UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
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☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
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☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
IBIO, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☒ | No fee required. |
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☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92121
October 26, 2023
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Stockholders of iBio, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”) of iBio, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The meeting will be held on November 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time at 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121. The purpose of the 2023 Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted on are stated below in this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will come before the 2023 Annual Meeting.
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, stockholders will vote on the following matters:
(1) | to elect the two (2) nominees for Class III director named in the accompanying proxy statement to our Board of Directors, each to serve a three-year term expiring at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified; |
(2) | to ratify the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024; and |
(3) | to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (Say-on-Pay); |
(4) | to approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, in substantially the form attached to the accompanying proxy statement as Appendix A, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to effect a reverse stock split with respect to the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), including stock held by the Company as treasury shares, at a ratio of 1-for-5 to 1-for-20 (the “Range”), with the ratio within such Range (the “Reverse Stock Split Ratio”) to be determined at the discretion of the Board and included in a public announcement, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors to abandon such amendment; |
(5) | to approve the adoption of the iBio, Inc. 2023 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”), in the form attached to the accompanying proxy statement as Appendix B; |
(6) | to approve an adjournment of the 2023 Annual Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of Proposal 4 and/or Proposal 5; and |
(7) | to transact such other business as may properly come before the 2023 Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the 2023 Annual Meeting. |
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The matters listed in this notice of meeting are described in detail in the accompanying Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 25, 2023 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for determining those stockholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the 2023 Annual Meeting. The list of the stockholders of record as of the Record Date will be made available for inspection at the 2023 Annual Meeting for the ten days preceding the meeting at the Company’s offices located at 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121 during ordinary business hours for any purpose germane to the 2023 Annual Meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 27, 2023.
The proxy materials together with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”), which is not a part of our proxy solicitation materials, are first being mailed to the stockholders of record on or about October 27, 2023. This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy statement and our 2023 Annual Report are available at https://ir.ibioinc.com.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SUBMIT A PROXY TO HAVE YOUR SHARES VOTED AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY SUBMITTING YOUR PROXY VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE OR BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING BY MAIL THE PROXY CARD ENCLOSED WITH THE PROXY MATERIALS. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE PROXY MATERIALS IN PRINTED FORM AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A PROXY BY MAIL, YOU MAY REQUEST A PRINTED COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS (INCLUDING THE PROXY) AND SUCH MATERIALS WILL BE SENT TO YOU BY CONTACTING THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, IBIO, INC., 11750 SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD, SUITE 200, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121, OR BY PHONE AT (979) 446-0027.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the employees of iBio, Inc. we thank you for your continued support and look forward to speaking with you at the 2023 Annual Meeting.
| /s/ William D. Clark |
| William D. Clark |
| Chairman of the Board |
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11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92121
For the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 27, 2023
We are providing these proxy materials to holders of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of iBio, Inc., a Delaware corporation (referred to herein as “iBio,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of iBio (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) of proxies to be voted at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”) to be held on November 27, 2023, beginning at 1:00 p.m., Pacific Time, at 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121 and at any adjournment or postponement of our 2023 Annual Meeting. The purpose of the 2023 Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted on are stated in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will come before the 2023 Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors is soliciting votes: (1) FOR each of the two (2) Class III directors named in the accompanying proxy statement for election to the Board of Directors (“Proposal 1” or the “Election of Directors Proposal”); (2) FOR the ratification of the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024 (“Proposal 2” or the “Auditor Ratification Proposal”); (3) FOR the approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers (Say-on-Pay) (“Proposal 3” or the “Say-on-Pay Proposal”); (4) FOR the approval of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”), in substantially the form attached to the proxy statement as Appendix A, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to effect a reverse stock split (the “Reserve Stock Split”) with respect to the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), including stock held by the Company as treasury shares, at a ratio of 1-for-5 to 1-for-20 (the “Range”), with the ratio within such Range (the “Reverse Stock Split Ratio”) to be determined at the discretion of the Board (“Proposal 4” or the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”) and included in a public announcement, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors to abandon such amendment; (5) FOR the adoption of the 2023 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”), in the form attached to the accompanying proxy statement as Appendix B (“Proposal 5” or the “2023 Plan Proposal”); and (6) FOR the approval of an adjournment of the 2023 Annual Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and/or the 2023 Plan Proposal (“Proposal 6” or the “Adjournment Proposal”).
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ANNUAL MEETING ADMISSION
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 25, 2023 (the “Record Date”) may attend the 2023 Annual Meeting. If you attend, please note that you will be asked to present government-issued identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) and evidence of your share ownership of our common stock on the Record Date. Such evidence of ownership can be your proxy card. If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record and you plan to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting, you will be required to present proof of your ownership of our common stock on the Record Date, such as a bank or brokerage account statement or voting instruction card, to be admitted to the 2023 Annual Meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 27, 2023. On or about October 25, 2023, we will begin mailing the proxy materials, which includes the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement and proxy card, together with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”), which is not a part of our proxy solicitation materials. The proxy materials and our 2023 Annual Report are also available at https://ir.ibioinc.com.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SUBMIT A PROXY TO HAVE YOUR SHARES VOTED AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY SUBMITTING A PROXY VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE OR BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING BY MAIL THE PROXY CARD ENCLOSED WITH THE PROXY MATERIALS. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE PROXY MATERIALS IN PRINTED FORM AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A PROXY BY MAIL, YOU MAY REQUEST A PRINTED COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS (INCLUDING THE PROXY) AND SUCH MATERIALS WILL BE SENT TO YOU BY CONTACTING THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, IBIO, INC., 11750 SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD, SUITE 200, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121, OR BY PHONE AT (979) 446-0027.
No cameras, recording equipment or electronic devices will be permitted in the 2023 Annual Meeting.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
We are providing you with these proxy materials because the Board of Directors, is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting to be held on November 27, 2023, beginning at 1:00 p.m., Pacific Time including at any postponement or adjournment thereof. The purpose of the 2023 Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted on are stated in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will come before the 2023 Annual Meeting.
Q:Why am I receiving these materials?
A:We have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of Directors of iBio is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting, including at any postponements or adjournments of the 2023 Annual Meeting.
Q:Who can vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting?
A:Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 25, 2023, or the Record Date, will be entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 28,089,899 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If on October 25, 2023 your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may directly vote your shares or submit a proxy to have your shares voted. We urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card or submit a proxy via the internet or by telephone as instructed herein to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If on October 25, 2023 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the 2023 Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or nominee describing the available processes for voting your stock.
Beneficial owners who wish to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting must obtain a legal proxy by contacting their account representative at the bank, broker, or other nominee that holds their shares and e-mail a copy (a legible photograph is sufficient) of their legal proxy to proxy@continentalstock.com.
Q:What information is contained in the Proxy Statement?
A:The information included in this Proxy Statement relates to the proposals to be considered and voted on at the 2023 Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation of our directors and executive officers, and other required information.
Q:Who can help answer my questions?
A:If you have any questions about the 2023 Annual Meeting or how to vote, submit a proxy or revoke your proxy, or you need additional copies of this Proxy Statement or voting materials, you can contact our proxy solicitor Okapi Partners LLC toll free at (844) 203-3605 or our Corporate Secretary, iBio, Inc., 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121, or by phone (979) 446-0027.
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Q:How do I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
A:This Proxy Statement and the 2023 Annual Report are available at https://ir.ibioinc.com.
Q:What items of business will be considered and voted on at the 2023 Annual Meeting?
A:The business scheduled to be considered and voted on at the 2023 Annual Meeting are: (1) the election of our two (2) nominees named herein as Class III directors; (2) the ratification of CohnReznick LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024; (3) the approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers; (4) the approval of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, in substantially the form attached to the proxy statement as Appendix A, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to effect a reverse stock split with respect to the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share, including stock held by the Company as treasury shares, at a ratio of 1-for-5 to 1-for-20, with the ratio within such Range to be determined at the discretion of the Board and included in a public announcement, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors to abandon such amendment; (5) the approval of the adoption of the 2023 Plan, in the form attached to the accompanying proxy statement as Appendix B; and (6) the approval of an adjournment of the 2023 Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of Proposal 4 and/or Proposal 5.
Q:How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?
A:For the reasons described under each Proposal, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote (1) FOR each of the two (2) Class III director nominees named herein for election to the Board of Directors; (2) FOR the Auditor Ratification Proposal; (3) FOR the Say-on-Pay Proposal; (4) FOR the Reverse Stock Split Proposal; (5) FOR the 2023 Plan Proposal; and (6) FOR the Adjournment Proposal.
Q:What is a quorum and why is it necessary?
A:Conducting business at the 2023 Annual Meeting requires a quorum. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least one third of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at the close of business on October 25, 2023 are present at the 2023 Annual Meeting in person, present by means of remote communication in a manner, if any, authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy. Abstentions are treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must instruct the broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your broker may register your shares as being present at the 2023 Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but the shares will not be voted on proposals on which brokers do not have discretionary authority. This is called a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. If there is no quorum, the stockholders present or represented at the 2023 Annual Meeting and entitled to vote may adjourn the meeting to another date or if no stockholder is present any officer entitled to preside at or act as secretary of the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another date.
Q:What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
A:If a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the 2023 Annual Meeting, the vote required to approve each of the proposals is as follows:
For the Election of Directors Proposal (Proposal 1) the two (2) Class III director nominees named herein receiving the highest number of FOR votes (from the holders of shares present or represented by proxy at the 2023 Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors) will be elected. Only votes FOR will affect the outcome. Withheld votes and
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broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. You do not have the right to cumulate your votes on the Election of Directors Proposal.
To be approved, the Auditor Ratification Proposal (Proposal 2) must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all shares of stock present or represented and voting on that proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Since abstentions on this proposal are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected for this proposal because we believe this matter is a routine matter. If there were to be any broker non-votes they would have no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal. Proposal 2 is an advisory vote, and therefore is not binding on us, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) or the Board of Directors. If our stockholders do not approve the Auditor Ratification Proposal, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain that firm. Even if the Auditor Ratification Proposal is approved, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of iBio and its stockholders.
To be approved, the Say-on-Pay Proposal (Proposal 3) must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all shares of stock present or represented and voting on that proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Since abstentions and broker non-votes on this proposal are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on the vote on this proposal. The Say-on-Pay Proposal (Proposal 3) is advisory, and therefore not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. However, our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinion of our stockholders and will consider our stockholders’ opinion when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.
To be approved, the Reverse Stock Split Proposal (Proposal 4) must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all shares of stock present or represented and voting on that proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Since abstentions are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected for this proposal because we believe this matter is a routine matter. If there were to be any broker non-votes they would have no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal.
To be approved, the 2023 Plan Proposal (Proposal 5) must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all shares of stock present or represented and voting on that proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Since abstentions and broker non-votes on this proposal are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on the vote on this proposal.
To be approved, the Adjournment Proposal (Proposal 6) must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all shares of stock present or represented and voting on that proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Since abstentions on this proposal are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on the vote on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected for this proposal because we believe this matter is a routine matter. If there were to be any broker non-votes they would have no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal.
If your shares are held in “street name” and you do not indicate how you wish to vote, your broker is permitted to exercise its discretion to vote your shares on certain “routine” matters. The only routine matter to be submitted to our stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting are the Auditor Ratification Proposal, the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal. If you do not direct your broker how to vote on the Auditor Ratification Proposal, the Reverse Stock Split Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal, your broker may exercise discretion and may vote your shares on such proposals in its discretion. None of our other proposals are routine matters. Accordingly, if you do not direct your broker how to vote for a director in the Director Proposal, the Say-on-Pay Proposal or the 2023 Plan Proposal, your broker may not exercise discretion and may not vote your shares on such proposals.
We encourage you to vote FOR each of the Class III director nominees named in the Election of Directors Proposal and FOR each of the Auditor Ratification Proposal, FOR the Say-on-Pay Proposal; FOR the Reverse Stock Split Proposal; FOR the 2023 Plan Proposal; and FOR the Adjournment Proposal.
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Q:What shares can I vote?
A:You may vote or cause to be voted all shares owned by you as of the close of business on October 25, 2023, the Record Date. These shares include: (1) shares held directly in your name as a stockholder of record; and (2) shares held for you, as the beneficial owner, through a broker or other nominee, such as a bank.
Q:How may I vote?
A:You may either vote FOR each of the two (2) nominees to the Board of Directors or you may WITHHOLD your vote for any nominee you specify. You may not cumulate your votes in the Director Election Proposal. With respect to each of the other proposals, you may vote FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN.
The procedures for voting are fairly simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may have your shares voted by proxy. We urge you to have your shares voted by proxy to ensure your vote is counted.
● | To have your shares voted using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the 2023 Annual Meeting, the proxyholder will vote your shares as you direct. |
● | To have your shares voted through the internet follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card (https://www.cstproxy.com/ibioinc/2023) to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the Company number and control number from the enclosed proxy card. Your internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 26, 2023 to be counted. |
● | To have your shares voted through the telephone dial the toll-free number on the enclosed proxy card (866-894-0536) using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the Company number and control number from the enclosed proxy card. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 26, 2023 to be counted. |
● | You or your proxyholder will be able to attend and vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting. |
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other nominee, you should have received a voting instruction form with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from iBio. Follow the instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker, bank or other nominee to request a proxy form. Internet and telephone voting may be available to beneficial owners. Please refer to the voting instruction form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee.
Q:How many votes do I have?
A:On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of Common Stock you own as of the close of business on October 25, 2023, the Record Date.
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Q:What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting or by completing your proxy card or submitting your proxy via the internet or by telephone, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other nominee how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under the rules and interpretations of the NYSE, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholder, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation (say-on-pay) and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. We believe that Proposals 1, 3 and 5 will be treated by the NYSE as non-routine matters and Proposals 2, 4 and 6 will be treated by the NYSE as routine matters. Accordingly, your broker may register your shares as being present at the 2023 Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but not vote your shares on Proposals 1, 3 and 5 without your instructions (referred to as broker non-votes), but may vote your shares on Proposals 2, 4 and 6 even in the absence of your instruction. This belief is based on preliminary guidance from the NYSE and may be incorrect or change before the 2023 Annual Meeting.
Q:What if I return a proxy card or otherwise submit a proxy but do not make specific choices?
A:If you are a record holder and return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise submit a proxy without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as applicable, (1) FOR each of the two (2) nominees for Class III directors named herein; (2) FOR the Auditor Ratification Proposal; (3) FOR the Say-on-Pay Proposal; (4) FOR the Reverse Stock Split Proposal; (5) FOR the 2023 Plan Proposal; and (6) FOR the Adjournment Proposal.
Q:Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?
A:You may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting. To change how your shares are voted or to revoke your proxy if you are the record holder, you may (1) notify our Corporate Secretary in writing at iBio, Inc., 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121; (2) submit a later-dated proxy by mail, via internet or by telephone, subject to the voting deadlines that are described on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable; or (3) deliver to our Corporate Secretary another duly executed proxy bearing a later date. You may also revoke your proxy by attending the 2023 Annual Meeting and voting at the meeting. Attendance at the 2023 Annual Meeting alone will not revoke your proxy.
For shares you hold beneficially, you may change your vote by following the instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee.
Q:What should I do if I receive more than one proxy statement?
A:You may receive more than one proxy statement. For example, if you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy statement. These should each be voted and/or returned separately in order to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
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Q:Where can I find the voting results of the 2023 Annual Meeting?
A:We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the 2023 Annual Meeting and publish final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be filed within four (4) business days of the 2023 Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Current Report on Form 8-K within four (4) business days after the 2023 Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Current Report on Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four (4) business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Current Report on Form 8-K to publish the final results.
Q:What happens if additional matters are presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting?
A:Other than the six (6) items of business described in this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the 2023 Annual Meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders, Martin Brenner, our Chief Executive Officer and Felipe Duran, our Chief Financial Officer, or either of them, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting. If for any unforeseen reason any of our nominees are not available as a candidate for director, the persons named as proxy holders will vote your proxy for any one or more other candidates nominated by the Board of Directors.
Q:Who will count the votes?
A:One or more inspectors of election will tabulate the votes.
Q:Is my vote confidential?
A:Proxy instructions, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed, either within iBio or to anyone else, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements; (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; or (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
Q:Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the 2023 Annual Meeting?
A:The Board of Directors is making this solicitation on behalf of iBio, which will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials. Certain of our directors, officers, and employees, without any additional compensation, may also solicit your vote by telephone, or by electronic communication. On request, we will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to stockholders. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone, telegram, facsimile and advertisement in periodicals and postings, in each case by our directors, officers and employees without additional compensation. In addition, we have retained Okapi Partners LLC to aid in the solicitation of proxies for the 2023 Annual Meeting. We will pay Okapi Partners LLC fees of not more than $10,000 plus expense reimbursement for its services. Brokerage houses, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians will be requested to forward solicitation materials to beneficial owners and will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in so doing. Please contact Okapi Partners LLC at 844-203-3605 (toll-free) with any questions you may have regarding our proposals.
Q:When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for next year’s Annual Meeting?
A.Stockholders who intend to present proposals for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) under SEC Rule 14a-8 must ensure that such proposals are received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company in writing not later than June 28, 2024 at iBio, Inc., 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121. If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) at the 2024 Annual Meeting, you must comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
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Generally, timely notice of any director nomination or other proposal that any stockholder intends to present at the 2024 Annual Meeting, but does not intend to have included in the proxy materials prepared by iBio in connection with the 2024 Annual Meeting, must be delivered in writing to the Corporate Secretary at the address above not later than 90th day nor earlier than 120th days before the first anniversary of the date we first mail our proxy materials or notice of availability of proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting; however, if the annual meeting is advanced by more than 20 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, we must receive the notice not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made. In addition, the stockholder must comply with the requirements set forth in our second amended and restated bylaws and the stockholder’s notice must set forth the information required by our second amended and restated bylaws with respect to each stockholder making the proposal or nomination and each proposal or nomination that such stockholder intends to present at the 2024 Annual Meeting. In addition, to satisfying the foregoing requirements, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees at the 2024 Annual Meeting must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than September 28, 2024. If such meeting date is changed by more than 30 days before or after November 27, 2024, then notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19 must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting is first made.
See “Stockholder Proposals For the 2024 Annual Meeting.”
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors currently consists of six (6) directors and is divided into three classes. In accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Directors cannot be nominated for re-election if they will be 75 years of age or older on the date of the applicable annual meeting, absent a waiver by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the full Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes imposing a mandatory retirement age is an effective way to ensure director refreshment. Each class serves for a term ending at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the election of such class, with the terms of office of the respective classes expiring in successive years. Directors in Class III will stand for election this year at the 2023 Annual Meeting, directors in Class I will stand for election at the 2024 Annual Meeting and directors in Class II will stand for election at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”). The terms of office of directors in Class I and Class II do not expire until the 2024 Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Meeting, respectively. Vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if such directors do not constitute a quorum. A director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified.
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, our stockholders will consider and vote upon the election of the two (2) Class III nominees: William Clark and Gary Sender, to continue to serve as Class III directors. If re-elected, these nominees will serve for a term ending at our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders. Our Board of Directors believes that all of our current directors, including the two (2) nominees for election, possess, among other attributes, personal and professional integrity, good judgment, a high level of ability, diversity of viewpoint and business acumen.
Each nominee has agreed to serve if elected and we have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve if elected. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, proxies will be voted FOR the election of a substitute nominee proposed by our Board of Directors or for election of only the remaining nominee.
Unless authority to do so is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted FOR the election of each of the director nominees. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees standing for election. Since two (2) directors are to be elected at the 2023 Annual Meeting, the two (2) nominees for director who receive the highest number of affirmative votes for election will be elected as Class III directors. Cumulating votes is not permitted in connection with the election of directors.
The name, age, class, title, years of service, principal occupation, business experience and certain other information for each Class III director nominee is set forth below.
Nominees to the Board of Directors
Each of the Class III director nominees and their age, position with our Company and the expiration of their respective term on the Board of Directors (assuming they are re-elected at the 2023 Annual Meeting) are provided in the table below and in the additional biographical descriptions set forth in the text below the table.
Name of Director Nominee |
| Age |
| Position |
| Director Since |
| Term Expires |
William D. Clark |
| 55 |
| Class III Director |
| August 2021 |
| 2026 |
Gary Sender |
| 61 |
| Class III Director |
| October 2020 |
| 2026 |
Class III Directors
William D. Clark was appointed as a member of our Board of Directors in August 2021 and has served as Chairperson of the Board since November 1, 2022. He also currently serves on the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Clark has more than 30 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical experience, with a focus
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on business development, commercialization, strategic planning, and general management. From 2011 until 2022, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company, Genocea Biosciences, Inc. (“Genocea”). In that role, among other accomplishments, he executed Genocea’s successful strategic pivot from infectious disease to immuno-oncology. Prior to joining Genocea, Mr. Clark was Chief Business Officer at Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Vanda”), a company he co-founded in 2004. There, he played central roles in completing the company’s 2006 Nasdaq initial public offering and its 2009 out-licensing deal with Novartis Pharma AG, from which Vanda received an upfront payment of $200 million, plus contingent additional future milestone payments totaling up to $265 million. Previously, he was a Principal at Care Capital, LLC, a venture capital firm investing in biopharmaceutical companies. Earlier in his career, he spent 10 years at SmithKline Beecham Corporation (now part of GlaxoSmithKline plc) in a variety of business development roles. Mr. Clark holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Harvard University.
We believe Mr. Clark brings extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries to the Board of Directors.
Gary Sender was appointed as a member of our Board of Directors in October 2020 and served as the Lead Independent Director of the Board of Directors from December 2021 until November 10, 2022, when the Board of Directors approved removing the role of Lead Independent Director after the appointment of Mr. Clark as the Chairperson of the Board. Mr. Sender currently serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and as a member of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Sender is a senior executive and board member with more than 25 years of financial leadership experience at both large, multi-national pharmaceutical and early-stage biotechnology companies. In March 2021, Mr. Sender retired as the Chief Financial Officer of Nabriva Therapeutics plc, a commercial-stage publicly traded biopharmaceutical company engaged in the commercialization and development of innovative anti-infective agents to treat serious infections. He held that position since May 2016. Prior to joining Nabriva, Mr. Sender was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. from November 2015 to April 2016. Prior to joining Synergy, from August 2009 to June 2015, Mr. Sender served as Senior Vice President of Finance of Shire Plc’s (“Shire”), a biopharmaceutical company since acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited supporting its Specialty Pharmaceuticals business and subsequently its Global Commercial businesses. Prior to joining Shire, Mr. Sender served as the Chief Financial Officer of Tengion, Inc., a regenerative medicine company, from August 2004 to July 2009. Mr. Sender also spent over 15 years in several leadership roles within Merck & Co. Inc., a publicly traded pharmaceutical company. Mr. Sender currently serves on the board of directors of Schrodinger, Inc. and is the chair of their audit and compensation committees. Mr. Sender also serves on the board of directors of Harmony Biosciences and is the chair of their audit committee and is a member on their compensation committee. Mr. Sender serves on the boards of Elucida Oncology and Gennao Bio — both privately held biotechnology firms. He is the chair of the audit committee of Elucida and chairs both the audit and compensation committees of Gennao. Mr. Sender received a B.S. in Finance from Boston University and an M.B.A. from Carnegie-Mellon University. Mr. Sender is qualified to serve on publicly traded boards of directors because of his extensive finance and life sciences industry experience, board experience as well as his demonstrated business acumen. Mr. Sender is qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Regulation S-K Item 407(d)(5)(ii).
Mr. Sender’s experience as a board member and financial executive of both public and private companies in the life sciences industry and his management experience is valuable to the Board of Directors and the Company.
Vote Required
Provided that a quorum is present, the two nominees for director receiving a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting in person or by proxy will be elected. Accordingly, the two nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE TWO NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE AS CLASS III DIRECTORS
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Continuing Directors
The directors who are serving terms that end following the 2023 Annual Meeting and their ages, position, length of service on the Board of Directors and the expiration of their respective terms are provided in the table below and in the additional biographical descriptions set forth in the text below the table.
Name of Director |
| Age |
| Position |
| Director Since |
| Term Expires |
Class I Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
General (Ret.) James T. Hill |
| 77 |
| Class I Director |
| August 2008 |
| 2024 |
Evert Schimmelpennink |
| 51 |
| Class I Director |
| April 2019 |
| 2024 |
| | | | | | | | |
Class II Directors |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
Dr. Linda W. Armstrong |
| 60 |
| Class II Director |
| October 2020 |
| 2025 |
Dr. Alexandra Kropotova |
| 51 |
| Class II Director |
| October 2020 |
| 2025 |
Class I Directors
General (Ret.) James T. Hill has served as a member of our Board of Directors since we became a publicly traded company in August 2008 and was appointed the Presiding Director of the Board of Directors in October 2020, a position that he held until December 2021 when we appointed a Lead Independent Director. He currently serves as the Chair of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. He was the commander of United States Southern Command from 2002 until his retirement in 2004. In this role he led all U.S. military forces and operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, working directly with U.S. Ambassadors, foreign heads of state, key Washington decision-makers, foreign senior military and civilian leaders in implementing United States policy. General Hill is the founder of the J.T. Hill Group, a consulting organization specializing in strategic leadership and international security.
We believe that General Hill’s experience in developing strategic plans and his insights regarding the conduct of business affairs in Central and South America is a key resource for us and enables him to make valuable contributions to the Company.
Evert Schimmelpennink was appointed as a member of our Board of Directors in June 2021 and currently serves as the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and as a member of the Science and Technology Committee. Mr. Schimmelpennink has close to 25 years of biotech and pharmaceutical experience and brings a proven track record in successfully building and scaling public and private biopharmaceutical companies, securing funding around captivating strategies, and creating patient and shareholder value. Mr. Schimmelpennink currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Lenz Therapeutics, Inc. a position he has held since March 4, 2021. Previously, from August 2017 to October 2020 he was the CEO of publicly listed Pfenex Inc., which he led through a turnaround and its first FDA approval resulting in an acquisition by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. in late 2020. From November 13, 2019 until its sale, Mr. Schimmelpennink also served as the acting Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer of Pfenex Inc. From October 2015 to July 2017, Mr. Schimmelpennink was CEO of privately held Alvotech, where he led the company through a critical growth phase, and aligned R&D, manufacturing and commercial capabilities across a portfolio of monoclonal antibodies. Prior to that, he held senior positions at Pfizer Inc. and Hospira, Inc. within their global specialty injectables businesses, as well as Synthon BV. In addition to serving on the board of directors of Lenz Therapeutics, Mr. Schimmelpennink serves on the board of directors of Pipeline Therapeutics, Inc. Mr. Schimmelpennink earned a M.Sc. in bioprocess engineering from the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands and a Business Degree from the Arnhem Business School.
Mr. Schimmelpennink brings extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries as a result of his service in senior corporate positions in many medical companies.
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Class II Directors
Dr. Linda W. Armstrong was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors in October 2020 and is the Chair of our Science and Technology Committee of the Board of Directors and a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Dr. Armstrong is an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years of experience in respiratory diseases and therapeutics. Since November 2022, she has served as the Head of US Corporate Responsibility and President of the US Novartis Foundation. Prior to her current role, she served as the Global Head of the Respiratory Development Unit at Novartis starting in November 2016, where she was responsible for the development of therapies to treat patients with respiratory and allergic conditions. Dr. Armstrong served in a variety of roles at Novartis since 2007, including the Head of Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cell and Gene Therapy and Global Head of Patient Safety. Prior to joining Novartis between 2001-2007, she served as Medical Safety Director and subsequently as Senior Director, Medical Affairs at Pfizer, Inc. Dr. Armstrong also served as Group Director, Respiratory Diseases at the Schering Plough Research Institute. As a Board-Certified Pulmonologist and Internist, Dr. Armstrong served on the faculty of New York University Medical Center prior to joining Schering-Plough. She received her medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut and her Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
We believe Dr. Armstrong’s experience and knowledge as a medical professional and her experience in various leadership roles in successful pharmaceutical companies and biologics is valuable to the Board of Directors and the Company.
Dr. Alexandra Kropotova was appointed as a member of our Board of Directors in October 2020 and currently serves as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Science and Technology Committee of the Board of Directors. Dr. Kropotova is a biopharmaceutical executive with expertise in all phases of global clinical development, translational medicine and medical affairs. Currently, Dr. Kropotova is Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at SAb Biotherapeutics, a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, leading the strategy, direction, and execution of the company’s portfolio of innovative polyclonal antibody assets. Prior to SAb Biotherapeutics, she has served as Vice President, Global Specialty R&D, Respiratory & Inflammation Therapeutic Area at Teva Pharmaceuticals, where she led the design and execution of global clinical development programs, the majority of which are biologic candidates for pulmonary, chronic inflammatory or autoimmune indications. Prior to joining Teva, between 2007-2016, Dr. Kropotova served in various roles at Sanofi, including Vice President, Strategy & Strategic Planning Head, North American Medical Affairs; Associate Vice President and subsequently Vice President, Immuno-Inflammation, Global R&D; and Senior Medical Director, Respiratory, Allergy & Anti-Infectives. Prior to joining Sanofi, she served in various roles at Pfizer Inc. from 2002-2007, most recently as Director & Head of Global Clinical Respiratory and Analgesics. Dr. Kropotova received her Master of Business Administration Degree from Ohio University Graduate School of Business, Athens, Ohio, and her Medical Degree in Internal Medicine from the Vladivostok State Medical University, Vladivostok, Russia.
We believe Dr. Kropotova’s experience and knowledge as a medical professional and biologics development experience across multiple therapeutic areas along with her experience in various leadership roles in successful pharmaceutical companies, is valuable to the Board of Directors and the Company.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Independence of the Board of Directors
Our common stock has traded on the NYSE American LLC, or NYSE American, under the symbol “IBIO” since August 2008. Under the NYSE American listing standards, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s Board of Directors and all members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must be independent. Audit Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Compensation Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. Under the NYSE American listing standards, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an Audit Committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee: (i) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.
The Board of Directors undertook a review of the independence of the members of the Board of Directors and considered whether any director has a material relationship with us that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning their background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, the Board of Directors has determined that all of our current directors are independent. As a result, our Board of Directors has determined that each of Dr. Linda W. Armstrong, William B. Clark, General (Ret.) James T. Hill, Dr. Alexandra Kropotova, Evert Schimmelpennink and Gary Sender, are “independent directors” as that term is defined in Section 803 of the NYSE American Company Guide.
In making these determinations, the Board of Directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our Company and all other facts and circumstances the Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of capital stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them described in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons.”
Board of Directors Composition
Our Board of Directors currently consists of six members. Each of our current directors will continue to serve as a director until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms.
At each annual meeting of stockholders, upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, the successor to each such director in the class will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following his or her election and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, in accordance with our Charter. 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 our directors.
This classification of our Board of Directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our Company.
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In addition, under the terms of our second amended and restated bylaws, members of our Board of Directors may only be removed for cause. This may also have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our Company.
Board Leadership Structure
William Clark was appointed our Chairman of the Board of Directors on November 1, 2022. Effective December 2021, the Board of Directors appointed Gary Sender as the Lead Independent Director, a position he held until November 10, 2022, when the Board of Directors approved removing the role of Lead Independent Director. The Board of Directors does not currently have a policy that requires the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, or requiring a separate lead independent director. The Board of Directors annually reviews its leadership structure to assess what best serves the interests of the Company and its shareholders at a given time. Currently, the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors are held by different persons.
The principal responsibilities of our Chairman of the Board of Directors, William Clark are to manage the operations of the Board and its committees and provide counsel to the Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Board. As our Chief Executive Officer, Martin Brenner is responsible for our day-to-day operations and for executing our long-term strategies. The Board believes that an appropriate leadership structure depends on the opportunities and challenges facing a company at a given time. The Board believes that the current leadership structure is appropriate for us at this time. Each independent director has direct access to our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer, as well as other members of the senior management team. The independent directors meet in executive session without management present at least quarterly.
The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
Our Board of Directors oversees our risk management. This oversight is administered primarily through the following:
● | Our Board of Directors’ review and approval of our business strategy, including the projected opportunities and challenges facing our business; |
● | At least quarterly review of our business developments and financial results; |
● | Our Audit Committee’s oversight of our internal controls over financial reporting and its discussions with management and the independent registered public accountants regarding the quality and adequacy of our internal controls and financial reporting; and |
● | Our Board of Directors’ review and recommendations regarding our executive officer compensation and its relationship to our business objectives and goals. |
Board and Committee Meetings and Attendance
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, our Board of Directors held thirteen meetings in person or by telephone. The Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Science and Technology Committee held five, seven, two and three meetings, respectively in person or by telephone. In addition, during the 2023 fiscal year, the Board of Directors formed two pricing committees for an equity raise and at-the-market transaction which met five times and three times respectively to negotiate terms of two separate financing transactions and to recommend to the full Board any financing transactions approved by the Pricing Committee. An ad hoc Special Committee was also formed to approve the terms of the RubrYc transaction. During the 2023 fiscal year, each current member of the Board of Directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of all meetings of committees of the Board of Directors on which such member served that were held during the period in which such director served.
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Board Attendance at Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
Although we do not have a policy with regard to attendance of members of the Board of Directors at our annual meetings of stockholders, all of the directors are encouraged to attend such meetings. All of our directors at that time attended the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders via telephone conference.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
Interested parties may communicate with the Board of Directors or specific members of the Board of Directors, including the independent directors and the members of the Audit Committee or any other committee of the Board of Directors, by submitting correspondence addressed to the Board of Directors of iBio, Inc. c/o any specified individual director or directors at 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121. Any such correspondence will be forwarded to the indicated directors. All communications received will be opened by the office of our Corporate Secretary and the Corporate Secretary’s office will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member of the group or committee to which the envelope or e-mail is addressed. The Board of Directors has instructed the Corporate Secretary to forward stockholder correspondence only to the intended recipients and has also instructed the Corporate Secretary to review all stockholder correspondence and, in the Corporate Secretary’s discretion, refrain from forwarding any items deemed to be of a commercial or frivolous nature or otherwise inappropriate for the Board of Directors’ consideration. Any such items may be forwarded elsewhere in iBio for review and possible response.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics within the meaning of Item 406 of SEC Regulation S-K, which applies to all of our employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.ibioinc.com. If we make any waivers or substantive amendments to the code of ethics that are applicable to our principal executive officer or our Chief Financial Officer, we will disclose the nature of such waiver or amendment in a Current Report on Form 8-K in a timely manner. No waivers from any provision of our policy have been granted. We will provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of our code of conduct and ethics. Such requests should be made in writing to the attention of Marc Banjak, Secretary, iBio, Inc., 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership in the Company’s securities. Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5, and amendments thereto, filed electronically with the SEC during the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company believes all Section 16(a) filings applicable to its directors, officers, and 10% stockholders were filed on a timely basis with the exception of two Form 4s filed by Martin Brenner one that was filed on March 28, 2023 with respect to a sale of shares to cover tax obligations and the other than was filed on June 27, 2023 with respect to an expiration of an RSU.
Prohibitions on Hedging and Pledging
The Company’s Insider Trading Policy prohibits directors, officers and employees from (1) pledging Company securities that involves pledging (or hypothecating) Company securities as collateral for a loan and (2) engaging in hedging or monetization transactions, including the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, and may permit a holder to continue to own Company securities but without the full risks and rewards of ownership.
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The Company’s Insider Trading Policy also provides that no director, officer or employee (or any other person, such as a consultant or contractor, designated by the Company as subject to the Inside Trading Policy) may engage in any of the following activities with respect to the Company’s securities:
● | trading in the Company’s securities on a short-term basis (i.e., shares of the Company’s Common Stock purchased in the open market must be held for a minimum of six months and ideally longer; however, this rule does not apply to sales made following the exercise of options that were granted by the Company or to sales of shares purchased through the Company’s equity incentive plans); |
● | purchases of Company securities on margin; |
● | short sales of the Company’s securities; and |
● | buying or selling puts or calls on Company securities. |
None of our directors or named executive officers or other executive officers has currently pledged any Company securities.
To date, the Board has not approved any exceptions for hedging transactions and does not currently anticipate any situation where it would do so in the future.
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INFORMATION REGARDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has the authority to appoint committees to perform certain management and administration functions. During the year ended June 30, 2023, the Board of Directors had four (4) standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. The Board of Directors may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our Company’s business, including ad hoc committees to address particular matters. The composition and functions of each standing committee are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
All of the committees comply with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the NYSE American and the SEC, rules and regulations as further described below. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this Proxy Statement and the inclusion of such website address in this Proxy Statement is an inactive textual reference only.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The table set forth below shows the directors who are currently members or Chair of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. From time to time, the Board of Directors may also establish ad hoc committees to address particular matters.
|
| |
| |
| Nominating |
| |
| | | | | | and | | |
| | | | | | Corporate | | Science and |
| | Audit | | Compensation | | Governance | | Technology |
Name | | Committee | | Committee | | Committee | | Committee |
General (Ret.) James T. Hill |
| — |
| Chair |
| — |
| — |
Dr. Linda Armstrong |
| — |
| Member |
| — |
| Chair |
Dr. Alexandra Kropotova |
| — |
| — |
| Member |
| Member |
Gary Sender |
| Chair |
| Member |
| — |
| — |
Evert Schimmelpennink |
| — |
| — |
| Chair |
| Member |
William B. Clark* |
| Member |
| — |
| Member |
| — |
* | Mr. Clark serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors |
Below is a description of each committee of the Board of Directors.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors makes recommendations regarding the retention of the Company’s independent public accounting firm, monitors the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance, oversees the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the Company’s financial statements, oversees the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and provides an avenue for, and encourages open dialogue and communication among the independent registered public accounting firm, management and the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee monitors the qualifications and performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and determines whether they are compatible with maintaining the registered public accounting firm’s independence. The Audit Committee has a charter, which is reviewed annually and as may be required due to changes in industry accounting practices or the promulgation of new rules or guidance documents. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter which is available on our website at www.ibioinc.com. The Audit Committee consists of two independent directors as determined by NYSE American listing standards: Gary Sender (Audit Committee Chair) and William B. Clark. Messrs. Sender and Clark are each qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Regulation S-K Item 407(d)(5)(ii).
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Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors assists the Board in the discharge of the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of the Company’s executive officers and directors, reviews and approves compensation plans, policies and programs intended to attract, retain and appropriately reward executive officers and other employees and reviews and approves incentive compensation and equity-based plans, including grants and or awards under such plans. The Compensation Committee also considers other matters as may, from time to time, be referred to them by our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a written charter which is available on our website at www.ibioinc.com. The members of the Compensation Committee are General (Ret.) James T. Hill (Compensation Committee Chair), Dr. Linda Armstrong and Gary Sender, all of whom are independent directors as determined by NYSE American listing standards.
The Compensation Committee has retained an independent consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“FW Cook”), to assist with evaluating compensation programs, practices, and governance. FW Cook provides the Compensation Committee with analysis and advice pertaining to the design of our executive and director compensation program, including competitive market analyses, explanation of current and developing best practices, and regulatory changes.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was formed to identify and recommend to the Board of Directors qualified candidates for election, nomination or appointment to the Board, to review and evaluate information available to it regarding candidates proposed by stockholders, to develop and recommend to the Board a set of corporate guidelines applicable to the Company and periodically review and update those guidelines as well as the charters for each of the committees of the Board and to oversee an annual evaluation of the Board and executive management to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. The Nominating Committee operates pursuant to a written charter which is available on our website at www.ibioinc.com. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of three independent directors: Evert Schimmelpennink (Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair), Dr. Alexandra Kropotova and William B. Clark.
Our directors take a critical role in guiding our strategic direction and oversee the management of our Company. Candidates for the Board of Directors, including those candidates proposed by stockholders, are considered based upon various criteria and principles which the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in consultation with the Chairman develop. The set of criteria and principles are submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. The Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board of Directors, on an annual basis, the requisite skills and criteria for new directors. The Nominating Committee may adopt, and periodically review and revise as it deems appropriate, procedures regarding director candidates. Currently, the criteria and principles used by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in the director selection process includes, but is not limited to, a candidate’s broad-based business and professional skills and experiences, a global business and social perspective, concern for the long-term interests of our stockholders, other time commitments and personal integrity and judgment.
The Board of Directors believes given the diverse skills and experience required to grow our Company that the input of all members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is important for considering the qualifications of individuals to serve as directors but does not have a diversity policy. Further, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the minimum qualifications for serving as our director are that a nominee demonstrate, by significant accomplishment in his or her field, an ability to make a meaningful contribution to the Board of Directors’ oversight of our business and affairs and have an impeccable record and reputation for honest and ethical conduct in both his or her professional and personal activities. Whenever a new seat or a vacated seat on the Board of Directors is being filled, candidates that appear to best fit the needs of the Board of Directors and our Company are identified and unless such individuals are well known to the Board of Directors, they are interviewed and further evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Candidates selected by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are then recommended to the full Board of Directors for their nomination to stockholders or election by the Board of Directors itself in the case of vacancies being filled. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends a slate of
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directors for election at our annual meeting of stockholders. In accordance with NYSE American rules, the slate of nominees is approved by a majority of the independent directors. in evaluating an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews such director’s overall service to the Company during such director’s term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance, and any transactions with the Company engaged in by such director during his term.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates suggested by stockholders. In considering any person recommended by one of our stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will look for the same qualifications that it looks for in any other person that it is considering for a position on the Board of Directors. If a stockholder wishes to formally place a candidate’s name in nomination, however, he or she must do so in accordance with the provisions of the second amended and restated bylaws. Suggestions for candidates by stockholders to be evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must be sent to Secretary, iBio, Inc., 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121.
Science and Technology Committee
Our Science and Technology Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing and advising the Board of Directors on the Company’s strategic direction and investment in research and development and technology (“R&D”). The Science and Technology Committee oversees key aspects of our internal and external investments and identifying and discussing significant emerging terns and issues in the science and technology field that is pertinent to us and our business and considering the potential impact of such developments on our Company. The Science and Technology Committee operates pursuant to a written charter which is available on our website at www.ibioinc.com. The Science and Technology Committee is comprised of Dr. Linda Armstrong (Science and Technology Chair), Dr. Alexandra Kropotova and Evert Schimmelpennink.
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation for our non-employee directors had historically consisted of a grant of stock options vesting over a three-year period and additional cash compensation. In December 2022, following a review by the independent consultant to the Compensation Committee, we adopted a non-employee director compensation policy described below. Directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for their services as directors.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned for service on our Board of Directors by our non-employee directors during the year ended June 30, 2023.
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| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| (f) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Change in | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Pension Value | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | (e) | | and | | | | | | | ||
| | (b) | | | | | | | | Non-Equity | | Nonqualified | | | | | | | |||
| | Fees Earned | | (c) | | (d) | | Incentive | | Deferred | | (g) | | | | ||||||
| | or Paid | | Stock | | Option | | Plan | | Compensation | | All Other | | (h) | |||||||
| | in Cash | | Awards | | Awards(1) (2) | | Compensation | | Earnings | | Compensation | | Total | |||||||
(a) Name | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | |||||||
General (Ret.) James T. Hill | | $ | 55,000 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 55,000 |
Dr. Linda W. Armstrong | | $ | 63,500 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 63,500 |
Dr. Alexandra Kropotova | | $ | 52,500 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 52,500 |
Gary L. Sender | | $ | 71,413 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 71,413 |
Evert B. Schimmelpennink | | $ | 57,500 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 57,500 |
William Clark | | $ | 73,008 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 73,008 |
Total | | $ | 372,921 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 372,921 |
(1) | No stock options were awarded to directors during Fiscal Year 2023. |
(2) | The aggregate number of stock options (post reverse split effected in October 2022) outstanding for each non-employee director was as follows as of June 30, 2023: Gen. Hill 7,830 (7,830 vested), Dr. Armstrong 8,360 (7,915 vested), Dr. Kropotova 8,360 (7,915 vested), Mr. Sender 8,360 (7,915 vested), Mr. Schimmelpennink 8,360 (7,026 vested) and Mr. Clark 8,360 (6,804 vested). |
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
Under this policy, we pay each of our non-employee directors a cash retainer for service on the Board of Directors and for service on each committee on which the director is a member. The chair of each committee receives an additional cash retainer for such service. These retainers are payable in arrears in four equal quarterly installments on the last day of each quarter, provided that the amount of such payment will be prorated for any portion of such quarter that the director is not serving on the Board of Directors.
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The cash retainers to be paid to non-employee Directors for service on the Board of Directors and for service on each committee of the Board, effective as of December 8, 2022, is as follows:
|
| Member |
| Chair | ||
| | Annual | | Annual | ||
| | Service | | Service | ||
| | Retainer | | Retainer | ||
Board | | $ | 40,000 | | $ | 35,000 |
Audit Committee | | $ | 8,250 | | $ | 20,000 |
Compensation Committee | | $ | 6,000 | | $ | 15,000 |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | | $ | 5,000 | | $ | 10,000 |
Science and Technology Committee | | $ | 8,250 | | $ | 17,500 |
Upon initial election to the Board, each new non-employee director receives a one-time grant of an option to purchase 4,000 shares of Common Stock vesting over 36 months. In addition, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, with the exception of the annual meeting of stockholders that occurred in 2022, each non-employee director that continues to serve as a non-employee director receives options to purchase shares of Common Stock. After the 2023 Annual Meeting, we intend to issue to each continuing non-employee director options, under the 2020 Plan, to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock vesting 1/12th per month with full vesting, if not fully vested at such time, on the date of our next annual meeting of stockholders. Directors have been and will continue to be reimbursed for expenses directly related to their activities as directors, including attendance at Board of Directors and committee meetings.
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered accounting firm, to audit the books and financial records of the Company for the year ending June 30, 2024. iBio is asking its stockholders to ratify the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as iBio’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
A representative of CohnReznick LLP is expected to be present either virtually or via teleconference at the 2023 Annual Meeting and available to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of shares having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares present or represented and voting at the 2023 Annual Meeting will be required to approve the ratification of the appointment of iBio’s registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Since abstentions on this proposal are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected for this proposal because we believe this matter is a routine matter. If there were to be any broker non-votes they would have no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal. Ratification of the appointment of CohnReznick LLP by our stockholders is not required by law, our second amended and restated bylaws or other governing documents. As a matter of policy, however, the appointment is being submitted to our stockholders for ratification at the 2023 Annual Meeting. If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain that firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF COHNREZNICK LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024.
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The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of iBio reviewed and discussed iBio’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023 with the management of iBio and CohnReznick LLP, iBio’s independent registered public accounting firm. Further, the Audit Committee discussed with CohnReznick LLP the matters required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC, and other applicable regulations, relating to the firm’s judgment about the quality, not just the acceptability, of iBio’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and estimates, and the clarity of disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.
The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from CohnReznick LLP required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, which relate to CohnReznick LLP’s independence from iBio, and has discussed with CohnReznick LLP its independence from iBio. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent from iBio and its management. The Audit Committee also reviewed management’s report on its assessment of the effectiveness of iBio’s internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of iBio’s internal and disclosure control structure. The members of the Audit Committee are not our employees and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants. Accordingly, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Members of the Audit Committee necessarily rely on the information provided to them by management and the independent auditors. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not constitute assurance that the audit of our consolidated financial statements has been carried out in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB or that our auditors are in fact independent.
Based on the reviews, reports and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved, that iBio’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of iBio’s internal control over financial reporting be included in iBio’s 2023 Annual Report for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee has recommended, and the Board of Directors has approved the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as iBio’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2024.
| Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. |
| |
| Gary Sender (Chair) |
| William D. Clark |
The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not incorporated by reference in any filing of iBio, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
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Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table represents the aggregate fees including expenses billed to us for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 by our auditors:
|
| Year ended |
| Year ended | ||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | ||
| | 2023 | | 2022 | ||
Audit fees and expenses (1) | | $ | 553,265 | | $ | 367,533 |
Taxation preparation fees | |
| — | |
| — |
Audit related fees (1) | |
| — | |
| — |
Other fees | |
| — | |
| — |
Total fees | | $ | 553,265 | | $ | 367,533 |
(1) | In the above table, in accordance with the SEC’s definitions and rules, “audit fees” are fees we paid CohnReznick for professional services for the audit of our financial statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, review of our financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, consents, comfort letters and assistance with and review of our documents filed with the SEC. Audit-related fees are services that would include employee benefits plan audits, due diligence related to any merger and acquisition activity, accounting assistance/audits/in connection with proposed or consummated acquisitions, attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning proposed accounting and reporting standards. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee pre-approved all of the audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm to us during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022.
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ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related SEC rules require that we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.
Our executive compensation program is designed to (1) align executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders; (2) attract, motivate and retain executive officers; and (3) reward the achievement of our annual, long-term and strategic goals. Our executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific operating goals established by the Compensation Committee and the realization of increased stockholder value.
Our Compensation Committee continually reviews the compensation programs for our executive officers to ensure they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our stockholders’ interests and current market practices.
The Board of Directors is asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our named executive officers’ compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our executive compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors will ask our stockholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the 2023 Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (which disclosure includes the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal year 2023, and the other related tables and disclosures).”
The Say-on-Pay vote is advisory, and therefore is not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officers’ compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
In keeping with the preference expressed by our stockholders at our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our Board has adopted a policy of holding say-on-pay votes every year until the Company is required to hold another advisory vote on the frequency of say-on-pay votes, which will occur no later than our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The next say-on-pay vote will occur at our 2024 Annual Meeting.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares present or represented and voting at the 2023 Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. Abstentions are not votes cast and will have no effect on the foregoing vote. Broker non-votes are not votes cast and therefore will not affect the outcome of this Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
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APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT
TO THE COMPANY’S CHARTER
TO EFFECT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The Board of Directors has adopted a resolution setting forth a proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, a copy of which is set forth in the certificate of amendment annexed to this proxy statement as Appendix A, declared such amendment advisable, and is recommending that our stockholders approve, such proposed amendment. Such amendment will be effected after stockholder approval thereof only in the event the Board of Directors still deems it advisable. Holders of the Common Stock are being asked to approve the proposal that Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation be amended to effect a reverse stock split of the Common Stock at a ratio in the range of one (1) share of Common Stock for every five (5) shares of Common Stock to one (1) share of Common Stock for every twenty (20) shares of Common Stock. If the Reverse Stock Split is approved by our stockholders and if a certificate of amendment is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the certificate of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation will effect the Reverse Stock Split by reducing the outstanding number of shares of Common Stock. If the Board of Directors does not implement an approved Reverse Stock Split prior to the one-year anniversary of this meeting, this vote will be of no further force and effect the Board will seek stockholder approval before implementing any reverse stock split after that time. The Board of Directors may abandon the proposed amendment to effect the Reverse Stock Split at any time prior to its effectiveness, whether before or after stockholder approval thereof.
As of the Record Date, the Company had 28,089,899 shares of Common Stock outstanding. For purposes of illustration, if the Reverse Stock Split is effected at a ratio of 1-for-15, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split would be approximately 1,872,659 shares. The Board of Directors’ decision as to whether and when to effect the Reverse Stock Split will be based on a number of factors, including market conditions, existing and expected trading prices for the Common Stock, and the continued listing requirements of the NYSE American. See below for a discussion of the factors that the Board considered in determining the Reverse Stock Split Ratio, some of which included, but was not limited to, the following: the historical trading price and trading volume of the Common Stock; the expected impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading market for the Common Stock in the short-term and long-term, and general market, economic conditions, and other related conditions prevailing in our industry.
The Reverse Stock Split, if effected, will not change the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or the par value of Common Stock or Preferred Stock; however, effecting the Reverse Stock Split will provide for additional shares of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. As of the date of this proxy statement, our current authorized number of shares of Common Stock is sufficient to satisfy all of our share issuance obligations and current financing plans and issuances under our share incentive plans and we do not have any current plans, arrangements or understandings relating to the issuance of the additional shares of authorized Common Stock that will become available for issuance following the Reverse Stock Split.
Purpose and Background of the Reverse Stock Split
If the stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and the Board of Directors determines to implement the Reverse Stock Split, we will file a certificate of amendment to amend the existing provision of our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split. The text of the form of proposed amendment is set forth in the certificate of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, which is annexed to this proxy statement as Appendix A.
The Reverse Stock Split will be effected simultaneously for all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and the Reverse Stock Split Ratio will be the same for all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split will affect all of our stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests in our company, except those stockholders who would have otherwise received fractional shares will receive cash in lieu of such fractional shares determined in the manner set forth below under the heading “Fractional Shares.” After the Reverse
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Stock Split, each share of the Common Stock will have the same voting rights and rights to dividends and distributions and will be identical in all other respects to the Common Stock now authorized. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect us continuing to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The Reverse Stock Split is not intended to be, and will not have the effect of, a “going private transaction” covered by Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act.
The Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd-lots” of less than 100 shares of the Common Stock. Brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd-lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions in “round-lots” of even multiples of 100 shares. In addition, we will not issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, and stockholders who would have otherwise been entitled to receive such fractional shares will receive an amount in cash determined in the manner set forth below under the heading “Fractional Shares.”
Following the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, if approved by the stockholders and implemented by the Company, current stockholders will hold fewer shares of Common Stock.
If the Board decides to implement the Reverse Stock Split, the Company would communicate to the public, prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, additional details regarding the Reverse Stock Split (including the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio, as determined by the Board). By voting in favor of the Reverse Stock Split, you are also expressly authorizing the Board to determine not to proceed with, and to defer or to abandon, the Reverse Stock Split, in the Board’s sole discretion. In determining whether to implement the Reverse Stock Split following receipt of stockholder approval of the Reverse Stock Split, and which Reverse Stock Split Ratio to implement, if any, the Board may consider, among other things, various factors, such as:
● | our ability to maintain our listing on the NYSE American; |
● | the historical trading price and trading volume of the Common Stock; |
● | the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of the Common Stock and the expected impact of the reverse stock split on the trading market for the Common Stock in the short and long term; |
● | which Reverse Stock Split Ratio would result in the greatest overall reduction in our administrative costs; and |
● | prevailing general market and economic conditions. |
Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split
To increase the per share price of our Common stock. As discussed above, the primary objective for effecting the Reverse Stock Split, should our Board choose to effect one, would be to increase the per share price of our Common Stock. Our Board believes that, should the appropriate circumstances arise, effecting the Reverse Stock Split, could, among other things, help us to appeal to a broader range of investors, generate greater investor interest in the Company, and improve the perception of our Common Stock as an investment security.
To potentially improve the liquidity of the Common Stock. A Reverse Stock Split could allow a broader range of institutions to invest in the Common Stock (namely, funds that are prohibited from buying stocks whose price is below certain thresholds), potentially increasing trading volume and liquidity of the Common Stock and potentially decreasing the volatility of the Common Stock if institutions become long-term holders of the Common Stock. A Reverse Stock Split could help increase analyst and broker interest in the Common Stock as their policies can discourage them from following or recommending companies with low stock prices. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of those policies and practices may make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically
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unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, a low average price per share of Common Stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were higher. Some investors, however, may view a Reverse Stock Split negatively since it reduces the number of shares of Common Stock available in the public market. If the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved and the Board believes that effecting the Reverse Stock Split is in our best interest and the best interest of our stockholders, the Board may effect this Reverse Stock Split, regardless of whether our stock is at risk of delisting from NYSE American, for purposes of enhancing the liquidity of the Common Stock and to facilitate capital raising.
To increase the number of additional shares issuable under the Company’s charter. A Reverse Stock Split will reduce the nominal number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of Company warrants or options, while leaving the number of shares issuable under our Charter unchanged. A Reverse Stock Split will therefor effectively increase the number of shares of the Common Stock that we are able to issue. This effective increase will facilitate future capital fundraising on our part. As a biotechnology company without a revenue generating product yet on the market and considerable development costs that must be funded to bring a product to market, we are likely to require additional capital funding. Some investors may find the Common Stock more attractive if the Reverse Stock Split is effected with additional assurance that we are unlikely to be limited in our ability to access needed capital by the number of shares of our Common Sock authorized for issuance. However, other investors may find the Common Stock a less attractive investment with the knowledge that additional dilution of the Common Stock is possible.
Certain Risks Associated with a Reverse Stock Split
Reducing the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock through the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of the Common Stock. Other factors, however, such as our financial results, market conditions, the market perception of our business and other risks, including those set forth below and in our SEC filings and reports, may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of the Common Stock will increase following the Reverse Stock Split or that the market price of the Common Stock will not decrease in the future.
The Reverse Stock Split May Not Result in a Sustained Increase in the Price of the Common Stock. As noted above, the principal purpose of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is to maintain a higher average per share market closing price of the Common Stock. However, the effect of the Reverse Stock Split upon the market price of the Common Stock cannot be predicted with any certainty and we cannot assure you that the Reverse Stock Split will accomplish this objective for any meaningful period of time, or at all.
The Reverse Stock Split May Decrease the Liquidity of the Common Stock. The Board believes that the Reverse Stock Split may result in an increase in the market price of the Common Stock, which could lead to increased interest in the Common Stock and possibly promote greater liquidity for our stockholders. However, the Reverse Stock Split will also reduce the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which may lead to reduced trading and a smaller number of market makers for the Common Stock.
The Reverse Stock Split May Result in Some Stockholders Owning “Odd Lots” That May Be More Difficult to Sell or Require Greater Transaction Costs per Share to Sell. If the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, it will increase the number of stockholders who own “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. A purchase or sale of less than 100 shares of Common Stock (an “odd lot” transaction) may result in incrementally higher trading costs through certain brokers, particularly “full service” brokers. Therefore, those stockholders who own less than 100 shares of Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split may be required to pay higher transaction costs if they sell their Common Stock.
The Reverse Stock Split May Lead to a Decrease in the Overall Market Capitalization of the Company. The Reverse Stock Split may be viewed negatively by the market and, consequently, could lead to a decrease in our overall market
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capitalization. If the per share market price of the Common Stock does not increase in proportion to the Reverse Stock Split Ratio, then our value, as measured by our market capitalization, will be reduced.
The Reverse Stock Split May Lead to Further Dilution of the Common Stock. Since the Reverse Stock Split Proposal would reduce the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of our warrants or options, while leaving the number of shares authorized and issuable under our Charter unchanged, the Reverse Stock Split would effectively increase the number of shares of the Common Stock that we would be able to issue and could lead to dilution of the Common Stock in future financings.
Impact of a Reverse Stock Split If Implemented
A Reverse Stock Split would affect all holders of Common Stock uniformly and would not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests or proportionate voting power. The other principal effects of the Reverse Stock Split Amendment will be that:
● | the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (and treasury shares), if any, will be reduced proportionately based on the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio, as determined by the Board; |
● | based on the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio, the per share exercise price of all outstanding options and warrants will be increased proportionately and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding options and warrants will be reduced proportionately; and |
● | the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to any outstanding equity awards and any maximum number of shares with respect to which equity awards may be granted will be reduced proportionately based on the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio. |
The following table sets forth the approximate number of shares of the Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after the Reverse Stock Split based on the current authorized number of shares of Common Stock at various exchange ratios, based on 28,089,899 shares of Common Stock actually outstanding as of October 25, 2023. The table does not account for fractional shares that will be paid in cash. The shares of Common Stock issuable under outstanding options, Preferred Stock and RSUs or reserved for issuance under existing plans in the table does not take not account any additional shares that may be reserved under the 2023 Plan.
|
| Estimated Number of |
| |
| |
| | Shares of Common Stock | | Estimated Number of | | Estimated Number of |
| | Before Reverse Stock Split | | Shares of Common | | Shares of Common |
| | and Before Authorized | | Stock After Reverse | | Stock After Reverse |
| | Share Decrease | | Stock Split on a 1-for-5 basis | | Stock Split on a 1-for-20 basis |
Authorized Common Stock |
| 275,000,000 |
| 275,000,000 |
| 275,000,000 |
Shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding |
| 28,089,899 |
| 5,617,980 |
| 1,404,495 |
Shares of Common Stock issuable under outstanding options, Preferred Stock and RSUs or reserved for issuance under existing plans, excluding the 2023 Plan |
| 965,527 |
| 193,105 |
| 48,276 |
Shares of Common Stock authorized but unissued (Authorized Common Shares minus issued and outstanding shares, shares issuable upon outstanding options and RSUs and shares reserved for issuance under existing incentive plans) |
| 245,944,574 |
| 269,188,915 |
| 273,547,229 |
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We are currently authorized to issue a maximum of 275,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. As of the Record Date, there were 28,089,899 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding. Although the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock will not change as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced in proportion to the ratio selected by the Board. Thus, the Reverse Stock Split will effectively increase the number of authorized and unissued shares of our Common Stock available for future issuance by the amount of the reduction effected by the Reverse Stock Split.
Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Board will have the authority, subject to applicable securities laws, to issue all authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder approval, upon such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. Although we consider financing opportunities from time to time, our current authorized number of shares of Common Stock is sufficient to satisfy all of our share issuance obligations and current financing plans and issuances under our share incentive plans. We do not currently have any plans, proposals or understandings to issue the additional shares that would be available if the Reverse Stock Split is approved and effected.
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
Management does not anticipate that our financial condition, the percentage ownership of Common Stock by management, the number of our stockholders or any aspect of our business will materially change as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. Because the Reverse Stock Split will apply to all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and outstanding rights to purchase Common Stock or to convert other securities into Common Stock the proposed Reverse Stock Split will not alter the relative rights and preferences of existing stockholders, except to the extent the Reverse Stock Split will result in fractional shares, as discussed in more detail below.
The Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or the listing of the Common Stock on NYSE American (other than to the extent it facilitates compliance with NYSE American continued listing standards). Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Common Stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American, although it will be considered a new listing with a new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures, or CUSIP number.
The rights of the holders of the Common Stock will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split, other than as a result of the treatment of fractional shares as described below. For example, a holder of 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split Amendment will generally continue to hold 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock immediately after effecting the Reverse Stock Split. The number of stockholders of record will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split (except to the extent any are cashed out as a result of holding fractional shares). If approved and implemented, the Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of the Common Stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares. The Board believes, however, that these potential effects are outweighed by the benefits of the Reverse Stock Split.
Effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which would take place at the Board’s discretion. The exact timing of the filing of the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, if filed, would be determined by the Board based on its evaluation as to when such action would be the most advantageous to us and our stockholders. In addition, the Board reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split at any time prior to filing the Reverse Stock Split Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split. If our Board does not implement the Reverse Stock Split prior to the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Reverse Stock Split is approved by our stockholders
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at the 2023 Annual Meeting, the authority granted in this proposal to implement the Reverse Stock Split will terminate and the Reverse Stock Split will be abandoned.
Effect on Par Value; Reduction in Stated Capital. The proposed Reverse Stock Split will not affect the par value of our stock, which will remain at $0.001 per share of Common Stock and $0.001 per share of Preferred Stock. As a result, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock, which consists of the par value per share of Common Stock multiplied by the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, will be reduced in proportion to the Reverse Stock Split Ratio selected by the Board. Correspondingly, our additional paid-in capital account, which consists of the difference between our stated capital and the aggregate amount paid to the Company upon issuance of all currently outstanding shares of the Common Stock, will be increased by the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Our stockholders’ equity, in the aggregate, will remain unchanged.
Book-Entry Shares. If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, stockholders, either as direct or beneficial owners, will have their holdings electronically adjusted by our transfer agent (and, for beneficial owners, by their brokers or banks that hold in “street name” for their benefit, as the case may be) to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split. Banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding Common Stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split and making payment for fractional shares. If a stockholder holds shares of Common Stock with a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee and has any questions in this regard, stockholders are encouraged to contact their bank, broker, custodian or other nominee. We do not issue physical certificates to stockholders.
No Appraisal Rights. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split described in the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.
Fractional Shares. We do not intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. and, in lieu thereof, any person who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock as a result of the reclassification and combination following the Effective Time (after taking into account all fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to such holder) shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the number of shares of the Common Stock held by such stockholder before the Reverse Stock Split that would otherwise have been exchanged for such fractional share interest multiplied by the average closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on the NYSE American for the ten days preceding the Effective Time. After the Reverse Stock Split is effected, a stockholder will have no further interest in our Company with respect to its fractional share interest and persons otherwise entitled to a fractional share will not have any voting, dividend or other rights with respect thereto, except to receive the above-described cash payment. Stockholders should be aware that under the escheat laws of various jurisdictions, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after the Effective Time may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction. Stockholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds, who have not received them, will have to seek to obtain such funds directly from the jurisdiction to which they were paid.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Related to the Reverse Stock Split
The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. holders (as defined below) of the Reverse Stock Split. This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code (the “Treasury Regulations”) and judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as of the date of this document, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and are subject to differing interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. We have not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel or any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to any of the tax considerations discussed below. As a result, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the conclusions set forth below.
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This discussion is limited to U.S. holders (except to the extent such discussion explicitly addresses non-U.S. holders) that hold Common Stock as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the tax on net investment income or the alternative minimum tax, nor does it address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, or any tax treaties. Furthermore, this discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to U.S. holders in light of their particular circumstances or to U.S. holders that may be subject to special rules under U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation:
● | a bank, insurance company or other financial institution; |
● | a tax-exempt or a governmental organization; |
● | a real estate investment trust; |
● | an S corporation or other pass-through entity (or an investor in an S corporation or other pass-through entity); |
● | a regulated investment company or a mutual fund; |
● | a dealer or broker in stocks and securities, or currencies; |
● | a trader in securities that elects mark-to-market treatment; |
● | a holder of Common Stock that received such stock through the exercise of an employee option, pursuant to a retirement plan or otherwise as compensation; |
● | a person who holds Common Stock as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction; |
● | a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; |
● | a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
● | a U.S. holder who holds Common Stock through non-U.S. brokers or other non-U.S. intermediaries; |
● | a U.S. holder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the Company’s Common Stock; |
● | a person subject to Section 451(b) of the Code; or |
● | a former citizen or long-term resident of the United States subject to Section 877 or 877A of the Code. |
If a partnership, or any entity (or arrangement) treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. Partnerships holding Common Stock and partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
● | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
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● | a corporation (or any other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
● | an estate, whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or |
● | a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more United States persons that have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) that has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a domestic trust. |
A “non-U.S. holder” is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock that is not a U.S. holder or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split Generally
The Reverse Stock Split should constitute a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. holder of Common Stock generally should not recognize gain or loss upon the Reverse Stock Split, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock, as discussed below. A U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of Common Stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split should equal the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Common Stock surrendered (excluding any portion of such basis that is allocated to any fractional share of Common Stock), and such U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares of Common Stock received should include the holding period in the shares of Common Stock surrendered. Treasury Regulations provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of the shares of Common Stock surrendered to the shares of Common Stock received in a recapitalization pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split. U.S. holders of shares of Common Stock acquired on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of the tax basis and holding period of such shares.
Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares
A U.S. holder of Common Stock that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and whose proportionate interest in us is reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) should generally recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the shares of Common Stock surrendered that is allocated to such fractional share of Common Stock. Such capital gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for Common Stock surrendered exceeds one year at the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A U.S. holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and whose proportionate interest in us is not reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) should generally be treated as having received a distribution that will be treated first as dividend income to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and then as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in our common stock, with any remaining amount being treated as capital gain. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax effects to them of receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares based on their particular circumstances.
Non-U.S. Holders
Generally, non-U.S. holders will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. In particular, gain or loss will not be recognized with respect to a non-U.S. holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock and whose proportionate interest in us is reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) provided that (a) such gain or loss is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by such non-U.S. holder in the United States (or, if certain income tax treaties apply, is not attributable to a non-U.S. holder’s permanent establishment in the United States), (b) with respect to a non-U.S. holder who is an individual, such non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for less than 183 days in the taxable year of the Reverse Stock Split and other conditions are met, and (c) such non-U.S. holder complies with certain certification requirements. If such gain is effectively connected
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with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., and if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States, the non-U.S. holder will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular tax rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. holders, and if the non-U.S. holder is a corporation, an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, may also apply. If the non-U.S. holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the Reverse Stock Split and certain other requirements are met, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence) on the net gain from the exchange of the shares of our common stock, which may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder, if any.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a non-U.S. holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and whose proportionate interest in us is not reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules), the gain will be treated as a dividend rather than capital gain to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s ratable share of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the non-U.S. holder’s aggregate adjusted tax basis in the shares, and any remaining amount will be treated as capital gain.
We will withhold U.S. federal income taxes equal to 30% of any cash payments made to a non-U.S. holder as a result of the Reverse Stock Split that may be treated as a dividend, unless such holder properly demonstrates that a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax withholding or an exemption from such withholding is applicable. For example, an applicable income tax treaty may reduce or eliminate U.S. federal income tax withholding, in which case a non-U.S. holder claiming a reduction in (or exemption from) such tax must provide us with a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN (or other appropriate IRS Form W-8) claiming the applicable treaty benefit. Alternatively, an exemption generally should apply if the non-U.S. holder’s gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such holder, and such holder provides us with an appropriate statement to that effect on a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI.
Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding possible dividend treatment and should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Cash payments received by a U.S. holder of Common Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split may be subject to information reporting and may be subject to U.S. backup withholding (currently at 24%) unless such holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to payment of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock to a non-U.S. holder pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split if the non-U.S. holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder, and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge to the contrary. In certain circumstances the amount of cash paid to a non-U.S. holder in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock, the name and address of the beneficial owner and the amount, if any, of tax withheld may be reported to the IRS. Any amount withheld under the U.S. backup withholding rules is not an additional tax and will generally be allowed as a refund or credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
FATCA
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to ‘‘foreign financial institutions’’ (as specially defined in the Code) and certain other non-United States entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a non-financial foreign entity, unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-
39
financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (1) above, then, pursuant to an agreement between it and the U.S. Treasury or an intergovernmental agreement between, generally, the jurisdiction in which it is resident and the U.S. Treasury, it must, among other things, identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders.
Any cash paid to a non-U.S. holder as a result of the Reverse Stock Split that is treated as dividend may be subject to withholding under FATCA unless the requirements set forth above are satisfied (if applicable) and appropriate certifications are made. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors and executive officers have no substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our Common Stock.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all shares of stock present or represented and voting on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Since abstentions are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected for this proposal because we believe this matter is a routine matter. If there were to be any broker non-votes they would have no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL.
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APPROVAL OF THE IBIO, INC. 2023 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board of Directors believes that stock-based incentive awards play an important role in the success of the Company by encouraging and enabling the employees, officers, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. The Board of Directors believes that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company assures a closer identification of the interests of such individuals with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.
The Board of Directors has approved, subject to stockholder approval, the iBio, Inc. 2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which will be the successor to the iBio, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2020 Plan”). Once the 2023 Plan becomes effective, all outstanding awards under the 2020 Plan will remain outstanding, but no further grants will be made under the 2020 Plan.
The Compensation Committee worked with FW Cook, our independent compensation consultant, to ensure the 2023 Plan upholds good governance practices and appropriate plan terms and provisions to support iBio’s business strategy and align the interests of our employees and directors with those of our stockholders. The principal provisions of the 2023 Plan are summarized below and the 2023 Plan is attached hereto as Appendix B. The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2023 Plan.
As of June 30, 2023, there were stock options to acquire 276,524 shares of Common Stock outstanding under the 2020 Plan, with a weighted average exercise price of $17.73 and a weighted average remaining term of 8.6 years. In addition, as of June 30, 2023, there were 247,898 unvested restricted stock unit awards with time-based vesting under the 2020 Plan. As of June 30, 2023, there were 537,666 shares of Common Stock available for future awards under the 2020 Plan.
As of June 30, 2023, there were stock options to acquire 15,954 shares of Common Stock outstanding under the 2018 Plan, with a weighted average exercise price of $44.37 and a weighted average remaining term of 6.5 years. As of June 30, 2023, there were 0 shares of Common Stock available for future awards under the 2018 Plan.
Summary of the Material Features of the 2023 Plan
The material features of the 2023 Plan are:
● | The maximum number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the 2023 Plan is 1,200,000. In addition, such limit shall automatically increase on January 1, or each calendar year commencing on January 1, 2025 and ending January 1, 2033 (assuming that the stockholders approve the 2023 Plan at the 2023 Annual Meeting) by a number of shares of Common Stock equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year; provided that the Board of Directors may act prior to January 1 of a given calendar year to provide that the increase will be a lesser number, all subject to adjustment as described below. If the 2023 Plan becomes effective after a reverse stock split is effected by the Board pursuant to Proposal 4, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the 2023 Plan will not be adjusted. If the Board effects a reverse stock split pursuant to Proposal 4 after the 2023 Plan becomes effective, the maximum number of shares to be issued under the 2023 Plan will be adjusted. |
● | The award of stock options (both incentive and non-qualified options), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock, cash-based awards, and dividend equivalent rights is permitted; |
● | Stock options and stock appreciation rights will not be repriced in any manner without stockholder approval; |
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● | The value of all awards awarded under the 2023 Plan and all other cash compensation paid by the Company to any non-employee director in any calendar year may not exceed $500,000; provided, however, that such amount shall be $750,000 for the calendar year in which the applicable non-employee director is initially elected or appointed to the Board of Directors and $1,500,000 for any non-executive chair of our Board of Directors should one be appointed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the independent members of the Board of Directors may make exceptions to such limits in extraordinary circumstances; |
● | Any dividends and dividend equivalent rights payable with respect to any equity award are subject to the same vesting provisions as the underlying award; |
● | Any material amendment to the 2023 Plan is subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders; and |
● | Awards under the 2023 Plan will be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as in effect from time to time. In addition, the 2023 Plan provides for recoveries or clawbacks of awards and any shares of common stock issued pursuant to awards if the grantee receives any amount that should not have been received for any reason, including financial restatement, mistaken calculation or other administrative error; and |
● | The term of the 2023 Plan will expire on the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the 2023 Plan, which will be December 31, 2033 assuming the stockholders approve the 2023 Plan at the 2023 Annual Meeting. |
Based solely on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as reported by NYSE American on October 25, 2023, which was $0.29 and the maximum number of shares that would have been available for awards as of such date under the 2023 Plan, the maximum aggregate market value of the Common Stock that could potentially be issued under the 2023 Plan is $348,000. The shares of Common Stock underlying any awards under the 2020 Plan and the 2018 Plan that, after the effective date of the 2023 Plan, are forfeited, canceled or otherwise terminated, other than by exercise, will be added back to the shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2023 Plan. In addition, if any shares subject to an award under the 2020 Plan and the 2018 Plan are tendered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any exercise price or tax withholding obligation once the 2023 Plan becomes effective, such tendered or withheld shares will be added back to the shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2023 Plan. Shares of common stock repurchased on the open market will not be added back to the shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2023 Plan.
Rationale for New Plan
The 2023 Plan is critical to the Company’s ongoing effort to build stockholder value. Equity incentive awards are an important component of the executive and non-executive employees’ compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the Company must continue to offer a competitive equity compensation program in order to attract, retain and motivate the talented and qualified employees necessary for the continued growth and success of the Company.
The Board of Directors recognizes the impact of dilution on our stockholders and has evaluated this share request carefully in the context of the need to attract, motivate, retain and ensure that our leadership team and key employees are focused on our strategic priorities. The total fully-diluted overhang as of June 30, 2023 was 5%. In this context, fully-diluted overhang is calculated as the sum of grants outstanding and shares available for future awards (numerator) divided by the sum of the numerator and basic common shares outstanding, with all data effective as of June 30, 2023. The Board of Directors believes that the proposed share reserve represents a reasonable amount of potential equity dilution to accommodate our long-term strategic and growth priorities.
Share Usage and Key Data
The following table sets forth information regarding historical awards granted for the fiscal 2021 through 2023 period, the three full year period preceding the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting and the corresponding burn rate, which is defined
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as the number of shares subject to equity-based awards granted in a year divided by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for that year, for each of the last three fiscal years:
Share Element |
| FY2021 |
| FY2022 |
| FY2023 |
|
Stock Options Granted |
| 209,600 |
| 313,568 |
| 307,863 | |
Full-Value Awards Granted |
| 25,840 |
| 4,229 |
| 833,192 | |
Total Awards Granted (1) |
| 235,440 |
| 317,797 |
| 1,141,055 | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding during the fiscal year |
| 7,925,000 |
| 8,721,000 |
| 12,245,000 | |
Annual Burn Rate |
| 2.97 | % | 3.64 | % | 9.32 | % |
Three-Year Average Burn Rate (2) |
|
|
| 5.31 | % |
| |
(1) | Total Awards Granted represents the sum of Stock Options Granted and Full-Value Awards Granted. |
(2) | As illustrated in the table above, the three-year average burn rate for the 2021-2023 period was 5.31%, which is below the ISS industry category burn rate benchmark of 5.36%. |
The Compensation Committee determined the size of reserved pool under the 2023 Plan based on projected equity awards to anticipated new hires, projected annual equity awards to existing employees and an assessment of the magnitude of increase that institutional investors and the firms that advise them would likely find acceptable. The Company anticipates that if its request to increase the share reserve is approved by its stockholders, it will be sufficient to provide equity incentives to attract, retain, and motivate employees for approximately three years.
Summary of the 2023 Plan
The following description of certain features of the 2023 Plan is intended to be a summary only. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2023 Plan, which is attached hereto as Appendix B.
Administration. The 2023 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has full power to select, from among the individuals eligible for awards, the individuals to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to participants, and to determine the specific terms and conditions of each award, subject to the provisions of the 2023 Plan. The Compensation Committee may delegate to a committee consisting of one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant awards to employees who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, subject to certain limitations and guidelines.
Stock Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the 2023 Plan is 1,200,000. In addition, such limit shall automatically increase on January 1, or each calendar year commencing on January 1, 2025 and ending January 1, 2033 (assuming the stockholders approve the 2023 Plan at the 2023 Annual Meeting) by a number of shares of Common Stock equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year; provided that the Board of Directors may act prior to January 1 of a given calendar year to provide that the increase will be a lesser number, all subject to adjustment as described below. If the 2023 Plan becomes effective after a reverse stock split is effected by the Board pursuant to Proposal 4, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the 2023 Plan will not be adjusted. If the Board effects a reverse stock split pursuant to Proposal 4 after the 2023 Plan becomes effective, the maximum number of shares to be issued under the 2023 Plan will be adjusted.
Eligibility. All full-time and part-time officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants are eligible to participate in the 2023 Plan, subject to the discretion of the administrator. As of the date hereof, it is anticipated that approximately 30 persons would be eligible to receive awards under the 2023 Plan.
Director Compensation Limit. The 2023 Plan provides that the value of all awards awarded under the 2023 Plan and all other cash compensation paid by the Company to any non-employee director in any calendar year shall not exceed $500,000; provided, however, that such amount shall be $750,000 for the calendar year in which the applicable non-
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employee director is initially elected or appointed to the Board of Directors and $1,500,000 for any non-executive chair of our Board of Directors should one be appointed.
Treatment of Dividends and Dividend Equivalents on Unvested Awards. In no event shall dividends or dividend equivalents be paid with respect to options or stock appreciation rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of the 2023 Plan to the contrary, with respect to any award that provides for or includes a right to dividends or dividend equivalents, if dividends are declared during the period that an equity award is outstanding, such dividends (or dividend equivalents) shall be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable award and shall only be paid at the time or times, and only to the extent, such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied.
Clawback Policy. Awards under the 2023 Plan will be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as in effect from time to time. In addition, the 2023 Plan provides for recoveries or clawbacks of awards and any shares of common stock issued pursuant to awards if the grantee receives any amount that should not have been received for any reason, including financial restatement, mistaken calculation or other administrative error.
Stock Options. The 2023 Plan permits the granting of (1) options to purchase Common Stock intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code and (2) options that do not so qualify. Options granted under the 2023 Plan will be non-qualified options if they fail to qualify as incentive options or exceed the annual limit on incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Non-qualified options may be granted to any persons eligible to receive incentive options and to non-employee directors and consultants. The exercise price of each option will be determined by the Compensation Committee. The exercise price of an option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Fair market value for this purpose will be determined by reference to the price of the shares of Common Stock on NYSE. The exercise price of an option may not be reduced after the date of the option grant without stockholder approval, other than to appropriately reflect changes in the Company’s capital structure. On October 25, 2023, the closing price of our Common Stock was $0.29.
The term of each option will be fixed by the Compensation Committee and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The Compensation Committee will determine at what time or times each option may be exercised. Options may be made exercisable in installments and the exercisability of options may be accelerated by the Compensation Committee. In general, unless otherwise permitted by the Compensation Committee, no option granted under the 2023 Plan is transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order, and options may be exercised during the optionee’s lifetime only by the optionee, or by the optionee’s legal representative or guardian in the case of the optionee’s incapacity.
Upon exercise of options, the option exercise price must be paid in full either in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Compensation Committee or by delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Common Stock that are beneficially owned by the optionee and that are not subject to risk of forfeiture. Subject to applicable law, the exercise price may also be delivered to the Company by a broker pursuant to irrevocable instructions to the broker from the optionee. In addition, options may be exercised using a net exercise feature which reduces the number of shares issued to the optionee by the number of shares with a fair market value equal to the exercise price.
To qualify as incentive options, options must meet additional federal tax requirements, including a $100,000 limit on the value of shares subject to incentive options that first become exercisable by a participant in any one calendar year.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Compensation Committee may award stock appreciation rights subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Compensation Committee may determine. Stock appreciation rights entitle the recipient to shares of Common Stock or cash equal to the value of the appreciation in the stock price over the exercise price. The exercise price is the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The term of a stock appreciation right may not exceed ten years.
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Restricted Stock. The Compensation Committee may award shares of Common Stock to participants subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Compensation Committee may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance goals and/or continued employment with us through a specified restricted period. During the vesting period, restricted stock awards may be credited with dividend equivalent rights (but dividend equivalents payable with respect to restricted stock awards with vesting tied to the attainment of performance criteria shall not be paid unless and until such performance conditions are attained).
Restricted Stock Units. The Compensation Committee may award restricted stock units to participants. Restricted stock units are ultimately payable in the form of shares of Common Stock or cash subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Compensation Committee may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance goals and/or continued employment with the Company through a specified vesting period. In the Compensation Committee’s sole discretion, it may permit a participant to make an advance election to receive a portion of his or her future cash compensation in the form of a restricted stock unit award, subject to the participant’s compliance with the procedures established by the Compensation Committee and requirements of Section 409A of the Code. During the deferral period, the deferred stock awards may be credited with dividend equivalent rights.
Unrestricted Stock Awards. The Compensation Committee may also grant shares of Common Stock which are free from any restrictions under the 2023 Plan. Unrestricted stock may be granted to any participant in recognition of past services or other valid consideration and may be issued in lieu of cash compensation due to such participant.
Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Compensation Committee may grant dividend equivalent rights to participants, which entitle the recipient to receive credits for dividends that would be paid if the recipient had held specified shares of Common Stock. Dividend equivalent rights may be settled in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments, as specified in the award.
Cash-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant cash bonuses under the 2023 Plan to participants. The cash bonuses may be subject to the achievement of certain performance goals.
Change of Control Provisions. In the event of a “sale event,” as defined in the 2023 Plan, awards under the 2023 Plan may be assumed, continued or substituted. In the event that awards are not assumed, continued or substituted, except as otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee in the award agreement, upon the effective time of the sale event, all awards with time-based conditions will become vested and exercisable upon the sale event, and awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and non-forfeitable in connection with a sale event in the Compensation Committee’s discretion or to the extent specified in the relevant award agreement. In addition, the Company may make or provide for payment, in cash or in kind, to participants holding options and stock appreciation rights equal to the difference between the per share cash consideration and the exercise price of the options or stock appreciation rights (provided that, in the case of an option or stock appreciation right with an exercise price equal to or less than the per share cash consideration, such option or stock appreciation right shall be cancelled for no consideration). The Compensation Committee shall also have the option to make or provide for a payment, in cash or in kind, to grantees holding other awards in an amount equal to the per share cash consideration multiplied by the number of vested shares under such awards. All awards will terminate in connection with a sale event unless they are assumed by the successor entity.
Adjustments for Stock Dividends, Stock Splits, Etc. The 2023 Plan requires the Compensation Committee to make appropriate adjustments to the number of shares of Common Stock that are subject to the 2023 Plan, to certain limits in the 2020 Plan, and to any outstanding awards to reflect stock dividends, stock splits, extraordinary cash dividends and similar events.
Tax Withholding. Participants in the 2023 Plan are responsible for the payment of any federal, state or local taxes that the Company is required by law to withhold upon the exercise of options or stock appreciation rights or vesting of other awards. The Compensation Committee may require that tax withholding obligations be satisfied by withholding shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to exercise or vesting. The Compensation Committee may also require the
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Company’s tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by an arrangement whereby a certain number of shares issued pursuant to any award are immediately sold and proceeds from such sale are remitted to the Company in an amount that would satisfy the withholding amount due.
Amendments and Termination. The Board of Directors may at any time amend or discontinue the 2023 Plan and the Compensation Committee may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding award for the purpose of satisfying changes in the law or for any other lawful purpose. However, no such action may materially and adversely affect any rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent. To the extent required under the rules of NYSE, any amendments that materially change the terms of the 2023 Plan will be subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders. Amendments shall also be subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders if and to the extent determined by the Compensation Committee to be required by the Code to preserve the qualified status of incentive options.
Effective Date of Plan. The 2023 Plan was approved by the Board of Directors on October 9, 2023 and will become effective on the later of (i) the date on which the 2023 Plan is approved by stockholders in accordance with applicable law, the Company’s bylaws and articles of incorporation, and applicable stock exchange rules or (ii) January 1, 2024. Assuming stockholders approve the 2023 Plan at the 2023 Annual Meeting, the 2023 Plan will become effective January 1, 2024. Awards of incentive options may be granted under the 2023 Plan until October 8, 2033, which is the tenth anniversary of the date the 2023 Plan was approved by the Board of Directors. No other awards may be granted under the 2023 Plan after the date that is ten years from effective date of the 2023 Plan.
New Plan Benefits
Because the grant of awards under the 2023 Plan is within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the Company cannot determine the dollar value or number of shares of Common Stock that will in the future be received by or allocated to any participant in the 2023 Plan. Accordingly, in lieu of providing information regarding benefits that will be received under the 2023 Plan, the following table provides information concerning the benefits that were received by the following persons and groups during Fiscal Year 2023: each named executive officer; all current executive officers, as a group; all current directors who are not executive officers, as a group; and all current employees who are not executive officers, as a group.
| | | | | | | | | | Stock |
| | Options | | Awards | ||||||
|
| Average |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | Exercise | | | | | | | | |
| | Price Per | | | | Dollar | | | ||
| | Award | | Number of | | Value | | Number of | ||
Name and Position |
| ($) | | Awards | | ($)(1) | | Awards | ||
Martin Brenner, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer | | $ | 7.00 |
| 28,000 | | $ | 175,504 |
| 351,181 |
Felipe Duran, Chief Financial Officer | | $ | 7.00 |
| 12,000 | | $ | 75,216 |
| 37,500 |
Thomas F. Isett, Former Chief Executive Officer and Former President | | $ | 6.75 |
| 80,000 | | $ | 479,382 |
| 200,000 |
Robert Lutz, Former Chief Financial Officer | | $ | 7.00 |
| 16,000 | | $ | 100,288 |
| 100,057 |
All current executive officers, as a group | | $ | 6.85 | (2) | 136,000 | | $ | 830,390 | (4) | 688,738 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
All current directors who are not executive officers, as a group | | $ | — | (3) | — | | $ | — |
| — |
| | | | | | | | | | |
All current employees who are not executive officers, as a group | | $ | 7.23 | (2) | 167,863 | | $ | 1,086,697 | (4) | 144,454 |
(1) | The valuation of stock awards is based on the grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Information about the assumptions used to value these awards can be found in Note 19: “Share Based Compensation” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report. |
(2) | Represents the weighted-average exercise price for the group. |
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(3) | No stock options were awarded to directors during Fiscal Year 2023. However, during Fiscal Year 2024, we do anticipate issuing to each of our non-employee directors options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to our 2020 Plan. |
(4) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value for the group. |
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Options and Awards
The following is a summary of the effect of U.S. federal income taxation on the participants in the 2023 Plan and the Company. However, it does not purport to be complete and does not describe the state, local or foreign tax considerations or the consequences for any particular individual.
Incentive Stock Options (“ISO”)
An ISO results in neither taxable income to the optionee, nor a deduction to the Company at the time it is granted or exercised. If the optionee holds the stock received as a result of an exercise of an ISO for at least two years from the date of the grant and one year from the date of exercise, then the gain realized on disposition of the stock is treated as a long-term capital gain. If the shares are disposed of during this period, however (i.e., a “disqualifying disposition”), then the optionee will include the income, as ordinary compensation for the year of the disposition, in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares, upon exercise of the option over the option price (or, if less, the excess of the amount realized upon disposition over the option price). The excess, if any, of the sale price over the fair market value on the date of exercise will be a short-term capital gain. In such case, the Company will be entitled to a deduction, in the year of such a disposition, for the amount includible in the optionee’s income as compensation, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. The optionee’s tax basis in the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO is equal to the option price paid, plus any amount includible in his or her income as a result of a disqualifying disposition.
Non-Qualified Stock Options (“NSO”)
A NSO results in no taxable income to the optionee or deduction to the Company at the time it is granted. An optionee exercising a NSO will, at that time, realize taxable compensation in the amount of the excess of the then market value of the shares over the option price. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Code, including the limitations of Section 162(m), a deduction for federal income tax purposes will be allowable to the Company in the year of exercise in an amount equal to the taxable compensation realized by the optionee. The optionee’s tax basis in shares received upon exercise is equal to the sum of the option price plus the amount includible in his or her income as compensation upon exercise.
Any gain (or loss) upon subsequent disposition of the shares will be a long- or short-term gain (or loss), depending upon the holding period of the shares.
If a NSO is exercised by tendering previously owned shares of the Company’s Common Stock in payment of the option price, then, instead of the treatment described above, the following will apply: a number of new shares equal to the number of previously owned shares tendered will be considered to have been received in a tax-free exchange; the optionee’s basis and holding period for such number of new shares will be equal to the basis and holding period of the previously owned shares exchanged. The optionee will have compensation income equal to the fair market value on the date of exercise of the number of new shares received in excess of such number of exchanged shares; the optionee’s basis in such excess shares will be equal to the amount of such compensation income; and the holding period in such shares will begin on the date of exercise.
Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”)
Generally, the recipient of a stand-alone SAR will not recognize taxable income at the time the stand-alone SAR is granted.
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If the grantee receives the appreciation inherent in the SAR (change in stock price plus dividends from grant date to settlement date) in cash, the cash will be taxed as ordinary income to the employee at the time it is received. If the grantee receives the appreciation inherent in the SAR in stock, the value of the stock received is taxable as ordinary income at the fair market value of the stock.
In general, there will be no federal income tax deduction allowed to the Company upon the grant or termination of SARs. However, upon the settlement of a SAR, the Company will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income the recipient is required to recognize as a result of the settlement, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Restricted Stock Awards / Performance Stock Awards
No income will be recognized at the time of grant by the recipient of a restricted stock award or performance stock award while such award is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Generally, at the time the substantial risk of forfeiture terminates with respect to a stock award, the then fair market value of the stock awarded will constitute ordinary income to the employee. Subject to the applicable limitations of Section 162(m), a deduction for federal income tax purposes will be allowable to the company in an amount equal to the compensation realized by the recipient.
Other Awards
In the case of an award of RSUs, performance awards, dividend equivalents or dividend equivalent units or other stock or cash awards, the recipient will generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to any cash received and the fair market value of any shares received on the date of payment or delivery. In that taxable year, the company will receive a federal income tax deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income which the recipient has recognized, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors and executive officers have substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal since they will be eligible to receive awards under the 2023 Plan.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of shares having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares present or represented and voting at the 2023 Annual Meeting will be required to approve the 2023 Plan. Abstentions and Broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and therefore will not affect the outcome of this vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE 2023 PLAN.
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APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
Background of and Rationale for the Adjournment Proposal
The Board of Directors believes that if the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting is insufficient to approve the Reverse Stock Split and/or the 2023 Plan, it is in the best interests of the stockholders to enable the Board to continue to seek to obtain a sufficient number of additional votes to approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and/or the 2023 Plan Proposal.
In the Adjournment Proposal, we are asking stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board to vote in favor of adjourning or postponing the 2023 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If our stockholders approve this proposal, we could adjourn or postpone the 2023 Annual Meeting, and any adjourned session of the 2023 Annual Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and/or the 2023 Plan Proposal.
Additionally, approval of the Adjournment Proposal could mean that, in the event we receive proxies indicating that holders of a majority of the number of votes cast will vote against the Reverse Stock Split Proposal or the 2023 Plan Proposal, we could adjourn or postpone the 2023 Annual Meeting without a vote on the Reverse Stock Split and/or the 2023 Plan Proposal and use the additional time to solicit the holders of those shares to change their vote in favor of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and/or the 2023 Plan Proposal.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all shares of stock present or represented and voting on the Adjournment Proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Since abstentions are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected for this proposal because we believe this matter is a routine matter. If there were to be any broker non-votes they would have no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
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Introduction
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section (CD&A) discusses the principles underlying our policies and decisions with respect to the compensation of our executive officers named in the “Summary Compensation Table,” who are referred to as our named executive officers (NEOs). For fiscal 2023, our NEOs are:
● | Dr. Martin B. Brenner, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer |
● | Felipe Duran, our Chief Financial Officer |
● | Thomas F. Isett, our former Executive Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer |
● | Robert Lutz, our former Chief Financial and Business Officer |
Executive Transitions
On December 1, 2022, Mr. Thomas F. Isett, our former CEO resigned. Pursuant to his separation agreement with the Company, Mr. Isett resigned as CEO of the Company effective December 1, 2022, and remained an employee of the Company until December 31, 2022. In addition to severance benefits set forth in his employment agreement, in consideration for Mr. Isett agreeing to provide assistance through March 31, 2023 in connection with the sale of the contract development and manufacturing organization or its assets, the Company agreed to extend Mr. Isett’s eligibility to earn 200,000 restrictive stock units (“RSUs”) previously awarded to him contingent upon execution of a definitive agreement for the sale of the CDMO, LLC by March 31, 2023, which contingency was not met and accordingly the awards were forfeited.
On December 2, 2022, during the interim period, the Board approved the creation of the office of the Chief Executive Officer, whereby Mr. Robert Lutz, the Company’s then Chief Financial and Business Officer and Mr. Martin Brenner, the Company’s then Chief Scientific Officer filled such role.
On January 11, 2023, Mr. Lutz provided the Company notice of his resignation from the Company, effective February 10, 2023. Upon his resignation, an RSU grant of 100,057 shares of Common Stock subject to his continued employment through the earlier of (i) July 1, 2023, or (ii) the successful achievement of the Company’s 2023 objectives, as defined by the Board of Directors was forfeited. On January 20, 2023, Dr. Brenner was appointed as the Company’s Interim CEO.
To support retention during a period of transition within the executive team, on November 11, 2022, Dr. Brenner received an RSU grant of 95,348 shares of Common Stock subject to his continued employment through the earlier of (i) July 1, 2023, or (ii) the successful achievement of the Company’s 2023 objectives, as defined by the Board of Directors. In connection with his appointment as Interim CEO, on January 20, 2023, Dr. Brenner was granted 130,000 RSUs that vest pro rata over twelve months, subject to Dr. Brenner serving as the Company’s Interim CEO (the “Interim CEO RSUs”). Dr. Brenner also received a monthly stipend of $7,500 for service as Interim CEO. On June 22, 2023, Dr. Brenner was appointed as permanent CEO. In connection with his appointment, his monthly stipend was converted into base salary. In addition, upon appointment as the Company’s permanent CEO, 75,833 of the Interim CEO RSUs terminated because Dr. Brenner was no longer serving as Interim CEO. Thus, he was granted 75,833 RSUs eligible to vest pro rata over a seven-month period, subject to continued employment.
On January 23, 2023, Mr. Duran, who was serving as the Company’s VP of Financial Planning and Analysis, accepted an offer letter from the Company (the “Duran Offer Letter”) to serve as the Company’s Interim CFO, effective as of February 13, 2023. Upon his appointment to the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Duran’s base salary was increased from $300,000 to a base salary of $350,000, he became eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus with a target
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of 40% of his annual base salary and he was granted a $140,000 special incentive bonus (40% of his fiscal year 2023 annualized salary) in exchange for his agreement to continue employment with the Company through the earlier of: (a) July 1, 2023, or (b) the successful achievement of the Company’s 2023 objectives, as defined by the Board of Directors minus any retention bonus he is paid during the fiscal year 2023. Before his appointment as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Duran became eligible to receive a retention bonus of $70,000 in exchange for his agreement to continue employment with the Company through March 31, 2023. On June 22, 2023, Mr. Duran was appointed as permanent CFO; there were no associated compensation changes.
On March 31, 2023, Dr. Brenner was granted 50,000 RSUs and Mr. Duran was granted 37,500 RSUs, in each case for retention purposes in connection with the executive transitions.
Compensation Philosophy
At iBio we want employees to share in the success of the Company while being challenged and motivated to perform to the best of their abilities. The Compensation Committee believes that compensation programs should include short-term and long-term components, including cash and equity-based compensation, and should encourage and reward performance as measured against pre-established goals. The Compensation Committee evaluates both performance and compensation to make sure that compensation provided to executives of the Company remains competitive relative to compensation paid by companies of similar size and stage of development operating in our industry, considering the Company’s relative performance and strategic goals. The Compensation Committee considers the total current and potential long-term compensation of each executive officer in establishing each element of compensation but views each element as related but distinct.
Say on Pay and Compensation Roadmap
As part of the Compensation Committee’s annual review of the executive compensation program, it considers the outcome of the annual advisory vote of stockholders. At the 2022 annual stockholder meeting, approximately 59% of the “say on pay” votes cast were in favor of the compensation of the Company’s NEOs in fiscal 2022.
In light of our evolving business strategy and taking into consideration the results of the 2022 “say on pay” vote, our compensation roadmap has developed (and continues to develop) to reflect best compensation practices and investor feedback. A few highlights of the evolution of our pay program are as follows:
|
| Fiscal 2021 |
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | |
CEO Contract | | Updated CEO employment agreement removed legacy obligations; in partial consideration and as a part of a market-based pay program, CEO received an increased salary level, an option grant (in fiscal 2021), and a performance-based restricted stock unit grant (in fiscal 2022) | | CEO is party to a market-based employment contract without legacy contractual obligations and will participate in annual cycle equity grants |
| Former CEO’s employment contract terminated with his resignation; new permanent CEO employment contract aligns with those of other Company executives and market practice |
Annual Incentive Plan | | Annual incentive plan includes goal-driven framework for determining payout | | Annual cash incentive plan is formulaic, with pre-defined goals and payout levels | Annual cash incentive plan continues to be pre-determined to align with our FY23 strategic priorities |
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Equity Grant Process | | Developed process for determining equity awards | | Implemented formal equity grant process; NEOs received first annual cycle equity awards | NEOs continue to receive annual cycle equity awards in the form of stock options | |
Recoupment Policy | | Adoption of a recoupment policy within the 2020 Plan | | Recoupment policy within the 2020 Plan | Maintained existing policy and will adopt Dodd-Frank-compliant policy within necessary time period | |
Pay Disclosure | | Expanded Compensation Discussion & Analysis Disclosure | | Detailed Compensation Discussion & Analysis of Company’s pay program | Continued to provide fulsome disclosure regarding our executive pay program |
Positive Pay Practices
In addition, the following features of our compensation program are designed to align the interests of our executive team with those of our stockholders and with market best practice:
| What We Don’t Do | | |
✓ Grant compensation that is primarily at-risk and variable | | × Allow hedging or pledging of Company stock | |
| | | |
✓ Subject short-term incentive compensation to measurable and rigorous goals | | × Stock plan prohibits repricing of stock options without shareholder approval | |
| | | |
✓ Use an independent compensation consultant | | × Provide excessive perquisites | |
| | | |
✓ Cap annual cash incentive payments at 150% of target and stock options do not provide value unless there is a stock price increase | | × Provide supplemental executive retirement plans | |
| | | |
✓ Structure compensation to avoid excessive risk taking | | × Pay tax gross-ups on a change in control | |
| | | |
✓ Provide competitive compensation that is compared against an industry peer group | | × Provide “single trigger” change in control payments | |
| | | |
✓ Have a recoupment policy | | × Provide excessive severance benefits | |
Compensation Evaluation Processes
The Compensation Committee considers a number of factors in setting compensation for its executive officers, including Company performance, the executive’s functional performance, experience and responsibilities, and the compensation of executive officers in similar positions in our peer group of companies.
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Independent Consultant; Peer Group and Benchmarking
The Compensation Committee has the authority to directly retain the services of independent consultants and other experts to assist in fulfilling its responsibilities. In August 2020, the Compensation Committee engaged FW Cook as its independent advisor to review our executive compensation programs and to assess our executive officers’ base salaries, incentive opportunities, target and actual total cash, long-term incentive value and total direct compensation from a competitive standpoint. For fiscal 2023, the Compensation Committee assessed the independence of FW Cook pursuant to SEC rules and the corporate governance rules of the NYSE and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent FW Cook from independently advising the Compensation Committee.
In January 2022, FW Cook assisted the Compensation Committee in selecting a peer group of 16 companies for purposes of benchmarking the fiscal year 2023 executive compensation program. The companies included in the peer group are in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life sciences industry, had a market cap within a targeted range of our market cap, had common business characteristics with us, and are our business and/or labor market competitors. At the time the peer group was approved, we had a market cap positioned at the 28th percentile of the peer group (based on peer market cap at time of analysis). The approved peer group consisted of the following companies:
Agenus |
| Dyadic |
| NightHawk Biosciences |
|
Alanos Therapeutics | | Dynavax | | Savara | |
Arcturus Therapeutics | | Karyopharm | | Sorrento Therapeutics | |
CEL-SCI | | MediciNova | | Sutro Biopharma | |
Corbus | | Morphic | | Y-mAbs Therapeutics | |
CytomX Therapeutics | | | | | |
Arcus Biosciences, ChemoCentryx and Novavax were removed from the prior peer group as they were no longer size-relevant; and, Alaunos Therapeutics was added due to its similar business focus, size-relevance, and use as a peer by our investors.
The Compensation Committee uses the peer group compensation data as one of several factors in determining appropriate compensation parameters for base salary, variable cash compensation and equity-based, long-term incentives. The Compensation Committee’s executive compensation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and specific benchmark results do not, in and of themselves, determine individual target compensation decisions.
Elements of Executive Compensation
Direct compensation for executives consists of three principal components: base salary, potential annual cash incentive bonus, and long-term equity incentives.
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Base Salary
Base salary represents the fixed portion of an executive officer’s compensation and is intended to provide compensation for day-to-day performance. The Compensation Committee believes that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program that is designed to attract and retain talented and experienced executives. Each executive officer’s base salary is initially determined upon hire or promotion based on the executive officer’s responsibilities, prior experience, individual compensation history and salary levels of other executives within the Company and similarly situated executives within our peer group. Base salary is typically reviewed annually.
The table below reflects annual base salaries for the NEOs as of the end of fiscal 2023 (or termination of employment, for Messrs. Isett and Lutz).
|
| FY2023 Base | |
| | Salary | |
| | ($) | |
Dr. Martin B. Brenner | | $ | 507,150 |
Felipe Duran | | $ | 350,000 |
Thomas F. Isett | | $ | 650,000 |
Robert Lutz | | $ | 437,750 |
While serving as Interim CEO, Dr. Brenner received a monthly cash stipend of $7,500. Upon his appointment as permanent CEO on June 26, 2023, the Board approved including as part of Dr. Brenner’s base salary the monthly cash stipend of $7,500 he was receiving while serving as Interim CEO, for an annual base salary of $507,150.
Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses
The Compensation Committee believes that performance-based cash incentive bonuses play an important role in providing incentives to executives to achieve annual corporate goals. Fiscal 2023 reflected the continuation of a formulaic plan.
The target annual incentive bonuses in fiscal 2023 were as follows in the table below. The bonus target percentages for Dr. Brenner and Mr. Duran were set in connection with the negotiation of their employment agreements during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2023, respectively, and were pro-rated for the portion of the year they served the Company in their various roles. Mr. Isett’s bonus target percentage was unchanged from fiscal 2021 and was pro-rated for the portion of the year he served the Company. Mr. Lutz was not eligible for the FY23 bonus payment due to his resignation in February 2023. Actual bonuses were determined based on the Compensation Committee’s assessment of performance. The performance goals for our named executive officers were established by our Compensation Committee. Bonuses for fiscal 2023 were subject to a formulaic framework with the following categories and weightings: sale of the contract development and manufacturing organization or its assets (30%), maintain liquidity (20%), develop pipeline (20%), develop platform (10%), and validate the pipeline/platform (20%). We have not disclosed the specific performance goals because we believe this disclosure would reveal confidential strategic objectives and information that is not otherwise publicly disclosed by us and would result in competitive harm to us. The strategic measures were designed to be “stretch” goals that were achievable with what we believe represented an elevated level of effort and performance. Payouts could be earned at up to 150% of
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target, based on actual performance. Final payouts for the NEOs were approved at 60% of target as described in the below table:
| | | | | | | FY23 | | FY23 | ||
| | | | | FY23 | | Target | | Actual | ||
| | | | | Bonus Target | | Bonus | | Bonus | ||
| | FY23 | | (as % of | | Annualized | | (Pro-rated) | |||
|
| Base Salary |
| Base Salary) |
| ($) |
| ($) | |||
Dr. Martin B. Brenner | | $ | 507,150 |
| 40% | | $ | 202,860 | | $ | 110,916 |
Felipe Duran | | $ | 350,000 | | 40% | | $ | 140,000 | | $ | 73,100 |
Thomas F. Isett | | $ | 650,000 |
| 60% | | $ | 402,000 | | $ | 117,000 |
Robert Lutz | | $ | 437,750 |
| 40% | | $ | 175,100 | | $ | — |
In connection with his appointment as interim CFO, Mr. Duran was also granted a $140,000 special incentive bonus (40% of his fiscal year 2023 annualized salary) subject to his continued employment with the Company through the earlier of: (a) July 1, 2023, or (b) the successful achievement of the Company’s 2023 objectives, as defined by the Board of Directors minus any retention bonus he was paid during the fiscal year 2023. Before his appointment as the Company’s interim CFO, Mr. Duran became eligible to receive a retention bonus of $70,000 subject to his continued employment with the Company through March 31, 2023.
Long-Term Equity Incentives
Our primary long-term incentive compensation vehicle is stock options; however, as discussed further below, in fiscal 2023 we made grants of time-based RSUs in connection with the executive transitions. The number of equity awards granted is based on the executive’s position, the executive’s performance in the prior year (if applicable), the Company’s overall performance, the executive’s potential for continued sustained contributions to our success, and competitive market information. Based on market data provided by FW Cook, the Compensation Committee considers the equity grant levels of the peer group, including awards granted as a percent of outstanding shares when recommending equity awards for executive officers.
We grant options based on our belief that they naturally align executives with the creation of stockholder value and are the best long-term incentive vehicle to retain and promote our Company culture. The option grants made in fiscal 2023 vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date, and quarterly thereafter over the next three years. The Compensation Committee believes that stock options are inherently performance-based, incentivize employees to make decisions that support long-term success, and are appropriate and advantageous for the following additional reasons:
● | Value is only realized if the stock price increases, thereby aligning the interests of executives with those of stockholders. |
● | Stock options have greater downside risk than full-value awards, as they do not provide any value to the holder if the stock price declines below the exercise price (determined as of the date of grant). |
● | The ten-year term of options gives executives the opportunity to realize value over a long period of time, which promotes long-term thinking and value creation. |
● | Stock options are well understood and help attract and retain employees who contribute to the Company. |
On November 11, 2022, Dr. Brenner received 95,348 RSUs that were eligible to vest, subject to continued employment, on the earlier of (i) July 1, 2023, or (ii) the successful achievement of the Company’s 2023 objectives, as defined by the Board of Directors. In connection with his appointment as the Company’s Interim CEO, on January 20, 2023, Dr. Brenner was granted 130,000 RSUs, which vest pro rata over a twelve-month period, subject to Dr. Brenner’s continued service as Interim CEO. Upon appointment as the Company’s permanent CEO, 75,833 of the Interim CEO
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RSUs terminated because Dr. Brenner was no longer serving as Interim CEO. In consideration of the foregoing, Dr. Brenner was granted 75,833 RSUs that vest pro rata over a seven-month period, subject to continued employment.
On November 11, 2022, Mr. Lutz received 100,057 RSUs that were eligible to vest, subject to continued employment, on the earlier of (i) July 1, 2023, or (ii) the successful achievement of the Company’s 2023 objectives, as defined by the Board of Directors. These RSUs terminated due to his resignation in February 2023.
On March 31, 2023, Dr. Brenner was granted 50,000 RSUs and Mr. Duran was granted 37,500 RSUs, in each case for retention purposes.
All of the annual cycle equity grants in fiscal 2023 were made in time-based stock options.
Additional Policies and Benefits
Equity Grant Policies. Executives’ stock options are granted with an exercise price based on the fair market value on the date of grant. Equity grants to executives currently are made pursuant to our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. We do not coordinate the grant of equity awards to the timing of releases of material non-public information.
Restrictions on Hedging or Pledging. The Company’s Insider Trading Policy prohibits directors, officers and employees from (1) pledging Company securities that involves pledging (or hypothecating) Company securities as collateral for a loan and (2) engaging in hedging or monetization transactions, including the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, and may permit a holder to continue to own Company securities but without the full risks and rewards of ownership.
The Company’s Insider Trading Policy also provides that no director, officer or employee (or any other person, such as a consultant or contractor, designated by the Company as subject to the Inside Trading Policy) may engage in any of the following activities with respect to the Company’s securities: trading in the Company’s securities on a short-term basis (i.e., shares of the Company’s Common Stock purchased in the open market must be held for a minimum of six months and ideally longer; however, this rule does not apply to sales made following the exercise of options that were granted by the Company or to sales of shares purchased through the Company’s equity incentive plans); purchases of Company securities on margin; short sales of the Company’s securities; and buying or selling puts or calls on Company securities.
Recoupment Policy. With respect to any awards (cash or equity) granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, to the extent that the recipient receives any amount in excess of the amount that the recipient should otherwise have received under the terms of the award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the recipient may be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company at the discretion of the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
Post-employment Compensation. Our NEOs are entitled to certain severance and change in control benefits, the terms of which are described below under “Employment Agreements.” These severance and change in control benefits are an essential element of the overall executive compensation package and assist the Company in recruiting and retaining talented individuals and aligning the executive’s interests with the best interests of the stockholders.
Other Benefits. The Company provides certain additional benefits to executive officers that are also generally available to employees, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, 401(k) matching contributions; however, the Compensation Committee in its discretion may revise, amend or add to these benefits. Mr. Isett was also entitled to reimbursement for certain car expenses, in addition to up to a maximum of $500 per month for the cost of any life insurance policy he procured while he remained employed by the Company and up to $2,000 per month toward the cost of any long-term disability policy he procured while he remained employed by the Company.
Tax and Accounting Considerations. The Compensation Committee reviews and considers the various tax and accounting implications of the compensation programs we utilize.
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Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly traded corporation a federal income tax deduction for remuneration in excess of $1 million per year per person paid to executives designated in Section 162(m) of the Code, including, but not limited to, its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and the next three highly compensated executive officers. However, we believe that maintaining the discretion to provide compensation that is non-deductible allows us to provide compensation tailored to the needs of our Company and our named executive officers and is an important part of our responsibilities and benefits our stockholders.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. We follow Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“ASC Topic 718”) for our stock-based compensation awards. ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure the compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and restricted stock units, based on the grant-date fair value of these awards. This calculation is performed for accounting purposes and reported in the compensation tables below, even though our executive officers may never realize any value from their awards.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS
Set forth below are the executive officers of the Company who do not serve as directors, including their ages, their positions with our Company and a brief biographical description.
Below is certain information regarding our current executive officers who are not serving as directors.
| | | | | | Served as an |
Name |
| Age |
| Position |
| Officer Since |
Dr. Martin B. Brenner |
| 53 |
| Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer | | January 18,2021 |
| | | | | | |
Felipe Duran |
| 44 |
| Chief Financial Officer | | June 22,2023 |
Dr. Martin B. Brenner has been our Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) since January 2021 and our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since June 2023. He has a strong history of success heading drug discovery and development teams at several of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca (“AstraZeneca”), Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”), Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”), and Merck Research Laboratories. Most recently, Dr. Brenner served as Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer of Pfenex Inc. from March 2019 until its acquisition by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in October 2020. From 2017 to 2018, Dr. Brenner served as Chief Scientific Officer at Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company. From 2016 to 2017, Dr. Brenner served as Vice President and Head of Research and Early Development at Stoke Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company. From 2013 to 2016, Dr. Brenner served as Executive Director, Diabetes & NASH, and Chair of Diabetes & NASH Early Discovery Unit at Merck Research Lab. From 2012 to 2013, Dr. Brenner served as Senior Director, Head of Bioscience, CVMD at AstraZeneca. From 2009 to 2012, Dr. Brenner served as an Associate Research Fellow for the Diabetes Prevention and Remission Group at Pfizer. From 2003 to 2009, Dr. Brenner served as Senior Research Scientist for the Diabetes Drug Hunting Team at Lilly. Dr. Brenner holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Veterinary School of Hannover in Hannover, Germany a DVM from Veterinary School of Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany.
Felipe Duran has been our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since June 2023. Mr. Duran was iBio’s Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis (“FP&A”) from April 2021 to February 2023 and then as the Company’s Interim CFO from February 2023 through June 2023. Previously, Mr. Duran served as the Executive Director (CFO), of Lupin Latin America, a subsidiary of Lupin Pharmaceuticals, the third-largest generic pharmaceutical company in the United States, from May 2016 to May 2021. Prior to joining Lupin Pharmaceuticals, he held numerous strategy positions at Teva Pharmaceuticals in both its growth markets and Latin America offices. Mr. Duran also worked as a Manager, FP&A for both Bupa and Noven Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Duran holds a B.A. in Finance and an M.B.A from the University of Miami.
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
The table below shows compensation actually paid (as defined by the SEC in Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for our executives and our financial performance for the years shown in the table. For purposes of this discussion, our CEO is also referred to as our principal executive officer or “PEO” and our other Named Executive Officers are referred to as our “Non-PEO NEOs.” We are permitted to report as a “smaller reporting company” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Accordingly, we have not included a tabular list of financial performance measures, and the table below does not include a column for a “Company-Selected Measure” as defined in Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. For further
58
information regarding our compensation philosophy and how we seek to align executive compensation with the Company’s performance, refer to “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Discussion.”
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Value of | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Initial Fixed | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Average | | | | | $100 | | | | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Summary | | Average | | Investment | | | | |||
|
| |
| |
| Compensation | | Compensation |
| Based on |
| | | |||||||||||
| | Summary Compensation Table | | Compensation Actually Paid to | | Table Total for | | Actually Paid | | Total | | | | |||||||||||
Fiscal | | Total for PEO ($)1,2 | | PEO ($)1,3 | | Non-PEO | | to Non-PEO | | Shareholder | | Net Income | ||||||||||||
Year | | PEO - Isett |
| PEO - Brenner | | PEO - Isett |
| PEO - Brenner | | NEOs1,2 |
| NEOs1,3 | | Return4 | | ($ Millions)5 | ||||||||
2023 | | $ | 1,670,498 | | $ | 1,069,174 | | $ | 189,265 | | $ | 629,453 | | $ | 630,739 | | $ | 336,310 | | $ | 1.62 | | $ | (65.01) |
2022 | | $ | 3,068,714 | | $ | — | | $ | (2,143,039) | | $ | — | | $ | 1,247,056 | | $ | 151,787 | | $ | 17.48 | | $ | (50.30) |
Fiscal Year |
| PEO |
| Non-PEO NEOs | |||
2023 | | Thomas F. Isett, Martin B. Brenner | | Felipe Duran, Thomas F. Isett, Rob Lutz | |||
2022 | | Thomas F. Isett | | Robert Lutz, Martin B. Brenner |
(2) | Amounts reflect Summary Compensation Table Total Pay for our PEOs/NEOs for each corresponding year. |
(3) | The following tables illustrates the adjustments to the Summary Compensation Table Total Pay for our PEOs, as well as the average for our other NEOs, to determine “compensation actually paid”, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v). Amounts do not reflect actual compensation earned by or paid to our NEOs during the applicable year. |
Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Table Total to Compensation Actually Paid for PEO | | PEO (Isett) | | PEO (Brenner) | | PEO (Isett) | |||
Summary Compensation Table Total | | $ | 1,670,498 | | $ | 1,069,174 | | $ | 3,068,714 |
Minus: Grant Date Fair Value of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | | $ | 698,047 | | $ | 491,863 | | $ | 2,012,464 |
Plus: Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding and Unvested Option and Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | | $ | — | | $ | 84,071 | | $ | 348,762 |
Plus: Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Option and Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years | | $ | — | | $ | (130,477) | | $ | (2,717,457) |
Plus: Fair Value at Vesting of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year | | $ | — | | $ | 138,720 | | $ | 209,736 |
Plus: Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year | | $ | (164,861) | | $ | (40,172) | | $ | (1,040,329) |
Plus: Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year-End of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year | | $ | (618,325) | | $ | - | | $ | — |
Plus: Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Option and Stock Awards Not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
Compensation Actually Paid | | $ | 189,265 | | $ | 629,453 | | $ | (2,143,038) |
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| | Fiscal Year | | Fiscal Year | ||
Reconciliation of Average Summary Compensation Table Total to Average Compensation Actually Paid for Non-PEO NEOs |
| June 30, 2023 ($) |
| June 30, 2022 ($) | ||
Summary Compensation Table Total | | $ | 630,739 | | $ | 1,247,056 |
Minus: Grant Date Fair Value of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | | $ | 214,302 | | $ | 649,618 |
Plus: Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding and Unvested Option and Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | | $ | 11,779 | | $ | 138,691 |
Plus: Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Option and Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years | | $ | (6,842) | | $ | (409,756) |
Plus: Fair Value at Vesting of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year | | $ | 2,859 | | $ | — |
Plus: Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year | | $ | (11,524) | | $ | (174,586) |
Plus: Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year-End of Option and Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year | | $ | (76,399) | | $ | — |
Plus: Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Option and Stock Awards Not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation | | $ | — | | $ | — |
Compensation Actually Paid | | $ | 336,310 | | $ | 151,787 |
For purposes of the above adjustments, the fair value of equity awards on the applicable date were determined in accordance with FASB’s ASC Topic 718, using valuation methodologies that are generally consistent with those used to determine the grant-date fair value for accounting purposes. For more information, please see the notes to our financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement.
(4) | Total Shareholder Return (TSR) represents the cumulative return on a fixed investment of $100 in the common stock of iBio, Inc., at the beginning of the measurement period. |
(5) | The dollar amounts reported represent the net income reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year. |
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Relationship between CAP vs. Cumulative TSR of Company and the Peer Group
The following chart illustrates the relationship between CAP for our PEO and the average CAP for our Non-PEO NEOs against our TSR:
All information provided above under the heading “Pay Versus Performance” will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates such information by reference.
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Relationship between CAP vs. Net Income
The following chart illustrates the CAP for our PEO and the average CAP for our Non-PEO NEOs against our net income:
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the information as to compensation paid to or earned by our executive officers during the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 whose total compensation did exceed $100,000. The persons listed in the following table are referred to herein as the “named executive officers.”
|
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Non-Equity | | | All |
| | | ||
| | Fiscal | | | | | | | | Stock | | Option | | Incentive | | | Other | | | | ||||
Name and Principal Position | | Year | | Salary | | Bonus | | Awards(1) | | Award(s)(1) | | Compensation (2) | | | Compensation | | Total | |||||||
Martin B. Brenner (3) |
| 2023 | | $ | 457,553 | | $ | 250 | | $ | 316,359 | | $ | 175,504 | | $ | 110,916 | | | $ | 8,592 | | $ | 1,069,174 |
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer |
| 2022 | | $ | 405,000 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 757,887 | | $ | 162,000 | | | $ | 11,302 | | $ | 1,336,189 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Felipe Duran (4) |
| 2023 | | $ | 318,765 | | $ | 140,250 | | $ | 78,000 | | $ | 75,216 | | $ | 73,100 | | | $ | 14,329 | | $ | 699,660 |
Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Thomas F. Isett (5) |
| 2023 | | $ | 325,000 | | $ | — | | $ | 218,665 | | $ | 479,382 | | $ | 117,000 | | | $ | 530,451 | | $ | 1,670,498 |
Former Executive Chairman, Former Chief Executive Officer, and Former President |
| 2022 | | $ | 650,000 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 2,012,464 | | $ | 390,000 | | | $ | 16,250 | | $ | 3,068,714 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Rob Lutz (6) |
| 2023 | | $ | 273,594 | | $ | 250 | | $ | 175,100 | | $ | 100,288 | | $ | — | | | $ | 12,586 | | $ | 561,818 |
Former Chief Financial and Business Officer |
| 2022 | | $ | 425,000 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 541,348 | | $ | 170,000 | | | $ | 21,574 | | $ | 1,157,922 |
(1) | Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718. The value assumption used in determining such amounts are described in Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023. |
(2) | The amounts reported represent actual bonuses earned for performance during the applicable year by our named executive officers based upon the achievement of our corporate objectives for such year, as described under “Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses.” |
(3) | Dr. Brenner was appointed Chief Scientific Officer effective January 18, 2021 and Chief Executive Officer in June 2023. During fiscal year 2023, Dr. Brenner was paid a $250 anniversary bonus and earned an annual performance bonus of $110,916 which is estimated to be paid the first week of December 2023. All Other Compensation for 2023 includes $8,592 for Company contributions to a Company sponsored qualified retirement plan. In fiscal year 2022, Dr. Brenner received a $162,000 annual performance bonus paid in September 2022. All Other Compensation for 2022 includes $11,302 for Company contributions to a Company sponsored qualified retirement plan. |
(4) | Mr. Duran was appointed Chief Financial Officer in June 2023. Mr. Duran earned $140,000 in retention bonuses during fiscal year 2023, which were partially paid in fiscal year 2023 and partially paid in fiscal year 2024. Mr. Duran was also paid a $250 anniversary bonus in fiscal year 2023. Mr. Duran earned an annual performance bonus of $73,100 which is estimated to be paid the first week of December 2023. All Other Compensation for 2023 includes $14,329 for Company contributions to a Company sponsored qualified retirement plan. |
(5) | Mr. Isett resigned as CEO of the Company effective December 1, 2022 and remained an employee until December 31, 2022. Mr. Isett earned an annual performance bonus of $117,000 which is estimated to be paid the first week of December 2023. All Other Compensation for 2023 includes $520,001 of severance payments in accordance with a separation agreement and $10,450 for Company contributions to a Company sponsored qualified retirement plan. During fiscal year 2022, Mr. Isett received a fiscal year 2022 annual performance bonus of $390,000 paid in September 2022. All Other Compensation for 2022 includes $16,250 for Company contributions to a Company sponsored qualified retirement plan. |
(6) | Mr. Lutz resigned as CFBO of the Company effective February 10, 2023. During fiscal year 2023, Mr. Lutz’s received a $250 anniversary bonus. All Other Compensation includes $12,586 for Company contributions to a Company sponsored qualified retirement plan. During fiscal year 2022, Mr. Lutz received an annual performance bonus of |
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$170,000 paid in September 2022. All Other Compensation for 2022 includes $21,574 for Company contributions to a Company sponsored qualified retirement plan. Mr. Lutz resigned from the Company on February 10, 2023. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End (June 30, 2023)
The following table provides information about the number of outstanding equity awards (post reverse split effected in October 2022) held by each of our named executive officers as of June 30, 2023:
|
| Number of |
| Number of |
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | securities | | securities | | | | | | | | | Number of | | Market value | ||
| | underlying | | underlying | | | | | | | | | shares or | | of shares or | ||
| | unexercised | | unexercised | | | | Option | | Option | | units of stock | | units of stock | |||
| | options | | options | | Grant | | Exercise | | Expiration | | that have | | that have | |||
Name | | exercisable | | unexercisable | | Date | | Price | | Date | | not vested | | not vested(5) | |||
Martin B. Brenner (1) |
| — |
| 20,000 |
| 1/18/21 | | $ | 36.75 |
| 1/18/31 |
| | — | | $ | — |
Martin B. Brenner (1) |
| 12,250 |
| 15,750 |
| 8/23/21 | | $ | 31.50 |
| 8/23/31 |
| | — | | $ | — |
Martin B. Brenner |