c-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Reverse Spit and approval of the Plan will not become effective until at least 20 days after the accompanying information statement has been distributed to the stockholders of the Company and, in the case of the Reverse Split, only in conjunction with the Company’s Common Stock being listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
WE
ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND
YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
Because the written consent of holders of a majority of the voting power of our common stock approving the amendment satisfies all applicable stockholder voting requirements, we are not asking you for a Proxy; please do not send us one. We are furnishing this Information Statement to you solely to inform you of the approval of the Proposals by the holders of the voting power of our common stock. No action is required by you.
The Information Statement is for information purposes only — Please read it carefully.
August __, 2020 | By Order of the board of directors, |
/s/ JOHN KOVACH | |
John Kovach, Chief Executive Officer |
LIXTE BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
248 Route 25A, No.2
East Setauket, New York 11733
INFORMATION STATEMENT
August __, 2020
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WE
ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND
YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
General Information
This Information Statement is expected to be mailed on or about August __, 2020, to the stockholders of record of Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), at the close of business on August 14, 2020 (the “Record Date”). This Information Statement is being sent to you for information purposes only. No action is requested or required on your part.
This Information Statement is being furnished to you to inform you that holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of shares of our securities have adopted, by written consent, resolutions authorizing us to take the following actions (the “Proposals”):
Reverse Split. To approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to approve a reverse split (the “Reverse Split”) of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1 for 6
2020 Stock Incentive Plan. To approve and adopt the Company’s 2020 Stock Incentive Plan
We will bear the expenses relating to this Information Statement, including expenses in connection with preparing and mailing this Information Statement and all documents that now accompany or may in the future supplement it. We have asked brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of our common stock held of record by such persons and will reimburse such persons for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in forwarding such material.
Only one Information Statement is being delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. We will undertake to deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the Information Statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the Information Statement was delivered. You may make a written or oral request by sending a written notification to our principal executive offices stating your name, your shared address, and the address to which we should direct the additional copy of this Information Statement or by calling our principal executive offices at (631) 880-2907. If multiple stockholders sharing an address have received one copy of this Information Statement and would prefer us to mail each stockholder a separate copy of future mailings, you may send notification to or call our principal executive offices. Additionally, if current stockholders with a shared address received multiple copies of this Information Statement and would prefer us to mail one copy of future mailings to stockholders at the shared address, notification of that request may also be made by mail or telephone call to our principal executive offices.
Forward Looking Statements
This Information Statement and other reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) contain forward-looking statements about our business containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” and words of similar import. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results or performance to be materially different from the results or performance anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, stockholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as specified in SEC regulations, we have no duty to publicly release information that updates the forward-looking statements contained in this Information Statement.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE INFORMATION STATEMENT: THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE COMPANY’S WEB SITE AT WWW.LIXTE.COM
DISSENTERS’ RIGHT OF APPRAISAL
Under Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, no stockholder has any right to dissent to the Proposals, and no stockholder is entitled to appraisal of or payment for their shares of our common stock.
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
As of the Record Date, our authorized capitalization consisted of 100,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), of which 67,045,814 shares were issued and outstanding, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 350,000 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
Each share of Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to the stockholders.
CONSENTING STOCKHOLDERS
The approval of the Proposals requires the consent of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Common Stock entitled to vote. The Delaware General Corporation Law generally provides that any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
In order to eliminate the costs and management time involved in soliciting and obtaining proxies to approve the Proposals and in order to effectuate the Proposals as early as possible in order to accomplish the purposes of the Company as hereafter described, the board of directors of the Company voted to utilize, and did in fact obtain, the written consent of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Company. Approval of the Proposals was obtained as of July 31, 2020 by written consent of the holders of 50,564,107 shares of our Common Stock representing approximately 75% of the voting power.
No consideration was paid for the consent of any consenting stockholder.
The following table sets forth the names of the consenting stockholders, the number of shares of Common Stock held by each of them, the total number of votes that the consenting stockholders voted in favor of the Proposals, and the percentage of the issued outstanding voting equity of the Company that voted in favor thereof.
Name of Consenting Stockholder |
Number of Shares of common Stock Held |
Number of Votes that Voted in Favor of Proposals |
Percentage of the Voting Equity that Voted in Favor of the Proposals |
|||||||||
John S. Kovach Trust | 9,114,503 | 9,114,503 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||
Philip Palmedo and related party | 1,166,020 | 1,166,020 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||
John and Barbara Kovach Trust | 8,000,000 | 8,000,000 | 11.9 | % | ||||||||
Gil Schwartzberg and related persons | 6,018,739 | 6,018,739 | 8.8 | % | ||||||||
Debbie Schwartzberg | 2,504,845 | 2,504,845 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||
Arthur & Jane Riggs | 6,110,000 | 6,110,000 | 9 | % | ||||||||
Hung Tak Ho | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 8.9 | % | ||||||||
Robert & Susan Greenberg | 5,650,000 | 5,650,000 | 8.4 | % | ||||||||
Lalit Bahl & Kavit Kinra | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 8.9 | % | ||||||||
TOTAL | 50,564,107 | 50,564,107 | 74.8 | % |
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock summarizes the material terms and provisions of the indicated securities. For the complete terms of our Common Stock, please refer to our articles of incorporation and bylaws that we have filed with the SEC.
We are authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
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Common Stock
Voting. Each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of stock held of record on the books of the corporation for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders.
Dividends. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and if declared by the board of directors, out of our assets which are by law available for dividends, dividends payable in cash, property or shares of capital stock.
Dissolution, Liquidation or Winding Up. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our affairs, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled, unless otherwise provided by law or our articles of incorporation, including any certificate of designations for a series of preferred stock, to receive all of our remaining assets of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
Other Rights and Restrictions. Holders of our Common Stock do not have preemptive rights, and they have no right to convert their Common Stock into any other securities. Our Common Stock is not subject to redemption by us. The rights, preferences and privileges of common stockholders are subject to the rights of the stockholders of any series of preferred stock that are issued and outstanding or that we may issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series and our board of directors, without further approval from our stockholders, is authorized to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights, liquidation preferences and other rights and restrictions relating to any series. Issuances of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our Common Stock.
APPROVAL OF REVERSE SPLIT
Background
The Reverse Split has been approved in order to increase the stock price of our Common Stock, which is currently trading on the OTCQB marketplace, to a level sufficiently above the minimum bid price requirement that is required for initial listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”). The Company, may apply for initial listing on NASDAQ at such time as it otherwise meets the other quantitative and qualitative requirements for listing. On August , 2020, the last reported sales price on the OTCQB marketplace was $___ per share.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders representing approximately 75% of the Company’s voting power have approved the Reverse Split.
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
After the effective date of the Reverse Split, each common stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of our Common Stock. Without taking into account fractional shares that will be rounded up to the nearest whole share as described below, based on the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, there will be a reduction in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock from 67,045,814 shares to approximately 11,174,302 shares, before giving effect to the Offering.
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The Reverse Split will reduce the number of shares of our Common Stock issuable in connection with the Offering and upon exercise of outstanding stock awards under our outstanding compensation plans in proportion to the exchange ratio of the Reverse Split and will effect a proportionate increase in the exercise price of outstanding stock options. In connection with the Reverse Split, the number of shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock awards will be rounded to the nearest whole share and no cash payment will be made in respect of such rounding. The Reverse Split would have a similar effect upon our outstanding warrants. The Reverse Split will also reduce the number of our shares issuable in connection with the exercise of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and increase the conversion price by the exchange ratio of the Reverse Split.
The table below sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and issuable before and after the Reverse Split.
Number of Shares of Common Stock |
||||||||
Before Reverse Split |
After Reverse Split |
|||||||
Authorized | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | ||||||
Issued and outstanding | 67,045,814 | 11,174,302 | ||||||
Issuable upon exercise of outstanding common stock options | 7,850,000 | 1,308,333 | ||||||
Issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock common warrants | 9,000,000 | 1,500,000 | ||||||
Issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock | 4,375,000 | 729,167 |
The Reverse Split will affect all of our common stockholders uniformly and will not affect any common stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in us, except to the extent that the Reverse Split results in any of our common stockholders owning a fractional share as described below. The voting rights and other rights and preferences of the holders of our Common Stock will not be affected by the Reverse Split. The number of stockholders of record will not be affected by the Reverse Split. The par value of our Common Stock would remain unchanged.
The Proposal to effect the Reverse Split will not proportionately change the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock. As a result, one of the effects of the Reverse Split will be to effectively increase the proportion of authorized shares of Common Stock which are unissued relative to those which are issued. This could result in us being able to issue more shares of Common Stock without further stockholder approval.
Although we believe that the Reverse Split may be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, once implemented, the Reverse Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd-lots” of less than 100 shares. Brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots may be higher, particularly on a per-share basis, than the cost of transactions in even multiples of 100 shares.
Additional Risks Associated with the Reverse Split
There can be no assurance that the market value per share of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split will increase and/or remain higher than the current market value per share of our Common Stock at any time or for any period of time after the Reverse Split or that our total market capitalization after the Reverse Split will be equal to or greater than our total market capitalization before the Reverse Split.
There can be no assurance that the market value per share of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split will be increased by a multiple equal to the Reverse Split ratio, or increase at all, or remain constant in proportion to the reduction in the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock immediately prior to the Reverse Split or any increase in the market per share of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split. Accordingly, our total market capitalization after the Reverse Split could be lower than our total market capitalization before the Reverse Split and, in the future, the market value per share of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split may not exceed and/or remain higher than the current market value per share of our Common Stock immediately prior to the Reverse Split. In many cases, the total market capitalization of a company immediately after a Reverse Split is lower than the total market capitalization immediately prior to a Reverse Split.
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When the Reverse Split is implemented, the resulting price per share of our Common Stock may not attract institutional investors or investment funds and may not satisfy the investing guidelines of these investors, and consequently, the trading liquidity of our Common Stock may not improve.
While we believe that a higher stock price may help generate investor interest in our Common Stock, the Reverse Split may not result in a stock price that will attract institutional investors or investment funds or satisfy the investing guidelines of institutional investors or investment funds. A decline in the market price of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of the Split. If the Reverse Split is implemented and the market price of our Common Stock declines, the percentage decline may be greater than would occur in the absence of the split. The market price of our Common stock is also based on our performance, the fact that our Common Stock will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and other factors, which are unrelated to the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Implementation of the Reverse Split
We intend to file the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware with respect to the Reverse Split upon approval of the listing of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and the implementation of the reverse split is contingent on such approval. Except as explained below with respect to fractional shares, on the effective date, each number of specific shares of our Common Stock will be combined and converted, automatically and without any action on the part of the stockholders, into one share of Common Stock. Beginning on the effective date, each certificate representing old shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of new shares, if approved.
As soon as practicable after the effective date, stockholders will be notified that the Reverse Split has been effected. Our transfer agent will act as exchange agent for the Reverse Split for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of old shares may (but will not be required to) surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing old shares in exchange for certificates representing new shares in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by us or our transfer agent. No new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. Stockholders should not destroy any stock certificate and should not submit any certificates until requested to do so.
Payment for Fractional Shares
We will not issue any fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Split. Instead, any fractional share resulting from the Reverse Split will be rounded up to the nearest whole share.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of important U.S. federal tax considerations of the proposed Reverse Split. It addresses only stockholders who hold the pre-Reverse Split shares and post-Reverse Split shares as capital assets. It does not purport to be complete and does not address stockholders subject to special rules, such as financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, mutual funds, foreign stockholders, stockholders who hold the pre-Reverse Split shares as part of a straddle, hedge or conversion transaction, stockholders who hold the pre-Reverse Split shares as qualified small business stock within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, stockholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code and stockholders who acquired their pre-Reverse Split shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.
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This summary is based upon current law, which may change, possibly even retroactively. It does not address tax considerations under state, local, foreign and other laws. We have not obtained a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of legal or tax counsel with respect to the consequences of the Reverse Split.
ACCORDINGLY, ALL STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE REVERSE SPLIT.
We believe that a stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the Reverse Split. The aggregate tax basis of the post-Split shares received will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the presplit shares exchanged therefor, and the holding period of the post-Split shares received will include the holding period of the pre-Split shares exchanged. No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the Reverse Split.
APPROVAL OF THE 2020 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Summary
Our 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) was adopted by our board of directors on July 14, 2020 and has been approved by our stockholders holding a majority of the voting power or our Common Stock. Having an adequate number of shares of Common Stock available for future equity compensation grants is necessary to promote our long-term success and the creation of stockholder value by:
● | Enabling us to continue to attract and retain the services of key service providers who would be eligible to receive grants; | |
● | Aligning participants’ interests with stockholders’ interests through incentives that are based upon the performance of our Common Stock; | |
● | Motivating participants, through equity incentive awards, to achieve long-term growth in the Company’s business, in addition to short-term financial performance; and | |
● | Providing a long-term equity incentive program that is competitive as compared to other companies with whom we compete for talent. |
The 2020 Plan permits the discretionary award of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonstatutory stock options (“NQSOs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), and other equity awards to selected participants. The 2020 Plan will remain in effect until July 14, 2030.
The 2020 Plan provides for the reservation of 14,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder (the “Share Limit”), and provides that the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs is 14,000,000 (the “ISO Limit”). The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan constituted approximately 20.8% of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of board approval.
Attached as Appendix A is a copy of the 2020 Plan. The description herein of the 2020 Plan is qualified by reference to Appendix A.
Key Features of the 2020 Plan
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Certain key features of the 2020 Plan are summarized as follows:
● | If not terminated earlier by our board of directors, the 2020 Plan will terminate on July 14, 2030. | |
● | Up to a maximum aggregate of 14,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued under the 2020 Plan. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs is also 14,000,000. | |
● | The 2020 Plan will generally be administered by a committee comprised solely of independent members of our board of directors. This committee will be the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) unless otherwise designated by our board of directors. The board of directors may designate a separate committee to make awards to employees who are not officers subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. | |
● | Employees, consultants and board members are eligible to receive awards, provided that the Committee has the discretion to determine (i) who shall receive any awards, and (ii) the terms and conditions of such awards. | |
● | Awards may consist of ISOs, NQSOs, restricted stock, RSUs, SARs, and other equity awards. | |
● | Stock options and SARs may not be granted at a per share exercise price below the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the date of grant. | |
● | The maximum exercisable term of stock options and SARs may not exceed ten years. | |
● | Awards are subject to recoupment of compensation policies adopted by us. |
Eligibility to Receive Awards. Employees, consultants and our board members and certain of our affiliated companies are eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Plan. The Committee determines, in its discretion, the selected participants who will be granted awards under the 2020 Plan.
Shares Subject to the 2020 Plan. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that can be issued under the 2020 Plan is 14,000,000 shares.
The shares of Common Stock underlying forfeited or terminated awards (without payment of consideration), or unexercised awards become available again for issuance under the 2020 Plan. No fractional shares may be issued under the 2020 Plan. No shares of Common Stock will be issued with respect to a participant’s award unless applicable tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the participant.
Administration of the 2020 Plan. The 2020 Plan will be administered by our board of director’s Compensation Committee, which shall consist of independent board members. With respect to certain awards issued under the 2020 Plan, the members of the Committee also must be “Non-Employee Directors” under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. Subject to the terms of the 2020 Plan, the Committee has the sole discretion, among other things, to:
● | Select the individuals who will receive awards; | |
● | Determine the terms and conditions of awards (for example, performance conditions, if any, and vesting schedule); | |
● | Correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the 2020 Plan or any award agreement; | |
● | Accelerate the vesting, extend the post-termination exercise term or waive restrictions of any awards at any time and under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, subject to the limitations set forth in the 2020 Plan; | |
● | Permit a participant to defer compensation to be provided by an award; and | |
● | Interpret the provisions of the 2020 Plan and outstanding awards. |
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The Committee may suspend vesting, settlement, or exercise of awards pending a determination of whether a selected participant’s service should be terminated for cause (in which case outstanding awards would be forfeited). Awards may be subject to any policy that the board may implement on the recoupment of compensation (referred to as a “clawback” policy). The members of the board of directors, the Committee and their delegates shall be indemnified by us to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law for actions taken or not taken regarding the 2020 Plan. In addition, the Committee may use the 2020 Plan to issue shares under other plans or sub-plans as may be deemed necessary or appropriate, such as to provide for participation by non-U.S. employees and those of any of our subsidiaries and affiliates.
Types of Awards.
Stock Options. A stock option is the right to acquire shares at a fixed exercise price over a fixed period of time. The Committee will determine, among other terms and conditions, the number of shares covered by each stock option and the exercise price of the shares subject to each stock option, but such per share exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the date of grant of the stock option. The exercise price of each stock option granted under the 2020 Plan must be paid in full at the time of exercise, either with cash, or through a broker-assisted “cashless” exercise and sale program, or net exercise, or through another method approved by the Committee. Stock options granted under the 2020 Plan may be either ISOs or NQSOs. In order to comply with Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-2(b), the 2020 Plan provides that no more than 14,000,000 shares may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs.
SARs. A SAR is the right to receive, upon exercise, an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of the SAR’s exercise and the aggregate exercise price of the shares covered by the exercised portion of the SAR. The Committee determines the terms of SARs, including the exercise price (provided that such per share exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the date of grant), the vesting and the term of the SAR. Settlement of a SAR may be in shares of Common Stock or in cash, or any combination thereof, as the Committee may determine. SARs may not be repriced or exchanged without stockholder approval.
Restricted Stock. A restricted stock award is the grant of shares of our Common Stock to a selected participant and such shares may be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture until specific conditions or goals are met. The restricted shares may be issued with or without cash consideration being paid by the selected participant as determined by the Committee. The Committee also will determine any other terms and conditions of an award of restricted stock.
RSUs. RSUs are the right to receive an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares covered by the RSU at some future date after the grant. The Committee will determine all of the terms and conditions of an award of RSUs. Payment for vested RSUs may be in shares of Common Stock or in cash, or any combination thereof, as the Committee may determine. RSUs represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation for us, and a holder of a stock unit has no rights other than those of a general creditor.
Other Awards. The 2020 Plan also provides that other equity awards, which derive their value from the value of our shares or from increases in the value of our shares, may be granted. Substitute awards may be issued under the 2020 Plan in assumption of or substitution for or exchange for awards previously granted by an entity which we (or an affiliate) acquire.
Limited Transferability of Awards. Awards granted under the 2020 Plan generally are not transferrable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. However, the Committee may in its discretion permit the transfer of awards other than ISOs.
Change in Control. In the event that we are a party to a merger or other reorganization or similar transaction, outstanding 2020 Plan awards will be subject to the agreement pertaining to such merger or reorganization. Such agreement may provide for (i) the continuation of the outstanding awards by us if we are a surviving corporation, (ii) the assumption or substitution of the outstanding awards by the surviving entity or its parent, (iii) full exercisability and/or full vesting of outstanding awards, or (iv) cancellation of outstanding awards either with or without consideration, in all cases with or without consent of the selected participant. The Committee will decide the effect of a change in control of us on outstanding awards.
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Amendment and Termination of the 2020 Plan. The board of directors generally may amend or terminate the 2020 Plan at any time and for any reason, except that it must obtain stockholder approval of material amendments to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.
Federal Tax Consequences of the 2020 Plan
The following is a general summary, as of the date of this information statement, of the federal income tax consequences to participants and the Company of transactions under the 2020 Plan. This summary is intended for the information of stockholders considering how to vote at the Regular Meeting and not as tax guidance to participants in the 2020 Plan, as the consequences may vary with the types of grants made, the identity of the participant, and the method of payment or settlement. The summary does not address the effects of other federal taxes or taxes imposed under state, local, or foreign tax laws. Participants are encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of participation in the 2020 Plan.
Incentive Stock Options. With respect to incentive stock options, generally, the participant is not taxed, and we are not entitled to a deduction, on either the grant or the exercise of an incentive stock option so long as the requirements of Section 422 of the Code continue to be met. If the participant meets the employment requirements and does not dispose of the shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option until at least one year after date of the exercise of the stock option and at least two years after the date the stock option was granted, gain or loss realized on sale of the shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. If the shares of our common stock are disposed of before those periods expire, which is called a disqualifying disposition, the participant will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) if the disposition is a taxable sale or exchange, the amount of gain realized. Upon a disqualifying disposition, we will generally be entitled, in the same tax year, to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Non-Statutory Stock Options. The grant of a stock option that does not qualify for treatment as an incentive stock option, which is generally referred to as a non-statutory stock option, is generally not a taxable event for the participant. Upon exercise of the stock option, the participant will generally be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock acquired upon exercise (determined as of the date of exercise) over the exercise price of the stock option, and we will be entitled to a deduction in an equal amount in the same tax year, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code. At the time of a subsequent sale or disposition of shares obtained upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, any gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, which will be either a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the shares have been held.
SARs. The grant of a SAR will not cause the participant to recognize ordinary income or entitle us to a deduction for federal income tax purposes. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the amount of the cash or the value of shares payable to the participant (before reduction for any withholding taxes), and we will receive a corresponding deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code.
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Restricted Stock, RSUs, Deferred Stock Units, and Other Stock-Based Awards. The federal income tax consequences with respect to restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock units, performance shares and performance stock units, and other stock unit and stock-based awards depend on the facts and circumstances of each award, including, in particular, the nature of any restrictions imposed with respect to the awards. In general, if an award of stock granted to the participant is subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” (e.g., the award is conditioned upon the future performance of substantial services by the participant) and is nontransferable, a taxable event occurs when the risk of forfeiture ceases or the awards become transferable, whichever first occurs. At such time, the participant will recognize ordinary income to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the stock on such date over the participant’s cost for such stock (if any), and the same amount is deductible by us, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code. Under certain circumstances, the participant, by making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, can accelerate federal income tax recognition with respect to an award of stock that is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability restrictions, in which event the ordinary income amount and our deduction will be measured and timed as of the grant date of the award. If the stock award granted to the participant is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or transferability restrictions, the participant will recognize ordinary income with respect to the award to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the stock at the time of grant over the participant’s cost, if any, and the same amount is deductible by us, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code. If a stock unit award or other stock-based award is granted but no stock is actually issued to the participant at the time the award is granted, the participant will recognize ordinary income at the time the participant receives the stock free of any substantial risk of forfeiture (or receives cash in lieu of such stock) and the amount of such income will be equal to the fair market value of the stock at such time over the participant’s cost, if any, and the same amount is then deductible by us, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Withholding Obligations. We are entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the participant, to make other arrangements for the collection of, or to require the participant to pay to us an amount necessary for us to satisfy the participant’s federal, state, or local tax withholding obligations with respect to awards granted under the 2020 Plan. Withholding for taxes may be calculated based on the maximum applicable tax rate for the participant’s jurisdiction or such other rate that will not trigger a negative accounting impact on the Company. The Compensation Committee may permit a participant to satisfy a tax withholding obligation by withholding shares of common stock underlying an award, tendering previously acquired shares, delivery of a broker exercise notice, or a combination of these methods.
Code Section 409A. A participant may be subject to a 20% penalty tax, in addition to ordinary income tax, at the time a grant becomes vested, plus an interest penalty tax, if the grant constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and the requirements of Section 409A of the Code are not satisfied.
Code Section 162(m). Pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code, the annual compensation paid to an individual who is a “covered employee” is not deductible by us to the extent it exceeds $1 million. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act, signed into law on December 22, 2017, amended Section 162(m), effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, (i) to expand the definition of a “covered employee” to include any person who was the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer at any time during the year and the three most highly compensated officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer) who were employed at any time during the year whether or not the compensation is reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31,2019; (ii) to treat any individual who is considered a covered employee at any time during a tax year beginning after December 31, 2106 as remaining a covered employee permanently; and (iii) to eliminate the performance-based compensation exception to the $1 million deduction limit (with a transition provision continuing the performance-based exception for certain compensation covered by a written binding contract in existence on November 2, 2017).
Excise Tax on Parachute Payments. Unless otherwise provided in a separate agreement between a participant and the Company, if, with respect to a participant, the acceleration of the vesting of an award or the payment of cash in exchange for all or part of an award, together with any other payments that such participant has the right to receive from the Company, would constitute a “parachute payment,” then the payments to such participant will be reduced to the largest amount as will result in no portion of such payments being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code. Such reduction, however, will only be made if the aggregate amount of the payments after such reduction exceeds the difference between the amount of such payments absent such reduction minus the aggregate amount of the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code attributable to any such excess parachute payments. If such provisions are applicable and if an employee will be subject to a 20% excise tax on any “excess parachute payment” pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code, we will be denied a deduction with respect to such excess parachute payment pursuant to Section 280G of the Code.
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INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE PROPOSALS
Except that certain of our directors and executive officers have received and may receive grants of awards under the 2020 Plan, no director, executive officer, associate of any director or executive officer, or any other person has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in the Proposals to which is not shared by all other holders of the Company’s Common Stock. See “Stockholdings of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive Officers.”
STOCKHOLDINGS
OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth, as of August 1, 2020, certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock (the only class of our voting equity securities issued and outstanding) by (i) each person or entity who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each of our directors, and (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. As of August 1, 2020, there were 67,045,814 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. In computing the number and percentage of shares beneficially owned by a person, shares of common stock that a person has a right to acquire within sixty (60) days of August 1, 2020 pursuant to stock options, warrants, convertible preferred stock or other rights are counted as outstanding, while these shares are not counted as outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each stockholder listed in the following table is c/o Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc., 248 Route 25A, No. 2, East Setauket, New York 11733. This table is based upon information supplied by our directors, officers and principal stockholders and reports filed with the SEC.
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
||||||
Officers, Directors and 5% stockholders | ||||||||
Dr. John S. Kovach | ||||||||
248 Route 25A, No. 2 | ||||||||
East Setauket, New York 11733 | 9,114,503 | (1) | 13.6 | % | ||||
Dr. Philip F. Palmedo | ||||||||
248 Route 25A, No. 2 | ||||||||
East Setauket, New York 11733 | 1,816,020 | (2) | 2.7 | % | ||||
Dr. Stephen J. Forman | ||||||||
248 Route 25A, No. 2 | ||||||||
East Setauket, New York 11733 | 522,500 | (3) | 0.8 | % | ||||
Dr. Yun Yen | ||||||||
248 Route 25A, No. 2 | ||||||||
East Setauket, New York 11733 | 250,000 | (13) | 0.4 | % | ||||
Dr. Winson Sze Chun Ho | ||||||||
248 Route 25A, No. 2 | ||||||||
East Setauket, New York 11733 | 250,000 | (12) | 0.4 | % | ||||
Eric J. Forman | ||||||||
248 Route 25A, No. 2 | ||||||||
East Setauket, New York 11733 | 8,420,000 | (5) | 12.5 | % | ||||
Dr. James Miser | ||||||||
248 Route 25A, No. 2 | ||||||||
East Setauket, New York 11733 | 125,000 | (14) | — | % | ||||
All officers and directors as a group (eight persons) | 11,953,023 | 17.5 | % | |||||
John and Barbara Kovach 2015 Trust | ||||||||
Eric J. Forman, Trustee | ||||||||
401 Park Avenue South, 10th Floor | ||||||||
New York, New York 10016 | 8,000,000 | (4) | 11.9 | % | ||||
Gil Schwartzberg | ||||||||
5500 Military Trail, Suite 22, Box 356 | ||||||||
Jupiter, Florida 33458 | 11,618,739 | (6) | 16.1 | % | ||||
Dr. Debbie Schwartzberg | ||||||||
5500 Military Trail, Suite 22, Box 356 | ||||||||
Jupiter, Florida 33458 | 9,874,845 | (7) | 13.8 | % | ||||
Dr. Arthur and Jane Riggs | ||||||||
4852 Saint Andres Avenue | ||||||||
La Verne, California 91750 | 11,745,000 | (8) | 16.2 | % | ||||
Robert and Susan Greenberg | ||||||||
228 Manhattan Beach Boulevard | ||||||||
Manhattan Beach, California 90266 | 7,650,000 | (9) | 11.1 | % | ||||
Lalit R. Bahl and Kavit K. Kinra | ||||||||
3 Pheasant Run | ||||||||
Setauket, New York 11733 | 6,000,000 | 8.8 | % | |||||
Lawrence J. Goldstein | ||||||||
1865 Palmer Avenue | ||||||||
Larchmont, NY 10538 | 4.000,000 | (10) | 5.8 | % | ||||
Hung Tak Ho | ||||||||
Mayfair by the Sea II | ||||||||
Tower T8, 1/F, Unit A | ||||||||
21 Fo Chun Road Pak ShekKok |
||||||||
Taipo NT, Hong Kong SAR | 6,000,000 | (11) | 8.9 | % |
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(1) The shares are owned as of record by the John S. Kovach Trust. Dr. Kovach is a co-trustee of the Trust and has the exclusive right to control the investment of the assets of the Trust.
(2) Includes of 1,100,000 shares of common stock and stock warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock owned by the Philip Palmedo Partnership, and 66,020 shares of common stock and stock options to purchase 550,000 shares of common stock owned by Dr. Philip Palmedo. Dr. Palmedo, as the general partner of the Philip Palmedo Partnership, has voting, dispositive and investment control with respect to the common stock and common stock warrants owned by the partnership. All stock options and common stock warrants are immediately exercisable or within 60 days.
(3) Includes of 22.500 shares of common stock owned by Dr. Stephen Forman and stock options to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock which are immediately exercisable or within 60 days. Also includes 100,000 shares of common stock and stock warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock owned by the Stephen Forman Living Trust dated 12/16/98. Stephen Forman is trustee of the trust and holds voting and dispositive power over the common stock and common stock warrants owned by the trust.
(4) Includes 8,000,000 shares of common stock transferred by John Kovach and his wife, Barbara C.H. Kovach, as grantors, to the John and Barbara Kovach 2015 Trust, an irrevocable trust dated July 6, 2015. The primary beneficiaries of the trust are the two adult daughters of John and Barbara Kovach. Eric J. Forman is the trustee of the John and Barbara Kovach 2015 Trust.
(5) Includes 100,000 shares of common stock owned by Eric J. Forman, stock options to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock and stock warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock. Eric Forman is the husband of Julie (Schwartzberg) Forman, the son-in-law of Gil and Debbie Schwartzberg, and the trustee of the John and Barbara Kovach 2015 Trust. Also includes 8,000,000 shares of common stock owned by the John and Barbara Kovach 2015 Trust, as to which Eric Forman, as trustee, has voting, dispositive and investment control. Excludes 1,120,000 shares of common stock, stock options to purchase 1,750,000 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase 500,000 of common stock owned by the Julie Schwartzberg Trust, as to which Julie (Schwartzberg) Forman is the beneficiary, and as to which Eric Forman disclaims beneficial ownership or control. Also excludes 30,000 shares of common stock owned by the Julie Forman 2015 Trust, the beneficiary of which is Cole Forman, the son of Eric and Julie Forman, as to which David Sterling, as trustee, has voting, dispositive and investment control. Also excludes 100,000 shares of common stock owned by each of the Savannah Sterling Trust, Amanda Sterling Trust, Daniel Sterling Trust and Charles Sterling Trust, as to which Julie Forman is the trustee. All stock options and stock warrants are immediately exercisable or within 60 days.
(6) Includes 2,255,556 shares of common stock owned by the Gil & Debbie Schwartzberg Family Trust dated November 19, 2003, Gil Schwartzberg Separate Property, as to which Gil Schwartzberg, as trustee, has voting, dispositive and investment control, and stock options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock owned by Gil Schwartzberg. All stock options and common stock warrants are immediately exercisable or within 60 days.
Also includes the following:
- | 855,068 shares of common stock owned by the Gil Schwartzberg IRA; | |
- | 638,115 shares of common stock owned by Continuum Capital Partners, LP, as to which Gil Schwartzberg has sole voting, dispositive and investment control; | |
- | 1,120,000 shares of common stock, stock options to purchase 1,750,000 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock owned by the Julie Schwartzberg Trust, as to which Gil Schwartzberg is the co-trustee; | |
- | 1,150,000 shares of common stock, stock options to purchase 1,750,000 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock owned by the David N. Sterling Trust, as to which Gil Schwartzberg is the co-trustee; | |
- | 100,000 shares of common stock owned by each of the Savannah Sterling Trust, Amanda Sterling Trust, Daniel Sterling Trust and Charles Sterling Trust, as to which Julie Forman is the trustee; | |
- | 200,000 shares of common stock owned by the Julie Forman 2015 Trust, David Sterling trustee. |
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Excludes the following:
- | 2,504,845 shares of common stock owned by the Gil & Debbie Schwartzberg Family Trust dated November 19, 2003, Debbie Schwartzberg Separate Property, the wife of Gil Schwartzberg, as to which Gil Schwartzberg disclaims beneficial ownership or control. |
(7) Includes 2,504,845 shares of common stock owned by the Gil & Debbie Schwartzberg Family Trust dated November 19, 2003, Debbie Schwartzberg Separate Property, as to which Debbie Schwartzberg, as trustee, has voting, dispositive and investment control. All stock options and common stock warrants are immediately exercisable or within 60 days.
Also includes the following:
- | 1,120,000 shares of common stock, stock options to purchase 1,750,000 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock owned by the Julie Schwartzberg Trust, as to which Debbie Schwartzberg is the co-trustee; | |
- | 1,150,000 shares of common stock, stock options to purchase 1,750,000 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock owned by the David N. Sterling Trust, as to which Debbie Schwartzberg is the co-trustee; | |
- | 100,000 shares of common stock owned by each of the Savannah Sterling Trust, Amanda Sterling Trust, Daniel Sterling Trust and Charles Sterling Trust, as to which Julie Forman is the trustee; | |
- | 200,000 shares of common stock owned by the Julie Forman 2015 Trust, David Sterling trustee. |
Excludes the following:
- | 2,255,556 shares of common stock and stock options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock owned by the Gil & Debbie Schwartzberg Family Trust dated November 19, 2003, Gil Schwartzberg Separate Property, as to which Debbie Schwartzberg, the wife of Gil Schwartzberg, disclaims beneficial ownership or control; | |
- | 855,068 shares of common stock owned by the Gil Schwartzberg IRA; | |
- | 638,115 shares of common stock owned by Continuum Capital Partners, LP, as to which Gil Schwartzberg has sole voting, dispositive and investment control. |
(8) Includes 6,110,000 shares of common stock, 4,375,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 350,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, and common stock warrants to purchase 1,260,000 shares of common stock owned by the Arthur and Jane Riggs 1990 Revocable Trust. Arthur Riggs and his wife, Jane Riggs, are co-trustees of the trust and share voting and dispositive power over the shares of preferred stock. The shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were acquired on March 17, 2015 and January 15, 2016, are non-voting, and are immediately convertible into common stock.
(9) Consists of 5,650,000 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock owned by the Greenberg Family Trust dated May 3, 1988. The trust is a revocable trust, and Arthur Greenberg and his wife, Susan Greenberg, are co-trustees of the trust and share voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock.
(10) Includes 1,000,000 shares of common stock owned by Lawrence J. Goldstein and common stock warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock owned by Lawrence J. Goldstein. Also includes 1,000,000 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock owned by the Santa Monica Partners, L.P. Lawrence J. Goldstein is the sole managing member of the general partner, SMP Asset Management LLC.
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(11) Excludes stock options to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock owned by Dr. Winson Sze Chun Ho, a director of ours, and the son of Hung Tak Ho, as to which Hung Tak Ho disclaims beneficial ownership or control.
(12) Includes stock options to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock. Excludes 6,000,000 shares of common stock owned by Hung Tak Ho, the father of Dr. Winson Sze Chun Ho, a director of ours, as to which Dr. Winson Sze Chun Ho disclaims beneficial ownership or control.
(13) Includes stock options to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock.
(14) Consists of stock options to purchase shares of common stock.
PROPOSALS BY SECURITY HOLDERS
As of the date of this Information Statement, no proposals have been received by the Company.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith, we file periodic reports, documents and other information with the SEC relating to our business, financial statements and other matters. Such reports and other information may be inspected and are available for copying at the offices of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or may be accessed at www.sec.gov. Information regarding the operation of the public reference rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
We will provide, upon request and without charge, to each stockholder receiving this Information Statement a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and a copy of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 3020, including the financial statements included therein, as filed with the SEC. You are encouraged to review the Annual Report, the Quarterly Report and any subsequent information we filed or will file with the SEC and other publicly available information.
August __, 2020 | By Order of the board of directors, |
/s/ JOHN KOVACH | |
John Kovach | |
Chief Executive Officer |
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APPENDIX A
LIXTE BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC..
2020 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose.
The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company in attracting, retaining, motivating, and rewarding certain employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates and promoting the creation of long-term value for stockholders of the Company by closely aligning the interests of such individuals with those of such stockholders. The Plan authorizes the award of Stock-based and cash-based incentives to Eligible Persons to encourage such Eligible Persons to expend maximum effort in the creation of stockholder value.
2. Definitions.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.
(b) “Award” means any Option, award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Appreciation Right, or other Stock-based award granted under the Plan.
(c) “Award Agreement” means an Option Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, an RSU Agreement, a SAR Agreement, or an agreement governing the grant of any other Stock-based Award granted under the Plan.
(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) “Cause” means, with respect to a Participant and in the absence of an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement otherwise defining Cause, (1) the Participant’s plea of nolo contendere to, conviction of or indictment for, any crime (whether or not involving the Company or its Affiliates) (i) constituting a felony or (ii) that has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the performance of the Participant’s duties to the Service Recipient, or otherwise has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates, (2) conduct of the Participant, in connection with his or her employment or service, that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in injury to the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates, (3) any material violation of the policies of the Service Recipient, including, but not limited to, those relating to sexual harassment or the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Service Recipient; (4) the Participant’s act(s) of negligence or willful misconduct in the course of his or her employment or service with the Service Recipient; (5) misappropriation by the Participant of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or its Affiliates; (6) embezzlement or fraud committed by the Participant, at the Participant’s direction, or with the Participant’s prior actual knowledge; or (7) willful neglect in the performance of the Participant’s duties for the Service Recipient or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties. If, subsequent to the Termination of a Participant for any reason other than by the Service Recipient for Cause, it is discovered that the Participant’s employment or service could have been terminated for Cause, such Participant’s employment or service shall, at the discretion of the Committee, be deemed to have been terminated by the Service Recipient for Cause for all purposes under the Plan, and the Participant shall be required to repay to the Company all amounts received by him or her in respect of any Award following such Termination that would have been forfeited under the Plan had such Termination been by the Service Recipient for Cause. In the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement defining Cause, “Cause” shall have the meaning provided in such agreement, and a Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause hereunder shall not be deemed to have occurred unless all applicable notice and cure periods in such Award Agreement or Participant Agreement are complied with.
(f) “Change in Control” means:
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(1) a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or similar non-U.S. regulatory agency or pursuant to a Non-Control Transaction) whereby any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act) or any two or more persons deemed to be one “person” (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or any of its Affiliates, an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates (or its related trust), or any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, directly or indirectly acquire “beneficial ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities eligible to vote in the election of the Board (the “Company Voting Securities”);
(2) the date, within any consecutive twenty-four (24) month period commencing on or after the Effective Date, upon which individuals who constitute the Board as of the Effective Date (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual who becomes a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then constituting the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such individual is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or
(3) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Affiliates that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders (whether for such transaction, the issuance of securities in the transaction or otherwise) (a “Reorganization”), unless immediately following such Reorganization (i) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of (A) the corporation resulting from such Reorganization (the “Surviving Company”) or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that has, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of one hundred percent (100%) of the voting securities of the Surviving Company (the “Parent Company”), is represented by Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Reorganization), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among holders thereof immediately prior to such Reorganization, (ii) no person, other than an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company (or its related trust), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Company, or if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Company, or if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company, following the consummation of such Reorganization are members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization (any Reorganization which satisfies all of the criteria specified in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above shall be a “Non-Control Transaction”); or
(4) the sale or disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act) or to any two or more persons deemed to be one “person” (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company’s Affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company Voting Securities as a result of an acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company that reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then be deemed to occur, and (y) with respect to the payment of any amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code payable upon a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred, unless the Change in Control constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code.
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(g) “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules and regulations thereto.
(h) “Committee” means the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee consisting of two or more individuals appointed by the Board to administer the Plan and each other individual or committee of individuals designated to exercise authority under the Plan.
(i) “Company” means Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(j) “Corporate Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(b) hereof.
(k) “Data” has the meaning set forth in Section 20(f) hereof.
(l) “Disability” means, in the absence of an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement otherwise defining Disability, the permanent and total disability of such Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. In the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement defining Disability, “Disability” shall have the meaning provided in such Award Agreement or Participant Agreement.
(m) “Disqualifying Disposition” means any disposition (including any sale) of Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option made within the period that ends either (1) two years after the date on which the Participant was granted the Incentive Stock Option or (2) one year after the date upon which the Participant acquired the Stock.
(n) “Effective Date” means July 14, 2020, which is the date on which the Plan was approved by the Board.
(o) “Eligible Person” means (1) each employee and officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (2) each non-employee director of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (3) each other natural Person who provides substantial services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as a consultant or advisor (or a wholly owned alter ego entity of the natural Person providing such services of which such Person is an employee, stockholder or partner) and who is designated as eligible by the Committee, and (4) each natural Person who has been offered employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates; provided that such prospective employee may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such Person has commenced employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates; provided further, however, that (i) with respect to any Award that is intended to qualify as a “stock right” that does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the term “Affiliate” as used in this Section 2(o) shall include only those corporations or other entities in the unbroken chain of corporations or other entities beginning with the Company where each of the corporations or other entities in the unbroken chain other than the last corporation or other entity owns stock possessing at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations or other entities in the chain, and (ii) with respect to any Award that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, the term “Affiliate” as used in this Section 2(o) shall include only those entities that qualify as a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. An employee on an approved leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.
(p) “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules and regulations thereto.
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(q) “Expiration Date” means, with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the date on which the term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right expires, as determined under Sections 5(b) or 8(b) hereof, as applicable.
(r) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date when the Stock is listed on one or more national securities exchanges, the closing price reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Stock is listed and traded on the date of determination or, if the closing price is not reported on such date of determination, the closing price reported on the most recent date prior to the date of determination. If the Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, “Fair Market Value” shall mean the amount determined by the Board in good faith, and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, to be the fair market value per share of Stock.
(s) “GAAP” means the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as in effect from time to time.
(t) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(u) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(v) “Option” means a conditional right, granted to a Participant under Section 5 hereof, to purchase Stock at a specified price during a specified time period.
(w) “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option Award.
(x) “Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under the Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an Award.
(y) “Participant Agreement” means an employment or other services agreement between a Participant and the Service Recipient that describes the terms and conditions of such Participant’s employment or service with the Service Recipient and is effective as of the date of determination.
(z) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or other entity.
(aa) “Plan” means this Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc.. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
(bb) “Qualified Member” means a member of the Committee who is a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an “independent director” as defined under, as applicable, the NASDAQ Listing Rules, the NYSE Listed Company Manual or other applicable stock exchange rules.
(cc) “Qualifying Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof.
(dd) “Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6 hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
(ee) “Restricted Stock Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Restricted Stock Award.
(ff) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a notional unit representing the right to receive one share of Stock (or the cash value of one share of Stock, if so determined by the Committee) on a specified settlement date.
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(gg) “RSU Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award of Restricted Stock Units.
(hh) “SAR Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(ii) “Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules and regulations thereto.
(jj) “Service Recipient” means, with respect to a Participant holding an Award, either the Company or an Affiliate of the Company by which the original recipient of such Award is, or following a Termination was most recently, principally employed or to which such original recipient provides, or following a Termination was most recently providing, services, as applicable.
(kk) “Stock” means Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, and such other securities as may be substituted for such stock pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(ll) “Stock Appreciation Right” means a conditional right to receive an amount equal to the value of the appreciation in the Stock over a specified period. Except in the event of extraordinary circumstances, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, or pursuant to Section 10(b) hereof, Stock Appreciation Rights shall be settled in Stock.
(mm) “Substitute Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.
(nn) “Termination” means the termination of a Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, with the Service Recipient; provided, however, that, if so determined by the Committee at the time of any change in status in relation to the Service Recipient (e.g., a Participant ceases to be an employee and begins providing services as a consultant, or vice versa), such change in status will not be deemed a Termination hereunder. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that the Service Recipient ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company (by reason of sale, divestiture, spin-off, or other similar transaction), unless a Participant’s employment or service is transferred to another entity that would constitute the Service Recipient immediately following such transaction, such Participant shall be deemed to have suffered a Termination hereunder as of the date of the consummation of such transaction. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Participant’s change in status in relation to the Service Recipient (for example, a change from employee to consultant) shall not be deemed a Termination hereunder with respect to any Awards constituting “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination unless such change in status constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments in respect of an Award constituting nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination shall be delayed for such period as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. On the first business day following the expiration of such period, the Participant shall be paid, in a single lump sum without interest, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule applicable to such Award.
3. Administration.
(a) Authority of the Committee. Except as otherwise provided below, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to (1) select Eligible Persons to become Participants, (2) grant Awards, (3) determine the type, number and type of shares of Stock subject to, other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, (4) prescribe Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, (5) construe and interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and correct defects, supply omissions, and reconcile inconsistencies therein, (6) suspend the right to exercise Awards during any period that the Committee deems appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, and thereafter extend the exercise period of an Award by an equivalent period of time or such shorter period required by, or necessary to comply with, applicable law, and (7) make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all Persons, including, without limitation, the Company, its stockholders and Affiliates, Eligible Persons, Participants, and beneficiaries of Participants. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee shall have the ability to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding Award at any time and for any reason, including upon a Corporate Event, subject to Section 10(d), or in the event of a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient other than for Cause, or due to the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement (as such term may be defined in an applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, or, if no such definition exists, in accordance with the Company’s then-current employment policies and guidelines). For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall have the authority to take all actions under the Plan that the Committee is permitted to take.
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(b) Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to a Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company, must be taken by the remaining members of the Committee or a subcommittee, designated by the Committee or the Board, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members (a “Qualifying Committee”). Any action authorized by such a Qualifying Committee shall be deemed the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan. The express grant of any specific power to a Qualifying Committee, and the taking of any action by such a Qualifying Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.
(c) Delegation. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to officers or employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions under the Plan, including, but not limited to, administrative functions, as the Committee may determine appropriate. The Committee may appoint agents to assist it in administering the Plan. Any actions taken by an officer or employee delegated authority pursuant to this Section 3(c) within the scope of such delegation shall, for all purposes under the Plan, be deemed to be an action taken by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, any Award granted under the Plan to any Eligible Person who is not an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (including any non-employee director of the Company or any Affiliate) or to any Eligible Person who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act must be expressly approved by the Committee or Qualifying Committee in accordance with Section 3(b) above.
(d) Sections 409A and 457A. The Committee shall take into account compliance with Sections 409A and 457A of the Code in connection with any grant of an Award under the Plan, to the extent applicable. While the Awards granted hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the imposition of any penalty taxes under Sections 409A and 457A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant as a result of Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code or any similar state or local laws (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code).
4. Shares Available Under the Plan; Other Limitations.
(a) Number of Shares Available for Delivery. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10 hereof, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall equal 14,000,000. Shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares or previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company on the open market or by private purchase. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) except as may be required by reason of Section 422 of the Code, the number of shares of Stock available for issuance hereunder shall not be reduced by shares issued pursuant to Awards issued or assumed in connection with a merger or acquisition as contemplated by, as applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) and IM-5635-1, AMEX Company Guide Section 711, or other applicable stock exchange rules, and their respective successor rules and listing exchange promulgations (each such Award, a “Substitute Award”); and (ii) shares of Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash.
(b) Share Counting Rules. The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double-counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem awards or Substitute Awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award. Other than with respect to a Substitute Award, to the extent that an Award expires or is canceled, forfeited, settled in cash, or otherwise terminated without delivery to the Participant of the full number of shares of Stock to which the Award related, the undelivered shares of Stock will again be available for grant. Shares of Stock withheld in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to an Award and shares of Stock equal to the number surrendered in payment of any exercise price or taxes relating to an Award shall not be deemed to constitute shares delivered to the Participant and shall be deemed to again be available for delivery under the Plan.
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(c) Incentive Stock Options. No more than 14,,000,000 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10 hereof) reserved for issuance hereunder may be issued or transferred upon exercise or settlement of Incentive Stock Options.
(d) Shares Available Under Acquired Plans. To the extent permitted by NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) or other applicable stock exchange rules, subject to applicable law, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio of formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards could have been made under the terms of such pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.
5. Options.
(a) General. Certain Options granted under the Plan may be intended to be Incentive Stock Options; however, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted hereunder following the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board and (ii) the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan. Options may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or an Affiliate (as such definition is limited pursuant to Section 2(o) hereof) of the Company. The provisions of separate Options shall be set forth in separate Option Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Options.
(b) Term. The term of each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable after, and each Option shall expire, ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(c) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock for each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, subject to Section 5(g) hereof in the case of any Incentive Stock Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of Stock for such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, that such exercise price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code.
(d) Payment for Stock. Payment for shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Option granted hereunder shall be made in full upon exercise of the Option in a manner approved by the Committee, which may include any of the following payment methods: (1) in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars, or by certified or bank cashier’s check, (2) by delivery of shares of Stock having a value equal to the exercise price, (3) by a broker-assisted cashless exercise in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee, whereby payment of the Option exercise price or tax withholding obligations may be satisfied, in whole or in part, with shares of Stock subject to the Option by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate exercise price and, if applicable, the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s withholding obligations, or (4) by any other means approved by the Committee (including, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, pursuant to which the Participant shall receive the number of shares of Stock underlying the Option so exercised reduced by the number of shares of Stock equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option divided by the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Committee determines that any form of payment available hereunder would be in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, such form of payment shall not be available.
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(e) Vesting. Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in an Option Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Option at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of an Option shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment. If an Option is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Option expires, is canceled or otherwise terminates.
(f) Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in an Option Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise:
(1) In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Options outstanding shall cease, (B) all of such Participant’s unvested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (C) all of such Participant’s vested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination.
(2) In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Options outstanding shall cease, (ii) all of such Participant’s unvested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (iii) all of such Participant’s vested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such Termination.
(3) In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participant’s Options outstanding (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.
(g) Special Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options.
(1) No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person who, at the time the Option is granted, owns directly, or indirectly within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary thereof, unless such Incentive Stock Option (i) has an exercise price of at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of the grant of such Option and (ii) cannot be exercised more than five (5) years after the date it is granted.
(2) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of Stock for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, such excess Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
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(3) Each Participant who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.
6. Restricted Stock.
(a) General. Restricted Stock may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Awards of Restricted Stock shall be set forth in separate Restricted Stock Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(b) hereof, and except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall generally have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement, cash dividends and stock dividends, if any, with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and shall be subject to forfeiture to the same degree as the shares of Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any cash dividends withheld.
(b) Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer. Restricted Stock shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Award of Restricted Stock at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment. In addition to any other restrictions set forth in a Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber the Restricted Stock prior to the time the Restricted Stock has vested pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Agreement.
(c) Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in a Restricted Stock Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination for any reason prior to the time that such Participant’s Restricted Stock has vested, (1) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Restricted Stock outstanding shall cease, and (2) as soon as practicable following such Termination, the Company shall repurchase from the Participant, and the Participant shall sell, all of such Participant’s unvested shares of Restricted Stock at a purchase price equal to the original purchase price paid for the Restricted Stock; provided that, if the original purchase price paid for the Restricted Stock is equal to zero dollars ($0), such unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited to the Company by the Participant for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.
7. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) General. Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Restricted Stock Units shall be set forth in separate RSU Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
(b) Vesting. Restricted Stock Units shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Restricted Stock Unit at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment.
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(c) Settlement. Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in Stock, cash, or property, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, on the date or dates determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participant’s RSU Agreement, a Participant shall not be entitled to dividends, if any, or dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Stock Units prior to settlement.
(d) Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in an RSU Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination for any reason prior to the time that such Participant’s Restricted Stock Units have been settled, (1) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Restricted Stock Units outstanding shall cease, (2) all of such Participant’s unvested Restricted Stock Units outstanding shall be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (3) any shares remaining undelivered with respect to vested Restricted Stock Units then held by such Participant shall be delivered on the delivery date or dates specified in the RSU Agreement.
8. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) General. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Stock Appreciation Rights shall be set forth in separate SAR Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Stock Appreciation Rights.
(b) Term. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder shall be exercisable after, and each Stock Appreciation Right shall expire, ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(c) Base Price. The base price per share of Stock for each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the base price per share of Stock for such Stock Appreciation Right may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, that such base price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
(d) Vesting. Stock Appreciation Rights shall vest and become exercisable in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a SAR Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Stock Appreciation Right at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of a Stock Appreciation Right shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment. If a Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Stock Appreciation Right expires, is canceled or otherwise terminates.
(e) Payment upon Exercise. Payment upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right may be made in cash, Stock, or property as specified in the SAR Agreement or determined by the Committee, in each case having a value in respect of each share of Stock underlying the portion of the Stock Appreciation Right so exercised, equal to the difference between the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right and the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the exercise date. For purposes of clarity, each share of Stock to be issued in settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right is deemed to have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the exercise date. In no event shall fractional shares be issuable upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, and in the event that fractional shares would otherwise be issuable, the number of shares issuable will be rounded down to the next lower whole number of shares, and the Participant will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the value of such fractional share.
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(f) Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in a SAR Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise:
(1) In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall cease, (B) all of such Participant’s unvested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (C) all of such Participant’s vested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination.
(2) In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall cease, (ii) all of such Participant’s unvested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (iii) all of such Participant’s vested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such Termination. In the event of a Participant’s death, such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights shall remain exercisable by the Person or Persons to whom such Participant’s rights under the Stock Appreciation Rights pass by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution until the applicable Expiration Date, but only to the extent that the Stock Appreciation Rights were vested at the time of such Termination.
(3) In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.
9. Other Stock-Based Awards.
The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based upon or related to Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. The Committee may also grant Stock as a bonus (whether or not subject to any vesting requirements or other restrictions on transfer), and may grant other Awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or an Affiliate to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee. The terms and conditions applicable to such Awards shall be determined by the Committee and evidenced by Award Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
10. Adjustment for Recapitalization, Merger, etc.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments. The aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in connection with Awards (as set forth in Section 4 hereof), the numerical share limits in Section 4(a) hereof, the number of shares of Stock covered by each outstanding Award, and the price per share of Stock underlying each such Award shall be equitably and proportionally adjusted or substituted, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as to the number, price, or kind of a share of Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards (1) in the event of changes in the outstanding Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of stock dividends, extraordinary cash dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, combinations, exchanges, or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of grant of any such Award (including any Corporate Event); (2) in connection with any extraordinary dividend declared and paid in respect of shares of Stock, whether payable in the form of cash, stock, or any other form of consideration; or (3) in the event of any change in applicable laws or circumstances that results in or could result in, in either case, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, any substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, Participants in the Plan.
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(b) Corporate Events. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in connection with (i) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, (ii) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of shares of Stock receive securities of another corporation or other property or cash, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) the reorganization, dissolution or liquidation of the Company (each, a “Corporate Event”), the Committee may provide for any one or more of the following:
(1) The assumption or substitution of any or all Awards in connection with such Corporate Event, in which case the Awards shall be subject to the adjustment set forth in Section 10(a) above;
(2) The acceleration of vesting of any or all Awards not assumed or substituted in connection with such Corporate Event, subject to the consummation of such Corporate Event;
(3) The cancellation of any or all Awards not assumed or substituted in connection with such Corporate Event (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event, together with the payment to the Participants holding vested Awards (including any Awards that would vest upon the Corporate Event but for such cancellation) so canceled of an amount in respect of cancellation equal to the amount payable pursuant to any Cash Award or, with respect to other Awards, an amount based upon the per-share consideration being paid for the Stock in connection with such Corporate Event, less, in the case of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise, the applicable exercise or base price; provided, however, that holders of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise shall be entitled to consideration in respect of cancellation of such Awards only if the per-share consideration less the applicable exercise or base price is greater than zero dollars ($0), and to the extent that the per-share consideration is less than or equal to the applicable exercise or base price, such Awards shall be canceled for no consideration;
(4) The cancellation of any or all Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards subject to exercise not assumed or substituted in connection with such Corporate Event (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event; provided that all Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards to be so canceled pursuant to this paragraph (4) shall first become exercisable for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to such Corporate Event, with any exercise during such period of any unvested Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or other Awards to be (A) contingent upon and subject to the occurrence of the Corporate Event, and (B) effectuated by such means as are approved by the Committee; and
(5) The replacement of any or all Awards (other than Awards that are intended to qualify as “stock rights” that do not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) with a cash incentive program that preserves the value of the Awards so replaced (determined as of the consummation of the Corporate Event), with subsequent payment of cash incentives subject to the same vesting conditions as applicable to the Awards so replaced and payment to be made within thirty (30) days of the applicable vesting date.
Payments to holders pursuant to paragraph (3) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, and to the extent applicable, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or a combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable exercise or base price). In addition, in connection with any Corporate Event, prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 10(b), the Committee may require a Participant to (A) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to his or her Awards, (B) bear such Participant’s pro-rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Stock, and (C) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee. The Committee need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Committee may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an Award.
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(c) Fractional Shares. Any adjustment provided under this Section 10 may, in the Committee’s discretion, provide for the elimination of any fractional share that might otherwise become subject to an Award. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares so eliminated.
(d) Double-Trigger Vesting. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement to the contrary, with respect to any Award that is assumed or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, the vesting, payment, purchase or distribution of such Award may not be accelerated by reason of the Change in Control for any Participant unless the Participant experiences an involuntary Termination as a result of the Change in Control. Unless otherwise provided for in an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, any Award held by a Participant who experiences an involuntary Termination as a result of a Change in Control shall immediately vest as of the date of such Termination. For purposes of this Section 10(d), a Participant will be deemed to experience an involuntary Termination as a result of a Change in Control if the Participant experiences a Termination by the Service Recipient other than for Cause, or otherwise experiences a Termination under circumstances which entitle the Participant to mandatory severance payment(s) pursuant to applicable law or, in the case of a non-employee director of the Company, if the non-employee director’s service on the Board terminates in connection with or as a result of a Change in Control, in each case, at any time beginning on the date of the Change in Control up to and including the second (2nd) anniversary of the Change in Control.
11. Use of Proceeds.
The proceeds received from the sale of Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
12. Rights and Privileges as a Stockholder.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, no Person shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of Stock ownership in respect of shares of Stock that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued to that Person.
13. Transferability of Awards.
Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and to the extent subject to exercise, Awards may not be exercised during the lifetime of the grantee other than by the grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to Incentive Stock Options, Awards and a Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be transferable for no value to the extent provided in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee.
14. Employment or Service Rights.
No individual shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for the grant of any other Award. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
15. Compliance with Laws.
The obligation of the Company to deliver Stock upon issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act (or with a similar non-U.S. regulatory agency pursuant to a similar law or regulation) or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale or resale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan or any shares of Stock to be issued upon exercise or settlement of Awards. If the shares of Stock offered for sale or sold under the Plan are offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares and may legend the Stock certificates representing such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.
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16. Withholding Obligations.
As a condition to the issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award (or upon the making of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), the Committee may require that a Participant satisfy, through deduction or withholding from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant, or through such other arrangements as are satisfactory to the Committee, the amount of all federal, state, and local income and other taxes of any kind required or permitted to be withheld in connection with such issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement (or election). The Committee, in its discretion, may permit shares of Stock to be used to satisfy tax withholding requirements, and such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement date of the Award, as applicable.
17. Amendment of the Plan or Awards.
(a) Amendment of Plan. The Board or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time.
(b) Amendment of Awards. The Board or the Committee may amend the terms of any one or more Awards at any time and from time to time.
(c) Stockholder Approval; No Material Impairment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall be effective without stockholder approval to the extent that such approval is required pursuant to applicable law or the applicable rules of each national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed. Additionally, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall materially impair a Participant’s rights under any Award unless the Participant consents in writing (it being understood that no action taken by the Board or the Committee that is expressly permitted under the Plan, including, without limitation, any actions described in Section 10 hereof, shall constitute an amendment to the Plan or an Award for such purpose). Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, and without an affected Participant’s consent, the Board or the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan or any one or more Awards from time to time as necessary to bring such Awards into compliance with applicable law, including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code.
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18. Termination or Suspension of the Plan.
The Board or the Committee may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated; provided, however, that following any suspension or termination of the Plan, the Plan shall remain in effect for the purpose of governing all Awards then outstanding hereunder until such time as all Awards under the Plan have been terminated, forfeited, or otherwise canceled, or earned, exercised, settled, or otherwise paid out, in accordance with their terms.
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19. Effective Date of the Plan.
The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date..
20. Miscellaneous.
(a) Certificates. Stock acquired pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that (1) such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Stock, (2) the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and (3) the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that the Stock shall be held in book-entry form rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of any applicable restrictions.
(b) Other Benefits. No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.
(c) 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 Committee, 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., Committee consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares of Stock) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in connection with the preparation of the Award Agreement, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement.
(d) Clawback/Recoupment Policy. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, all Awards granted under the Plan shall be and remain subject to any incentive compensation clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Board (or a committee or subcommittee of the Board) and, in each case, as may be amended from time to time. No such policy adoption or amendment shall in any event require the prior consent of any Participant. 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 any of its Affiliates. In the event that an Award is subject to more than one such policy, the policy with the most restrictive clawback or recoupment provisions shall govern such Award, subject to applicable law.
(e) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option is granted to an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates in the United States who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option will not be first exercisable for any shares of Stock until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option (although the Option may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (1) if such employee dies or suffers a Disability, (2) upon a Corporate Event in which such Option is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (3) upon a Change in Control, or (4) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the applicable Award Agreement or a Participant Agreement, or, if no such definition exists, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options held by such employee may be exercised earlier than six (6) 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 will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the 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 Award will be exempt from such employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 20(e)will apply to all Awards.
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(f) Data Privacy. As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 20(e) by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and details of all Awards (the “Data”). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan, the Company and its Affiliates may each transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participant’s country or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country and any given recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participant’s eligibility to participate in the Plan, and in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
(g) Participants Outside of the United States. The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then a resident or primarily employed or providing services, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by non—U.S. tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence, employment, or providing services abroad, shall be comparable to the value of such Award to a Participant who is a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, in the United States. An Award may be modified under this Section 20(g) in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation or result in actual liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act for the Participant whose Award is modified. Additionally, the Committee may adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Eligible Persons who are non—U.S. nationals or are primarily employed or providing services outside the United States.
(h) 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 or any of its 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) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Committee has the right in its sole discretion to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares of Stock 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 (ii) 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.
(i) No Liability of Committee Members. Neither any member of the Committee nor any of the Committee’s permitted delegates shall be liable personally by reason of any contract or other instrument executed by such member or on his or her behalf in his or her capacity as a member of the Committee or for any mistake of judgment made in good faith, and the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and each other employee, officer, or director of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan may be allocated or delegated, against all costs and expenses (including counsel fees) and liabilities (including sums paid in settlement of a claim) arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan, unless arising out of such Person’s own fraud or willful misconduct; provided, however, that approval of the Board shall be required for the payment of any amount in settlement of a claim against any such Person. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Persons may be entitled under the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws, each as may be amended from time to time, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
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(j) Payments Following Accidents or Illness. If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such Person or his or her estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his or her spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.
(k) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of State of Delaware without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
(l) Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document or “writing” will include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled or authorized by the Company to which the Participant has access) to the extent permitted by applicable law.
(m) Arbitration. All disputes and claims of any nature that a Participant (or such Participant’s transferee or estate) may have against the Company arising out of or in any way related to the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be submitted to and resolved exclusively by binding arbitration conducted in New York City, New York (or such other location as the parties thereto may agree) in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect, and the arbitration shall be heard and determined by a panel of three arbitrators in accordance with such rules (except that in the event of any inconsistency between such rules and this Section 20(m), the provisions of this Section 20(m) shall control). The arbitration panel may not modify the arbitration rules specified above without the prior written approval of all parties to the arbitration. Within ten business days after the receipt of a written demand, each party shall designate one arbitrator, each of whom shall have experience involving complex business or legal matters, but shall not have any prior, existing or potential material business relationship with any party to the arbitration. The two arbitrators so designated shall select a third arbitrator, who shall preside over the arbitration, shall be similarly qualified as the two arbitrators and shall have no prior, existing or potential material business relationship with any party to the arbitration; provided that if the two arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of such third arbitrator, such third arbitrator shall be designated in accordance with the arbitration rules referred to above. The arbitrators will decide the dispute by majority decision, and the decision shall be rendered in writing and shall bear the signatures of the arbitrators and the party or parties who shall be charged therewith, or the allocation of the expenses among the parties in the discretion of the panel. The arbitration decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but in any event not later than 120 days after the constitution of the arbitration panel. The arbitration decision shall be final and binding upon all parties to the arbitration. The parties hereto agree that judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitration panel may be entered in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any New York State court sitting in New York City. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the parties hereby irrevocably waive any right of appeal from any judgment rendered upon any such arbitration award in any such court. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may seek injunctive relief in any such court.
(n) Statute of Limitations. A Participant or any other person filing a claim for benefits under the Plan must file the claim within one (1) year of the date the Participant or other person knew or should have known of the facts giving rise to the claim. This one-year statute of limitations will apply in any forum where a Participant or any other person may file a claim and, unless the Company waives the time limits set forth above in its sole discretion, any claim not brought within the time periods specified shall be waived and forever barred.
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(o) Funding. No provision of the Plan shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company be required to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records, or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees and service providers under general law.
(p) Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in relying, acting, or failing to act, and shall not be liable for having so relied, acted, or failed to act in good faith, upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and upon any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any Person or Persons other than such member.
(q) Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
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ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: _____ 2020
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS:______ 2020
TERMINATION DATE: _________2030
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