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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type |
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Stemline Therapeutics Inc | NASDAQ:STML | NASDAQ | Common Stock |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
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0.00 | 0.00% | 11.83 | 11.90 | 12.50 | 0 | 01:00:00 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 (Amendment No. )
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STEMLINE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor
New York, New York 10022
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., ET, at the offices of our legal counsel, Alston & Bird LLP, located at 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016. At the meeting, the stockholders will be asked to: (i) elect three Class II directors, each to serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified, (ii) ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020, (iii) approve an amendment to our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of authorized shares issuable by 2,500,000 shares; and (iv) transact any other business that may properly come before the 2020 Annual Meeting or any adjournment of the 2020 Annual Meeting.
In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are furnishing our proxy statement and annual report to stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2019 on the internet. You may have already received our "Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials," which was mailed on or about April 29, 2020. That notice described how you can obtain our proxy statement and annual report. You can also receive paper copies of our proxy statement and annual report upon request.
It is important that your stock be represented at the meeting regardless of the number of shares you hold. You are encouraged to specify your voting preferences by marking our proxy card and returning it as directed. If you do attend the meeting and wish to vote in person, you may revoke your proxy at the meeting.
If you have any questions about the proxy statement or the accompanying Annual Report, please contact Kenneth Hoberman, our Corporate Secretary, at (646) 502-2311.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2019 Annual Meeting.
Sincerely, | ||
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Ivan Bergstein Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer |
April 29,
2020
New York, New York
STEMLINE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor
New York, New York 10022
NOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. will be held at the offices of our legal counsel, Alston & Bird LLP, located at 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016, on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., ET. At the meeting, stockholders will consider and act on the following items:
Only those stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 27, 2020, are entitled to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting will be available for your inspection beginning May 4, 2020, at our offices located at 750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor, New York, New York 10022, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., ET, each business day. If we determine that a physical in-person inspection is not practicable, such list of stockholders may be made available electronically, upon request.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Instructions on how to vote your shares via the internet are contained on the "Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials," which was mailed on or about April 29, 2020. Instructions on how to obtain a paper copy of our proxy statement and annual report to stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2019 are listed on the "Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials." These materials can also be viewed online by following the instructions listed on the "Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials."
If you received a paper copy of our proxy statement and annual report, you may vote your shares by completing and returning the enclosed proxy card.
Submitting your proxy does not affect your right to vote in person if you decide to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting. You are urged to submit your proxy as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not you expect to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised at the 2020 Annual Meeting by: (i) delivering written notice to our Corporate Secretary, Kenneth Hoberman, at our office located at 750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor, New York, NY 10022, (ii) submitting a later dated proxy card, (iii) voting again via the internet as described in the "Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials," or (iv) attending the 2020 Annual Meeting and voting in person. No revocation under (i) or (ii) will be effective unless written notice or the proxy card is received by our Corporate Secretary at or before the 2020 Annual Meeting.
When you submit your proxy, you authorize Ivan Bergstein and Kenneth Hoberman to vote your shares at the 2020 Annual Meeting and on any adjournments of the 2020 Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on June 25, 2020: The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.edocumentview.com/STML.
By Order of the Board of Directors, | ||
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Kenneth Hoberman
Corporate Secretary |
April 29,
2020
New York, New York
STEMLINE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor
New York, New York 10022
Phone (646) 502-2311
Fax: (646) 389-0968
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being made available via internet access, beginning on or about April 29, 2020, to the owners of shares of common stock of Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company," "our," "we," or "Stemline") as of April 27, 2020, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). On or about April 29, 2020, we sent an "Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials" to our stockholders. If you received this notice by mail, you will not automatically receive by mail our proxy statement and annual report to stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2019. If you would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy statement, annual report and proxy card, please follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the notice. Upon request, we will promptly mail you paper copies of such materials free of charge.
The Annual Meeting will take place at the offices of our legal counsel, Alston & Bird LLP, located at 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016 on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Our Board of Directors encourages you to read this document thoroughly and take this opportunity to vote, via proxy, on the matters to be decided at the Annual Meeting. As discussed below, you may revoke your proxy at any time before your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting.
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on June 25, 2020. The proxy statement is available at www.edocumentview.com/STML.
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stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card, to ensure your vote is counted.
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firm for the year ending December 31, 2020, and (iii) "FOR" the approval of an amendment to our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of authorized shares issuable thereunder by 2,500,000 shares. Presently, our Board of Directors does not know of any other matter that may come before the Annual Meeting. However, your proxies are authorized to vote on your behalf, using their discretion, on any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held by your broker, bank, custodian or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by such broker, bank, custodian or other nominee.
Abstentions and votes withheld, and shares represented by proxies reflecting abstentions or votes withheld, will be treated as present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. They will not be considered as votes "for" or "against" any matter for which the stockholder has indicated their intention to abstain or withhold their vote. Broker non-votes occur when shares are held indirectly through a broker, bank or other intermediary on behalf of a beneficial owner (referred to as held in "street name") and the broker submits a proxy but does not vote for a matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and (i) the broker does not have discretionary voting authority on the matter or (ii) the broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it has discretionary voting authority. Pursuant to the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), which governs voting matters at the Annual Meeting, brokers are permitted to exercise discretionary voting authority only on "routine" matters when voting instructions have not been timely received from a beneficial owner.
The following matter up for vote at the Annual Meeting is considered to be "routine": the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020. Brokers that hold your shares, therefore, have discretionary
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authority to vote your shares on this matter unless they receive instructions from you on this matter.
If a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, a majority of the stockholders present in person and by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date. If an adjournment is for more than 30 days or a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting by our Board of Directors, we will provide notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the originally called meeting.
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"Stock Ownership of Our Directors, Executive Officers, and 5% Beneficial Owners" on page 37 for more details.
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Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will consist of one or more members, as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Currently, our Board of Directors consists of seven members listed in the chart below (with a term to expire as indicated). The terms of three of our directors are set to expire at our 2020 Annual Meeting.
Name
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Age | Position |
Director
Since |
Term
Expires |
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Ivan Bergstein, M.D. |
54 | President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman | 2003 | 2021 | ||||||||
Ron Bentsur |
54 | Director | 2009 | 2020 | ||||||||
Darren Cline |
55 | Director | 2018 | 2020 | ||||||||
Alan Forman |
54 | Director | 2015 | 2021 | ||||||||
Daniel Hume |
53 | Director | 2018 | 2020 | ||||||||
Mark Sard |
55 | Director | 2018 | 2022 | ||||||||
Kenneth Zuerblis |
61 | Director | 2012 | 2022 |
Our Board of Directors has determined to nominate Ron Bentsur, Darren Cline, and Daniel Hume for re-election to our Board of Directors for a three-year term expiring at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Generally, each director will serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected; provided that the term of each director will continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
Our Board of Directors does not have a formal policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, as the Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company to make that determination based on the direction of the Company and the current membership of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that having Dr. Bergstein serve as both Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is in the best interest of the Company's stockholders at this time.
Stemline has a risk management program overseen by Dr. Bergstein, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hoberman, our Chief Operating Officer, and David Gionco, our Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance. Dr. Bergstein, Mr. Hoberman and Mr. Gionco identify material risks and prioritize them for our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews information regarding our credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each.
The corporate governance standards adopted by the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq, require that a majority of the members of our Board of Directors be "independent" as Nasdaq defines that term. Additionally, the Nasdaq rules require our Board of Directors to make an affirmative determination as to the independence of each director. Consistent with these rules, our Board of Directors undertook its annual review of director independence in March 2020. During the review, our Board of Directors considered relationships and transactions during 2019 and during the past three fiscal years between each director or any member of his immediate family, on the one hand, and our company and our subsidiaries and affiliates, on the other hand. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent. Based on this review, our Board of Directors determined that Mr. Bentsur, Mr. Cline,
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Mr. Forman, Mr. Hume, Mr. Sard, and Mr. Zuerblis are independent under the criteria established by Nasdaq and by our Board of Directors.
The following biographies set forth the names of each of our directors (including our director-nominees) and the following additional information: their ages, the year in which they first became directors, their positions with us, their principal occupations and employers for at least the past five years, any other directorships held by them during the past five years in companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as well as additional information, all of which we believe sets forth each director's qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between and among any of our executive officers or directors. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our executive officers or directors and any other person pursuant to which any of them are elected as an officer or director.
Director-Nominees
Ron Bentsur, 54, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since 2009. Mr. Bentsur has more than 15 years of experience in the biotech industry. In 2019, Mr. Bentsur served as an advisor to UroGen Pharma Ltd. He was Chief Executive Officer of UroGen Pharma Ltd. from August 2015 until January 3, 2019 and its Director from October 2015 until January 3, 2019. From 2009 to 2015, Mr. Bentsur served as Chief Executive Officer of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and as a member of its board of directors. Prior to joining Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Mr. Bentsur served as Chief Executive Officer of XTL Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2006 to 2009. From 2000 to 2006, Mr. Bentsur was employed by Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 2003 until 2006. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Bentsur served as Director of Investment Banking at Leumi Underwriters Ltd. And from 1994 to 1998, Mr. Bentsur was a New York City-based investment banker, primarily at ING Barings Furman Selz. Mr. Bentsur holds a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration with distinction from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel and an M.B.A., magna cum laude, from NYU's Stern Graduate School of Business. We believe that Mr. Bentsur is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his leadership and management experience, his service as an executive of a public biopharmaceutical company and his knowledge of our business and industry.
Darren Cline, 55, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2018. Mr. Cline is an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive with over 25 years of commercial experience, focused in the hematology and oncology, orphan and ultra-orphan arenas. Mr. Cline currently serves as US Chief Commercial Officer and member of the Executive Committee for Greenwich Bioscience, the US subsidiary of GW Pharmaceuticals. (Nasdaq: GWPH). In his role he is responsible for all commercial, medical affairs and state government affairs functions. Mr. Cline previously served as Executive Vice President, Commercial at Seattle Genetics (Nasdaq: SGEN), where he oversaw all marketing, sales and managed markets. He was directly involved in the commercial build out for the launch of ADCETRIS, an antibody-based biologic FDA approved for treatment of certain hematologic cancers, and he played an integral role driving ADCETRIS' continued growth to over $475 million in 2018 revenue. Prior to Seattle Genetics, Mr. Cline was at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, where he was part of the initial commercial leadership team for the Soliris launch, helping to build out key sales functions that were instrumental in Soliris becoming a billion-dollar brand. Mr. Cline received his undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and his MBA from Pepperdine University. We believe that Mr. Cline is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive commercial experience in hematology and oncology coupled with his management experience.
Daniel Hume, 53, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2018. Mr. Hume is currently a managing partner at Kirby McInerney, LLP. Mr. Hume's law practice focuses on securities law regulation, structured finance, antitrust, and civil litigation. Mr. Hume is member of the board of
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directors of TG Therapeutics (Nasdaq: TGTX), a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, and National Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: NHLD), a financial services company. Mr. Hume is admitted to the New York State Bar and federal courts around the country, including the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Hume received a B.A. in philosophy and graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany, and earned a J.D. from the Columbia University Law School, where he served as Notes Editor for the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law. We believe that Mr. Hume is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his substantial financial and legal experience as well as his experience on several other Boards, some within the pharmaceutical industry.
Other Board Members
Ivan Bergstein, M.D., 54, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. Dr. Bergstein is our Chief Executive Officer and Founder. Dr. Bergstein has managed the company's evolution from early-stage research and development to the FDA approval and commercial launch of its lead product, ELZONRIS. Prior to founding Stemline, Dr. Bergstein was Medical Director of Access Oncology, Inc., a clinical stage oncology-focused biotechnology company where he was a key member of a small team responsible for the acquisition and development of the company's clinical stage assets and ultimately the sale of the company to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. He received a BA in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania, was elected to the Pi Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society, and was captain of the varsity wrestling team at Penn. He then received an MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, received the Merck Award for Clinical Excellence, and subsequently completed an internship in general surgery. He then became the Jerome A. Urban Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Cornell University Medical College where he studied and published work relating to Wnt genes in human breast cancer. He then completed an internal medicine residency and hematology-oncology fellowship at the New York Presbyterian HospitalWeill Medical College of Cornell University where he studied and published work on gene therapy manipulations of the sonic hedgehog pathway. We believe Dr. Bergstein is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his leadership, business and management experience and extensive medical, scientific and clinical expertise.
Alan Forman, 54, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2015. Mr. Forman is a Director of Investments at the Yale University Investments Office, the team charged with managing the University's $29 billion dollar endowment fund. Mr. Forman has been a leader at the Investment Office for more than two decades during which time the office has become one of the top performing institutions in the world. While at the institution, he has executed billions of dollars of transactions across numerous investment cycles and industries. Mr. Forman served on the board of directors of Acadia Realty Trust, a public company, where he served as Chairman of Acadia's Compensation Committee and was a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. He worked closely with the CEO and other board members on a wide range of strategic issues with particular emphasis on corporate strategy, company structure, M&A and fund raising, and was instrumental in the company's success. Mr. Forman was also on the board of directors of Kimpton Group Holdings, which was ultimately sold to Intercontinental Hotels Group. He served on the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees. After having sourced and structured the original investment, he then joined the board, served as a close advisor to the CEO and CFO, and was a key member of the team that orchestrated the company's successful acquisition. Mr. Forman received his B.A. degree from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. degree from NYU's Stern Graduate School of Business. We believe Mr. Forman is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive financial and management experience for both public and private entities and his experience serving as member of the board of directors of other companies.
Mark Sard, 55, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2018. Mr. Sard has a thirty-plus year career in venture capital, private equity, and underwriting. He has been employed for
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the past 12 years as a principal at Frontier Equities VC, since he co-founded the firm in 2007. Frontier is a generalist venture capital firm that invests in early to mid-stage companies across a wide array of sectors. Past investments, with successful exits, include Glaceau/Vitamin Water to Coca Cola and Nurture Inc./Happy Baby to Group Danone. In addition, he has structured more than $3 billion in financing for companies from private start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. He has managed investments from institutional clients including sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, public pension funds and other investors. Previously, Mr. Sard was the director of acquisitions for a boutique investment management firm with assets in excess of $2 billion. While at the firm, he sourced over $500 million in institutional investments. He also underwrote more than $1 billion in debt for clients while at Chemical Bank/JP Morgan Chase. Mr. Sard was an early angel investor in Stemline. He holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional coursework in advanced applied mathematics.
Kenneth Zuerblis, 61, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2012. Prior to joining Stemline, Mr. Zuerblis served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from September 2011 until May 2012. Prior to joining Savient, Mr. Zuerblis served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at ImClone Systems from 2008 through 2009. In that role, he was responsible for the strategic planning and leadership of finance and related operations and helped lead all aspects of the sale of the company to Eli Lilly and Company. From 1994 through 2005, Mr. Zuerblis served as Chief Financial Officer of Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and held the position of Corporate Controller from 1991 through 1994. Enzon developed the first three FDA approved products using PEGylation technology. Most notably during Mr. Zuerblis' 14 year tenure, Enzon transformed from an early stage biotechnology company into a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with five marketed products. He began his career at KPMG, LLP in 1982 where he held management positions of increasing responsibility over a ten-year period. Mr. Zuerblis previously served on the board of directors of Immunomedics, Inc. and XTL Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Zuerblis currently serves on the board of directors of Resverlogix Corp., which is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and Zenith Epigenetics, Inc., a private biotechnology company based in Calgary, Canada. Mr. Zuerblis brings nearly 30 years of proven leadership and expertise in building fully integrated biopharmaceutical organizations and has an established track record of managing complex commercial and research organizations, raising capital, overseeing multifaceted merger and acquisition transactions, and directing all investor and stockholder relations. Mr. Zuerblis earned his B.S. in Accounting from Seton Hall University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New Jersey. We believe Mr. Zuerblis is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive accounting and financial experience and years of executive leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry.
During 2019, our Board of Directors held five (5) meetings and took two (2) actions by unanimous written consent. Also in 2019, each incumbent director standing for election attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the meetings of those committees on which each incumbent director served, in each case during the period that such person was a director. The permanent committees established by our Board of Directors are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, descriptions of which are set forth in more detail below. Our directors are expected to attend each Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and it is our expectation that all of the directors standing for election will attend this year's Annual Meeting.
Communicating with the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors has established a process by which stockholders can send communications to the Board of Directors. You may communicate with the Board of Directors as a group, or to specific directors, by writing to Kenneth Hoberman, our Corporate Secretary, at 750 Lexington Avenue,
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Eleventh Floor, New York, NY 10022. The Corporate Secretary will review all such correspondence and regularly forward to the Board of Directors a summary of all correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Corporate Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board of Directors or committees thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence we receive that is addressed to members of our Board of Directors and request copies of any such correspondence. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls, or auditing matters may be communicated in this manner, or may be submitted on an anonymous basis via e-mail at audit@stemline.com. These concerns will be immediately brought to the attention of our Audit Committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by our Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee currently consists of Ron Bentsur, Darren Cline, Alan Forman, Mark Sard and Kenneth Zuerblis. Mr. Zuerblis chairs the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee held seven (7) meetings and took one (1) action by unanimous written consent during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in the Charter of the Audit Committee which was recently reviewed and updated by our Audit Committee. A copy of the Charter of the Audit Committee is available on our website, located at www.stemline.com. Among other things, the duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee include reviewing and monitoring our financial statements and internal accounting procedures, the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm and consulting with and reviewing the services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee has sole discretion over the retention, compensation, evaluation and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. The SEC and Nasdaq have established rules and regulations regarding the composition of audit committees and the qualifications of audit committee members. Our Board of Directors has examined the composition of our Audit Committee and the qualifications of our Audit Committee members in light of the current rules and regulations governing audit committees. Based upon this examination, our Board of Directors has determined that each member of our Audit Committee is independent and is otherwise qualified to be a member of our Audit Committee in accordance with the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq.
Additionally, the SEC requires that at least one member of the Audit Committee have a "heightened" level of financial and accounting sophistication. Such a person is known as the "audit committee financial expert" under the SEC's rules. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Zuerblis is an "audit committee financial expert," as the SEC defines that term, and is an independent member of our Board of Directors and our Audit Committee. Please see Mr. Zuerblis' biography under "Corporate GovernanceOur Board of Directors" beginning on page 6 for a description of his relevant experience.
The report of the Audit Committee can be found on page 15 of this proxy statement.
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Ron Bentsur, Alan Forman, Daniel Hume and Mark Sard. Mr. Bentsur chairs the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee held two (2) meetings and took one (1) action by unanimous written consent during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are set forth in the Charter of the Compensation Committee. A copy of the Charter of the Compensation Committee is available on our website, located at www.stemline.com. As discussed in its Charter, among other things, the duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include evaluating the performance of our executive officers, determining the overall
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compensation of our executive officers, administering all executive compensation programs, including, but not limited to, our incentive and equity-based plans, and reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to director compensation. The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of our executive officers on an annual basis and reviews and approves on an annual basis all compensation programs and awards relating to such officers. The Compensation Committee applies discretion in the determination of individual executive compensation packages to ensure compliance with the Company's compensation philosophy. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation packages for officers other than himself. The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to grant awards to certain employees to a special committee consisting of one or more directors who may but need not be officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee has delegated authority to Dr. Bergstein to make certain grants to non-executive employees.
Nasdaq has established rules and regulations regarding the composition of compensation committees and the qualifications of compensation committee members. Our Board of Directors has examined the composition of our Compensation Committee and the qualifications of our Compensation Committee members in light of the current rules and regulations governing compensation committees. Based upon this examination, our Board of Directors has determined that each member of our Compensation Committee is independent and is otherwise qualified to be a member of our Compensation Committee in accordance with such rules.
The report of the Compensation Committee can be found on page 24 of this proxy statement.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or the Nominating Committee, currently consists of Alan Forman, Daniel Hume, Mark Sard and Kenneth Zuerblis. Alan Forman chairs the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee held one (1) meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The duties and responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available on our website at www.stemline.com. Among other things, the duties and responsibilities of the Nominating Committee include identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, evaluating the overall effectiveness of the Board, developing, mentoring and evaluating applicable corporate governance practices of the Company, and performing such other duties as enumerated in and consistent with the Charter.
Our Nominating Committee will also consider candidates recommended by stockholders for nomination to our Board of Directors. A stockholder who wishes to recommend a candidate for nomination to our Board of Directors must submit such recommendation to our Corporate Secretary, Kenneth Hoberman, at 750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor, New York, New York 10022. Any recommendation must be received not less than 90 calendar days nor more than 120 calendar days before the anniversary date of the previous year's annual meeting. All stockholder recommendations of candidates for nomination for election to our Board of Directors must be in writing and must set forth the following: (i) the candidate's name, age, business address, and other contact information, (ii) the number of shares of Stemline common stock beneficially owned by the candidate, (iii) a complete description of the candidate's qualifications, experience, background and affiliations, as would be required to be disclosed in the proxy statement pursuant to Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act, (iv) a sworn or certified statement by the candidate in which he or she consents to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as director if elected, and (v) the name and address of the stockholder(s) of record making such a recommendation and the number of shares owned by the recommending stockholders.
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We believe that our Board of Directors as a whole should encompass a range of talent, skill, and expertise enabling it to provide sound guidance with respect to our operations and interests. Our Nominating Committee evaluates all candidates to our Board of Directors by reviewing their biographical information and qualifications. If the independent directors determine that a candidate is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors, such candidate is interviewed by at least one of the independent directors and our Chief Executive Officer. Other members of the Board of Directors also have an opportunity to interview qualified candidates. The independent directors then determine, based on the background information and the information obtained in the interviews, whether to recommend to the Board of Directors that the candidate be nominated for approval by the stockholders to fill a directorship. With respect to an incumbent director whom the independent directors are considering as a potential nominee for re-election, the independent directors review and consider the incumbent director's service during his or her term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, and overall contribution to the Board of Directors. The manner in which the independent directors evaluate a potential nominee will not differ based on whether the candidate is recommended by our directors or stockholders.
Nasdaq has established rules and regulations regarding the composition of nominating committees and the qualifications of nominating committee members. Our Board of Directors has examined the composition of our Nominating Committee and the qualifications of our Nominating Committee members in light of the current rules and regulations governing nominating committees. Based upon this examination, our Board of Directors has determined that each member of our Nominating Committee is independent and is otherwise qualified to be a member of our Nominating Committee in accordance with such rules.
We do not have a formal policy in place with regard to the consideration of diversity in considering candidates for our Board of Directors, but the Board of Directors strives to nominate candidates with a variety of complementary skills so that, as a group, the Board of Directors will possess the appropriate talent, skills and expertise to oversee our business.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. A current copy of the code is posted on the Corporate Governance section of our website at www.stemline.com.
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES AND OTHER MATTERS
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2011. We expect a representative of Ernst & Young LLP to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and will be available to answer your questions.
Our Board of Directors has asked the stockholders to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. See Proposal Two: Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on page 41 of this proxy statement. The Audit Committee has reviewed the fees described below and concluded that the payment of such fees is compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP's independence. All proposed engagements of Ernst & Young LLP, whether for audit services, audit-related services, tax services, or permissible non-audit services, were pre-approved by our Audit Committee.
Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Other Matters
The following table summarizes the fees of Ernst & Young LLP, our current registered public accounting firm, for 2019 and 2018:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ernst & Young LLP | Ernst & Young LLP | |||||
Audit Fees(1) |
$ | 794,300 | $ | 664,600 | |||
Audit-Related Fees(2) |
| | |||||
Tax Fees(3) |
| | |||||
All Other Fees(4) |
| | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total Fees |
$ | 794,300 | $ | 664,600 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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Our Audit Committee sets forth the procedures under which services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm will be pre-approved by our Audit Committee. The potential services that might be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm fall into two categories:
Services that our independent registered public accounting firm may not legally provide include such services as bookkeeping, certain human resources services, internal audit outsourcing, and investment or investment banking advice.
All proposed engagements of our independent registered public accounting firm, whether for audit services or permissible non-audit services, are pre-approved by the Audit Committee. We jointly prepare a schedule with our independent registered public accounting firm that outlines services that we reasonably expect we will need from our independent registered public accounting firm, and categorize them according to the classifications described above. Each service identified is reviewed and approved or rejected by the Audit Committee.
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In monitoring the preparation of our financial statements, the Audit Committee met with both management and Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2019, to review and discuss all financial statements prior to their issuance and to discuss any and all significant accounting issues. Management and our independent registered public accounting firm advised the Audit Committee that each of the financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee's review included a discussion of the matters required to be discussed pursuant to the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301, "Communication with Audit Committees," as amended, (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU Section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in Rule 3200T, or SAS 61. SAS 61 requires our independent registered public accounting firm to discuss with the Audit Committee, among other things, the following:
The Audit Committee has discussed the independence of Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2019, including the written disclosures made by Ernst & Young LLP to the Audit Committee, as required PCAOB Rule 3526, "Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence." PCAOB Rule 3526 requires the independent registered public accounting firm to (i) disclose in writing all relationships that, in the independent registered public accounting firm's professional opinion, may reasonably be thought to bear on independence, (ii) confirm their perceived independence, and (iii) engage in a discussion of independence with the Audit Committee.
Finally, the Audit Committee continues to monitor the scope and adequacy of our internal controls and other procedures, including any and all proposals for adequate staffing and for strengthening internal procedures and controls where appropriate and necessary.
On the basis of these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that it approve the inclusion of our audited financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee reviewed its written Charter previously adopted by our Board of Directors. Following this review, the Audit Committee revised and updated the Audit Committee Charter.
By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, | ||
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Kenneth Zuerblis, Chairperson Ron Bentsur Darren Cline Alan Forman Mark Sard |
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April 29, 2020 |
New York, New York |
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Our current executive officers are as follows:
Name
|
Age | Position | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ivan Bergstein |
54 | President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||
Kenneth Hoberman |
55 | Chief Operating Officer | |||
David G. Gionco |
59 | Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer | |||
Robert Francomano |
54 | Chief Commercial Officer |
No executive officer is related by blood, marriage or adoption to any other director or executive officer. The biography of Ivan Bergstein is presented in connection with "Corporate Governance" beginning on page 6 of this proxy statement.
Kenneth Hoberman, 55, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 2013. Mr. Hoberman has extensive financial, accounting, investor relations, corporate governance and business development experience including M&A, strategic alliances and partnerships both domestic and international. His operational expertise includes regulatory oversight, human resources, manufacturing and clinical development. He was previously Vice President of Corporate and Business Development of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., where he was instrumental in the success of the company. He also helped secure multiple sources of capital including over $200 million in equity investments through public and private offerings. He also initiated and executed a $100 million strategic alliance and originated, negotiated and closed dozens of licensing and operational contracts, helping to grow the company's market capitalization to over $1 billion. He also led the team that originated, in-licensed, and developed Auryxia which was approved by the FDA in September 2014. He is on the Board of Directors of TG Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TGTX). He received a B.S.B.A. in Finance from Boston University and completed post-baccalaureate studies at Columbia University.
David G. Gionco, 59, has served as our Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer since January 2014. Mr. Gionco was previously Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he oversaw the finance function for the organization and was instrumental in helping to grow the company, raising over $350 million. Prior to this, Mr. Gionco held audit, corporate accounting, financial planning, finance and controller roles at companies including Merck & Co., Inc. ("Merck") and, previously, Medco Health Solutions, Inc., which was acquired by Merck during his tenure. At Merck, Mr. Gionco held various financial and accounting positions of increasing responsibility. Mr. Gionco also held senior financial positions at Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNX) and Odyssey Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a subsidiary of Pliva, Inc., now Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA)). Mr. Gionco previously had seven years of financial auditing experience with a major public accounting firm. Mr. Gionco holds a B.S. in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University. Mr. Gionco is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York.
Robert Francomano, 54, has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since December 2019. Mr. Francomano joined Stemline Therapeutics in 2016 and is responsible for leading the transformation of the organization from a clinical-stage entity to one with a full commercial capability and infrastructure. Mr. Francomano brings more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical experience to Stemline, with the majority of time spent in the hematology/oncology therapeutic area. Prior to Stemline, Robert held several key roles of increasing responsibility within the oncology divisions of Baxalta, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca with workstreams that spanned the life cycle continuum from asset discovery through patent expiry. Mr. Francomano earned a bachelor's degree in marketing/management from Siena College (NY) and an MBA from the University of Albany with a concentration in pharmaceutical/chemical studies.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
In the paragraphs that follow, we give an overview and analysis of our compensation program and policies, the material compensation decisions we have made under those programs and policies with respect to our executive officers, and the material factors that we considered in making those decisions. Later in this proxy statement under the heading "Executive Compensation," you will find a series of tables containing specific information about the compensation earned or paid in 2019 to the following individuals, whom we refer to as our named executive officers, or NEOs:
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our compensation programs are designed to motivate our employees to work toward achievement of our corporate mission to create long-term sustained stockholder value by discovering, acquiring, developing and commercializing proprietary therapeutics. In order to achieve our key business and strategic goals, we must be able to attract, retain and motivate quality employees in an exceptionally competitive environment. Our industry is highly scientific, regulated, scrutinized and dynamic, and as a result, we require employees that are highly educated, dedicated and experienced. The primary objectives of our executive compensation program are to:
Determining Executive Compensation
In determining compensation levels of our executive officers, our Compensation Committee considers the compensation objectives noted above, our financial status, the contributions that the management team had made to our business and trends in the industry in which we compete. Our Compensation Committee also considered the applicable terms of any employment agreements in effect with any of our executive officers. Currently, we have employment agreements with Dr. Bergstein, Mr. Hoberman and Mr. Gionco, and Mr. Francomano. Other than for new hires, our Compensation Committee evaluates compensation annually at the beginning of any year for service provided in the prior year.
Our Chief Executive Officer continues to evaluate the compensation and performance of each executive and makes a recommendation to our Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation packages for our executive officers, as to:
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These recommendations are reviewed by our Compensation Committee and taken into account when our Compensation Committee makes a final determination on all such matters.
The purpose of our executive compensation program is to set and maintain compensation at levels that are appropriate based on each executive's level of experience, performance and responsibility and competitive with those of other companies in our industry and our region that compete with us for executive talent. In addition, our executive compensation program ties a substantial portion of each executive's overall compensation to key strategic, financial and operational goals. We have provided, and expect to continue to provide, a portion of our executive compensation in the form of stock-based compensation, which we believe helps to retain our executives and aligns their interests with those of our stockholders by allowing them to participate in the long-term success of our Company.
When setting target compensation and determining the annual incentive payouts for the named executive officers for fiscal year 2019, our Compensation Committee considered publicly available compensation data for the following companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry: Aduro Biotech Inc., Agenus Inc., ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc., Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc., CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc., CTI BioPharma Corp., Dynavax Technologies Corp., Five Prime Therapeutics Inc., Geron Corp., Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc., Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Kadmon Holdings Inc., Macrogenics Inc., MEI Pharma Inc., NewLink Genetics Corp, Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc., Puma Biotechnology, Inc., Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sorrento Therapeutics Inc., Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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Components of Our Executive Compensation Program
Our executive compensation program consists of the following components:
Compensation Element
|
Purpose | |
---|---|---|
Base salary |
Base salary represents the fixed portion of an executive's annual compensation and is intended to recognize the executive's value to the Company based on skills and experience relative to the responsibilities of his position. | |
Annual performance-based cash bonuses |
Annual cash incentive awards represent the portion of an executive's compensation that is intended to vary as a direct reflection of Company and individual performance for the year. |
|
Stock-based awards based upon service periods |
Long-term equity awards vest over a multi-year employee service period and are intended to link the interests of the executives to those of the stockholders and to encourage retention. |
|
Performance-based stock awards |
Equity awards that vest usually over a multi-year period upon achievement of company performance objectives aligned to the long-term strategic plan of the Company. |
|
Market-based cash awards |
Cash awards that vest usually over a multi-year period upon achievement of market based objectives aligned to the long-term strategic plan of the Company. |
|
Health and welfare benefits |
These benefits are intended to provide competitive levels of medical, dental and disability coverage. Our executives participate in the same programs offered to all of our eligible employees. |
|
Severance benefits |
Our executives generally have employment agreements that provide for severance benefits in certain circumstances. These severance benefits are intended to incentivize the executives to continue to create stockholder value in connection with change in control or other situations in which they could be terminated without cause. |
While we set target annual cash bonus opportunities as a percentage of base salary, we do not have a formal or informal policy for allocating between long-term and short-term compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation or among the different forms of non-cash compensation. Instead, our Compensation Committee, after reviewing data it considers relevant, has determined subjectively what it believes to be the appropriate level and mix of the various compensation components. Ultimately, the objective in allocating between long-term and short-term compensation is to ensure adequate base compensation to attract and retain personnel, while providing incentives to maximize long-term value for our Company and our stockholders.
Our employment agreements generally contain provisions relating to base salaries, annual bonuses, severance and change in control arrangements. Details of these employment agreements are provided below under the heading "Employment Agreements."
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2019 Executive Compensation
Base Salary
We use base salaries to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities of our employees, including our executive officers. Base salaries for our named executive officers initially were established through arm's-length negotiation at the time the executive was hired, taking into account the position for which the executive was considered and the executive's qualifications, prior experience and prior salary. Our Compensation Committee evaluates base salaries on an annual basis.
For 2019, Dr. Bergstein's annual base salary was increased to $646,605, Mr. Hoberman's salary was increased to $517,283, Mr. Gionco's annual base salary was increased to $342,460 and Mr. Francomano's salary was increased to $410,000. We believe that the base salaries for our named executive officers are aligned with our executive compensation objectives stated above and are competitive with those provided by similarly situated companies. In approving these salary increases, our Compensation Committee considered the factors discussed above, including the qualifications, prior experience and prior salary of each of the executives, and various Company accomplishments under their leadership.
We expect that our Compensation Committee will continue to annually review and evaluate, with input from our Chief Executive Officer, the need for adjustment of the base salaries of our executives based on changes and expected changes in the scope of an executive's responsibilities, including promotions, the individual contributions made by and performance of the executive during the prior year, the executive's performance over a period of years, overall labor market conditions, the relative ease or difficulty of replacing the executive with a well-qualified person, our overall growth and development as a company, and general salary trends in our industry and among our peer group. In making decisions regarding salary increases, we may also draw upon the experience of members of our Board of Directors with other companies.
Annual Cash Bonus
For 2019, our annual cash bonus program primarily was based upon the achievement of specified annual corporate goals that the Compensation Committee established in advance. Our annual cash bonus program emphasizes pay-for-performance and is intended to closely align executive compensation with achievement of specified performance criteria. The performance goals established by our Compensation Committee are based on the business strategy of the Company and the objective of building stockholder value.
Our process for determining if and the extent to which an annual cash bonus will be payable to a named executive officer consists of three steps. First, at the beginning of the year, our Compensation Committee determines the target annual cash bonus award for the named executive officer based on a percentage of the officer's annual base salary for that year. Second, our Compensation Committee establishes the specific performance goals that must be met for the officer to receive the award. Third, shortly after the end of the year, the Compensation Committee determines the extent to which these performance goals were achieved and determines the amount of the award, which is based on this performance and the Compensation Committee's subjective assessment of the officer's performance. Our Compensation Committee works with our Chief Executive Officer to develop corporate goals that they believe can be reasonably achieved with hard work over the course of the year.
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For 2019, our Compensation Committee set the annual bonus opportunities of the NEOs at the following percentages of their base salary:
|
Target Annual Cash Bonus | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive
|
(as a % of Annual Base
Salary) |
($) | ||||
Ivan Bergstein | 75% | 484,954 | ||||
Kenneth Hoberman | 50% | 258,642 | ||||
David Gionco | 50% | 171,230 | ||||
Robert Francomano | 50% | 205,000 |
Our Compensation Committee granted annual cash bonuses to our NEOs for 2019 performance based upon specific corporate objectives being met. Certain of these objectives were achieved at an above target level during 2019, which generated performance cash bonuses paid in February 2020 to Ivan Bergstein, Ken Hoberman, David Gionco, and Robert Francomano of $523,750, $279,333, $184,928, and $222,600 respectively. The performance cash bonus earned by the named executive officers is included in the "Bonus" column of the Summary Compensation Table.
Corporate Performance Goals
Our 2019 annual bonus awards were based, in large part, upon the achievement of a combination of clinical, regulatory and manufacturing goals related to our products (weighted at an aggregate of 62% of the target awards) and subjective goals relating to commercial operations (weighted at 38% of the target awards). Also, reach goals primarily relating to regulatory goals in the U.S. and EU were identified and provided additional opportunities of obtaining an annual bonus award. The goals were achieved at an aggregate level of 108% reflecting the successful achievement of clinical, regulatory, operational, commercial, and other goals as well as all of our reach goals. The Compensation Committee considered performance against these goals in determining the amounts paid as annual bonus awards in 2019, as well as its subjective assessment of our executives' contributions to Company performance. The annual cash bonus earned by the named executive officers is disclosed in the "Bonus" column of the Summary Compensation Table.
Special Incentive Awards
Pursuant to Mr. Hoberman's employment agreement, he is entitled to receive $750,000 in cash or equity upon regulatory approval of each Company product in a major territory (US, EU or Japan). In 2018, the Compensation Committee approved a similar incentive arrangement for Dr. Bergstein, entitling him to receive $750,000 in cash or equity following regulatory approval of each indication of a Company product in a major territory (US, EU or Japan). We received an FDA approval for marketing of ELZONRIS in the U.S. in December 2018. Mr. Hoberman's award was included in the in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table during 2018. Dr. Bergstein's award vested in 2019.
Market Based Awards
During 2018, Dr. Bergstein and Mr. Hoberman were granted a market based award in which upon achievement by the company reaching a market capitalization of $750 million, Dr. Bergstein and Mr. Hoberman would be entitled to receive $500,000 and $400,000, respectively, in cash or equity, with 50% vesting six months after achievement and 50% vesting one year after achievement. In addition, upon achievement by the company reaching a market capitalization of $1 billion, Dr. Bergstein and Mr. Hoberman would be entitled to receive $750,000 and $550,000, respectively, in cash or equity, with 50% vesting six months after achievement and 50% vesting one year after achievement.
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Stock-Based Awards
Our equity award program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our executives. While we do not have any equity ownership guidelines for our executives, we believe that equity grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our executives and our stockholders. In addition, the vesting feature of our equity awards contributes to executive retention by providing an incentive for our executives to remain in our employ during the vesting period. Under our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors may grant stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights and other stock-based equity awards.
In 2019, the annual equity awards granted to our named executive officers consisted of restricted stock awards that vest over a three year service period following the grant date. In determining the number of equity awards to grant to the executives, our Compensation Committee considered the factors discussed above, including the qualifications, prior experience and prior equity awards granted to each of the executives, and various Company accomplishments under their leadership.
In addition, during 2019, the Compensation Committee granted performance-based restricted stock awards to Dr. Bergstein, Mr. Hoberman, Mr. Gionco, and Mr. Francomano of 17,009, 13,607, 9,009, and 10,654 shares, respectively, that were granted based upon the achievement of receiving FDA approval of the Company's BLA for ELZONRIS. These shares vest over a two year service period following the grant date. Additionally, on May 1, 2019, Mr. Francomano was also awarded a restricted stock award of 60,000 shares with 50% vesting immediately, 25% vesting on July 1, 2019, and 25% vesting on October 1, 2019. The award granted to Mr. Francomano was primarily for his continued contribution efforts to the commercial launch of ELZONRIS in the U.S.
We expect that our Compensation Committee will continue to use annual equity awards to compensate our executive officers. We may also make additional discretionary grants, typically in connection with the promotion of an employee, to reward an employee, for retention purposes or in other circumstances as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.
Benefits and Other Compensation
We believe that establishing competitive benefit packages for our employees is an important factor in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel. We maintain a health benefits program that is provided to all employees. All of our executives are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same basis as other employees.
Severance and Change in Control Benefits
Pursuant to their employment agreements with the company, generally the executives are entitled to severance benefits in the event of the termination of their employment under specified circumstances, including termination following a change in control of our Company. Please refer to "Employment Agreements" for a more detailed discussion of these benefits. Estimates of the value of the severance payments made and other benefits provided to executives under various termination circumstances are presented in connection with "Executive Compensation" beginning on page 25.
We believe that providing these benefits helps us compete for executive talent. Based on the substantial business experience of our executive officers, we believe that our severance and change in control benefits are generally in line with severance packages offered to executives of companies at comparable stages of development in our industry and related industries.
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Minimum Holding Policy
The Company maintains a minimum holding policy for equity awards granted to executive officers. This policy, which became effective January 1, 2016, provides that every executive officer of the Company is required to retain at least 50% of the "net shares" received upon exercise or settlement of stock options granted by the Company (whether time-based or performance-based) for a period of at least twelve months, or, if earlier, until (i) the executive's satisfaction of share ownership requirements under guidelines that may be adopted by the Company from time to time or (ii) the termination of the executive's employment. For these purposes, "net shares" are those shares held by the executive after deducting any shares withheld by the Company or sold by the executive for the sole purpose of satisfying the exercise price and/or the executive's tax liabilities and related fees, if any, related to the exercise or settlement event. The Company has not yet adopted share ownership guidelines.
Clawback Policy
The Company maintains a compensation recoupment policy that became effective January 1, 2016. This policy provides that in the event the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under the U.S. securities laws, it will seek to recover incentive-based compensation (including equity compensation) received by any current or former executive officer during the three-year period preceding the date on which the accounting restatement was required to be made. The amount to be recovered is the excess of the amount paid calculated by reference to the erroneous data, over the amount that would have been paid to the executive officer calculated using the corrected data. This compensation recovery would be applied regardless of whether the executive officer engaged in misconduct or otherwise caused or contributed to the requirement for the restatement.
In addition, the policy provides that the Company will seek reimbursement of any non-equity incentive compensation paid to any current or former employee or executive officer after January 1, 2016 and within 12 months prior to the date the Company determines that such person engaged in misconduct, where (i) the payment was predicated upon the achievement of specified financial results, (ii) the financial results were subsequently the subject of a restatement or other material adjustment, (iii) in the Compensation Committee's view the individual engaged in misconduct which caused or contributed to the need for the restatement or material adjustment, and (iv) a lower payment would have been made to the individual based upon the correct financial results. In each such instance, the Company will seek to recover the individual's entire non-equity incentive compensation payment for the relevant periods.
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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above. Based on the review and discussions noted above, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, for filing with the SEC.
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By the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, | |
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Ron Bentsur, Chairperson
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April 29, 2020 |
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New York, New York |
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RISK ASSESSMENT OF COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
The Compensation Committee has reviewed with management the design and operation of our incentive compensation arrangements for all employees, including executive officers, for the purpose of determining whether such programs might encourage inappropriate risk-taking that could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Management and the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company's incentive compensation arrangements for the purpose of identifying any aspects of such programs that might encourage behaviors that could exacerbate business risks. In conducting this assessment, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the performance objectives used in connection with these incentive awards and the features of the Company's compensation program that are designed to mitigate compensation-related risk. The Compensation Committee concluded that any risks arising from the Company's compensation plans, policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The following table sets forth the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers during 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Name and Principal Position
|
Year |
Salary
($) |
Bonus
($) |
Stock
Awards ($)(1) |
Option
Awards ($) |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) |
All Other
Compensation ($) |
Total
($) |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ivan Bergstein |
2019 | 646,605 | 523,750 | 3,370,626 | | 750,000 | | 5,290,981 | |||||||||||||||||
President and Chief Executive |
2018 | 598,708 | 673,547 | 7,891,761 | | 277,637 | | 9,441,653 | |||||||||||||||||
Officer |
2017 | 554,359 | 457,346 | 2,343,308 | | 52,632 | | 3,407,645 | |||||||||||||||||
Kenneth Hoberman |
2019 |
517,283 |
279,333 |
1,660,733 |
|
|
|
2,457,349 |
|||||||||||||||||
Chief Operating Officer |
2018 | 478,966 | 359,225 | 5,774,833 | | 930,004 | | 7,543,028 | |||||||||||||||||
|
2017 | 443,487 | 243,918 | 1,156,927 | | 28,070 | | 1,872,402 | |||||||||||||||||
David Gionco |
2019 |
342,460 |
184,928 |
877,504 |
|
|
|
1,404,892 |
|||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President of Finance |
2018 | 317,093 | 237,820 | 1,467,119 | | 121,314 | | 2,143,346 | |||||||||||||||||
and Chief Accounting Officer |
2017 | 304,897 | 167,694 | 618,631 | | 19,298 | | 1,110,520 | |||||||||||||||||
Robert Francomano |
2019 |
410,000 |
222,600 |
1,435,327 |
|
|
|
2,067,927 |
|||||||||||||||||
Chief Commercial Officer |
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The following table sets forth information regarding grants of plan-based awards to our named executive officers during 2019.
Grants of Plan Based Awards in 2019
|
|
|
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards ($) |
Estimated
Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards Target (#) |
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|
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|
All Other
Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(#)(2) |
All Other
Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Exercise or
Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair
Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Grant
Date |
Approval
Date(1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name
|
Target | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ivan Bergstein |
02/06/2019 | 02/06/2019 | | | | 284,748 | | | 3,180,635 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
02/06/2019 | 02/06/2019 | | | | 17,009 | | | 189,991 | |||||||||||||||||||
Kenneth Hoberman |
02/06/2019 |
02/06/2019 |
|
|
|
135,071 |
|
|
1,508,743 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
02/06/2019 | 02/06/2019 | | | | 13,607 | | | 151,990 | |||||||||||||||||||
David Gionco |
02/06/2019 |
02/06/2019 |
|
|
|
69,550 |
|
|
776,874 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
02/06/2019 | 02/06/2019 | | | | 9,009 | | | 100,631 | |||||||||||||||||||
Robert Francomano |
02/06/2019 |
02/06/2019 |
|
|
|
37,164 |
|
|
415,122 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
02/06/2019 | 02/06/2019 | | | | 10,654 | | | 119,005 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
05/01/2019 | 05/01/2019 | | | | 60,000 | | | 901,200 |
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Each of Ivan Bergstein, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Hoberman, our Chief Operating Officer, David Gionco, our Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, and Robert Francomano, our Chief Commercial Officer, has an employment agreement with the Company. These employment agreements provide that employment will continue until either we or the employee provides written notice of termination in accordance with the terms thereof. In addition, each of these executive officers is bound by non-competition, confidentiality and employee and customer non-solicitation restrictions that, among other things, prevent the executive from competing with us during the term of his employment and for a specified time thereafter.
Ivan Bergstein
In June 2012, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Dr. Bergstein, which became effective on the effective date of the registration statement relating to our initial public offering. The employment agreement provided for an initial annual base salary, subject to increase by the Company and annual increases based on a Consumer Price Index, and a target annual performance bonus based on a percentage of Dr. Bergstein's annual base salary, subject to increase by the Company. For 2019, Dr. Bergstein's base salary was $646,605, and his target annual performance bonus was 75% of base salary. Dr. Bergstein is also eligible to receive bonuses, in amounts and forms to be determined by the Board of Directors, upon our achieving specified clinical development,
26
financial and operational milestones. If we terminate Dr. Bergstein without "cause" or for "disability," or if he terminates his employment with us for "good reason" (each as defined in his employment agreement), we are obligated to pay Dr. Bergstein a sum equal to 24 months of his then-current base salary in a lump sum six months following such termination, any unpaid annual performance and other bonuses earned in the prior year or the current year, and to provide continuing coverage under our group medical benefits for up to six months following such termination. In the event a change in control occurs within one year of a termination without cause or for good reason, we are obligated to pay Dr. Bergstein a lump sum payment equivalent to 2.99 times the aggregate of his then-current base salary and target annual performance bonus (less any severance amounts already received).
Kenneth Hoberman
We entered into an employment agreement with Kenneth Hoberman in January 2016. The employment agreement provides for an initial annual base salary, subject to a minimum annual increase based on the Consumer Price Index. For 2019, Mr. Hoberman's base salary was $517,283. He is also eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target of 50% of his base salary, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. In addition, Mr. Hoberman is eligible to earn additional incentive bonuses upon the Company achieving certain performance milestones relating to regulatory approval of each Company product in a major territory (US, EU, or Japan), as provided in the employment agreement. In the event that (i) the Company terminates his employment without Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement), (ii) he resigns from his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or (iii) he is terminated as a result of death or a disability, Mr. Hoberman will be entitled to a lump sum cash severance payment in an amount equal to 18 months of base salary plus his last annual performance bonus, accelerated vesting on all outstanding equity awards and reimbursement for a portion of the premiums for continuing healthcare coverage under COBRA for a period of 18 months.
David G. Gionco
We entered into an employment agreement with David G. Gionco in January 2014. The employment agreement provides for an initial annual base salary, subject to increase by the Company at any time in its sole discretion. For 2019, Mr. Gionco's base salary was $342,460. Mr. Gionco is also eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target of 50% of his base salary, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. If the Company terminates Mr. Gionco's employment without cause or if he resigns his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to a severance payment equal to 12 months' base salary and reimbursement for a portion of the premiums for continuing healthcare coverage under COBRA for a period of 12 months.
Robert Francomano
We entered into an employment agreement with Robert Francomano in March 2017. The employment agreement provides for an initial annual base salary, subject to increase by the Company at any time in its sole discretion. For 2019, Mr. Francomano's base salary was $410,000. Mr. Francomano is also eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target of 50% of his base salary, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.
27
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2019
|
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name
|
Number of
securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable |
Number of
securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable |
Option
exercise price ($) |
Option
Expiration Date |
Number of
Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(36) ($) |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(36) ($) |
|||||||||||||||||
Ivan Bergstein |
271,057 | (1) | | 2.21 | 3/22/2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
90,352 | (2) | | 2.92 | 3/8/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
180,704 | (3) | | 3.30 | 3/9/2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
77,655 | (4) | | 25.05 | 2/14/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
142,668 | (5) | | 15.75 | 3/6/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
267,525 | (6) | 89,175 | (6) | 4.12 | 2/24/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
44,520 | (15) | 473,248 | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
133,142 | (16) | 1,415,299 | (16) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
107,781 | (17) | 1,145,712 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
8,504 | (18) | 90,398 | (18) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
284,748 | (19) | 3,026,871 | (19) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Kenneth Hoberman |
40,325 |
(7) |
|
25.05 |
2/14/2024 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
69,201 | (8) | | 15.75 | 3/6/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
| 25,000 | (9) | 5.77 | 1/7/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
| 44,058 | (10) | 4.12 | 2/24/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
25,000 | (20) | 265,750 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
21,996 | (21) | 233,817 | (21) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
65,734 | (22) | 698,752 | (22) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
52,727 | (23) | 560,488 | (23) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
6,803 | (24) | 72,316 | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
135,071 | (25) | 1,435,805 | (25) | |||||||||||||||||||||
David Gionco |
40,000 |
(11) |
|
21.82 |
1/16/2024 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
32,841 | (12) | | 15.75 | 3/6/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
9,037 | (13) | 36,065 | (13) | 4.12 | 2/24/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
18,005 | (26) | 191,393 | (26) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
35,149 | (27) | 373,634 | (27) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
28,194 | (28) | 299,702 | (28) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
25,000 | (29) | 265,750 | (29) | 45,000 | (29) | 478,350 | (29) | |||||||||||||||||
|
4,504 | (30) | 47,878 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
69,550 | (31) | 739,317 | (31) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Robert Francomano |
37,500 |
(14) |
12,500 |
(14) |
9.79 |
9/19/2026 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
3,756 | (32) | 39,926 | (32) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
9,758 | (33) | 103,728 | (33) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
5,327 | (34) | 56,626 | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
37,164 | (35) | 395,053 | (35) |
28
29
Options Exercised and Stock Vested in 2019
The following table presents information concerning stock options exercised by the named executive officers in 2019 and stock awards held by our named executive officers that vested in 2019.
|
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name
|
Number of
Shares Acquired on Exercise |
Value Realized
on Exercise |
Number of
Shares Acquired on Vesting |
Value Realized
on Vesting(1) |
|||||||||
Ivan Bergstein |
| | $ | 493,089 | $ | 6,252,817 | |||||||
Kenneth Hoberman |
| | 335,337 | 4,277,241 | |||||||||
David Gionco |
| | 57,374 | 655,527 | |||||||||
Robert Francomano |
| | 72,758 | 968,993 |
30
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The following tables set forth information regarding potential payments that each named executive officer who was serving as an executive officer as of December 31, 2019 would have received if the executive officer's employment had terminated as of December 31, 2019 under the circumstances set forth below. For purposes of this analysis, we assumed the executive's compensation as base salary, target annual incentive opportunity and target long-term incentive opportunity, each as of December 31, 2019. Each column assumes the named executive officer's date of termination is December 31, 2019. The closing price per share of our common stock on this date was $10.63.
Ivan Bergstein
|
Potential Payments Upon Termination
without a Change in Control |
Potential
Payments Upon Termination with a Change in Control |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Benefits and Payments
Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination(1) |
For Cause
Termination |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination(2) |
Disability(3) | Death(4) | |||||||||||||
Cash Severance: |
| $ | 2,278,164 | | $ | 3,883,361 | $ | 2,278,164 | $ | 984,954 | |||||||||
Long-term Incentives: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock |
| | | 6,151,528 | | | |||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Options |
| | | 580,529 | | | |||||||||||||
Post-termination Health Care Benefits: |
| 12,738 | | 12,738 | 12,738 | 12,738 | |||||||||||||
Total: |
| 2,290,902 | | 10,628,156 | 2,290,902 | 997,692 |
31
Kenneth Hoberman
|
Potential Payments Upon Termination
without a Change in Control |
Potential
Payments Upon Termination with a Change in Control |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Benefits and Payments
Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination(3) |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination(1) |
For Cause
Termination(3) |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination(2) |
Disability(1) | Death(1) | |||||||||||||
Cash Severance: |
$ | 258,642 | $ | 1,563,887 | $ | 258,642 | $ | 1,563,887 | $ | 1,563,887 | $ | 1,563,887 | |||||||
Long-term Incentives: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock |
| 3,266,929 | | 3,266,929 | 3,266,929 | 3,266,929 | |||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Options |
| 408,318 | | 408,318 | 408,318 | 408,318 | |||||||||||||
Post-termination Health Care Benefits: |
| 38,213 | | 38,213 | 38,213 | 38,213 | |||||||||||||
Total: |
258,642 | 5,277,347 | 258,642 | 5,277,347 | 5,277,347 | 5,277,347 |
32
David Gionco
|
Potential Payments Upon Termination
without a Change in Control |
Potential
Payments Upon Termination with a Change in Control |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Benefits and
Payments Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination(1) |
For Cause
Termination |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination(2) |
Disability | Death | |||||||||||||
Cash Severance: |
| $ | 342,460 | | $ | 342,460 | | | |||||||||||
Long-term Incentives: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock |
| | | 2,396,023 | | | |||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Options |
| | | 234,783 | | | |||||||||||||
Post-termination Health Care Benefits: |
| 25,476 | | 25,476 | | | |||||||||||||
Total: |
| 367,936 | | 2,998,742 | | |
Robert Francomano
|
Potential Payments Upon Termination
without a Change in Control |
Potential
Payments Upon Termination with a Change in Control |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Benefits and
Payments Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination |
For Cause
Termination |
Involuntary or
Good Reason Termination(1) |
Disability | Death | |||||||||||||
Cash Severance: |
| | | $ | | | | ||||||||||||
Long-term Incentives: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock |
| | | 595,333 | | | |||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Options |
| | | 10,500 | | | |||||||||||||
Post-termination Health Care Benefits: |
| | | | | | |||||||||||||
Total: |
| | | 605,833 | | |
33
Director Compensation
For 2019, our non-employee directors were compensated for service on our Board of Directors as follows:
In addition, we will continue to reimburse our non-employee directors for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending Board of Directors meetings.
Name(1)
|
Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash ($)(1) |
Stock
Awards ($)(2) |
Option
Awards ($)(3) |
Total
($) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ron Bentsur |
$ | 57,500 | $ | 370,500 | | $ | 428,000 | ||||||
Darren Cline |
47,500 | 222,300 | | 269,800 | |||||||||
Alan Forman |
60,000 | 222,300 | | 282,300 | |||||||||
Daniel Hume |
48,750 | 222,300 | | 271,050 | |||||||||
Mark Sard |
56,250 | 222,300 | | 278,550 | |||||||||
Kenneth Zuerblis |
58,750 | 222,300 | | 281,050 |
34
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The current members of our Compensation Committee are Ron Bentsur (chair), Alan Forman, Daniel Hume and Mark Sard. No member of our Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2019 or as of the date of this proxy statement, is or has been an officer or employee of Stemline, nor has any member of our Compensation Committee had any relationship with Stemline requiring further disclosure.
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of the shares of our common stock to file an initial report of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the SEC. Such officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish us with copies of any Forms 3, 4 or 5 that they file. The SEC rules require us to disclose late filings of initial reports of stock ownership and changes in stock ownership by our directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders. Based solely on a review of copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us by reporting persons and any written representations furnished by certain reporting persons, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, all Section 16(a) reporting requirements applicable to our directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders were completed in a timely manner, except for certain reports filed by our executive officers and certain of our directors.
Policy and Procedure
Our Board of Directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the review of any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which we are a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and one of our executive officers, directors, director nominees or 5% stockholders, or their immediate family members, each of whom we refer to as a "related person," has a direct or indirect material interest.
If a related person proposes to enter into such a transaction, arrangement or relationship, which we refer to as a "related person transaction," the related person must report the proposed related person transaction to our Chief Executive Officer. The policy calls for the proposed related person transaction to be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by our Audit Committee. Whenever practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur prior to entry into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not practicable, our Audit Committee will review, and, in its discretion, may ratify the related person transaction. The policy also permits the chairman of our Audit Committee to review and, if deemed appropriate, approve proposed related person transactions that arise between committee meetings, subject to ratification by our Audit Committee at its next meeting. Any related person transactions that are ongoing in nature will be reviewed annually.
A related person transaction reviewed under the policy will be considered approved or ratified if it is authorized by our Audit Committee after full disclosure of the related person's interest in the transaction. As appropriate for the circumstances, our Audit Committee will review and consider:the related person's interest in the related person transaction;
35
Our Audit Committee may approve or ratify the transaction only if our Audit Committee determines that, under all of the circumstances, the transaction is in our best interests. Our Audit Committee may impose any conditions on the related person transaction that it deems appropriate.
In addition to the transactions that are excluded by the instructions to the SEC's related person transaction disclosure rule, our Board of Directors has determined that the following transactions do not create a material direct or indirect interest on behalf of related persons and, therefore, are not related person transactions for purposes of this policy:
The policy provides that transactions involving compensation of executive officers will be reviewed and approved by our Compensation Committee in the manner specified in its charter.
Related Person Transactions
We did not have any related person transactions in 2019, and none are currently proposed.
36
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF OUR DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,
AND 5% BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 27, 2020, by:
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to our common stock. Shares of our common stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2020, are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of that person but not for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, we believe the persons and entities in this table have sole voting and investing power with respect to all of the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, the address of the beneficial owner is c/o Stemline Therapeutics, Inc., 750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor, New York, New York 10022.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Number of
Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage
of Shares Beneficially Owned |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Institutional Investors |
|||||||
Eventide Asset Management LLC |
4,160,608 | (1) | 7.9 | % | |||
Blackrock Inc. |
3,715,648 | (2) | 7.1 | % | |||
Rubric Capital Management LP |
3,500,000 | (3) | 6.7 | % | |||
Adage Capital Partners, L.P |
3,210,000 | (4) | 6.1 | % | |||
Polar Capital LLP |
2,902,666 | (5) | 5.5 | % | |||
Directors and Named Executive Officers |
|||||||
Ivan Bergstein |
3,706,033 | (6) | 7.0 | % | |||
Kenneth Hoberman |
952,936 | (7) | 1.8 | % | |||
David G. Gionco |
445,821 | (8) | * | ||||
Robert Francomano |
238,545 | (9) | * | ||||
Ron Bentsur |
214,547 | (10) | * | ||||
Kenneth Zuerblis |
182,121 | (11) | * | ||||
Alan Forman |
176,298 | (12) | * | ||||
Darren Cline |
35,468 | (13) | * | ||||
Daniel Hume |
35,468 | (14) | * | ||||
Mark Sard |
51,468 | (15) | * | ||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
6,038,705 | (16) | 11.2 | % | |||
5% Stockholders |
|||||||
Eventide Asset Management LLC |
4,160,608 | (1) | 7.9 | % | |||
Blackrock Inc. |
3,715,648 | (2) | 7.1 | % | |||
Ivan Bergstein |
3,706,033 | (6) | 7.0 | % | |||
Rubric Capital Management LP |
3,500,000 | (3) | 6.7 | % | |||
Adage Capital Partners, L.P |
3,210,000 | (4) | 6.1 | % | |||
Polar Capital LLP |
2,902,666 | (5) | 5.5 | % |
37
38
39
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTOR; NOMINEES
Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will consist of one or more members, as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven members. The terms of three of our directors, Ron Bentsur, Darren Cline, and Daniel Hume, are set to expire at our 2020 Annual Meeting. Our Board of Directors has determined to nominate Ron Bentsur, Darren Cline, and Daniel Hume for re-election to our Board of Directors. For information about the nominees and our Board of Directors generally, please see "Corporate GovernanceOur Board of Directors" beginning on page 6. If elected, Ron Bentsur, Darren Cline, and Daniel Hume will hold office for a three-year term, each until a respective successor is elected and has been qualified, or until such director resigns or is removed from office. Management expects that each nominee will be available for re-election, but if any nominee is unable to serve at the time the election occurs, your proxy will be voted for the election of another nominee to be designated by a majority of the independent directors serving on our Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR. IF A CHOICE IS SPECIFIED ON THE PROXY BY THE STOCKHOLDER, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE NOMINEE. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF A PLURALITY OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED AND ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AT WHICH A QUORUM IS PRESENT IS REQUIRED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE.
40
PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification at our Annual Meeting. Stockholder ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. If Ernst & Young LLP is not ratified as our independent registered public accounting firm by a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy, the Audit Committee will review its future selection of an independent registered public accounting firm. Ernst & Young LLP will still serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020, if it is not ratified by our stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS STEMLINE'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2020. PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS THE STOCKHOLDER SPECIFIES OTHERWISE. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED AND ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AT WHICH A QUORUM IS PRESENT IS REQUIRED FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP.
41
PROPOSAL THREE: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE BY 2,500,000
The Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2016 Plan"), which provides for a 2,500,000 share increase in the aggregate number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be subject to future awards under the 2016 Plan, subject to stockholder approval (the "Plan Amendment"). The Plan Amendment will not become effective if the stockholders do not approve it.
As such, our stockholders have the opportunity to vote for or against, or to abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve the amendment to our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of authorized shares issuable thereunder by 2,500,000 shares."
The 2016 Plan is the only plan under which equity-based awards currently may be awarded to our executive officers and employees. Except for the proposed increase in the number of shares authorized under the 2016 Plan, the Plan Amendment does not change any provisions of the 2016 Plan, which was last approved by stockholders at the 2019 annual meeting.
The Compensation Committee believes that the number of shares available under the 2016 Plan are not sufficient to make the grants it believes will be needed over the next year to provide adequant long-term equity incentives to our key employees. The Plan Amendment is proposed in order to give the Company flexibility to grant incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and restricted stock and restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan. The Company believes that grants of stock-based awards help to motivate high levels of performance, incentivize long-term employee retention, and provide an effective means of recognizing employee contributions to the success of the Company. Moreover, stock-based awards align the interests of the employees with the interests of the stockholders. When the Company performs well, employees are rewarded along with other stockholders. The Company believes that stock-based awards are of great value in recruiting and retaining highly qualified technical and other key personnel. The Board of Directors believes that the ability to grant stock-based awards will be important to the Company's future success by allowing it to remain competitive in attracting and retaining such key personnel.
In order to pass, this Proposal must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors believes that the approval of Proposal 3 is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
If this amendment is approved by stockholders, the shares available for future awards will increase to 2,972,648 shares based on the number shares remaining available for grant under the 2016 Plan as of April 27, 2020.
General
Our stockholders first approved the 2016 Plan at the annual meeting of stockholders on May 25, 2016. The 2016 Plan authorized 1,800,000 new shares, plus the number of shares that remained available for grant under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan at that time, plus the number of shares underlying awards outstanding under the 2012 Plan at that time that terminate or expire unexercised or are cancelled, forfeited or lapse for any reason. No further awards are granted under the 2012 Plan, and the 2012 Plan remains in effect only for so long as awards granted thereunder remain outstanding. Our stockholders then approved an increase of 1,200,000 of the authorized shares issuable under the 2016 Plan at the annual meeting of the stockholders on June 19, 2017, an additional increase of 2,900,000 of the authorized shares issuable under the 2016 Plan at the annual meeting of the stockholders on June 21, 2018, and an additional increase of 2,500,000 of the authorized shares issuable under the 2016 Plan at the annual meeting of the stockholders on June 25, 2019. If the Plan
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Amendment is not approved by our stockholders, there will be no increase to the number of authorized shares issuable under the 2016 Plan, and the 2016 Plan will remain in effect as it existed immediately prior to our 2020 Annual Meeting.
Background for the Request to Increase the Authorized Share Reserve under the 2016 Plan
The Plan Amendment will be effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting, if approved by our stockholders. Other than the proposed increase in the number of shares available for issuance, the Plan Amendment does not contain any changes that would require stockholder approval.
As of April 27, 2020, approximately 472,648 shares of common stock remained available for the future grant of awards under the 2016 Plan. After the approval of the Plan Amendment, approximately 2,972,648 shares of common stock would then be available for issuance, representing approximately 5.7% of our total outstanding shares as of April 27, 2020.
In setting the number of proposed shares for the Plan Amendment, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors considered a number of factors, including the following:
Key Data Relating to Outstanding Equity Awards and Shares Available
The following table includes information regarding outstanding equity awards under the 2016 Plan and prior plans, as of April 27, 2020 (without giving effect to approval of the additional 2.5 million shares to be added to the 2016 Plan pursuant to the Plan Amendment).
|
Existing
Plans(1) |
|
---|---|---|
Total shares underlying outstanding stock options |
2,708,070(2) | |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options |
$11.25 | |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options |
5.39 years | |
Total shares underlying time-based outstanding full value awards |
4,069,689 | |
Total shares underlying performance-based outstanding full value awards |
155,000(2) | |
Total shares currently available for grant |
472,648(3) | |
Common stock outstanding |
52,472,785(4) | |
Market closing price of common stock |
$5.60(4) |
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Information Regarding our Authorized Shares and Stock Price
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, authorizes the issuance of 83,750,000 million shares of common stock. As of April 27, 2020, there were 52,472,785 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and the closing price of a share of our common stock was $5.60 per share.
Important Provisions of the 2016 Plan
The 2016 Plan contains the following provisions that the Compensation Committee believes are consistent with the interests of stockholders and sound corporate governance practices:
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upon the earlier termination of the executive's employment or the executive's compliance with any share ownership requirements the Company may adopt from time to time.
Summary of Material Terms of the 2016 Plan
A summary of the material terms of the 2016 Plan is set forth below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2016 Plan, as amended, which was filed as Appendix A to the 2016 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the proposed amendment to the 2016 Plan, as amended, is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A.
Purpose. The purpose of the 2016 Plan is to advance the interests of the Company's stockholders by enhancing the Company's ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives that are intended to better align the interests of such persons with those of the Company's stockholders.
Eligibility. The 2016 Plan permits the grant of awards to employees, officers, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates as selected by the Compensation Committee. The number of eligible participants in the 2016 Plan will vary from year to year. As of the record date, approximately 100 employees and approximately 26 non-employees (including our non-employee directors) were eligible to receive awards under the 2016 Plan.
Administration. The 2016 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to grant awards, construe and interpret the terms of the 2016 Plan and award agreements, and adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the 2016 Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Board of Directors may at any time administer the 2016 Plan. If it does so, it will have all the powers of the Compensation Committee under the 2016 Plan.
Authorized Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan Amendment, the aggregate number of shares of common stock reserved and available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2016 Plan, as amended pursuant to the Plan Amendment, is equal 2,972,648 shares as of April 27, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the 2016 Plan, any shares underlying awards that were outstanding under the 2012 Plan as of the date of the 2016 annual meeting and that later terminate or expire unexercised or are cancelled, forfeited or lapse for any reason (not to exceed 2,500,000 shares) also will be available for grant under the 2016 Plan.
Shares subject to awards that, in whole or in part, are canceled, terminated, forfeited or settled in cash will again be available for awards under the 2016 Plan. However, to the extent that the full number of shares of common stock subject to any award is not issued for any reason, including by reason of net exercise, net settlement or failure to achieve maximum performance goals, the unissued shares of common stock originally subject to the award will not be added back to the number of shares available for awards under the 2016 Plan. In addition, shares that have been repurchased by the Company using option exercise proceeds will not be added back to the number of shares available for awards under the 2016 Plan. In the event of a nonreciprocal transaction between us and our stockholders that causes the per share value of our common stock to change (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering, or large nonrecurring cash dividend), the Compensation Committee will
45
adjust the share authorization limits under the 2016 Plan proportionately to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights immediately resulting from such transaction.
Limitations on Individual Awards. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to stock-based awards that may be granted under the 2016 Plan in any one calendar year to any one participant is as follows:
The maximum aggregate amount awarded or credited with respect to cash-based awards under the 2016 Plan to any one participant in any one calendar year is $20,000,000. These limits are subject to anti-dilution adjustments in the event of stock splits, mergers, consolidations, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar transactions, but may not otherwise be amended without stockholder approval.
Permissible Awards. The 2016 Plan authorizes the granting of awards in any of the following forms:
Limitations on Transfer; Beneficiaries. No award will be assignable or transferable by a participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than with respect to incentive stock options, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; provided, however, that certain transfers (other than transfers for value) of vested awards to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the participant and/or an immediate family member of such participant are permitted. A participant may, in the manner determined by the Compensation Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any award upon the participant's death.
Treatment of Awards upon a Change in Control. Unless otherwise provided in an award certificate or any special plan document governing an award, upon the occurrence of a change in
46
control of our company in which awards are not assumed by the surviving entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with the change in control in a manner approved by the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors:
With respect to awards assumed by the surviving entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with a change in control, if within two years after the effective date of the change in control, a participant's employment is terminated without Cause or the participant resigns for Good Reason (as such terms are defined), then:
Minimum Vesting. Except in the case of substitute awards granted in connection with certain mergers, acquisitions and other similar transactions, the minimum vesting period for any option or SAR will not be less than one year, provided, however, that (i) the Compensation Committee may permit acceleration of vesting in the event of a Participant's death or disability, or the occurrence of a change in control, as applicable, or (ii) the Compensation Committee may grant options or SARs covering an aggregate of five percent (5%) or fewer of the total number of shares of common stock authorized under the 2016 Plan without regard to such minimum vesting requirements. The Compensation Committee may accelerate vesting of outstanding awards under the 2016 Plan only in the event of a participant's death or disability or the occurrence of a change in control.
Deductibility under Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally provides that a corporation may not deduct compensation amounts in excess of $1,000,000 paid to any of its named executive officers in any year. Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act"), this limitation did not apply to options, SARs or awards that were conditioned on the achievement of performance goals if certain requirements were met. The 2016 Plan was designed to allow the Compensation Committee to grant awards that were intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), although the Compensation Committee reserved the discretion to grant or approve awards or compensation that were not exempt from the deduction limits. The Tax Act repealed the performance-based compensation exemption under Section 162(m), effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Other than certain outstanding awards that meet the "grandfather" requirements under the Tax Act, awards granted under the 2016 Plan will be subject to the deduction limit under Section 162(m).
Performance Goals. As noted above, prior to the Tax Act, the Compensation Committee could designate such award as a "qualified performance-based award" intended to qualify for the Section 162(m) exemption. If an award was so designated, the Compensation Committee established objectively determinable performance goals for such award within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) based on the relative or absolute attainment of specified goals related to one or more business criteria listed in the 2016 Plan. To the extent that certain outstanding awards meet the "grandfather" requirements under the Tax Act, such awards remain subject to these requirements under the 2016 Plan. In addition, while the performance-based compensation exemption is no longer available
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for new awards, the Compensation Committee may continue to grant awards with performance-based vesting requirements under the 2013 Plan. Performance goals with respect to the business criteria listed in the 2016 Plan may reflect absolute entity or business unit performance or a relative comparison to the performance of a peer group of entities or other external measure of the selected performance criteria and may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to other companies comparably, similarly or otherwise situated.
Certain Transactions. Upon the occurrence or in anticipation of certain corporate events or extraordinary transactions, the Compensation Committee may also make discretionary adjustments to awards, including settling awards for cash, providing that awards will become fully vested and exercisable, or providing for awards to be assumed or substituted.
Termination and Amendment. The 2016 Plan will terminate on May 25, 2026, the tenth anniversary of the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, terminate or amend the 2016 Plan, but if an amendment to the 2016 Plan would constitute a material amendment requiring stockholder approval under applicable listing requirements, laws, policies or regulations, then such amendment will be subject to stockholder approval. No termination or amendment of the 2016 Plan may adversely affect any award previously granted under the 2016 Plan without the written consent of the participant.
Prohibition on Repricing. As indicated above under "Termination and Amendment," outstanding stock options and SARs cannot be repriced, directly or indirectly, without the prior consent of our stockholders. The exchange of an "underwater" option or stock appreciation right (i.e., an option or stock appreciation right having an exercise price or base price in excess of the current market value of the underlying stock) for cash or for another award would be considered an indirect repricing and would, therefore, require the prior consent of our stockholders.
Certain Federal Income Tax Effects
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth below is intended for general information only and does not purport to be a complete analysis of all of the potential tax effects of the 2016 Plan. It is based upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change. State and local income tax consequences are not discussed and may vary from locality to locality.
Nonstatutory Stock Options. There will be no federal income tax consequences to the optionee or to us upon the grant of a nonstatutory stock option under the 2016 Plan. When the optionee exercises a nonstatutory option, however, he or she will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock received upon exercise of the option at the time of exercise over the exercise price, and we will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m). Any gain that the optionee realizes when he or she later sells or disposes of the option shares will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on how long the shares were held.
Incentive Stock Options. There typically will be no federal income tax consequences to the optionee or to us upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. If the optionee holds the acquired option shares for the required holding period of at least two years after the date the option was granted and one year after exercise, the difference between the exercise price and the amount realized upon sale or disposition of the option shares will be long-term capital gain or loss, and we will not be entitled to a federal income tax deduction. If the optionee disposes of the option shares in a sale, exchange or other disqualifying disposition before the required holding period ends, he or she will recognize taxable ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the option shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of the shares) over the exercise price, and we will be allowed a federal income tax deduction equal to such amount, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m). While the exercise of an incentive stock option does not result in current taxable income, the excess of the fair market value of the option shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price will be an item of adjustment for purposes of determining the optionee's alternative minimum taxable income.
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SARs. A participant receiving a SAR under the 2016 Plan will not recognize income, and we will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time the award is granted. When the participant exercises a SAR, the amount of cash and the fair market value of any shares of common stock received will be ordinary income to the participant, and we will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m).
Restricted Stock. Unless a participant makes an election to accelerate recognition of the income to the date of grant as described below, a participant will not recognize income, and we will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a restricted stock award is granted, provided that the award is nontransferable and is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. When the restrictions lapse, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of our common stock as of that date (less any amount he or she paid for the stock), and we will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m). If the participant files an election under Section 83(b) of the tax code within 30 days after the date of grant of the restricted stock, he or she will recognize ordinary income as of the date of grant equal to the fair market value of the stock as of that date (less any amount paid for the stock), and we will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m). Any future appreciation in the stock will be taxable to the participant at capital gains rates. However, if the stock is later forfeited, the participant will not be able to recover the tax previously paid pursuant to the Section 83(b) election.
Restricted Stock Units. A participant will not recognize income, and we will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a stock unit award is granted. When the participant receives or has the right to receive shares of common stock (or the equivalent value in cash or other property) in settlement of a stock unit award, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of our common stock or other property as of that date (less any amount he or she paid for the stock or property), and we will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m).
Performance Awards Payable in Cash. A participant will not recognize income, and we will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a performance award payable in cash is granted (for example, when the performance goals are established). Upon receipt of cash in settlement of the award, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the cash received, and we will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m).
Section 409A. The 2016 Plan permits the grant of various types of incentive awards, which may or may not be exempt from Section 409A of the tax code. If an award is subject to Section 409A, and if the requirements of Section 409A are not met, the taxable events as described above could apply earlier than described, and could result in the imposition of additional taxes and penalties. Restricted stock awards, and stock options and SARs that comply with the terms of the 2016 Plan are generally exempt from the application of Section 409A of the tax code. Stock units, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards that are granted in one year and payable in a later year generally are subject to Section 409A unless they are designed to satisfy the short-term deferral exemption from such law. If not exempt, such awards must be specially designed to meet the requirements of Section 409A in order to avoid early taxation and penalties.
Tax Withholding. Our company and any of our affiliates have the right to deduct or withhold, or require a participant to remit to us, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local taxes (including employment taxes) required by law to be withheld with respect to any exercise, lapse of restriction or other taxable event arising as a result of the 2016 Plan.
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Benefits to Named Executive Officers and Others
Awards under the 2016 Plan are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, future awards under the 2016 Plan are not determinable. Pursuant to SEC rules, the table below shows the number of shares subject to awards granted under the 2016 Plan through the record date, April 27, 2020, net of cancellations, to our named executive officers and the other individuals and groups indicated.
Name and Position
|
Options
(# of shares) |
Restricted Stock
(# of shares) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ivan Bergstein |
356,700 | 1,682,024 | (1) | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|||||||
Kenneth Hoberman |
176,234 | 1,433,867 | (1) | ||||
Chief Operating Officer |
|||||||
David Gionco |
144,261 | 368,767 | |||||
Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer |
|||||||
Robert Francomano |
50,000 | 238,656 | |||||
Chief Commercial Officer |
|||||||
All Executive Officers as a Group |
727,195 | 3,723,314 | |||||
All Employees as a Group (including all officers who are not executive officers) |
599,125 | 3,516,942 | |||||
All Non-Employee Directors as a Group |
174,000 | 230,878 | |||||
All Non-Employee Consultants as a Group |
105,377 | 106,143 |
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table contains information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2019.
Equity Compensation Plan Information | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan Category
|
Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of outstanding options and restricted stock |
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options |
Number of securities
remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|||||||
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
|||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: |
||||||||||
Options |
3,026,401 | 10.39 | 2,271,695 | |||||||
Restricted stock |
93,000 | N/A | | |||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders: |
||||||||||
Options |
| | | |||||||
Restricted stock |
| | | |||||||
Total |
3,119,401 | | 2,271,695 |
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Future Benefits to Named Executive Officers and Others
If the amendment to the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan is approved by the Company's stockholders, all awards under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan will be made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. It is not presently possible to determine the benefits or amounts that will be received by any individuals or groups as a result of this amendment in the future.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO OUR 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES ISSUABLE THEREUNDER BY 2,500,000. PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS THE STOCKHOLDER SPECIFIES OTHERWISE. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED AND ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AT WHICH A QUORUM IS PRESENT IS REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
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Householding of Annual Meeting Materials
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of "householding" proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our proxy statement and Annual Report may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you if you contact us at: Stemline Therapeutics, Inc., 750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attn: Kenneth Hoberman. You may also contact us at (646) 502-2311.
If you want to receive separate copies of the proxy statement and annual report in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address or phone number.
Stockholder Proposals for Our 2020 Annual Meeting
Only proper proposals under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act which are timely received will be included in the proxy materials for our next annual meeting. In order to be considered timely, such proposal must be received by our Corporate Secretary, Kenneth Hoberman, at Stemline Therapeutics, Inc., 750 Lexington Avenue, Eleventh Floor, New York, New York 10022, no later than December 31, 2020. We suggest that stockholders submit any stockholder proposal by certified mail, return receipt requested.
Our Bylaws require stockholders to provide advance notice to the Company of any stockholder director nomination(s) and any other matter a stockholder wishes to present for action at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters to be included in our proxy statement, which are discussed in the previous paragraph). In order to properly bring business before an annual meeting, our Bylaws require, among other things, that the stockholder submit written notice thereof complying with our Bylaws to Kenneth Hoberman, our Corporate Secretary, at the above address, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting. Therefore, Stemline must receive notice of a stockholder proposal submitted other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (as discussed above) no sooner than February 25, 2021, and no later than March 27, 2021. If a stockholder fails to provide timely notice of a proposal to be presented at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy designated by our Board of Directors will have discretionary authority to vote on any such proposal that may come before the meeting.
Our Board of Directors does not know of any other matters that may come before the meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented to the meeting, it is the intention of the person named in the accompanying proxy card to vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
We will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, our officers and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone. We may reimburse brokers or persons holding stock in their names, or in the names of their nominees, for their expenses in sending proxies and proxy material to beneficial owners.
Incorporation of Information by Reference
The Compensation Committee Report and the Audit Committee Report contained in this proxy statement are not deemed filed with the SEC and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any prior or future filings made by us under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate such information by reference.
52
FORM OF
AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN
OF
STEMLINE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
A-1
AMENDMENT TO THE
STEMLINE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
This Amendment to the Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), is hereby adopted this 25th day of June, 2020, by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company").
W I T N E S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company adopted the Plan for the purposes set forth therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 11(d) of the Plan, the Board has the right to amend the Plan with respect to certain matters, provided that any material increase in the number of Shares available under the Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval; and
WHEREAS, the Board has approved and authorized this Amendment to the Plan and has recommended that the stockholders of the Company approve this Amendment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Plan is hereby amended, subject to and effective as of the date of stockholder approval hereof, in the following particulars:
(1) Section 4(a)(1) of the Plan is hereby amended by increasing the share references in such section from 8,400,000 to 10,900,000, so that such section reads in its entirety as follows:
"4. Stock Available for Awards
(1) Authorized Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be granted under the Plan for up to 10,900,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") plus: (X) 12,932 shares of Common Stock reserved but unissued as of the Effective Date under the Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Prior Plan"); and (Y) the number of shares of Common Stock underlying awards outstanding as of the Effective Date under the Prior Plan that thereafter terminate or expire unexercised or are cancelled, forfeited or lapse for any reason, not to exceed 2,500,000 shares; provided that, as of the Effective Date, no further awards shall be made pursuant to the Prior Plan and such Prior Plan shall remain in effect only so long as awards granted thereunder shall remain outstanding. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be 10,900,000."
(2) Except as specifically set forth herein, the terms of the Plan shall be and remain unchanged, and the Plan as amended shall remain in full force and effect.
The foregoing is hereby acknowledged as being the Amendment to the Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as adopted by the Board on April 28, 2020, and approved by the Company's stockholders on June 25, 2020.
|
STEMLINE THERAPEUTICS, INC. | |||||
|
By: |
|
||||
|
Name: | |||||
|
Title: |
A-2
MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000004 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ Your vote matters heres how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Votes submitted electronically must be MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 24, 2020. Online GIof ntoo welwewct.reonnviicsivoontrienpgo, rts.com/STML or delete QR code and control # scan the QR code login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/STML Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + 1. Election of Directors: ForWithhold For Withhold ForWithhold 01 - Ron Bentsur 02 - Darren Cline 03 - Daniel Hume ForAgainst Abstain ForAgainst Abstain 2. Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 3. Approval of an Amendment to the Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. MMMMMMM C 1234567890 J N T 6 1 3 1 0 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND + 1 U P X 4 0398OC MMMMMMMMM C Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. A Proposallss TThheeBBooaarrddooffDDirierecctotorsrsrerecocommmmenednda avovtoeteFOFRORalal ltlhtehneonmoimneineeselsistliesdte, da,ndFOFRORPrPorpoopsoaslaslsX2 aXnadn3d. for every X YEARS on Proposal X. 2020 Annual Meeting Proxy Card1234 5678 9012 345
2020 Annual Meeting Admission Ticket 2020 Annual Meeting of Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. Stockholders Thursday, June 25, 2020, 10:00 A.M. ET Alston & Bird LLP 90 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016 Upon arrival, please present this admission ticket and photo identification at the registration desk. Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The material is available at: www.envisionreports.com/STML q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. ET Ivan Bergstein and Kenneth Hoberman, or either of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. to be held on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. ET or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Depending on concerns about the coronavirus or COVID-19, we might hold a Virtual Annual Meeting instead of holding the meeting in New York. The Company would publicly announce a determination to hold a Virtual Annual Meeting in a press release available at https://ir.stemline.com/press-releases-0 as soon as practicable before the meeting. In that event, the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders would be conducted solely virtually, at the above date and time, via live audio webcast. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the stockholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR all the nominees, and FOR proposals 2 and 3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Change of Address Please print new address below. Comments Please print your comments below. + C Non-Voting Items Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/STML
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