UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant [X]                              Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [  ]

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[  ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[  ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[  ] Definitive Additional Materials
[  ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

 

AMEDICA CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Commission File Number: 001-33624

 

Not Applicable

(Name of Persons Filing Proxy Statement If Other Than the Registrant)

 

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[X] No fee required.
   
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PRELIMINARY Copy – Subject to Completion

 

 

 

Amedica Corporation

1885 West 2100 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84119

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

May 26, 2016

NOTICE OF MEETING

 

The annual meeting of the stockholders of Amedica Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held at 11:00 a.m., local time, on May 26, 2016, at 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119, for the following purposes:

 

  to elect two Class II directors to hold office for a three-year term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019 or until their respective successors are elected and qualified;
     
  to approve an amendment to the Amedica 2012 Equity Incentive Plan increasing the number of common shares authorized for awards under the Plan by 800,000 to a total of 1,142,425 shares;
     
  to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Mantyla McReynolds LLC as Amedica’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016; and,
     
  ●  to act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

Stockholders at the close of business on March 28, 2016 are entitled to vote in person or by proxy at the annual meeting. The annual meeting will be open to the public.

 

This year’s Annual Meeting is a particularly important one, and YOUR vote is essential. VCM Group LLC (“VCM”), a beneficial holder of 100 shares, or approximately 0.0009%, of our outstanding common stock acquired in February 2016, has notified the Company that it intends to nominate its own slate of Class II directors to our Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. For additional information about VCM, please see the “Background of the Solicitation” section on page 6 of the accompanying proxy statement. You may receive solicitation materials, including proxy statements and proxy cards, from VCM seeking your proxy to vote for its slate. At this time, we have no knowledge whether VCM will actually proceed with the solicitation for the election of its slate at the Annual Meeting. We bear no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any solicitation materials distributed, or any statements made, by or on behalf of VCM. THE BOARD URGES YOU NOT TO SUBMIT ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, VCM. THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE BOARD’S NOMINEES ON THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD.

 

If you already have submitted a proxy card sent to you by, or on behalf of, VCM, you can revoke that proxy by submitting another proxy over the internet or by telephone, or by completing, dating, signing and returning your WHITE proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Only the latest validly executed proxy you submit will count, and any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting as described in the accompanying proxy statement.

 

  /s/ Ty Lombardi,
  Ty Lombardi,
  Chief Financial Officer and
  Corporate Secretary
April __, 2016

 

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Amedica Corporation

1885 West 2100 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84119

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

This proxy statement is provided to stockholders of Amedica Corporation in connection with the annual meeting of stockholders and any adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting. The annual meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m. local time, on May 26, 2016, at 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119.

 

ABOUT THE MEETING, VOTING, STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

AND COMPANY INFORMATION

 

Delivery and Availability of Proxy Materials

 

Under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, we are furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders primarily via the Internet, instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each stockholder. Beginning April __, 2015, we mailed to our stockholders (other than those who previously requested electronic or paper delivery) a notice containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials, including our proxy statement and our annual report. On that date, our proxy statement and our Annual Report (of which our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K is a part) were available for review over the Internet at the website listed in the notice. The notice also instructs you on how to access your proxy card to vote through the Internet or by telephone.

 

This process is designed to expedite stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the cost of the annual meeting and help conserve natural resources. However, if you would prefer to receive printed proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the notice. If you have previously elected to receive our proxy materials electronically, you will continue to receive these materials via e-mail unless you elect otherwise.

 

Matters to be Voted On at the Meeting and Solicitation

 

By authority of the Board of Directors, Amedica is soliciting your vote to:

 

  elect two Class II directors to hold office for a three-year term;
     
  approve an amendment to the Amedica 2012 Equity Incentive Plan increasing the number of common shares authorized for awards under the Plan by 800,000 to a total of 1,142,425 shares;
     
  ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Mantyla McReynolds LLC as Amedica’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016;
     
  act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

Proxy Solicitation

 

The cost of this solicitation is being borne by Amedica. These costs will include the expense of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the notice, this proxy statement and any other material used in the Company’s solicitation of proxies to stockholders of record and beneficial owners, and reimbursements paid to banks, brokerage firms, custodians and others for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy materials to stockholders and obtaining beneficial owners’ voting instructions. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf by our directors, officers and regular employees by telephone or other means. There will be no special or additional compensation for these services.

 

As a result of the potential proxy contest initiated by VCM, we may incur substantial additional costs in connection with the solicitation of proxies. We have retained Alliance Advisors, LLC, as our proxy solicitor in conjunction with the Annual Meeting for an estimated fee of $[●], plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Alliance Advisors expects that approximately [●] of its employees will assist in the solicitation. Our expenses related to the solicitation of proxies from stockholders this year may substantially exceed those normally spent for an annual meeting of stockholders if a contest is initiated. Such additional costs are expected to aggregate approximately $[●], exclusive of any costs related to any litigation in connection with the Annual Meeting. These additional solicitation costs are expected to include: the fee payable to our proxy solicitor; fees of outside counsel to advise the Company in connection with a contested solicitation of proxies; increased mailing costs, such as the costs of additional mailings of solicitation material to stockholders, including printing costs, mailing costs and the reimbursement of reasonable expenses of banks, brokerage houses and other agents incurred in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners of common stock. To date, we have incurred approximately $[●] of these solicitation costs.

 

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In addition to solicitations by Alliance Advisors and solicitations of proxies by mail, solicitations may be made personally, by telephone, internet, fax, or other electronic means by our directors and officers and regular employees, who will not be additionally compensated for any such services. Stockholders voting via the telephone or internet should understand that there may be costs associated with telephonic or electronic access, such as usage charges from telephone companies and internet access providers, which must be borne by the stockholder.

 

Persons Entitled to Vote

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 28, 2016, the record date, are entitled to vote on matters that come before the meeting. Shares can be voted only if the stockholder is present in person or is represented by proxy.

 

How to Vote

 

If you own your shares through a bank or broker, you should follow the separate instructions they provide you. If your shares are registered in your name:

 

  You may vote in person at the annual meeting.
     
  You may vote over the Internet. You may vote over the Internet regardless of whether you receive your annual meeting materials through the mail or over the Internet. Simply follow the instructions on your notice of Internet access to the proxy materials or your proxy card. If you vote over the Internet, you should not vote by telephone or vote by returning a proxy card.
     
  You may vote by telephone. You may vote by telephone regardless of whether you receive your annual meeting materials through the mail or over the Internet. Simply follow the instructions on the proxy card. If you vote over the telephone, you should not vote by Internet or vote by returning a proxy card.
     
  You may vote by mail. If you received a proxy card through the mail, simply complete and sign your proxy card and mail it in the enclosed envelope. If you mark your voting instructions on the proxy card, your shares will be voted as you instruct. If no voting specification is made on your signed and returned proxy card, Sonny Bal or Ty Lombardi, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card, will vote FOR the election of two Class II directors to hold office for a three-year term, FOR the approval of the proposed amendment to the Amedica’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, and FOR the ratification of the appointment by the Audit Committee of the independent auditor. If any other business is brought before the meeting, any unspecified proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders voting those shares. If you vote by mail, you should not vote by telephone or over the Internet.

 

Changing Your Vote

 

You can change your vote submitted by Internet, telephone or written proxy card by revoking it at any time before it is cast at the annual meeting in one of three ways:

 

  notify our Corporate Secretary in writing before the annual meeting that you are revoking your proxy;
     
  submit another proxy with a date later than your last vote made by Internet, telephone or proxy; or
     
  vote in person at the annual meeting.

 

Number of Votes and Quorum

 

Each share of Amedica’s common stock that you own as of the record date entitles you to one vote. On March 28, 2016 there were 11,422,636 outstanding shares of our common stock all of which are entitled to vote at the annual meeting. The presence of the owners of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting constitutes a quorum. Presence may be in person or by proxy. You will be considered part of the quorum if you attend the annual meeting, vote by Internet or telephone or return a signed and dated proxy card. Abstentions, broker non-votes and shares voted by a broker or bank holding shares for a beneficial owner are counted as present and entitled to vote for determining a quorum.

 

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Required Vote to Approve each Proposal

 

  Election of Directors: The two nominees for Class II director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected Class II directors.
     
  Amendment of the Amedica 2012 Equity Incentive Plan: The proposal to amend the Amedica 2012 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of common shares available for awards under the Plan by 800,000 to a total of 1,142,425 shares requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. Any shares not voted (whether by abstention or otherwise) have no impact on the vote.
     
  Ratification of Appointment of Mantyla McReynolds LLC, as independent registered public accounting firm for 2016: This proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. Any shares not voted (whether by abstention or otherwise) have no impact on the vote.

 

Board Recommendations on Proposals

 

The Board recommends a vote FOR each nominee for election to the Board, FOR approval of the proposed amendment to the Amedica 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, and FOR ratification of the appointment of Mantyla McReynolds LLC.

 

How Stockholders Can Recommend a Candidate for Election to the Board

 

Stockholders who wish to recommend a candidate for election to our Board should write to: Corporate Secretary, Amedica Corporation, 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119, stating in detail the qualifications of a candidate for consideration by the Board. Additionally, our corporate Bylaws contain a detailed description of the process that must be followed by a stockholder in order to properly nominate a candidate for election to our Board. Information on how to obtain a copy of our Bylaws is provided below. In considering Board candidates, the Board seeks individuals of proven judgment and competence who have strong reputations in their respective fields. The Board considers such factors as experience, education, employment history, special talents or personal attributes, anticipated participation in Board activities, and geographic and diversity factors. The process for identifying and evaluating nominees would include detailed consideration of the recommendations and opinions of members of our Board, our executive officers, and our stockholders. There would be no difference in the process of evaluation of candidates recommended by a stockholder and those recommended by other sources.

 

How to Communicate with the Board

 

Stockholders interested in communicating directly with our Board may do so by writing to: Board of Directors, Amedica Corporation, 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119. All such written correspondence is delivered to the director or directors to whom it is addressed or, if addressed generally to the Board, to all directors. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls, or auditing matters are immediately forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, and Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

Board Attendance at Annual Meeting

 

We encourage attendance by members of the board and senior executives, but attendance is not required.

 

Business Sought to be Presented from the Floor

 

Stockholders may present proposals for action at a future meeting if they comply with SEC rules, state law and our Bylaws.  For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to our Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. The enclosed proxy grants the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote on any matter properly brought before this year’s Annual Meeting.

 

How to Submit a Stockholder Proposal for Inclusion in the 2017 Proxy Statement; Discretionary Voting

 

Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for next year's annual meeting must do so in compliance with our Bylaws and applicable SEC rules and regulations. Under Rule 14a-8 adopted by the SEC, to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for our 2017 annual meeting, a stockholder proposal must be received in writing by our Corporate Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. MST on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. If the date of our 2017 annual meeting is moved more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of this year's meeting, the deadline for inclusion of proposals in our proxy statement will instead be a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials next year. Any such proposals will also need to comply with the various provisions of Rule 14a-8, which governs the basis on which such stockholder proposals can be included or excluded from Company-sponsored proxy materials.

 

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Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for next year's annual meeting must do so in compliance with our Bylaws and applicable SEC rules and regulations. Under Rule 14a-8 adopted by the SEC, to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for our 2017 annual meeting, a stockholder proposal must be received in writing by our Corporate Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. MST on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. If the date of our 2017 annual meeting is moved more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of this year's meeting, the deadline for inclusion of proposals in our proxy statement will instead be a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials next year. Any such proposals will also need to comply with the various provisions of Rule 14a-8, which governs the basis on which such stockholder proposals can be included or excluded from Company-sponsored proxy materials.

 

Any stockholder who wishes to make such a proposal should obtain a copy of the Bylaws, which contain these and other requirements with respect to stockholder proposals and director nominations, including certain information that must be included concerning the stockholder and each proposal and nominee. Our Bylaws were filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 20, 2014. You may also obtain a copy by writing to our Corporate Secretary, at Amedica Corporation, 1885 W 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84119.

 

Where to Find Amedica’s Code of Ethics

 

Amedica Corporation has have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. We will provide to any person, without charge, a copy of the Code of Ethics upon written or oral request directed to Corporate Secretary, Amedica Corporation, 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119, telephone (801) 839-3500. Furthermore, a copy of the Code of Ethics is accessible on the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Relations page on our corporate website at http://investors.amedica.com/corporate-governance.cfm.

 

Where to Find Amedica’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee Charters

 

The Board of Directors of Amedica has formed a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Each of these Committees has a formal charter, which is made available for your examination on our corporate website at http://investors.amedica.com/corporate-governance.cfm. We will provide to any person, without charge, a copy of any of the charters upon written or oral request directed to Corporate Secretary, Amedica Corporation, 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119, telephone (801) 839-3500.

 

Where to Find More Information on Amedica

 

Our corporate website is http://www.amedica.com. We make available on this website, free of charge, access to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and amendments to those materials filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically submit such material to the SEC. The SEC makes available on its website, free of charge, reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.

 

BACKGROUND OF THE SOLICITATION

 

On February 16, 2016, the Company received a letter from VCM Group, LLC, a holder of 100 shares of the common stock in the Company or approximately 0.0009% of the outstanding common stock, which VCM stated in the letter it had acquired on February 10, 2016. In the letter, VCM notified the Company of its intent to nominate on its own proxy three individuals for election to the Company’s Board of Directors. VCM submitted biographical information regarding the three individuals to stand for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting even though there were only two Class II directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the terms of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended. VCM provided no information as to why any changes should be made to the Board of Directors, why the three individuals nominated by it would be qualified or what their intention would be if elected to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors interviewed two of the three nominees at the request of VCM. The third nominee was not available for an interview by the Board of Directors.By unanimous decision, the Company’s Board of Directors decided not to include any of the individuals nominated by VCM as nominees of the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting due to their lack of relevant experience and industry knowledge, to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

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Directors and Officers

 

The following table sets forth the names, ages, and positions with Amedica for each of our directors.

 

Name   Age   Positions
B. Sonny Bal, M.D.   53   Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer
David W. Truetzel   59   Director
Jeffrey S. White   62   Director
Eric A. Stookey   45   Director

 

Our Board is divided into three classes (Class I, Class II and Class III) with staggered three-year terms. Directors in each class are elected to serve for three-year staggered terms that expire in successive years. Officers serve at the discretion of our Board. The following is information on the business experience of each director now serving and a discussion of the qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the Board of Directors’ conclusion that each one is qualified to serve as a director.

 

Class II Directors—up for election at this Annual Meeting with a term expiring at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

David W. Truetzel has served on our Board of Directors since our acquisition of US Spine, Inc. in September 2010. Mr. Truetzel has been the general partner of Augury Capital Partners, a private equity fund that invests in life sciences and information technology companies, which he co-founded in 2006. Mr. Truetzel is a director of Enterprise Bank, Inc., Verifi, Inc., a provider of electronic payment solutions, Clearent, LLC, a credit card processing provider, and Paranet, LLC, an IT services provider. Mr. Truetzel holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Saint Louis University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School. We believe that Mr. Truetzel’s financial and managerial expertise qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

Eric A. Stookey has served on our Board of Directors since October 2014. Mr. Stookey has served as Chief Operating Officer of Osteoremedies, LLC since March of 2015.  From October 2011 until August 2014, Mr. Stookey served as the President of the Extremities-Biologics division at Wright Medical Group Inc. Mr. Stookey also served in various other marketing and sales positions at Wright Medical Group Inc. since 1995, including as the Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer from January 2010 to November 2011, as the Vice President North American Sales from 2007 to January 2010, as the Vice President US Sales from 2005 to 2007, as the Senior Director of Sales, Central Region, from 2003 to 2005 and as the Director of Marketing for Large Joint Reconstruction Products from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Stookey earned his M.B.A. from Christian Brothers University and his B.S. in Business from the Indiana University School of Business. We believe that Mr. Stookey’s industry and executive leadership experience qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

Class III Directors - continuing directors with a term expiring at the the 2017 annual meeting of stockholder.

 

B. Sonny Bal, M.D. has served on our Board of Directors since February 2012, as Chairman of our Board of Directors since August 2014 and as our President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2014. Dr. Bal is a tenured Professor at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and has an extensive history of research into silicon nitride ceramics.  He is Adjunct Professor of Material Sciences at Missouri Science and Technology University at Rolla. Dr. Bal is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and the International Society of Technology in Arthroplasty. Dr. Bal received his M.D. degree from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University, and a J.D. from the University of Missouri. We believe that Dr. Bal’s breadth of experience and scientific expertise in silicon nitride qualifies him to serve as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

Jeffrey S. White has served on our Board of Directors since January 2014. Since January 2013, Mr. White has served as Principal at Medtech Advisory Group LLC, a firm he founded that advises early and mid-stage medical technology firms. In that capacity Mr. White has consulted MiMedx Group Inc., the leading amniotic tissue and allograft regenerative biomaterials firm since mid-2015 and in March 2016 became Vice president, Product Management Strategies at MiMedix. Mr. White previously served as a director of Residency Select LLC, a company which offers psychometric assessment, training and compliance products to medical and surgical residency programs. Mr. White also served in 2014 and 2015 as President and director of Liventa Bioscience LLC, a provider of specialty amniotic tissue allografts for use in surgical and wound care applications. From May 2006 to December 2012 he served as Global Director of Business Development for Synthes Inc., a global orthopedic firm that was acquired by Johnson and Johnson in 2012. Mr. White has served as Chief Executive Officer and/or co-founder of several start-up surgical device firms and has previously held executive level positions at United States Surgical Corporation, unit of Covidien plc. Mr. White holds a B.S. in Biology from Union College in Schenectady NY. We believe that Mr. White’s experience as an executive and founder of medical device companies qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

Class I Directors - continuing directors with a term expiring at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

None.

 

Information on our executive officers is presented in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 28, 2016 by:

 

  each of our current directors;
     
  the executive officers named in the summary compensation table; and
     
  all of our directors and executive officers as a group;
     
  each stockholder known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Shares of common stock that may be acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of March 28, 2016, pursuant to the exercise or vesting of options or warrants or conversion of convertible promissory notes, are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table. Percentage of shares beneficially owned is based on 11,422,636 shares issued and outstanding on March 28, 2016.

 

Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them based on information provided to us by such stockholders. The address for each director and executive officer listed is: c/o Amedica Corporation, 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner  Shares Beneficially Owned 
   Number   Percentage 
Directors and Named Executive Officers:          
B. Sonny Bal, M.D. (1)   6,557    * 
David W. Truetzel (2)   33,137    * 
Jeffrey S.White (3)   4,724    * 
Eric A. Stookey (4)   4,084    * 
Ty Lombardi (5)   7,675    * 
Bryan McEntire (6)   10,968    * 
All executive officers and directors as a group (6 persons)   67,145    0.6%

 

 

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the shares of our common stock
   
(1) Consists of 1,716 shares of common stock held by Dr. Bal, 2,260 shares of common stock held by Dr. Bal and his spouse, 2,484 common stock options and 97 common stock warrants.
   
(2) Consists of 1,575 shares of common stock held by Mr. Truetzel, 23,640 shares of common stock held by Truetzel Revocable Trust of which Mr. Truetzel and his spouse are the sole beneficiaries, and 81 common stock warrants.
   
(3) Consists of 640 shares of common stock and 4,084 common stock options.
   
(4) Consists of 4,084 common stock options.
   
(5) Consists of 3,467 shares of common stock and 4,208 common stock options.
   
(6) Consists of 4,500 shares of common stock and 6,468 common stock options.

 

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THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES; CORPORATE GOVERNANCE; SECTION 16 COMPLIANCE

 

The Board and Committees

 

Our Board of Directors has four members. The Chairman of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer, B. Sonny Bal, MD, PhD, is a member of the Board and is a full-time employee of Amedica. The other three members of the Board, David W. Truetzel, Eric A. Stookey and Jeffrey S. White, are non-employee directors, and the Board has determined that these persons (who constitute a majority of the Board) are “independent directors” under the criteria set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Board met eighteen (18) times during the year ended December 31, 2015. All directors attended 95% of the meetings of the Board held during 2015.

 

In accordance with our restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to the directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve until the third annual meeting following such election. Our directors are divided among the three classes as follows:

 

  The Class I directors terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2018. There are currently no Class I directors.
     
  The Class II directors are David W. Truetzel and Eric A. Stookey, and their terms will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2016.
     
  The Class III directors are B. Sonny Bal, M.D. and Jeffrey S. White, and their terms will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2017.

 

Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors.

 

Our Board of Directors has three permanent committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The written charters for these committees are on our website at http://investors.amedica.com/corporate-governance.cfm. Our Board of Directors may from time to time establish other standing committees. In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of our Board of Directors when necessary to address specific issues.

 

The following table sets forth a description of the three permanent Board committees and the chairpersons and members of those committees, all of whom are independent directors:

 

Committee   Independent Chairman   Independent Members
Audit Committee   David W. Truetzel   Eric A. Stookey   Jeffrey S. White
Compensation Committee   Jeffrey S. White   David W. Truetzel   Eric A. Stookey
Governance and Nominating Committee   Eric A. Stookey   Jeffrey S. White   David W. Truetzel

 

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is currently comprised of the following members: Eric A. Stookey (Chairman), David W. Truetzel and Jeffrey S White. Among other items, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is tasked by the Board to: (1) identify individuals qualified to serve as members of the Board and, where appropriate, recommend individuals to be nominated by the Board for election by the stockholders or to be appointed by the Board to fill vacancies consistent with the criteria approved by the Board; (2) develop and periodically evaluate and recommend changes to Amedica’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and to review the Company’s policies and programs that relate to matters of corporate responsibility, including public issues of significance to the Company and its stakeholders; and (3) oversee an annual evaluation of the performance of the Board. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is “independent” under the standard set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met two (2) times in 2015, and all director members of the committee attended 100% of the meetings. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which sets forth the responsibilities and powers delegated by the Board to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

 

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of the following members: David W. Truetzel (Chairman), Eric A. Stookey and Jeffrey S White. The Audit Committee provides oversight for financial reporting matters, internal controls, and compliance with the Company’s financial policies, and meets with its auditors when appropriate. The Audit Committee met six (6) times in 2015, and all director members of the committee attended 100% of the meetings. The Board has determined that David W. Truetzel is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Further, the Board has determined that each of David W. Truetzel, Jeffrey S. White and Eric A Stookey are “independent” under the standard set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which sets forth the responsibilities and powers delegated by the Board to the Audit Committee.

 

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The Compensation Committee of the Board is comprised of the following members: Jeffrey S. White, (Chairman), David W. Truetzel and Eric A. Stookey. The Board has determined that each of David W. Truetzel, Jeffrey S. White and Eric A Stookey are “independent” under the standard set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board for determination compensation of our executive officers, including the chief executive officer, and addresses salary and benefit matters for other key personnel and employees of the Company. The Compensation Committee met five (5) times in 2015, and all director members of the committee attended 93% of the meetings. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which sets forth the responsibilities and powers delegated by the Board to the Compensation Committee.

 

Code of Business Conduct

 

The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The code of business conduct is available on our website at http://investors.amedica.com/corporate-governance.cfm. We intend to disclose any amendments to the code or any waivers of its requirements on our website.

 

The Bylaws of the Company provide that no contract or transaction between Amedica and one or more of its directors or officers, or between Amedica and any other corporation, firm, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are financially interested, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee that authorizes or approves the contract or transaction, or because their votes are counted for such purpose, provided that:

 

    the material facts as to his, her, or their relationship or interest as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee and noted in the minutes, and the Board of Directors or committee authorizes the contract or transaction in good faith by the affirmative vote of a majority of disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum;
     
  the material facts as to his, her, or their relationship or interest as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or
     
  the contract or transaction is fair as to Amedica as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders.

 

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

 

Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of the risks that we face, while our Board of Directors, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, our Board of Directors is responsible for satisfying itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed.

 

Our Board of Directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through our Board of Directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of the Board of Directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, including a determination of the nature and level of risk appropriate for us. Our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The Audit Committee also monitors oversight of the performance of our internal audit function. Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs have the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking or promote behaviors contra to our Code of Business Conduct.

 

Audit Committee Report

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 and internal controls over financial reporting with our management and our independent registered public accounting firm. Further, the Audit Committee has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed under auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, including those matters set forth in Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), other standards of the PCAOB, rules of the SEC, and other applicable regulations, relating to the firm’s judgment about the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and estimates, and the clarity of disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

 

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The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from our independent registered public accounting firm required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, which relate to our independent registered public accounting firm’s independence from our Company, and has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm its independence from our Company. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of non-audit services to us is compatible with maintaining the firm’s independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent from our Company and our management. The Audit Committee has also discussed with our management and our independent registered public accounting firm such other matters and received such assurances from them as it has deemed appropriate.

 

The Audit Committee also reviewed management’s report on its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of our internal and disclosure control structure. As part of this process, the Audit Committee continues to monitor the scope and adequacy of our internal auditing program.

 

Based on the reviews, reports and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors approved, that our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee has selected, and the Board of Directors has approved, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of Mantyla McReynolds LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016.

 

  Respectfully submitted,
   
  David W. Truetzel, Chairman
  Eric A. Stookey
  Jeffrey S. White

 

Section 16(a) Filing Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) requires officers and directors of Amedica and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of its equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in their ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Commission, and forward copies of such filings to the Company. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of our records and written representations by the persons required to file these reports, all filing requirements of Section 16(a) were satisfied with respect to our most recent fiscal year, except with respect to two Form 4 filings concerning shares owned by Bryan J. McEntire, three Form 4 filings concerning shares owned by David W. Truetzel, and one Form 4 filing by Ty Lombardi.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following discussion relates to the compensation of our “named executive officers.”

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information about certain compensation awarded or paid to our named executive officers for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years.

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal Position    Year   Salary   Bonus (1)   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
   Stock
Awards (2)
   Option
Awards (2)
   All Other
Comp (3)
   Total
Compensation
 
B. Sonny Bal (4)   2015   $353,846   $55,731   $-   $-   $51,651   $-   $461,228 
Chief Executive Officer   2014   $79,423   $-   $-   $36,812   $-   $40,458   $156,693 
                                         
Ty Lombardi (5)   2015   $182,308   $20,120        $-   $33,534   $18,120   $254,082 
Chief Financial Officer   2014   $121,154   $-   $-   $-   $87,175   $8,931   $217,260 
                                         
Bryan McEntire (6)   2015   $226,941   $30,427   $-   $-   $31,721   $21,479   $310,568 
Chief Technology Officer   2014   $235,993   $35,250   $-   $524,256   $140,600   $20,164   $956,263 

 

 

(1) Unless otherwise noted, amount reflects a bonus paid in March 2016 for meeting certain corporate objectives for 2015.
   
(2) These columns represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards granted during the year indicated, in accordance with ASC Topic 718 and do not correspond to the actual value that may be realized by the named executives.
   
(3) Amount reflects the aggregation of any matching of 401(k) contributions and employee benefit insurance premiums paid by us, unless otherwise noted.
   
(4) Dr. Bal’s 2014 salary reflects the pro-rated amount of Dr. Bal’s annual salary of $375,000 that was paid to Dr. Bal since the beginning of his employment with us on September 30, 2014 through the end of the 2014 fiscal year. All other comp includes board member attendance fees paid to Dr. Bal for his service as a member of our Board of Directors prior to the commencement of his employment with us on September 30, 2014.
   
(5) Mr. Lombardi’s 2014 salary reflects the pro-rated amount of Mr. Lombardi’s annual salary of $150,000 since the beginning of his employment with us on March 1, 2014.
   
(6) Mr. McEntire’s 2014 bonus reflects a management retention bonus paid in August 2014.

 

Base Salaries. The base salaries for our named executive officers were determined by our compensation committee after reviewing a number of factors, including: the responsibilities associated with the position, the seniority of the executive’s position, the base salary level in prior years, our financial position; and for executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer, recommendations made by our Chief Executive Officer.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table shows information regarding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2015:

 

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
Name  Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options (#)
   Option
Exercise
   Option
Expiration
  Number of Securities
Underlying Stock Awards (#)
   Award 
   Exercisable   Unexercisable   Price   Date  Vested   Not Vested   Grant Date 
B. Sonny Bal   26    -   $386.55   2/12/2016   -    -    - 
    20    -   $386.55    12/11/2016   -    -    - 
    26    -   $386.55    12/19/2017   -    -    - 
    104    -   $386.55    3/15/2022   -    -    - 
    -    5,834   $14.55    1/7/2025   -    -    - 
    -    3,334   $6.45    9/16/2025   -    -    - 
                                  
Ty Lombardi   767    900   $14.25    3/5/2024   -    -    - 
    -    3,267   $14.51    1/7/2025   -    -    - 
    -    1,667   $14.51    1/7/2025   -    -    - 
                                  
Bryan McEntire   2,223    4,444   $14.25    8/13/2024   -    -    - 
    -    4,667   $14.51    1/7/2025   -    -    - 

 

401(k) Plan

 

We offer our executive officers, including our named executive officers, retirement benefits, including participation in our tax-qualified profit sharing plan that includes a “cash-or-deferred” (or 401(k)) feature in the same manner as other employees. The plan is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our employees may elect to reduce their current compensation by up to the statutorily prescribed annual limit and have a like amount contributed to the plan. In addition, we may make discretionary and/or matching contributions to the plan in amounts determined annually by our Board. We currently elect to match the contributions of our employees who participate in our 401(k) plan as follows: a match of 100% on the first 3% of compensation contributed by a plan participant and a match of 50% on amounts above 3%, up to 5%, of compensation contributed by a plan participant.

 

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

 

We had entered into certain agreements and maintained certain plans that may have required us to make certain payments and/or provide certain benefits to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table in the event of a termination of employment or change in control.

 

Pursuant to severance agreements that we have entered into with each of our named executive officers, upon the consummation of a change in control, all outstanding options, restricted stock and other such rights held by the executives will fully vest. Additionally, if a change in control occurs and at any time during the one-year period following the change in control (i) we or our successor terminate the executive’s employment other than for cause (but not including termination due to the executive’s death or disability) or (ii) the executive terminates his employment for good reason, then such executive has the right to receive payment consisting of a lump sum payment equal to two times his highest annual salary with us during the preceding three-year period, including the year of such termination and including bonus payments (measured on a fiscal year basis), but not including any reimbursements and amounts attributable to stock options and other non-cash compensation. “Change in control” is defined in the severance agreements as occurring upon: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by our then outstanding voting securities (excluding securities held by us or our affiliates or any of our employee benefit plans) pursuant to a transaction or a series of related transactions which our Board did not approve; (ii) a merger or consolidation of our company, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in our voting securities outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent at least 50% of the total voting securities or such surviving entity or parent of such corporation outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iii) the approval by our stockholders of an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets. As defined in the severance agreements, “cause” means: (i) the executive’s commission of a felony (other than through vicarious liability or through a motor vehicle offense); (ii) the executive’s material disloyalty or dishonesty to us; (iii) the commission by the executive of an act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation of funds; (iv) a material breach by the executive of any material provision of any agreement to which the executive and we are party, which breach is not cured within 30 days after our delivery to the executive of written notice of such breach; or (v) the executive’s refusal to carry out a lawful written directive from our Board. “Good reason” as defined in the severance agreements means, without the executive’s consent: (i) a change in the principal location at which the executive performs his duties to a new work location that is at least 50 miles from the prior location; or (ii) a material change in the executive’s compensation, authority, functions, duties or responsibilities, which would cause his position with us to become of less responsibility, importance or scope than his prior position, provided, however, that such material change is not in connection with the termination of the executive’s employment with us for any reason.

 

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In the event that an officer entitled to receive or receives payment or benefit under the severance agreements described above, or under any other plan, agreement or arrangement with us, or any person whose action results in a change in control or any other person affiliated with us and it is determined that the total amount of payments will be subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any similar successor provisions, we will be obligated to pay such officer a “gross up” payment to cover all taxes, including any excise tax and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes due to such payment.

 

Code of Business Conduct Violations

 

It is our policy under our Code of Business Conduct to take appropriate action against any executive officer whose actions are found to violate the Code or any other policy of Amedica. Disciplinary actions may include immediate termination of employment and, where Amedica has suffered a loss, pursuing its remedies against the executive officer responsible. Amedica will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities where laws have been violated.

 

Board Compensation

 

The following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 to each of our non-employee directors except fees paid to Dr. Bal for his service as a director prior to his employment with the Company are included in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Name  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
   Value of Stock Awards (1)   Value of Option Grants (1)   Total 
David W. Truetzel  $239,500   $-   $38,615   $278,115 
Jeffrey S. White  $58,000   $-   $12,899   $70,899 
Eric A. Stookey  $58,500   $-   $12,899   $71,399 

 

 

(1) These columns represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards and stock option awards granted during the year indicated, in accordance with ASC Topic 718 and do not correspond to the actual value that may be realized by the directors.

 

During 2015, our Board approved the following compensation schedule for non-employee directors (paid on a quarterly basis):

 

  Annual Retainer of $40,000 paid in four equal installments of $10,000 each at the beginning of each calendar quarter;
     
  $1,000 for each board and committee meeting attended in person;
     
  $500 for each board and committee meeting attended via telephone or other remote medium; and
     
  Reimbursement of reasonable expenses as supported by documentation and receipts.

 

Starting in 2015, a new Board appointee will receive an award of 40,000 stock options upon appointment. Further, each member of the Board will also be awarded an option grant for 15,000 stock options on an annual basis.

 

In September 2014 and up through December 31, 2015, the period during which we did not have a chief financial officer, the compensation for the chair of the Company’s Audit Committee included a quarterly cash payment of $45,000 and a quarterly stock option award of 3,000 shares of common stock under the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. All stock option awards vested in their entirety one year from the date of award. With the appointment of Mr. Lombardi as Chief Financial Officer of the Company in January 2016, the chair of the Audit Committee is now paid an annual retainer of $120,000 payable in monthly increments of $10,000 each.

 

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2012 Equity Incentive Plan

 

The Amedica 2012 Equity Incentive Plan was adopted by our Board in September 2012 and approved by our stockholders by written consent on February 5, 2014. Please see the description of this plan presented below under “PROPOSAL NO. 2 - INCREASE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS UNDER THE 2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.”

 

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

 

We have not entered into any transactions since January 1, 2014 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock, on an as converted basis, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change in control and other arrangements, which are described under “Executive and Director Compensation.”

 

Indemnification Agreements. We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that require us to indemnify such persons against any and all expenses, including judgments, fines or penalties, attorney’s fees, witness fees or other professional fees and related disbursements and other out-of-pocket costs incurred, in connection with any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry or administrative hearing, whether threatened, pending or completed, to which any such person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of our company, provided that such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests. The indemnification agreements also set forth procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

We have a classified Board currently consisting of four members, all but one of whom are non-employee directors, divided into three classes (Class I, Class II and Class II). Directors in each class are elected to serve for three-year staggered terms that expire in successive years. Our Class II directors’ terms expire this year. Accordingly, we are holding an election for our Class II directors at the Annual Meeting, with each Class II director elected to serve a three-year term.

 

The Board has nominated David W Truetzel and Eric A Stookey for election as Class II directors, for three-year terms expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019 or until their successors are elected and qualified, or their earlier death, resignation or removal. If the nominees decline to serve or become unavailable for any reason, or if any additional vacancy occurs before the election (although we know of no reason to anticipate that this will occur), the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominees as the Board may designate. Each nominee has consented to being named in the Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve if elected.

 

If a quorum is present, the two nominees for Class II director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected Class II directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as shares present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum, but will have no effect on the results of the vote. Biographical information, including the principal occupation of and other directorships held by each director for at least the past five years as well as the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that each director should serve as a member of the Board is provided elsewhere in this proxy statement in the preceding section entitled “DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS” with respect to Class II nominees, as well as the Class I and Class II directors whose terms of office will continue after the Annual Meeting.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the Director Nominees listed above.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

 

INCREASE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS UNDER THE 2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

The Amedica 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) was adopted by our Board in September 2012 and approved by our stockholders by written consent on February 5, 2014 and May 21, 2015.

 

The Board believes that stock-based incentives are essential to attract and retain the services of individuals who are likely to make significant contributions to our success, to encourage ownership of our common stock by employees, directors and certain of our consultants, and to promote our success by providing both rewards for exceptional performance and long-term incentives for future contributions to the Company.

 

The 2012 Plan currently authorizes the issuance of up to 342,425 shares of common stock (or 3.0% of outstanding shares at March 28, 2016) pursuant to awards granted under the Plan. Of those shares, 221,177 have been issued or are subject to outstanding awards, leaving only 121,248 shares available for future awards. The Board of Directors does not believe that the number of shares available for issuance under the 2012 Plan is sufficient in light of our compensation strategy and objectives. Accordingly, the Board is proposing to increase the number of shares available under the 2012 Plan by 800,000 shares, from 342,425 to 1,142,425, increasing the percentage ratio of the amount of shares available under the Plan to 10.0% of outstanding shares as of March 28, 2016.

 

The Board recommends that shareholders approve amendment of the Plan in order to allow the Company to continue to offer stock options and alternative equity awards to employees, directors and consultants as part of its overall compensation package. The material features of the 2012 Plan are summarized below.

 

Material Features of the 2012 Plan

 

The 2012 Plan is intended to encourage ownership of common stock by our employees and directors and certain of our consultants in order to attract and retain such people, to induce them to work for the benefit of us and to provide additional incentive for them to promote our success. The number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2012 Plan is 344,425, which number is automatically increased on January 1 of each of year by the lesser of (i) 37,879 shares of our common stock on such date, (ii) 5% of the number of outstanding shares of our common stock on such date, and (iii) such other amount determined by the board through the termination of the 2012 Plan.

 

Types of Awards. The 2012 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options, NQSOs, stock grants and other stock-based awards, including RSUs.

 

    Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Options. The plan administrator determines the exercise price of each stock option. The exercise price of an NQSO may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of an incentive stock option may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant if the recipient holds 10% or less of the combined voting power of our securities, or 110% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant otherwise.
   
    Stock Grants. The plan administrator may grant or sell stock, including restricted stock, to any participant, which purchase price, if any, may not be less than the par value of shares of our common stock. The stock grant will be subject to the conditions and restrictions determined by the administrator. The recipient of a stock grant shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of stock issued to the holder under the 2012 Plan.
     
    Stock-Based Awards. The administrator of the 2012 Plan may grant other stock-based awards, including stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards and RSUs, with terms approved by the administrator, including restrictions related to the awards. The holder of a stock-based award shall not have the rights of a stockholder until shares of our common stock are issued pursuant to such award.

 

Plan Administration. Our Board is the administrator of the 2012 Plan, except to the extent it delegates its authority to a committee, in which case the committee shall be the administrator. Our Board has delegated this authority to our compensation committee. The administrator has the authority to determine the terms of awards, including exercise and purchase price, the number of shares subject to awards, the value of our common stock, the vesting schedule applicable to awards, the form of consideration, if any, payable upon exercise or settlement of an award and the terms of award agreements for use under the 2012 Plan.

 

Eligibility. Our Board will determine the participants in the 2012 Plan from among our employees, directors and consultants. A grant may be approved in advance with the effectiveness of the grant contingent and effective upon such person’s commencement of service within a specified period.

 

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Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by our Board or in an award agreement, upon a termination of a participant’s service, all unvested options then held by the participant will terminate and all other unvested awards will be forfeited.

 

Transferability. Awards under the 2012 Plan may not be transferred except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, unless otherwise provided by our Board in its discretion and set forth in the applicable agreement, provided that no award may be transferred for value.

 

Adjustment. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or reorganization or other change in change in capital structure, our Board will make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities subject to awards.

 

Corporate Transaction. If we are acquired, our Board of Directors (or Compensation Committee) will: (i) arrange for the surviving entity or acquiring entity (or the surviving or acquiring entity’s parent company) to assume or continue the award or to substitute a similar award for the award; (ii) cancel or arrange for cancellation of the award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as our Board of Directors in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; or (iii) make a payment, in such form as may be determined by our Board of Directors equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the holder would have received upon the exercise of the award immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise. In addition in connection with such transaction, our Board of Directors may accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the award (and, if applicable, the time at which the award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such transaction and may arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to an award.

 

Amendment and Termination. The 2012 Plan will terminate on September 6, 2022 or at an earlier date by vote of the stockholders or our Board; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall not affect any awards granted under the 2012 Plan prior to the date of such termination. The 2012 Plan may be amended by our Board, except that our Board may not alter the terms of the 2012 Plan if it would adversely affect a participant’s rights under an outstanding stock right without the participant’s consent. Stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the 2012 Plan to the extent such approval is required by law, include the Internal Revenue Code or applicable stock exchange requirements.

 

Amendment of Outstanding Awards. The administrator may amend any term or condition of any outstanding award including, without limitation, to reduce or increase the exercise price or purchase price, accelerate the vesting schedule or extend the expiration date, provided that no such amendment shall impair the rights of a participant without such participant’s consent.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Plan

 

The federal income tax consequences of grants under the Plan will depend on the type of grant. The following description provides only a general description of the application of federal income tax laws to grants under the Plan. This discussion is intended for the information of stockholders considering how to vote at the Annual Meeting and not as tax guidance to grantees, as the consequences may vary with the types of grants made, the identity of the grantees and the method of payment or settlement. The summary does not address the effects of other federal taxes (including possible “golden parachute” excise taxes) or taxes imposed under state, local, or foreign tax laws.

 

From the grantees’ standpoint, as a general rule, ordinary income will be recognized at the time of delivery of shares of our common stock or payment of cash under the Plan. Future appreciation on shares of our common stock held beyond the ordinary income recognition event will be taxable as capital gain when the shares of our common stock are sold. The tax rate applicable to capital gain will depend upon how long the grantee holds the shares. We, as a general rule, will be entitled to a tax deduction that corresponds in time and amount to the ordinary income recognized by the grantee, and we will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to capital gain income recognized by the grantee.

 

Exceptions to these general rules arise under the following circumstances:

 

  If shares of our common stock, when delivered, are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture by reason of any employment or performance-related condition, ordinary income taxation and our tax deduction will be delayed until the risk of forfeiture lapses, unless the grantee makes a special election to accelerate taxation under section 83(b) of the Code.
     
  If an employee exercises a stock option that qualifies as an ISO, no ordinary income will be recognized, and we will not be entitled to any tax deduction, if shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise of the stock option are held until the later of (A) one year from the date of exercise and (B) two years from the date of grant. However, if the employee disposes of the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO before satisfying both holding period requirements, the employee will recognize ordinary income at the time of the disposition equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise (or the amount realized on the disposition, if less) and the exercise price, and we will be entitled to a tax deduction in that amount. The gain, if any, in excess of the amount recognized as ordinary income will be long-term or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of time the employee held the shares before the disposition.
     
  A grant may be subject to a 20% tax, in addition to ordinary income tax, at the time the grant becomes vested, plus interest, if the grant constitutes deferred compensation under section 409A of the Code and the requirements of section 409A of the Code are not satisfied.

 

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a publicly held corporation’s tax deduction for compensation paid to its chief executive officer or certain other officers in excess of $1 million in any year. Qualified performance-based compensation is excluded from the $1 million deductibility limit, and therefore remains fully deductible by the corporation that pays it. We intend that options and SARs granted under the Plan will be qualified performance-based compensation. Stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards granted under the Plan may be designated as qualified performance-based compensation if the Committee conditions such grants on the achievement of specific performance goals in accordance with the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code.

 

We have the right to require that grantees pay to us an amount necessary for us to satisfy our federal, state or local tax withholding obligations with respect to grants. We may withhold from other amounts payable to a grantee an amount necessary to satisfy these obligations. The Committee may permit a grantee to satisfy our withholding obligation with respect to grants paid in shares of our common stock by having shares withheld, at the time the grants become taxable, provided that the number of shares withheld does not exceed the individual’s minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal, state and local tax liabilities.

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the common shares voted on the proposal and represented at the annual meeting in person or by proxy is required to approve the amendment to the 2012 Plan. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR this proposal.

 

  17 
 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3

 

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MANTYLA MCREYNOLDS LLC

AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2015

 

The Audit Committee has selected and appointed the firm of Mantyla McReynolds LLC as the independent registered public accounting firm to examine our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. Mantyla McReynolds LLC audited our financial statements for 2015. We do not expect representatives of Mantyla McReynolds LLC will attend the annual meeting.

 

Ratification of the selection of Mantyla McReynolds LLC is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. The Board is submitting the selection to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to select another registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different registered public accounting firm at any time after the annual meeting if it determines such a change would be in the interests of Amedica and its stockholders.

 

Accountant Fees and Services



The aggregate fees and expenses from our principal accounting firm, Mantyla McReynolds LLC for 2015 and 2014, for fees and expenses incurred during fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows (in thousands):

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2015   2014 
Audit fees (1)  $170,337   $167,410 
Audit related fees        
Tax fees        
All other fees        
   $170,337   $167,410 

 

  (1) Audit fees consist of fees incurred for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the quarterly financial statements that are normally provided by auditors in connection with regulatory filings or engagements. Audit fees also include fees related to review of other documents filed with the SEC.

 

Each of the permitted non-audit services has been pre-approved by the Audit Committee or the Audit Committee’s Chairman pursuant to delegated authority by the Audit Committee, other than de minimus non-audit services for which the pre-approval requirements are waived in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Policy for Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-Audit Services

 

The Audit Committee charter provides that the Audit Committee will pre-approve audit services and non-audit services to be provided by our independent auditors before the accountant is engaged to render these services. The Audit Committee may consult with management in the decision-making process, but may not delegate this authority to management. The Audit Committee may delegate its authority to pre-approve services to one or more committee members, provided that the designees present the pre-approvals to the full committee at the next committee meeting.

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the common shares voted on the proposal and represented at the annual meeting in person or by proxy is required to ratify the selection of Mantyla McReynolds LLC. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR this proposal.

 

  18 
 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board knows of no other matters that may come before the annual meeting. However, if any matters other than those referred to herein should be presented properly for consideration and action at the annual meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxies will be voted with respect thereto in accordance with the best judgment and in the discretion of the proxy holders.

 

The above notice and proxy statement are sent by order of the Board of Directors.

 

  /s/ B. Sonny Bal
  B. Sonny Bal, MD
  Chief Executive Officer

April __, 2016

 

  19 
 

 

Appendix A

 

AMEDICA CORPORATION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

as approved by the Board of Directors March 16, 2016

Stockholder Approval (pending)

 

  1. DEFINITIONS.

 

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, as used in this Amedica Corporation Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, have the following meanings:

 

Administrator means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the Administrator means the Committee.

 

Affiliate means a corporation which, for purposes of Section 424 of the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or indirect.

 

Agreement means an agreement between the Company and a Participant delivered pursuant to the Plan and pertaining to a Stock Right, in such form as the Administrator shall approve.

 

Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Cause means, with respect to a Participant, (i) the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) a breach of one or more of the following duties to the Company or any Affiliate: (A) the duty of loyalty, (B) the duty not to take willful actions which would reasonably be viewed by the Company as placing a Participant’ s interest in a position adverse to the interest of the Company, (C) the duty not to engage in self-dealing with respect to the Company’s assets, properties or business opportunities, except as approved in writing by the Board, (D) the duty of honesty or (E) any other fiduciary duty which the Participant owes to the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) a conviction of the Participant (or a plea of nolo contendere in lieu thereof) for (A) a felony or (B) a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude, (iv) intentional misconduct with respect to his duties to the Company or an Affiliate, including, but not limited to, knowing and intentional violation by a Participant of written policies of the Company, including policies regarding confidential information and non-competition, or specific directions of the Board or superior officers of the Company, which policies or directives are neither illegal (or do not involve illegal conduct) nor do they require a Participant to violate reasonable business ethical standards, or (v) the failure of a Participant, after written notice from the Company, to render services to the Company in accordance with his employment or other relationship with the Company, which failure is not cured within 10 days of receipt of such notice; provided, however, that any provision in an agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of Cause for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede this definition with respect to that Participant. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of Cause will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.

 

 
 

 

Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended including any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto.

 

Committee means the committee of the Board of Directors to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

 

Common Stock means shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value per share.

 

Company means Amedica Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant that provides bona fide services to the Company or its Affiliates, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s or its Affiliates’ securities.

 

Disability or Disabled means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

Employee means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Stock Rights under the Plan.

 

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock means:

 

(1) If the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are regularly reported for the Common Stock, the closing or, if not applicable, the last price of the Common Stock on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date;

 

2
 

 

(2) If the Common Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices are not regularly reported for the Common Stock for the trading day referred to in clause (1), and if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked price for the Common Stock at the close of trading in the over-the-counter market for the trading day on which Common Stock was traded on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date; and

 

(3) If the Common Stock is neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator, in good faith, shall determine.

 

ISO means an option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

 

Non-Qualified Option means an option which is not intended to qualify as an ISO.

 

Option means an ISO or Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan.

 

Participant means an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate to whom one or more Stock Rights are granted under the Plan. As used herein, “Participant” shall include “Participant’s Survivors” where the context requires.

 

Plan means this Amedica Corporation Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Shares means shares of the Common Stock as to which Stock Rights have been or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or both.

 

Stock-Based Award means a grant by the Company under the Plan of an equity award or an equity based award which is not an Option or a Stock Grant.

 

Stock Grant means a grant by the Company of Shares under the Plan.

 

Stock Right means a right to Shares or the value of Shares of the Company granted pursuant to the Plan — an ISO, a Non-Qualified Option, a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award.

 

Survivor means a deceased Participant’s legal representatives and/or any person or persons who acquired the Participant’s rights to a Stock Right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

3
 

 

  2. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.

 

The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Shares by Employees and directors of and certain Consultants to the Company and its Affiliates in order to attract and retain such people, to induce them to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of ISOs, Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards.

 

  3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a) The number of Shares which may be issued from time to time pursuant to this Plan shall be 1,142,425 or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 24 of this Plan.

 

(b) Notwithstanding Subparagraph (a) above, on the first day of each fiscal year of the Company during the period beginning in fiscal year 2014, and ending on the second day of fiscal year 2022, the number of Shares that may be issued from time to time pursuant to the Plan, shall be increased by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 216,368 or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 24 of the Plan; (ii) 5% of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock on such date; and (iii) an amount determined by the Board. However, in no event shall the number of Shares available for issuance under this Plan be increased as set forth in this Subparagraph (b) to the extent such increase, in addition to any other increases proposed by the Board in the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under all other employee or director stock plans, including, without limitation, employee stock purchase plans, would result in the total number of shares of Common Stock then available for issuance under all employee and director stock plans exceeding 25% of the outstanding shares of the Company on the first day of the applicable fiscal year.

 

(c) If an Option ceases to be “outstanding”, in whole or in part (other than by exercise), or if the Company shall reacquire (at not more than its original issuance price) any Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or if any Stock Right expires or is forfeited, cancelled, or otherwise terminated or results in any Shares not being issued, the unissued or reacquired Shares which were subject to such Stock Right shall again be available for issuance from time to time pursuant to this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Stock Right is exercised, in whole or in part, by tender of Shares or if the Company or an Affiliate’s tax withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding Shares, the number of Shares deemed to have been issued under the Plan for purposes of the limitation set forth in Paragraph 3(a) above shall be the number of Shares that were subject to the Stock Right or portion thereof, and not the net number of Shares actually issued. However, in the case of ISOs, the foregoing provisions shall be subject to any limitations under the Code.

 

4
 

 

  4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

 

The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which case the Committee shall be the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:

 

(a) Interpret the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules and determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;

 

(b) Determine which Employees, directors and Consultants shall be granted Stock Rights;

 

(c) Determine the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall be granted, provided, however, that in no event shall Stock Rights with respect to more than 182,788 Shares be granted to any Participant in any fiscal year;

 

(d) Specify the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights may be granted;

 

(e) Amend any term or condition of any outstanding Stock Right, including, without limitation, to reduce or increase the exercise price or purchase price, accelerate the vesting schedule or extend the expiration date, provided that (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the Plan; (ii) any such amendment shall not impair the rights of a Participant under any Stock Right previously granted without such Participant’s consent or in the event of death of the Participant the Participant’s Survivors; and (iii) any such amendment shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such amendment would cause any adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including, but not limited to, the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code and described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv) below with respect to ISOs and pursuant to Section 409A of the Code;

 

(f) Buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, a Stock Right previously granted and/or cancel any such Stock Right and grant in substitution therefor other Stock Rights, covering the same or a different number of Shares and having an exercise price or purchase price per share which may be lower or higher than the exercise price or purchase price of the cancelled Stock Right, based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and the Participant shall accept; and

 

(g) Adopt any sub-plans applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company, any Affiliate or to Participants or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which sub-plans may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock Right;

 

provided, however, that all such interpretations, rules, determinations, terms and conditions shall be made and prescribed in the context of not causing any adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code and preserving the tax status under Section 422 of the Code of those Options which are designated as ISOs. Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the Administrator is the Committee. In addition, if the Administrator is the Committee, the Board of Directors may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

 

5
 

 

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board of Directors or the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any other person selected by it. The Board of Directors or the Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be authorized to grant a Stock Right to any director of the Company or to any “officer” of the Company as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act.

 

  5. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.

 

The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in the Plan; provided, however, that each Participant must be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate at the time a Stock Right is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may authorize the grant of a Stock Right to a person not then an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate; provided, however, that the actual grant of such Stock Right shall be conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to become a Participant at or prior to the time of the execution of the Agreement evidencing such Stock Right. ISOs may be granted only to Employees who are deemed to be residents of the United States for tax purposes. Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards may be granted to any Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate. The granting of any Stock Right to any individual shall neither entitle that individual to, nor disqualify him or her from, participation in any other grant of Stock Rights or any grant under any other benefit plan established by the Company or any Affiliate for Employees, directors or Consultants.

 

  6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

 

Each Option shall be set forth in writing in an Option Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be granted subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the terms and conditions specifically required under this Plan, as the Administrator may deem appropriate including, without limitation, subsequent approval by the shareholders of the Company of this Plan or any amendments thereto. The Option Agreements shall be subject to at least the following terms and conditions:

 

(a) Non-Qualified Options: Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such Non-Qualified Option:

 

6
 

 

  (i) Exercise Price: Each Option Agreement shall state the exercise price (per share) of the Shares covered by each Option, which exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option.

 

  (ii) Number of Shares: Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains.

 

  (iii) Option Periods: Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised, and may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence of certain conditions or the attainment of stated goals or events.

 

  (iv) Option Conditions: Exercise of any Option may be conditioned upon the Participant’s execution of a Share purchase agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrator providing for certain protections for the Company and its other shareholders, including requirements that:

 

  A. The Participant’s or the Participant’s Survivors’ right to sell or transfer the Shares may be restricted; and

 

  B. The Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may be required to execute letters of investment intent and must also acknowledge that the Shares will bear legends noting any applicable restrictions.

 

  (v) Term of Option: Each Option shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.

 

(b) ISOs: Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to an Employee who is deemed to be a resident of the United States for tax purposes, and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions, with such additional restrictions or changes as the Administrator determines are appropriate but not in conflict with Section 422 of the Code and relevant regulations and rulings of the Internal Revenue Service:

 

  (i) Minimum standards: The ISO shall meet the minimum standards required of Non-Qualified Options, as described in Paragraph 6(a) above, except clause (i) and (v) thereunder.

 

  (ii) Exercise Price: Immediately before the ISO is granted, if the Participant owns, directly or by reason of the applicable attribution rules in Section 424(d) of the Code:

 

  A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option; or

 

  B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option.

 

  (iii) Term of Option: For Participants who own:

 

  A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide; or

 

7
 

 

  B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than five years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.

 

  (iv) Limitation on Yearly Exercise: The Option Agreements shall restrict the amount of ISOs which may become exercisable in any calendar year (under this or any other ISO plan of the Company or an Affiliate) so that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the date each ISO is granted) of the stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year does not exceed $100,000.

 

  7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS.

 

Each Stock Grant to a Participant shall state the principal terms in an Agreement duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards:

 

(a) Each Agreement shall state the purchase price per share, if any, of the Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the minimum consideration required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, if any, on the date of the grant of the Stock Grant;

 

(b) Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains; and

 

(c) Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to restrict or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the time and events upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price therefor, if any.

 

8
 

 

  8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

 

The Administrator shall have the right to grant other Stock-Based Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of Shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Shares and the grant of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards or stock units. The principal terms of each Stock-Based Award shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company.

 

The Company intends that the Plan and any Stock-Based Awards granted hereunder be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code or meet the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and be operated in accordance with Section 409A so that any compensation deferred under any Stock-Based Award (and applicable investment earnings) shall not be included in income under Section 409A of the Code. Any ambiguities in the Plan shall be construed to effect the intent as described in this Paragraph 8.

 

  9. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

 

An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee (in a form acceptable to the Administrator, which may include electronic notice), together with provision for payment of the aggregate exercise price in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option Agreement. Such notice shall be signed by the person exercising the Option (which signature may be provided electronically in a form acceptable to the Administrator), shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the Option Agreement. Payment of the exercise price for the Shares as to which such Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of the exercise to the aggregate cash exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company retain from the Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator (after consideration of applicable securities, tax and accounting implications), by delivery of the grantee’s personal recourse note bearing interest payable not less than annually at no less than 100% of the applicable Federal rate, as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code, or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator, or (f) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) above or (g) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall accept only such payment on exercise of an ISO as is permitted by Section 422 of the Code.

 

9
 

 

The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be). In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares shall, upon delivery, be fully paid, non-assessable Shares.

 

  10. PAYMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

 

Any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award requiring payment of a purchase price for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being granted shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) and having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of payment to the purchase price of the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator (after consideration of applicable securities, tax and accounting implications), by delivery of the grantee’s personal recourse note bearing interest payable not less than annually at no less than 100% of the applicable Federal rate, as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above; or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.

 

The Company shall when required by the applicable Agreement, reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was made to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be), subject to any escrow provision set forth in the applicable Agreement. In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance.

 

  11. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.

 

No Participant to whom a Stock Right has been granted shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Stock Right except after due exercise of an Option or issuance of Shares as set forth in any Agreement, tender of the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, for the Shares being purchased and registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant.

 

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  12. ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS.

 

By its terms, a Stock Right granted to a Participant shall not be transferable by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) as approved by the Administrator in its discretion and set forth in the applicable Agreement provided that no Stock Right may be transferred by a Participant for value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ISO transferred except in compliance with clause (i) above shall no longer qualify as an ISO. The designation of a beneficiary of a Stock Right by a Participant, with the prior approval of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Paragraph. Except as provided above during the Participant’s lifetime a Stock Right shall only be exercisable by or issued to such Participant (or his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Stock Right or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon a Stock Right, shall be null and void.

 

  13. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has exercised an Option, the following rules apply:

 

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 14, 15, and 16, respectively), may exercise any Option granted to him or her to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only within such term as the Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option Agreement.

 

(b) Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) below, or Paragraph 15 or 16, in no event may an Option intended to be an ISO, be exercised later than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment.

 

(c) The provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph 15 or 16, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy; provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s Disability or death within three months after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s termination of employment, termination of director status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Administrator determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option.

 

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(e) A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide; provided, however, that, for ISOs, any leave of absence granted by the Administrator of greater than ninety days, unless pursuant to a contract or statute that guarantees the right to reemployment, shall cause such ISO to become a Non-Qualified Option on the 181st day following such leave of absence.

 

(f) Except as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of a Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

  14. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been exercised:

 

(a) All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause will immediately be forfeited.

 

(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited.

 

  15. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

 

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to such Participant:

 

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  (i) To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability; and

 

  (ii) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability.

 

(b) A Disabled Participant may exercise the Option only within the period ending one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability, notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not been terminated due to Disability and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.

 

(c) The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

 

  16. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

 

(a) In the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option may be exercised by the Participant’s Survivors:

 

  (i) To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of death; and

 

  (ii) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of death.

 

(b) If the Participant’s Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take all necessary steps to exercise the Option within one year after the date of death of such Participant, notwithstanding that the decedent might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if he or she had not died and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.

 

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  17. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

 

In the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason before the Participant has accepted a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award and paid the purchase price, if required, such grant shall terminate.

 

For purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, a Participant to whom a Stock Grant has been issued under the Plan who is absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.

 

In addition, for purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, any change of employment or other service within or among the Company and any Affiliates shall not be treated as a termination of employment, director status or consultancy so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

  18. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant), other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 19, 20, and 21, respectively, before all forfeiture provisions or Company rights of repurchase shall have lapsed, then the Company shall have the right to cancel or repurchase that number of Shares subject to a Stock Grant as to which the Company’s forfeiture or repurchase rights have not lapsed.

 

  19. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause:

 

(a) All Shares subject to any Stock Grant whether or not then subject to forfeiture or repurchase shall be immediately subject to repurchase by the Company at par value.

 

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(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then all Shares subject to any Stock Grant that remained subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company had a repurchase right on the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited to the Company.

 

  20. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if a Participant ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of Disability, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of Disability as would have lapsed had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the date of Disability.

 

The Administrator shall make the determination both as to whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

 

  21. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply in the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of death, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of death as would have lapsed had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the Participant’s date of death.

 

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  22. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT.

 

Unless the offering and sale of the Shares shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Shares under the Plan unless and until the following conditions have been fulfilled:

 

(a) The person who receives a Stock Right shall warrant to the Company, prior to the receipt of Shares, that such person is acquiring such Shares for his or her own account, for investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend (or a legend in substantially similar form) which shall be endorsed upon the certificate evidencing the Shares issued pursuant to such exercise or such grant:

 

“The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by any person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a Registration Statement with respect to such shares shall be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it that an exemption from registration under such Act is then available, and (2) there shall have been compliance with all applicable state securities laws.”

 

(b) At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued in compliance with the Securities Act without registration thereunder.

 

  23. DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.

 

Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised and all Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards which have not been accepted, to the extent required under the applicable Agreement, will terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a Participant or a Participant’s Survivors have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors will have the right immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise or accept any Stock Right to the extent that the Stock Right is exercisable or subject to acceptance as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any outstanding Stock-Based Awards shall immediately terminate unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specifically provided in the applicable Agreement.

 

  24. ADJUSTMENTS.

 

Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Stock Right granted to him or her hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Participant’s Agreement:

 

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(a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If (i) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock, each Stock Right and the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable thereunder shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made including, in the exercise or purchase price per share, to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraph 3(a), 3(b) and 4(c) shall also be proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such events.

 

(b) Corporate Transactions. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a “Corporate Transaction”), the Administrator or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Board”), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that such Options must be exercised (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph), within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period such Options which have not been exercised shall terminate; or (iii) terminate such Options in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Option would have been exercisable (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph) less the aggregate exercise price thereof. For purposes of determining the payments to be made pursuant to Subclause (iii) above, in the case of a Corporate Transaction the consideration for which, in whole or in part, is other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be valued at the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

 

With respect to outstanding Stock Grants, the Administrator or the Successor Board, shall make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Stock Grants on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Stock Grants either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding Shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity. In lieu of the foregoing, in connection with any Corporate Transaction, the Administrator may provide that, upon consummation of the Corporate Transaction, each outstanding Stock Grant shall be terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising such Stock Grant (to the extent such Stock Grant is no longer subject to any forfeiture or repurchase rights then in effect or, at the discretion of the Administrator, all forfeiture and repurchase rights being waived upon such Corporate Transaction).

 

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In taking any of the actions permitted under this Paragraph 24(b), the Administrator shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Stock Rights, all Stock Rights held by a Participant, or all Stock Rights of the same type, identically.

 

(c) Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company other than a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization shall be entitled to receive for the price paid upon such exercise or acceptance if any, the number of replacement securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted prior to such recapitalization or reorganization.

 

(d) Adjustments to Stock-Based Awards. Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Paragraph 24, including, but not limited to the effect of any, Corporate Transaction and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination shall be conclusive.

 

(e) Modification of Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) above with respect to Options shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such adjustments would (i) constitute a “modification” of any ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or (ii) cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of Options, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. If the Administrator determines that such adjustments made with respect to Options would constitute a modification or other adverse tax consequence, it may refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an Option specifically agrees in writing that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences of such “modification” on his or her income tax treatment with respect to the Option. This paragraph shall not apply to the acceleration of the vesting of any ISO that would cause any portion of the ISO to violate the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv).

 

  25. ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES.

 

Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Stock Rights. Except as expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company prior to any issuance of Shares pursuant to a Stock Right.

 

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  26. FRACTIONAL SHARES.

 

No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the person exercising a Stock Right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.

 

  27. CONVERSION OF ISOs INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOs.

 

The Administrator, at the written request of any Participant, may in its discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such Participant’s ISOs (or any portions thereof) that have not been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of such ISOs, regardless of whether the Participant is an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate at the time of such conversion. At the time of such conversion, the Administrator (with the consent of the Participant) may impose such conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Administrator in its discretion may determine, provided that such conditions shall not be inconsistent with this Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant the right to have such Participant’s ISOs converted into Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless the Administrator takes appropriate action. The Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, may also terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been exercised at the time of such conversion.

 

  28. WITHHOLDING.

 

In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“F.I.C.A.”) withholdings or other amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld from the Participant’s salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with the issuance of a Stock Right or Shares under the Plan or for any other reason required by law, the Company may withhold from the Participant’s compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the Participant, the statutory minimum amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding arrangement, including the use of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or a promissory note, is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of payroll withholding shall be determined in the manner set forth under the definition of Fair Market Value provided in Paragraph 1 above, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date of exercise. If the Fair Market Value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer. The Administrator in its discretion may condition the exercise of an Option for less than the then Fair Market Value on the Participant’s payment of such additional withholding.

 

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  29. NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.

 

Each Employee who receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is defined in Section 424(c) of the Code and includes any disposition (including any sale or gift) of such Shares before the later of (a) two years after the date the Employee was granted the ISO, or (b) one year after the date the Employee acquired Shares by exercising the ISO, except as otherwise provided in Section 424(c) of the Code. If the Employee has died before such Shares are sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter.

 

  30. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

 

The Plan will terminate on September 6, 2022, the date which is ten years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors and the date of its approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may be terminated at an earlier date by vote of the shareholders or the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall not affect any Agreements executed prior to the effective date of such termination. Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Stock Rights theretofore granted.

 

  31. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS.

 

The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may also be amended by the Administrator, including, without limitation, to the extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding Stock Rights granted under the Plan or Stock Rights to be granted under the Plan for favorable federal income tax treatment as may be afforded incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code (including deferral of taxation upon exercise), and to the extent necessary to qualify the Shares issuable under the Plan for listing on any national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation system of securities dealers. Any amendment approved by the Administrator which the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires shareholder approval shall be subject to obtaining such shareholder approval. Any modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under a Stock Right previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the Participant affected, the Administrator may amend outstanding Agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Agreements may be amended by the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant.

 

  32. EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.

 

Nothing in this Plan or any Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Affiliate for any period of time.

 

  33. GOVERNING LAW.

 

This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.

 

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