UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

___________________________________

SCHEDULE 14A

___________________________________

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Filed by the Registrant

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6 (e)(2))

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

ADIAL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

 

Table of Contents

1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901

September 29,SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 11, 2024

December 7, 2023

Dear Stockholders of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:

You are cordially invited to a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held at 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901, on January 11, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time.

The Special Meeting has been called by the Board of Directors to submit to stockholders for approval the following matters:

1.      The approval, pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, of the issuance of up to an aggregate of 3,007,092 shares of our common stock upon the exercise of our common stock purchase warrants issued or issuable to an institutional investor and designees of the placement agent in connection with our private placement offering that closed on October 24, 2023 that may be equal to or exceed 20% of our common stock outstanding before such offering (the “Warrant Exercise Proposal”); and

2.      The approval of a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the Warrant Exercise Proposal.

A Proxy Statement describing these matters to be acted upon at the Special Meeting is attached. No other matters will be considered at the Special Meeting.

Your vote is important. The close of business on November 17, 2023 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2023 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Enclosed is a proxy that will entitle you to vote your shares on the matters presented at the Special Meeting, even if you are unable to attend in person. Please mark the proxy to indicate your vote, date and sign the proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible for receipt prior to the Special Meeting, or follow the instructions in the accompanying proxy materials to vote via the internet. Regardless of the number of shares you own, please be sure you are represented at the Special Meeting either by attending in person or by returning your proxy by mail or voting on the internet as soon as possible.

On behalf of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., I thank you for your ongoing interest and investment in our company.

Sincerely,

Cary J. Claiborne

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Table of Contents

1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901

NOTICE OF ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 11, 2024

December 7, 2023

To the Stockholders of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:

We hereby notify you that the 2023 Annual MeetingThe Board of StockholdersDirectors (the “2023 Annual Meeting”“Board”) of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) has called for a Special Meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), willto be held at 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 on November 2, 2023January 11, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time, at 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 400, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911, for the following purposes:

(1)1.      Warrant Exercise.    Stockholder approval of the issuance of up to electan aggregate of 3,007,092 shares of our common stock upon the two (2) nominees for Class II directors namedexercise of our common stock purchase warrants issued or issuable to an institutional investor and designees of the placement agent in connection with our private placement offering that closed on October 24, 2023 (the “Warrant Exercise Proposal”); and

2.      Adjournment Proposal.    Stockholder approval of a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the accompanying proxy statement to our Boardevent that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”), each to serve a three-year term expiringthe Warrant Exercise Proposal.

No other matters will be considered at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified;

(2)    to ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023;

(3)    to approve an amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock that we will have authority to grant under the plan (as adjusted to reflect the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023) from 380,000 to 500,000; and

(4)    to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.Special Meeting.

The matters listed in this notice of meeting are described in detail in the accompanying proxy statement. Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 28,November 17, 2023 as the record date for determining those stockholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of our 2023 Annualthe Special Meeting. The list of the stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 28,November 17, 2023 will be made available for inspection at the meeting and will be available for the ten days preceding the meeting at the Company’s offices located at 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495 Charlottesville, Virginia 22901.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 2, 2023JANUARY11, 2024

On or about October 5,December 7, 2023, we will begin mailing this proxy statement. This Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and the proxy statement together with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our recast financial information and related disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which are not a part of our proxy solicitation materials.available at www.adial.com.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE SUBMIT A PROXY TO HAVE YOUR SHARES VOTED AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY USING THE INTERNET, OR BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING BY MAIL THE PROXY CARD ENCLOSED WITH THE PROXY MATERIALS. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE PROXY MATERIALS IN PRINTED FORM AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A PROXY BY MAIL, YOU MAY REQUEST A PRINTED COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS (INLCUDING THE PROXY) AND SUCH MATERIALS WILL BE SENT TO YOU.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

  

/s/ Cary J. Claiborne

  

Cary J. Claiborne

Chief Executive Officer President and Director

 

Table of Contents

SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

PROXY STATEMENT

Table of Contents

Page

GENERAL INFORMATION

1

SPECIAL MEETING ADMISSION

1

HOW TO VOTE

2

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING

3

PROPOSAL NO. 1 — THE WARRANT EXERCISE PROPOSAL

7

PROPOSAL NO. 2 — THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

13

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

14

NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTS (“HOUSEHOLDING” INFORMATION)

16

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING

17

i

Table of Contents

1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901

SPECIAL MEETING PROXY STATEMENT

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 2, 2023FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 11, 2024

GENERAL INFORMATION

We are providing these proxy materials to holders of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “common stock”), of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (referred to as “Adial,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) of Adial of proxies to be voted at our 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting of Stockholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting” or the “Annual“Special Meeting”) to be held on November 2, 2023,January 11, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time at 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway,1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 400,495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911,22901, and at any adjournment or postponement of our 2023 Annualthe Special Meeting.

The purpose of the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting and the matters to be acted on are stated in the accompanying Notice of AnnualSpecial Meeting. The Board of Directors knows of noNo other business that will come before the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting.

Our Board of Directors is soliciting votes (1) FOR eachapproval of the two (2) nominees for Class II directors named herein for electionissuance of up to an aggregate of 3,007,092 shares of our Boardcommon stock upon the exercise of Directors;our common stock purchase warrants issued or issuable to an institutional investor and designees of the placement agent in our private placement offering that closed on October 24, 2023 (the “Warrant Exercise Proposal”); (2) FOR the ratificationproposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the appointment of Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) as our independent registered public accounting firmevent that there are insufficient votes for, our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023; and (3) FORor otherwise in connection with, the approval of an amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock that we will have authority to grant under the plan (as adjusted to reflect the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023) from 380,000 to 500,000.Warrant Exercise Proposal (the “Adjournment Proposal”).

On or about October 5,December 7, 2023, we will begin mailing this proxy statement. The proxy statement together with our Annual Report on Form 10is also available at -Kwww.adial.com. for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our recast financial information and related disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which are not a part of our proxy solicitation materials.

ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING ADMISSION

All stockholders as of the record date are welcome to attend the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting. If you attend, please note that you will be asked to present government-issued identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) and evidence of your share ownership of our common stock on the record date. This can be your proxy card if you are a stockholder of record. If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record and you plan to attend the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting, you will be required to present proof of your ownership of our common stock on the record date, such as a bank or brokerage account statement and voting instruction card, to be admitted to the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting.

No cameras, recording equipment or electronic devices will be permitted in the 2023 Annual Meeting.

1

Table of Contents

HOW TO VOTE

Stockholders of Record

If your shares are registered directly in your name with Adial’s transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, you are considered the “stockholder of record” of those shares and this proxy statement is being sent directly to you by Adial. If you are a stockholder of record, you can vote your shares in one of two ways: either by proxy or in person at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting. If you choose to have your shares voted by proxy, you may submit a proxy by using the internet (please visit www.proxyvote.com if you are a beneficial holder and http://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxyif you are a record holder and follow the instructions), or by completing and returning by mail the proxy card you have received. Whichever method you use, each valid proxy received in time will be voted at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting in accordance with your instructions.

Submit a Proxy by Mail

If you choose to submit a proxy by mail, simply mark, date and sign your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

Submit a Proxy by Internet

If you are a beneficial holder and choose to submit a proxy by internet, go to www.proxyvote.com to complete an electronic proxy card. If you are a record holder and choose to submit a proxy by internet, go to http://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy to complete an electronic proxy card. Have your proxy card or voting instruction card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. Your internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on November 1, 2023January 10, 2024 to be counted.

Submit a Proxy at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting

Submitting a proxy by mail or internet will not limit your right to vote at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting if you decide to attend in person.

Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name, and this proxy statement is being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee, who is considered the stockholder of record of those shares. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote the shares held in your account. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting unless you bring with you a legal proxy from the stockholder of record. A legal proxy may be obtained from your broker, bank or nominee. If you do not wish to vote in person or you will not be attending the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting, you may instruct your broker, bank or nominee to vote your shares pursuant to voting instructions you will receive from your broker, bank or nominee describing the available processes for voting your stock.

2

Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTINGTHE SPECIAL MEETING

Q:     What information is contained in this proxy statement?

A:     The information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting, the voting process, the compensation of our directors and executive officers, and other required information.

Q:     How do I get electronic access to the proxy materials?

A:     This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 areis available at www.adial.com.

Q:     What items of business will be voted on at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting?

A:     The three (3)two (2) items of business scheduled to be voted on at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting are: (1) the election

1.      Warrant Exercise.    The approval of the two (2) Class II nominees named herein as directors; (2)issuance of up to an aggregate of 3,007,092 shares of our common stock upon the ratificationexercise of our common stock purchase warrants issued or issuable to an institutional investor and designees of the appointmentplacement agent in our private placement offering that closed on October 24, 2023; and

2.      Adjournment Proposal.    The approval of Marcum as our independent registered public accounting firma proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023; and (3)or otherwise in connection with, the approval of an amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock that weWarrant Exercise Proposal.

Other than these proposals, no other proposals will have authority to grant underbe presented for a vote at the plan (as adjusted to reflect the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023) from 380,000 to 500,000. We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting.

Q:Q.     How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?

A:     The Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares (1) FOR each of the two (2) Class II nominees named herein for election to our Board of Directors;Warrant Exercise Proposal; and (2) FOR the ratificationAdjournment Proposal.

Q:     Who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?

A:     Holders of record of our common stock as of the appointmentclose of Marcum as our independent registered public accounting firmbusiness on November 17, 2023, the record date for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023;the Special Meeting, or the Record Date, will be entitled to notice of and (3) FORto vote at the approvalSpecial Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. Holders of an amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the numberrecord of shares of common stock that we will have authorityare entitled to grant undervote on all matters brought before the plan (as adjustedSpecial Meeting.

As of the Record Date, there were 1,217,981 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to reflectvote. Holders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock outstanding as of the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023) from 380,000 to 500,000.Record Date.

Q:Q.     What shares can I vote?

A:     You may vote or cause to be voted all shares owned by you as of the close of business on September 28,November 17, 2023, the record date. These shares include: (1) shares held directly in your name as a stockholder of record; and (2) shares held for you, as the beneficial owner, through a broker or other nominee, such as a bank.

Q:     What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

A:     Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a broker or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.

Record Holder.    If your shares are registered directly in your name on the books of Adial maintained with Adial’s transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, you are considered the “record holder” of those shares, and this proxy statement is sent directly to you by Adial. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly or to directly vote in person at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting.

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name.    If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name (also called a “street name” holder), and this proxy statement is forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote the shares held

3

Table of Contents

in your account. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting unless you bring with you a legal proxy from the stockholder of record. A legal proxy may be obtained from your broker, bank or nominee. If you do not wish to vote in person or you will not be attending the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting, instruct your broker, bank or nominee to vote your shares pursuant to voting instructions you will receive from your broker, bank or nominee describing the available processes for voting your stock.

3

If you holdare a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or nominee how to vote your shares, throughthe question of whether your broker, bank or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. If the broker andor nominee that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you do not give instructions to your broker on how to vote your brokershares on a non-routine matter, the organization that holds your shares will not be entitledable to vote your shares in its discretion on certainsuch matter, often referred to as a broker non-vote.

Under the rules and interpretations of the NYSE, “non-routine matters considered routine,are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors. The uncontested electionmergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the approvalfrequency of the amendment to the 2017 Equity Incentive Planstockholder votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. We believe that Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 are not considered routine matters. Therefore, brokers do not have the discretion to vote on those non-routine proposals. If you holdmatters. Accordingly, your broker, bank or nominee may not vote your shares in street name and you do not instructon Proposal 1 and/or Proposal 2 without your broker how toinstructions. Because there are no routine matters on which brokers, banks or other nominees can vote in these matters not considered routine,without instruction at the Special Meeting, no votes will be cast on your behalf. These “brokerbroker non-votes” will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determiningexpected at the presence of a quorum, but not as shares entitled to vote on a particular proposal.Special Meeting.

Q:     Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?

A:     You may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting. To change your vote or revoke your proxy if you are the record holder, you may (1) notify our Corporate Secretary in writing at Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495 Charlottesville, Virginia 22901; (2) submit a later-dated proxy (either by mail or internet), subject to the voting deadlines that are described on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable;card; (3) deliver to our Corporate Secretary another duly executed proxy bearing a later date; or (4) by appearing at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting in person and voting your shares. Attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, change or revoke a proxy unless you specifically so request.

For shares you hold beneficially, you may change or revoke your vote by following instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee.

Q:     Who can help answer my questions?What if I return a proxy card or otherwise submit a proxy but do not make specific choices?

A:     If you have any questions about the 2023 Annual Meeting or how to vote or revoke your proxy, or you need additional copies of this proxy statement or voting materials, you should contact the Corporate Secretary, Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495 Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 or by phone at (434) 422-9800.

Q:     How are votes counted?

A:     In the election of directors, you may vote FOR either or both of the two (2) nominees for Class II directors named herein or you may direct your vote to be WITHHELD with respect to either or both of the nominees.

         With respect to the other two (2) proposals, you may vote FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN. On these proposals, if you ABSTAIN, it has the same effect as a vote AGAINST.

     If you provide specific instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you are a record holder and submit your proxy card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors, namely (1) FOR the two (2) nominees for Class II directors for election to our Board of Directors;Warrant Exercise Proposal; and (2) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Marcum our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023; and (3) FOR the approval of an amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock that we will have authority to grant under the plan (as adjusted to reflect the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023) from 380,000 to 500,000. If any other matters properly arise at the meeting, your proxy, together with the other proxies received, will be voted at the discretion of the proxy holders. If you are a beneficial owner please follow the instructions provided to you by your broker, bank or other nominee.Adjournment Proposal.

Q:     What is a quorum and why is it necessary?

A:     Conducting business at the meetingSpecial Meeting requires a quorum. The presence, either in person or by proxy, of holders of 33.4% of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on September 28,November 17, 2023 are necessary to constitute a quorum. Abstentions are treatedBecause, as present for purposesmentioned above, banks, brokers and nominee holders of determining whether a quorum exists. Your sharesrecord will not have discretionary voting authority with respect to any of the proposals to be counted towardsconsidered at the quorum onlySpecial Meeting, if you submit a valid proxy (or in the case of a beneficial owner one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes (which result when yourof shares are held in “street name” and you dodoes not tell the nominee howgive voting instructions to vote your shares on a matter for which the broker, doesbank or nominee holder of record, such shares will not have discretionary authority to votebe considered present or represented by proxy at the shares) are treated as present for purposes ofSpecial Meeting, which means such shares will not be included in determining whether a quorum is present atpresent. Abstentions, on the meeting.other hand, will be included in determining whether a quorum is present. If you hold your shares in street name, we encourage you to provide voting instructions to the broker, bank or nominee that holds your shares. If there is no quorum, the chairperson of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another date.

4

Table of Contents

Q:     What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?

A:     For Proposal 1 (the election of directors), the two (2) persons named herein receiving the highest number of FOR votes (from the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the 2023 Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors) will be elected. Only votes FOR Warrant Exercise Proposal will affect the outcome as long as each nominee receives at least one FOR vote. Abstentions, withheld and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote as long as each nominee receives at least one FOR vote. You do not have the right to cumulate your votes.

. To be approved, Proposal 2, which relates to the ratification of the appointment of Marcum, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023,1 (the Warrant Exercise Proposal), must receive FOR votes from the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on that proposal at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as an AGAINST vote. Since this is a routine matter for which brokers have discretion to vote if beneficial owners do not provide voting instructions, thereBroker non-votes are not expected to be any broker non-votes onpresent at this proposal. This vote is advisory, and therefore is not binding on us, the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors. If our stockholders failmeeting because there are no routine matters expected to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.voted on.

Proposal 2 — Adjournment Proposal. To be approved, Proposal 3, which relates to the approval of an increase in the number of shares of common stock that may be granted under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan,2 (the Adjournment Proposal), must receive FOR votes from the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on that proposal at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as an AGAINST vote. Broker-non-votes are not votes present and not entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting, and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

         If your shares are held in “street name” and you do not indicate how you wish to vote, your broker is permitted to exercise its discretion to vote your shares on certain “routine” matters. The only routine matter to be submitted to our stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting is Proposal 2. For purposes of Proposal 1 and Proposal 3, broker non-votes are not consideredexpected to be “votes cast”present at thethis meeting and the shares represented by broker non-votesbecause there are not “entitledno routine matters expected to vote” at the meeting. As such, a broker non-vote will not be counted as a vote FOR or WITHHELD with respect to a director in Proposal 1 or a vote FOR or AGAINST with respect to Proposal 3; and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on any such proposal. Abstentions will be counted in determining the total number of “votes cast” and the total number of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on each of the proposals and will therefore have the effect of a vote AGAINST on each proposal, except for Proposal 1, where the abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.voted on.

We recommend you vote FOR the two (2) nominees and FOR the other two (2) proposals.

Q:     What should I do if I receive more than one proxy statement?

A:     You may receive more than one proxy statement. For example, if you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy statement. Please follow the voting instructions on all of the proxy statements to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Q:     Where can I find the voting results of the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting?

A:     We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting and publish final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we expect will be filed within four (4) business days of the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Current Report on Form 8-K within four (4) business days after the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting, we intend to file a Current Report on Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four (4) business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Current Report on Form 8-K to publish the final results.

Q:     What happens if additional matters are presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting?

A:     Other than the three (3) items of business described in this proxy statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the 2023 Annual Meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders, Mr. Cary J. Claiborne, our Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Joseph Truluck, our Chief Financial Officer, will

5

have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting. If for any unforeseen reason any of our nominees are not available as a candidate for director, the persons named as proxy holders will vote your proxy for any one or more other candidates nominated by the Board of Directors.

Q:     How many shares are outstanding and how many votes is each share entitled?

A:     Each share of our common stock that is issued and outstanding as of the close of business on September 28, 2023, the record date, is entitled to be voted on all items being voted on at the 2023 Annual Meeting, with each share being entitled to one vote on each matter. As of the record date, September 28, 2023, 1,217,981 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.

Q:     Who will count the votes?

A:     One or more inspectors of election will tabulate the votes.

Q:     Is my vote confidential?

A:     Proxy instructions, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed, either within Adial or to anyone else, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements; (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; or (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.

Q:     Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting?

A:     The Board of Directors is making this solicitation on behalf of Adial, which will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials. Certain of our directors, officers, and employees, without any additional compensation, may also solicit your vote in person, by telephone, or by electronic communication. In addition, we have retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting. We will pay D. F. King & Co., Inc. fees of not more than $7,500 plus expense reimbursement for its services. Please contact (866) 796-6867 with any questions you may have regarding our proposals. On request, we will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to stockholders. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone, telegram, facsimile and advertisement in periodicals and postings, in each case by our directors, officers and employees without additional compensation.

Q:     When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for next year’s Annual Meeting?annual meeting?

A:     To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by June 1, 2024, to the attention of the Corporate Secretary of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 and you must comply with all applicable requirements

5

Table of Contents

of Rule 14a-8 (“Rule 14a-8”) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Stockholders of record may also submit a proposal (including a director nomination) in accordance with Adial’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. Generally, timely notice of any director nomination or other proposal that any stockholder intends to present at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”), but does not intend to have included in the proxy materials prepared by the Company in connection with the 2024 Annual Meeting, must be delivered in writing to the Corporate Secretary at the address above no later than the 90th day nor earlier than the 120th day before the first anniversary of the prior year’s meeting. However, if we hold the 2024 Annual Meeting on a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, we must receive the notice not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting is first made by us. See “STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING” elsewhere in this proxy statement for additional information regarding stockholder proposals and director nominations at our 2024 Annual Meeting. In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than September 3, 2024. If such meeting date is changed by more than 30 days, then notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19 must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the annual meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made.

Q:     Who can help answer my questions?

A:     If you have any questions about the Special Meeting or how to vote or revoke your proxy, or you need additional copies of this proxy statement or voting materials, you should contact the Corporate Secretary, Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 or by phone at (434) 422-9800.

6

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL NO. 1 — THE WARRANT EXERCISE PROPOSAL

ELECTION OF DIRECTORSBackground

Our BoardWe are seeking stockholder approval for the issuance of Directors currently consistsup to 3,007,092 shares of six (6) directorsour common stock upon the exercise of common stock purchase warrants that were issued or issuable in our private placement offering (the “Private Placement”) that closed on October 24, 2023 as contemplated by Nasdaq Listing Rules.

On October 19, 2023, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor (the “Investor”) for the issuance and sale in the Private Placement of (i) pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to 1,418,440 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share, (ii) series A warrants (the “Series A Warrants”) to purchase up to 1,418,440 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.82 per share, and (iii) series B warrants (the “Series B Warrants” and together with the Series A Warrants, the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 1,418,440 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.82 per share.

The Series A Warrants are exercisable at any time on or after the earlier of (i) if permitted by the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, upon the payment by the Investor of $0.125 per share in addition to the exercise price of $2.82 per share, and (ii) the Stockholder Approval Date, which is the date on which our stockholders approve the issuance of all of the shares of common stock upon exercise of the Warrants (the “Initial Exercise Date”), and have a term of exercise equal to five and one-half years from the date of issuance. The Series B Warrants are exercisable at any time on or after the Initial Exercise Date and have a term of exercise equal to eighteen months from the date of issuance. The combined purchase price for one Pre-Funded Warrant and the accompanying Warrants was $2.819. The Nasdaq Stock Market has informed us that it will not permit the exercise of Warrants upon the payment by the Investor of $0.125 per share in addition to the exercise price of $2.82 per share and therefore the Warrant will only be exercisable upon the Stockholder Approval Date. The Private Placement closed on October 24, 2023.

A holder of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants may not exercise any portion of such holder’s Pre-Funded Warrants or the Warrants to the extent that the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to the Company, the holder may increase the beneficial ownership limitation to up to 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise.

In connection with the Private Placement, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), dated as of October 19, 2023, with the Investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registering the resale of the shares of common stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants no later than 20 days after the date of the Registration Rights Agreement, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective as promptly as practical thereafter, and in any event not more than 45 days following the date of the Registration Rights Agreement (or 75 days following the date of the Registration Rights Agreement in the event of a “full review” by the SEC), and to keep such registration statement effective at all times until (i) the Investor does not own any Warrants or shares issuable upon exercise thereof or (ii) the shares issuable under the Warrants may be sold without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 and without the requirement for us to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144. Accordingly, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 registering the shares issuable under the Warrants on November 8, 2023, which was declared effective on November 17, 2023.

The net proceeds to us from the Private Placement were approximately $3.5 million, after deducting placement agent fees and expenses and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds received from the Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including general and administrative expenses, working capital and to support regulatory and clinical activities related to AD04, the Company’s lead investigational drug product for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”) served as our exclusive placement agent in connection with the Private Placement, pursuant to that certain engagement letter, dated as of September 27, 2023, as amended, between the Company and Wainwright (the “Engagement Letter”). Pursuant to the Engagement Letter, we paid Wainwright (i) a cash fee equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Private Placement, (ii) a management fee of 1.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Private Placement, (iii) a non-accountable expense allowance of $25,000, and

7

Table of Contents

(iv) $50,000 for legal fees and other out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Company issued to Wainwright or its designees warrants to purchase up to 85,106 shares of common stock (the “Initial Placement Agent Warrants”), which represents 6.0% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants sold in the private placement. The Placement Agent Warrants have substantially the same terms as the Series A Warrants, except that the Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price equal to $3.525, or 125% of the offering price per share of common stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants sold in the Private Placement. In addition, pursuant to the Engagement Letter, upon any exercise for cash of the Series B Warrants, we shall pay Wainwright (i) a cash fee of 7.0% of the aggregate gross exercise price paid in cash and (ii) a management fee of 1.0% of the aggregate gross exercise price paid in cash, and further issue to Wainwright (or its designees) warrants to purchase shares of common stock equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock underlying the Series B Warrants that have been exercised having the same terms as the Placement Agent Warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement (the “Additional Placement Agent Warrants, and together with the Initial Placement Agent Warrants, the “Placement Agent Warrants”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we are prohibited from entering into any agreement to issue or announcing the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock for a period commencing on October 19, 2023 and expiring 60 days from the Effective Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement). Furthermore, we are also prohibited from entering into any agreement to issue Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) involving a Variable Rate Transaction (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), subject to certain exceptions, for a period commencing on October 19, 2023 and expiring one year from such Effective Date. The Effective Date is defined in the Purchase Agreement as the earliest of the date that (a) the initial registration statement contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement has been declared effective by the SEC, (b) all of the shares of common stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 or may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions, (c) following the one year anniversary of the closing of the Private Placement provided that the holder of the shares underlying the Warrants is not an affiliate of the Company, or (d) all of the shares underlying the Warrants may be sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and the holders of such shares underlying the Warrants shall have received an opinion from Company legal counsel reasonably acceptable to them.

Reasons for the Private Placement

As of June 30, 2023, our certificate of incorporation,cash and cash equivalents were approximately $1.2 million. In October 2023, our Board determined that it was necessary to raise additional funds for general corporate purposes.

We believe that the Private Placement, which yielded gross proceeds of Directors is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class will consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one third$4 million, was necessary in light of the totalCompany’s cash and funding requirements at the time. In addition, at the time of the Private Placement, our Board considered numerous other alternatives to the transaction, none of which proved to be feasible or, in the opinion of our Board, would have resulted in aggregate terms equivalent to, or more favorable than, the terms obtained in the Private Placement.

Description of Warrants

Pursuant to Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(d), the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants will not be exercisable until our stockholders approve (“Warrant Approval”) the issuance of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants (“Warrant Shares”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we are required to hold an annual or special meeting of stockholders on or prior to January 22, 2024, which is ninety (90) days following October 24, 2023, the closing date of the Private Placement, for the purpose of obtaining Warrant Approval. We have agreed with the Investor that if we do not obtain Warrant Approval at the first meeting that is called, we will call an additional stockholder meeting every 90 days thereafter until the earlier of the date we obtain such approval or the Warrants are no longer outstanding.

Set forth below is a summary of the terms of the Warrants. Except as described below, the Placement Agent Warrants have substantially the same terms as the Series A Warrants.

8

Table of Contents

Exercisability

The Warrants each have an initial exercise price of $2.82 per share and are exercisable beginning on the date the Warrant Approval is obtained, if at all. The Series A Warrants expire five and half years after the issuance date and the Series B Warrants expire 18 months after the issuance date. The Initial Placement Agent Warrants have an initial exercise price of $3.525 per share and are exercisable beginning on the date the Warrant Approval is obtained, if at all. The Additional Placement Agent Warrants will have an initial exercise price of $3.525 per share and will be exercisable upon issuance. The Placement Agent Warrants expire five and half years after the issuance date.

No Fractional Shares

No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares will be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants. As to any fraction of a share which the holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the number of directors constitutingshares of common stock to be issued will be rounded up to the entire Boardnearest whole number.

Failure to Timely Deliver Shares

If we fail to deliver to the holder a certificate representing shares issuable upon exercise of Directors. Each class servesa Warrant or to credit the holder’s balance account with Depository Trust Company for three years,such number of shares of common stock to which the holder is entitled upon the holder’s exercise of the Warrant, in each case, by the delivery date set forth in the Warrant, and if after such date the holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of common stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the holder of the Warrant Shares which the holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise, then we shall (A) pay in cash to the holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of common stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that we were required to deliver to the holder in connection with the exercise at issue, times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the holder, either reinstate the portion of the applicable Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the holder the number of shares of common stock that would have been issued had we timely complied with our exercise and delivery obligations. In addition, if we fail to deliver to the holder any common stock pursuant to a validly-exercised Warrant, we will be required to pay liquidated damages in the amount of $10 per trading day for each $1,000 of shares of common stock exercised but not delivered (and rising to $20 per trading day beginning on the fifth trading day after the Warrant Share delivery date) until such time the shares of common stock are delivered or the holder rescinds such exercise.

Exercise Limitation

In general, a holder of the Warrants does not have the right to exercise any portion of a Warrant if the holder (together with its Attribution Parties (as defined in the Warrant) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of officethe warrant. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of the respective classes expiring in successive years. The six (6) members of our Board of Directors are: J. Kermit Anderson, Cary J. Claiborne, Robertson H. Gilliland, Tony Goodman, Kevin Schuyler (Chairman of the Board), and James W. Newman. Upon resignation of William B. Stilley on September 18, 2023, the classes of our Board of Directors were not evenly distributed. To evenly distribute the classes of our Board of Directors, on September 29, 2023 Tony Goodman resigned as a Class II director and the Board of Directors re-appointed him as a Class I director on the same day. Our Board of Directors is currently divided into three classes as follows:

•        Class I, which consists of Kevin Schuyler and Tony Goodman and will stand for election at the 2025 Annual Meeting;

•        Class II, which consists of Cary J. Claiborne and Robertson H. Gilliland and will stand for election at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and

•        Class III, which consists of J. Kermit Anderson and James W. Newman, Jr. and will stand for election at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Our Board of Directors proposed9.99% upon notice to us, provided that each of the two (2) Class II nominees named below, each of whom is currently serving as a director in Class II, be elected as a Class II director for a three-year term expiring at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. Each of the nominees have consented to being namedany increase in this proxy statementlimitation will not be effective until 61 days after such notice from the holder to us and to serve as a director if elected.

Messrs. Claiborne and Gilliland have been nominated by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board of Directors for the election as Class II directors. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of our company to elect the above-described Class II director nominees, each to serve as a director until the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. The Board believes that each of the nominees is highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and each has contributedsuch increase or decrease will apply only to the mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications of the Board of Directors. When evaluating candidates for election to the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks candidates with certain qualities that it believes are important, including diversity of experience, skills, expertise, personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, conflicts of interest, those criteria and qualifications described in each director’s biography below andholder providing such other relevant factors that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board of Directors.notice.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also will consider nominees recommended by our stockholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not distinguish between nominees recommended by our stockholders and those recommended by other parties. The Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates the suitability of potential nominees, taking into account the current board composition, including expertise, diversity and the balance of inside and independent directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not have a set policy or process for considering diversity in identifying nominees, but endeavors to establish a diversity of background and experience in a number of areas of core competency, including business judgment, management, accounting, finance, knowledge of our industry, strategic vision, research and development and other areas relevant to our business.

Shares represented by proxies will be voted “FOR” the election of the two (2) nominees (Messrs. Claiborne and Gilliland), unless the proxy is marked to withhold authority to so vote. All of the nominees have consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected. At the time of the 2023 Annual Meeting, if any of the nominees named below is not available to serve as director (an event that the Board of Directors does not currently have any reason to anticipate), all proxies may be voted for any one or more other persons that the remaining directors of the Board of Directors designate in their place and it is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote all shares of common stock for which they have been granted a proxy for the election of each of such replacement nominees. Proxies may not be voted for more than two directors. Stockholders may not cumulate votes for the election of directors.

7

THE NOMINEESCashless Exercise

Set forth below are our two (2) director nominees, their respective ages and positions as of the date of this proxy statement, the year in which each first became a director and the year in which their terms as director expire assuming they are re-elected at the 2023 Annual Meeting:

Director Nominees

 

Age

 

Position(s) Held

 

Director
Since

 

Term
Expires if
re-elected

Cary J. Claiborne

 

63

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

2021

 

2026

Robertson Gilliland

 

43

 

Director

 

2014

 

2026

Cary J. Claiborne, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director

Cary J. Claiborne has served as our Chief Executive Officer since August 18, 2022, our Chief Operating Officer from December 2021 to August 18, 2022 and a director since November 2021. In December 2021, Mr. Claiborne was appointed to the board of directors of NeuroSense Therapeutics, a Nasdaq-listed clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focusing on the discovery and development of targeted innovative therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, where he also serves as Chairman of the audit committee. In July 2022, Mr. Claiborne was appointed to the board of directors of LadRX Corporation (fka CytRx Corporation), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing new cancer therapeutics, where he also serves as Chairman of the compensation committee.

Prior to joining Adial, Mr. Claiborne served as CEO of Prosperity Capital Management, LLC, a Private Investment and Advisory firm that he founded. Prosperity Capital is focused on private Investment Management and providing Advisory Services to clients in multiple industries with an emphasis in the Pharma/Biotech and Finance sectors. From November 2014 until February 2017, he served as the Chief Financial Officer and member of the board of directors at Indivior PLC, a FTSE 500 listed specialty pharmaceutical company. Mr. Claiborne led the company’s spin off from its then parent company, Reckitt Benckiser, to become an independent, listed company. While at Indivior, he established and oversaw corporate reporting, internal audit, tax, treasury, external audit and information technology. Prior to joining Indivior, Mr. Claiborne served as the CFO of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed global biopharmaceutical company, which was later sold to Mallinckrodt. Before joining Sucampo, Mr. Claiborne served as CFO and Corporate Secretary of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., and oversaw corporate finance during the company’s initial public offering.

Mr. Claiborne graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Business Administration and from Villanova University with an M.B.A., and was a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Governance Fellow.

We selected Mr. Claiborne to serve on our Board of Directors because he brings extensive public company experience and his broad understanding of the financial markets and the financing opportunities available to us.

Robertson H. Gilliland, MBA, Director

Mr. Gilliland has served as a director since September 2014. Since May 2020, Mr. Gilliland has served as an independent consultant to family offices, with specific focus on investment strategy formulation and governance. From July 2013 until April 2020, he was Principal and Chief Financial Officer at Keller Enterprises, LLC, a family office that invests and manages private capital. In addition to his duties as CFO, as a principal, Mr. Gilliland sourced, vetted and managed a variety of private direct investments and spearheaded internal strategic initiatives. Prior to joining Keller Enterprises, Mr. Gilliland attended business school beginning in 2011 and was previously a Director at the Brunswick Group, where he specialized in strategic communications and investor relations around mergers and acquisitions, including being an advisor on the Pfizer-Wyeth, Celgene-Pharmion, and Mylan-Merck KGaA Generic transactions. During his tenure at Brunswick, Mr. Gilliland worked on over 35 multi-billion dollar M&A transactions. He has his MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, where he graduated with honors.

We selected Mr. Gilliland to serve on our Board of Directors because he brings extensive knowledge of the financial markets. Mr. Gilliland’s business background provides him with a broad understanding of the financial markets and the financing opportunities available to us.

8

Vote Required

Provided that a quorum is present, the nominees for director receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the 2023 Annual Meeting in person or by proxy will be elected. Abstentions, withheld votes and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE TWO CLASS II NOMINEES

Board Diversity Matrix (as of September 28, 2023)

Total Number of Directors

6

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Part I: Gender Identity

Directors

6

Part II: Demographic Background

African American or Black

1

Alaskan Native or Native American

Asian

Hispanic or Latinx

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

5

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

LGBTQ+

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

9

CONTINUING DIRECTORS

The directors who are serving terms that end following the 2023 Annual Meeting and their ages, positions at our company, the year in which each first became a director and the expiration of their respective terms on our Board of Directors are provided in the table below and in the additional biographical descriptions set forth in the text below the table.

Directors

 

Age

 

Position Held

 

Director Since

 

Expiration of Term

Class I

        

Kevin Schuyler

 

54

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

2016

 

2025

Tony Goodman

 

59

 

Director

 

2017

 

2025

         

Class III

        

J. Kermit Anderson

 

73

 

Director

 

2015

 

2024

James W. Newman, Jr.

 

80

 

Director

 

2014

 

2024

Class I Directors

Kevin Schuyler, CFA, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lead Independent Director

Kevin Schuyler has served as our non-executive Chairman of the Board since August 2022, our director since April 2016 and is our Lead Independent Director. From April 2016 to August 2022, he served as our Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. He currently serves as a director of Twin Vee PowerCats Co., a Nasdaq-listed designer, manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of power sport catamaran boats based in Fort Pierce, Florida for over 27 years, where he also serves as Chairman of the audit committee, and a director of ForzaX1, Inc, a Nasdaq-listed developer of electric sport boats with a mission to inspire the adoption of sustainable recreational boating, where he also serves as Chairman of the audit committee. Mr. Schuyler is also senior managing director at CornerStone Partners, a full-service institutional CIO and investment office located in Charlottesville, Virginia, with approximately $13 billion under management. Prior to joining CornerStone Partners in 2006, he held various positions with McKinsey & Company, Louis Dreyfus Corporation and The Nature Conservancy. Mr. Schuyler serves on various boards and committees of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and Stone Barns Center. He is a member of the investment committee of the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies. Mr. Schuyler graduated with honors from Harvard College and received his MBA from The Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Washington, DC.

We selected Mr. Schuyler to serve on our Board of Directors because he brings extensive knowledge of the financial markets. Mr. Schuyler’s business background provides him with a broad understanding of the financial markets and the financing opportunities available to us.

Tony Goodman, Director

Tony Goodman has served as a director since July 2017 and began providing consulting services to us in March 2023. Mr. Goodman’s career spans over 23 years in Pharma and Biotech. Mr. Goodman is the Founder/Managing Director of Keswick Group, LLC, a Biotech Strategic Commercial and Business Development Advisory Firm. From October 2014 until February 2017, he served as the Chief Business Development Officer of Indivior PLC, a FTSE 500 listed company and a member of the executive team which brought Indivior public as a demerger from Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Goodman held many leadership positions at Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals from October 2009 until October 2014 that include: Global Director, Strategy and Commercial Development; Global Head, Category Development; and Director of US Commercial Managed Care. Mr. Goodman has also served as the Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development at PRA International and Group Product Manager, Marketing and Director of the Managed Health Strategies Group at Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P. Mr. Goodman graduated from Marshall University, with a degree in Business Administration and completed the requirements of a Full Board Executive with the National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”).

10

We selected Mr. Goodman to serve on our Board of Directors because he brings extensive knowledge of the addiction and pharmaceuticals industry and his significant strategic development experience. Mr. Goodman’s experience with the NACD provides him with a broad understanding of the role of directors and corporate governance issues facing public companies.

Class III Directors

J. Kermit Anderson, Director

J. Kermit Anderson has served as a director since February 2015. He has served as the VP and Chief Financial Officer at Cumberland Development Co. since 2007. Cumberland is a privately held company which evaluates and oversees investments in minerals exploration, life sciences, and real estate for a family office. Mr. Anderson has over forty years of experience in financial and development roles for a number of companies. He holds widely diversified experience in financial planning and reporting, accounting, forecasting, pricing, GAAP reporting and contract negotiations including benefits and compensation. His career is split almost equally between public and private companies including major sales and acquisitions. He has held various positions in energy businesses including Massey Energy, AMVEST and Cumberland Resources Corporation working on the sale of the companies for the last two roles. Mr. Anderson has worked extensively on startups for Massey and AMVEST including the move to a new business area with AMVEST. He received his BS -BA from West Virginia University in 1972.

We selected Mr. Anderson to serve on our Board of Directors because he brings extensive industry experience in corporate development and finance. His prior service with other public companies provides experience related to good corporate governance practices.

James W. Newman, Jr., Director

James W. Newman, Jr. has served as a director since September 2014. Since April 2013, he served as the Founder, Chairman, and President of Medical Predictive Science Corporation (“MPSC”), a medical device company that translates ICU research discoveries to the patient’s bedside and develops predictive technology that detects imminent, catastrophic illness. MPSC’s HeRO sold in over 20 countries and is a pioneering monitoring system for premature infants which detects early signs of distress commonly caused by infection and other potentially life-threatening illnesses. He has also served as part of the management team of Newman Company, a real estate company, since 1980, for which he still works and is the sole owner. In the mid — 1990s he began making capital investments in several “start-up” companies, including Charlottesville-based Medical Automation Systems, a major provider of information management systems for point-of-care testing, which was acquired by Massachusetts-based Alere Inc. in 2011. His investments have covered a wide range of fields, encompassing everything from biotechnology, bio-informatics, education, and telecommunications, as well as mechanical inventions. He is particularly interested in investments in the medical field that improve healthcare, but do so at a reduced cost to consumers. Mr. Newman received a B.A. degree from Upsala College in 1968.

We selected Mr. Newman to serve on our Board of Directors because he brings a strong business background to our company and adds significant strategic, business and financial experience. Mr. Newman’s business and finance background provides him with a broad understanding of the issues faced by companies similar to us.

11

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). Under the Nasdaq listing standards, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s Board of Directors and all members of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees must be independent. Audit Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Compensation Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. Under the Nasdaq listing standards, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Our Board of Directors undertook a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board of Directors has determined that J. Kermit Anderson, Robertson H. Gilliland, James W. Newman, Jr., and Kevin Schuyler, representing four of our six directors, do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the listing standards of Nasdaq. In making such determination regarding independence, our Board of Directors considered the relationship that each such non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances that our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining his independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director. Mr. Claiborne is not “independent” as defined under the listing standards of Nasdaq due to his employment by us and Mr. Goodman is not “independent” as defined under the listing standards of Nasdaq due to the compensation for the consulting services he provides to us. Mr. Stilley, who served as a director until September 18, 2023, was not independent due to his employment by us and our subsidiary.

We currently have: (1) an Audit Committee comprised of Kevin Schuyler, James Newman and J. Kermit Anderson, each of whom are deemed to be independent in accordance with the Nasdaq definition of independence, satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, and each has the related financial management expertise within the meaning of the Nasdaq rules; (2) a Compensation Committee comprised of James Newman and J. Kermit Anderson, each of whom is deemed to be independent in accordance with the Nasdaq definition of independence and satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act; and (3) a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee comprised of J. Kermit Anderson and Robertson H. Gilliland, each of whom is deemed to be independent in accordance with the Nasdaq definition of independence. Effective immediately after the 2023 Annual Meeting, Robertson H. Gilliland will be appointed to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee, together with James Newman and J. Kermit Anderson. Robertson H. Gilliland is deemed to be independent in accordance with the Nasdaq definition of independence and satisfies the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act.

The Board of Directors annually determines the independence of directors based on a review by the directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. No director is considered independent unless the Board of Directors has determined that he or she has no material relationship with us.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

12

INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table shows the directors who are currently members or Chairman of each of these committees.

Board Members

Audit Committee

Compensation Committee

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

J. Kermit Anderson

Member

Chairman

Cary J. Claiborne

Robertson H. Gilliland

(1)

Chairman

Tony Goodman

James W. Newman

Member

Member

Kevin Schuyler

Chairman

Member

____________

(1)      Effective immediately after the 2023 Annual Meeting, Robertson H. Gilliland will be appointed to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee.

Board Composition and Election of Directors

Our Board of Directors consists of six members: Messrs. Kermit Anderson, Robertson Gilliland, Tony Goodman, James Newman, Kevin Schuyler and Cary Claiborne. Our Board of Directors has undertaken a review of its composition and its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Kermit Anderson, Robertson Gilliland, James Newman, and Kevin Schuyler is “independent” under the applicable rules of the SEC and Nasdaq and that each of Messrs. Claiborne and Goodman is not “independent” as defined under such rules. In making such determination, our Board of Directors considered the relationship that each such director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances that our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining his independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director. Mr. Claiborne is not an independent director under these rules because he is our Chief Executive Officer and President, and Mr. Goodman is not an independent director due to the consulting arrangement that we entered into with him in March 2023.

Corporate Governance

Board Committees

Our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. From time to time, the Board of Directors may also establish ad hoc committees to address particular matters.

Audit Committee

The members of our Audit Committee are Messrs. Schuyler, Newman, and Anderson each of whom has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules and regulations. Mr. Schuyler is the chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on our website at www.adial.com. The charter describes the nature and scope of responsibilities of the Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, among others:

•        appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing the independence of our registered public accounting firm;

•        overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, including through the receipt and consideration of reports from that firm;

•        reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures;

13

•        monitoring our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures;

•        overseeing our internal audit function;

•        discussing our risk management policies;

•        establishing policies regarding hiring employees from our independent registered public accounting firm and procedures for the receipt and retention of accounting related complaints and concerns;

•        meeting independently with our internal auditing staff, if any, our independent registered public accounting firm and management;

•        reviewing and approving or ratifying any related person transactions; and

•        preparing the Audit Committee report required by Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, rules.

All audit and non-audit services, other than de minimis non-audit services, to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm must be approved in advance by our Audit Committee.

Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Schuyler is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.

Compensation Committee

The members of our Compensation Committee are currently Messrs. Anderson and Newman, each of whom has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent under current Nasdaq rules and regulations. Effective immediately after the 2023 Annual Meeting, Robertson H. Gilliland will be appointed to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee, together with Messrs. Anderson and Newman. Robertson H. Gilliland is deemed to be independent under current Nasdaq rules and regulations. Mr. Anderson is the chair of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on our website at www.adial.com. The charter describes the nature and scope of responsibilities of the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include, among others:

•        reviewing and approving annually the corporate goals and objectives applicable to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluating at least annually the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determining and approving the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on this evaluation;

•        reviewing and approving the compensation of all other executive officers;

•        reviewing and approving and, when appropriate, recommending to the Board of Directors for approval, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and where appropriate or required, recommending for approval by the stockholders of the Company, the adoption, amendment or termination of such plans; and administering such plans;

•        reviewing and approving the executive compensation information included in our annual report on Form 10-K and proxy statement;

•        reviewing and approving or providing recommendations with respect to any employment agreements or severance arrangements or plans; and

•        reviewing director compensation and recommending any changes to the Board of Directors.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Gilliland, and Schuyler, each of whom has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent under current Nasdaq rules. Mr. Gilliland is the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance

14

Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on our website at www.adial.com. The charter describes the nature and scope of responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include, among others:

•        identifying and recommending candidates to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors and for election by the stockholders;

•        recommending committee and chairperson assignments for directors to the Board of Directors;

•        developing, subject to the Board of Directors’ approval, a process for an annual evaluation of the Board of Directors and its committees and to oversee the conduct of this annual evaluation;

•        overseeing the Company’s corporate governance practices, including reviewing and recommending to the Board of Directors for approval any changes to the documents and policies in the Company’s corporate governance framework, including its certificate of incorporation and bylaws; and

•        monitoring compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, investigating alleged breaches or violations thereof and enforcing its provisions.

Candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including the ability to understand basic financial statements, being over 21 years of age, having relevant business experience (taking into account the business experience of the other directors), and having high moral character. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee retains the right to modify these minimum qualifications from time to time.

In evaluating an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews such director’s overall service to the Company during such director’s term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance, and any transactions with the Company engaged in by such director during his term.

When selecting a new director nominee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee first determines whether the nominee must be independent for Nasdaq purposes or whether the candidate must qualify as an “audit committee financial expert.” The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm to assist in the identification of qualified director candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also will consider nominees recommended by our stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not distinguish between nominees recommended by our stockholders and those recommended by other parties. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the suitability of potential nominees, taking into account the current board composition, including expertise, diversity and the balance of inside and independent directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a set policy or process for considering diversity in identifying nominees, but endeavors to establish a diversity of background and experience in a number of areas of core competency, including business judgment, management, accounting, finance, knowledge of our industry, strategic vision, research and development and other areas relevant to our business.

In considering any person recommended by one of our stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will look for the same qualifications that it looks for in any other person that it is considering for a position on the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties and standards of performance.

Board of Directors Leadership Structure

The Board of Directors does not have a policy that requires the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, or requiring a separate lead independent director. The Board of Directors annually reviews its leadership structure to assess what best serves the interests of the Company and its shareholders at a given time. Currently, the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors are held by different persons. Our Chairman of the Board of Directors, who is also our lead independent director is Kevin Schuyler. In that role, he presides over the executive sessions of the Board of Directors, during which our independent directors meet without management, and he serves as the principal liaison between management and the independent directors of the Board of Directors. As our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Claiborne is responsible for our day-to-day

15

operations and for executing our long-term strategies. Our Board of Directors has determined its leadership structure is appropriate and effective for us at this time due to the separation of roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Risk Oversight

One of the Board of Directors’ key functions is informed oversight of our risk management process. The Board of Directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board of Directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of the Board of Directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, the Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, including a determination of the nature and level of risk appropriate for us. Our Board of Directors monitors our exposure to a variety of risks through our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee charter gives the Audit Committee responsibilities and duties that include discussing with management, the internal audit department and the independent auditors our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including our risk assessment and risk management policies. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include reviewing and discussing with management the Company’s risk appetite and strategy relating to key risks as well as the guidelines, policies and processes for monitoring and mitigating such risks. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for considering the impact of our compensation policies and practices for all employees on our risk profile.

16

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers, and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. These standards are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct. The code of business conduct and ethics and the written charter for the audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee are available on our website at www.adial.com. The information that appears on our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this proxy statement.

None of our directors or executive officers, nor any associate of such individual, is involved in a legal proceeding adverse to us.

If, we make any substantive amendments to the code of business conduct and ethics or grant any waiver from a provision of the code to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website. We will promptly disclose on our website (i) the nature of any amendment to the policy that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and (ii) the nature of any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the policy that is granted to one of these specified individuals, the name of such person who is granted the waiver and the date of the waiver.

Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons

The Board of Directors has adopted policies and procedures for review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving Adial and “related persons” (directors and executive officers or their immediate family members, or stockholders owning 5% or greater of the Company’s outstanding stock). The policy covers any related person transaction that meets the minimum threshold for disclosure in the proxy statement under the relevant rules of the SEC. Pursuant to our charter, our Audit Committee reviews on an on-going basis for potential conflicts of interest, and approve if appropriate, all our “Related Party Transactions.” For purposes of the Audit Committee Charter, “Related Party Transactions” means those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404.

A discussion of our current related person transactions appears in this proxy statement under “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons.”

Board and Committee Meetings and Attendance

During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, our Board of Directors held fifteen (15) meetings. During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met six (6) times, seven (7) times, and one (1) time, respectively. Each of our incumbent directors that were directors during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 attended no less than 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committees on which such director served during 2022.

Board Attendance at Annual Stockholders’ Meeting

Our directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting. All seven of our directors who were directors at the time of our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders attended our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Anti-Hedging/Anti-Pledging Policy

We have adopted an insider trading policy (the “Trading Policy”) with respect toa holder exercises its Warrants on a date that is after the policies and procedures covering trades of our securities and the handling of our confidential information. The Trading Policy, which applies to all officers, employees, directors, consultants and independent contractors90th day anniversary of the Company and its subsidiaries (eachWarrant issuance date, a “Covered Person”), prohibitsregistration statement registering the purchase or sale of our securities by a Covered Person, including their family members and others living in their household, who is in possession of material non-public information. The Trading

17

Policy also prohibits, among other things short-term trading, short sales, hedging and pledging. Consequently, no employee, executive officer or director may enter into a hedge or pledge of our common stock, including short sales, derivatives, put options, swaps and collars.

Stockholder Communication with Directors

The Board of Directors has established a process to receive communications from stockholders. Stockholders and interested parties who wish to communicate with our Board of Directors, non-management members of our Board of Directors as a group, a committee of our Board of Directors or a specific member of our Board of Directors (including our chairperson or lead independent director, if any) may do so by letters addressed to the attention of our Corporate Secretary.

All communications are reviewed by the Corporate Secretary and provided to the members of our Board of Directors as appropriate. Unsolicited items, sales materials, those deemed to be frivolous or otherwise inappropriate materials and other routine items and items unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of our Board of Directors will not be provided to directors.

The address for these communications is:

Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
c/o Corporate Secretary
1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901

18

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned for service on our Board of Directors by our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2022. Mr. Claiborne and Mr. Stilley, our former Chief Executive Officer and former Executive Vice President, also served on our Board of Directors and received compensation as a result. The compensation for Messrs. Claiborne and Stilley as executive officers and Directors is set forth above under “— Summary Compensation Table.”

(a) Name

 

(b) 
Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)

 

(c) 
Stock
Awards
($)

 

(d) 
Option
Awards
(1) 
($)

 

(e) 
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)

 

(f) 
Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)

 

(g) 
All Other
Compensation
($)

 

(h) 
Total
($)

J. Kermit Anderson

 

$

38,000

 

 

$

65,168

 

$

 

 

 

$

103,168

Robertson H. Gilliland, MBA

 

$

35,000

 

 

$

65,168

 

$

 

 

 

$

100,168

Tony Goodman

 

$

59,000

 

 

$

65,168

 

$

 

 

 

$

124,168

James W. Newman, Jr.

 

$

41,000

 

 

$

65,168

 

$

 

 

 

$

106,168

Kevin Schuyler, MBA, CFA

 

$

43,000

 

 

$

65,168

 

$

 

 

 

$

108,168

____________

(1)      Fair value of options computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. As of December 31, 2022, the following are the total outstanding number of option awards held by each of our non-employee directors (as adjusted for the 1-for-25 stock split we effected August 4, 2023), all awards having been made prior to January 1, 2023:

Name

Option
Award
(#)

J. Kermit Anderson

5,823

Robertson H. Gilliland, MBA

5,823

Tony Goodman

7,046

James W. Newman, Jr.

5,823

Kevin Schuyler, MBA, CFA

5,823

Directors receive cash compensation for their service as directors, including service as members of each committee on which they serve.

On June 30, 2017, the Board of Directors approved a plan for the annual cash compensation of directors, which plan was amended on February 12, 2021 with respect to directors’ compensation, which plan was subsequently amended in 2022:

 

Board

 

Audit
Committee

 

Compensation
Committee

 

Nominating &
Governance
Committee

Chair

 

$

30,000

(1)

 

$

16,000

 

$

11,000

 

$

8,000

Member

 

$

30,000

 

 

$

8,000

 

$

6,000

 

$

4,000

____________

(1)      The compensation to the chair was increased to $31,200 on May 23, 2023.

19

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committeeissuance of the Board of Directors has selected Marcum, LLP (“Marcum”), an independent registered accounting firm, to audit the books and financial records of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2022. Adial is asking its stockholders to ratify the appointment of Marcum, Adial’s independent registered public accounting firm, for fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023.

A representative of Marcum is expected to be present either in person or via teleconference at the 2023 Annual Meeting and available to respond to appropriate questions, and will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so.

Ratification of the appointment of Marcum by our stockholders is not required by law, our bylaws or other governing documents. As a matter of policy, however, the appointment is being submitted to our stockholders for ratification at the 2023 Annual Meeting. If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting will be required to approve the ratification of the appointment of Adial’s registered public accounting firm. Abstentions will be counted and will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Because this is a routine matter for which brokers have discretion to vote if beneficial owners do not provide voting instructions, no broker non-votes are expected with respect to this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF MARCUM LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING ON DECEMBER31, 2023.

20

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT1

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed Adial’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 with the management of Adial and Marcum, Adial’s independent registered public accounting firm. Further, the Audit Committee has discussed with Marcum the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC, and other applicable regulations, relating to the firm’s judgment about the quality, not just the acceptability, of Adial’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and estimates, and the clarity of disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from Marcum required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, which relate to Marcum’s independence from Adial, and has discussed with Marcum its independence from Adial. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of any non-audit services to Adial is compatible with maintaining the firm’s independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent from Adial and its management. The Audit Committee also considered whether, and determined that, the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of any other non-audit services to us was compatible with maintaining Marcum’s independence. The Committee also reviewed management’s report on its assessment of the effectiveness of Adial’s internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of Adial’s internal and disclosure control structure. The members of the Audit Committee are not our employees and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants. Accordingly, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Members of the Audit Committee necessarily rely on the information provided to them by management and the independent auditors. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not constitute assurance that the audit of our consolidated financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that our auditors are in fact independent.

Based on the reviews, reports and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors resolved that Adial’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of Adial’s internal control over financial reporting be included in Adial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC. The Audit Committee has recommended, and the Board of Directors has approved, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of Marcum as Adial’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023.

Submitted by the Audit Committee of Adial’s Board of Directors.

Members of the Audit Committee:*

Kevin Schuyler

Kermit Anderson

James W. Newman

____________

1        The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not incorporated by reference in any filing of AdialWarrant Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is not then effective or available for the Exchange Act, whetherissuance of such shares, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made before or after the date hereof and irrespectiveto us upon such exercise in payment of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

21

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services

Marcum serves as our independent registered public accounting firm. Friedman LLP was preceded by Marcum, which merged with Marcum.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees including expenses billedexercise price, the holder may elect instead to us forreceive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 by our auditors:

 

Year ended
December 31,
2022

 

Year ended
December 31,
2021

Audit Fees(1)

 

$

204,995

 

$

164,520

Tax Fees

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

 

 

 

All Other Fees

 

 

 

 

  

$

204,995

 

$

164,520

____________

(1)      Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the annual audit and reviewsnet number of the interim results included in the Form 10-Q’s of the financial statements of the Company, and professional services rendered in connection with our underwritten public offerings of shares as well as services provided with other statutory and regulatory filings.

The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, including the fees and terms of such services. These procedures include reviewing detailed back-up documentation for audit and permitted non-audit services. The documentation includes a description of, and a budgeted amount for, particular categories of non-audit services that are recurring in nature and therefore anticipated at the time that the budget is submitted. Audit Committee approval is required to exceed the pre-approved amount for a particular category of non-audit services and to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for any non-audit services not included in those pre-approved amounts. For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the rules on auditor independence promulgated by the SEC and the PCAOB. The Audit Committee also considers whether the independent registered public accounting firm is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, based on such reasons as the auditor’s familiarity with our business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and whether the services enhance our ability to manage or control risks, and improve audit quality. The Audit Committee may form and delegate pre-approval authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members of the Audit Committee, and such subcommittees must report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All of the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

22

PROPOSAL 3

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK THAT WE WILL HAVE AUTHORITY TO GRANT UNDER THE PLAN FROM 380,000 TO 500,000

On October 9, 2017, the Board of Directors adopted, and our stockholders approved on October 9, 2017, the Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Equity Incentive Plan”); however, the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan did not become effective until the business day prior to the public trading of our common stock on the Nasdaq. As of September 28, 2023, there were (i) 38,157 shares of common stock availabledetermined according to a formula set forth in the Warrant.

9

Table of Contents

Adjustment for grant under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) 341,843 shares of common stock subject to awards were outstanding under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (all numbers have been adjusted to reflect the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023).

Reasons for the Proposed AmendmentStock Splits

Equity-based compensation awards are a critical element of our overall compensation program. We believe that our long-term incentive compensation program aligns the interests of management, employeesThe exercise price and the stockholders to create long-term stockholder value. In an effort to preserve cash and to attract, retain and motivate persons who make important contributions to our business, we would like to issue securities to our officers, directors and consultants. Management believes that the number of shares of common stock currently available forpurchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specific events, including sales of additional shares of common stock, stock dividends, stock splits, and combinations of our common stock.

Dividends or Distributions

If we declare or make any dividend or other distribution of our assets (or rights to acquire our assets) to holders of shares of our common stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property, options, evidence of indebtedness or any other assets by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) at any time after the issuance underof the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan is insufficientWarrants, then, in each such case, the holders of the Warrants shall be entitled to ensure it can meet its needs to provide for awardsparticipate in such distribution to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan participants forsame extent that the next 12 months and that it may be insufficient in order to allow usholders would have participated therein if the ability to compete successfully for talented employees and consultants. The Board of Directors has approved, subject to stockholder approval, Amendment No. 5 to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, which amendment increases by 120,000 the number of shares that may be granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. The amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan will increaseholders had held the number of shares of common stock with respectacquirable upon complete exercise of the Warrants.

Purchase Rights

If we grant, issue or sell any shares of our common stock or securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into our common stock, or rights to which awards may be granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan from 380,000 to 500,000. If the amendmentpurchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan is approved by our stockholders, the numberrecord holders of shares available for future awards will increase to 158,157 based on the number shares remaining available for grant under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan as of September 28, 2023. The proposed Amendment No. 5 to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan is attached hereto as Appendix A.

Purpose of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan

The Board of Directors believes that the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan is necessary for us to attract, retain and motivate our employees, directors and consultants through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity-based or equity-related awards. The Company believes the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan is best designed to provide the proper incentives for our employees, directors and consultants, ensures our ability to make performance-based awards, and meets the requirements of applicable law. Additional individuals may be awarded awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan as consultants.

We manage our long-term stockholder dilution by limiting the number of equity incentive awards granted annually. The Board of Directors monitors our annual stock award Burn Rate, Dilution and Overhang (each as defined below), among other factors, in its efforts to maximize stockholders’ value by granting what, in the Board of Directors’ judgment, are the appropriate number of equity incentive awards necessary to attract, reward, and retain employees, consultants and directors. The table below illustrates our Burn Rate, Dilution, and Overhang for 2022, 2021 and 2020 with details of each calculation noted below the table.

 

2022

 

2021

 

2020

Burn Rate(1)

 

8.57

%

 

6.7

%

 

8.6

%

Dilution(2)

 

21.37

%

 

26.4

%

 

28.2

%

Overhang(3)

 

12.72

%

 

14.6

%

 

15.1

%

____________

(1)      Burn Rate is number of shares subject to equity awards granted during a fiscal year/weighted average shares outstanding for that fiscal year.

(2)      Dilution is (number of shares subject to equity awards + the number of shares available for future awards at the end of a fiscal year)/(number of shares outstanding at the end of the fiscal year + number of share subject to equity awards + number of shares available for future awards).

23

(3)      Overhang is (number of shares subject to equity awards at the end of a fiscal year)/(number of shares outstanding at the end of the fiscal year + number of shares subject to equity awards + number of shares available for future awards).

Limitation on Awards and Shares Available

Initially, the aggregate numberany class of shares of our common stock, that was availablereferred to as Purchase Rights, then each holder of the Warrants will be issued pursuantentitled to stock awards underacquire, upon the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan was 70,000 shares,terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which was increased to 140,000 shares in 2019, 220,000 on July 30, 2020, 300,000 on August 18, 2021 and 380,000 on September 1, 2022 (all numbersthe holder could have been adjusted to reflectacquired if the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023). At September 28, 2023, weholder had outstanding options to purchase an aggregateheld the number of 203,312 shares of our common stock and had issued 138,531 shares of common stock underacquirable upon complete exercise of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. AsWarrants immediately before the record date, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of September 28, 2023, there are 38,157which the record holders of shares of our common stock available for grants that mayare to be made under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

Summary of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan

The principal provisions of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan are summarized below.

Administration

The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan generally is administered by our Compensation Committee, which has been appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee will have full authority to establish rules and regulationsdetermined, for the proper administrationgrant, issue or sale of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, to select the employees, directors and consultants to whom awards are granted, and to set the date of grant, the type of award and the other terms and conditions of the awards, consistent with the terms of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.such Purchase Rights.

EligibilityFundamental Transaction

Persons eligibleIf a Fundamental Transaction (as defined below) occurs, then the successor entity will succeed to, participate in the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan includeand be substituted for us, and may exercise every right and power that we may exercise and will assume all of our officers, employees, directors and consultants.

Awards

The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan provides forobligations under the grant of: (i) incentive stock options; (ii) nonstatutory stock options; (iii) stock appreciation rights; (iv) restricted stock; and (v) other stock-based and cash-based awards to eligible individuals. The terms of the awards will be set forth in an award agreement, consistentWarrants with the terms of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. No stock option will be exercisable later than ten years after the date it is granted.

The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan permits the grant of awards intended to qualifysame effect as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Stock Options

The Compensation Committee may grant incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code, and nonstatutory stock options. Options shall be exercisable forif such prices, shall expire at such times, and shall have such other terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine at the time of grant and as set forthsuccessor entity had been named in the award agreement; however, the exercise price must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value at the date of grant. The option price is payable in cash or other consideration acceptable to us. On September 28, 2023, the closing price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq was $2.58.

Stock Appreciation Rights

The Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights with such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine at the time of grant and as set forth in the award agreement. The grant priceWarrant itself. Additionally, upon consummation of a stock appreciation right shall be determined by the Compensation Committee and shall be specified in the award agreement; however, the grant price must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. Stock appreciation rights may be exercised upon such terms and conditions as are imposed by the Compensation Committee and as set forth in the stock appreciation right award agreement.

24

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock may be granted in such amounts and subject to the terms and conditions as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant and as set forth in the award agreement. The Compensation Committee may impose performance goals for restricted stock. The Compensation Committee may authorize the payment of dividends on the restricted stock during the restricted period.

Other Awards

The Compensation Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related awards not otherwise described by the terms of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Compensation Committee shall determine. Such awards may be based upon attainment of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee and may involve the transfer of actual shares to participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares.

Amendment and Termination

Our Board of Directors may amend the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan at any time, subject to stockholder approval to the extent required by applicable law or regulation or the listing standards of the Nasdaq or any other market or stock exchange on which the common stock is at the time primarily traded or the provisions of the Code.

Our Board of Directors may terminate the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan at any time provided all shareholder approval has been received to the extent required by the Code, applicable law or the listing standards of Nasdaq or any other market or stock exchange which the common stock is at the time primarily traded. Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan will terminate on the close of business on August 30, 2027.

Miscellaneous

The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan also contains provisions with respect to payment of exercise prices, vesting and expiration of awards, treatment of awards upon the sale of our company, transferability of awards, and tax withholding requirements. Various other terms, conditions, and limitations apply, as further described in the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

Material Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a brief description of the principal federal income tax consequences, as of the date of this proxy statement, associated with the grant of awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. This summary is based on our understanding of present United States federal income tax law and regulations. The summary does not purport to be complete or applicable to every specific situation. Furthermore, the following discussion does not address foreign, state or local tax consequences.

Options

Grant.    There is generally no United States federal income tax consequence to the participant solely by reason of the grant of incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, assuming the exercise price of the option is not less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant.

Exercise.    The exercise of an incentive stock option is not a taxable event for regular federal income tax purposes if certain requirements are satisfied, including the requirement that the participant generally must exercise the incentive stock option no later than three months following the termination of the participant’s employment with us. However, such exercise may give rise to alternative minimum tax liability (see “Alternative Minimum Tax” below). Upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the participant will generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the amount paid by the participant as the exercise price. The ordinary income recognized in connection with the exercise by a participant of a nonqualified stock option will be subject to both wage and employment tax withholding, and we generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.

25

The participant’s tax basis in the shares acquiredFundamental Transaction pursuant to the exercise of an option will be the amount paid upon exercise plus, in the case of a nonqualified stock option, the amount of ordinary income, if any, recognized by the participant upon exercise thereof.

Qualifying Disposition.    If a participant disposeswhich holders of shares of our common stock acquiredare entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of our common stock, we will make appropriate provision to ensure that the holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of an incentive stock option in a taxable transaction, and such disposition occurs more than two years from the date on which the option was granted and more than one year after the date on which the shares were transferred to the participant pursuant to the exercise of the incentive stock option,Warrants at any time after the participant will realize long-term capital gain or loss equalconsummation of the Fundamental Transaction but prior to the difference betweenapplicable expiration date of the amount realized upon such disposition and the participant’s adjusted basisWarrants, in such shares (generally the option exercise price).

Disqualifying Disposition.    If the participant disposeslieu of shares of our common stock acquired(or other securities, cash, assets or other property) purchasable upon the exercise of an incentive stockthe Warrant prior to such Fundamental Transaction, at the option (other thanof each holder (without regard to any limitation in certain tax free transactions) within two years from the dateWarrant on which the incentive stock option was granted or within one year after the transfer of shares to the participant pursuant to the exercise of the incentiveWarrants), the number of shares of common stock option, atof the timesuccessor or acquiring corporation or of dispositionus, if we are the participant will generally recognize ordinary income equalsurviving corporation, and any additional consideration which the holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such Fundamental Transaction had the Warrants been exercised immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction.

If holders of our common stock are given a choice as to the lesser of: (i)securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the excessholder shall be given the same choice as to the consideration it receives upon any exercise of the Warrants, following such Fundamental Transaction. These provisions apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and other corporate events described in the Warrants and will be applied without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a fundamental transaction, the holders of the Warrants have the right to require us or a successor entity to redeem the Warrants for cash in the amount of the Black-Scholes Value (as defined in each such share’s fair market valueWarrant) of the remaining unexercised portion of the Warrants on the date of exercise over the exercise price paidconsummation of such fundamental transaction, concurrently with or within 30 days following the consummation of a fundamental transaction. However, in the event of a fundamental transaction which is not in our control, including a fundamental transaction not approved by our Board of Directors, the participantholders of the Warrants will only be entitled to receive from us or (ii) the participant’s actual gain. If the total amount realized on a taxable disposition (including return on capital and capital gain) exceeds the fair market value onour successor entity, as of the date of exerciseconsummation of such fundamental transaction the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of the Warrant that is being offered and paid to the holders of our common stock in connection with the fundamental transaction, whether

10

Table of Contents

that consideration is in the form of cash, stock or any combination of cash and stock, or whether the holders of our Common Stock are given the choice to receive alternative forms of consideration in connection with the fundamental transaction.

A “Fundamental Transaction” is defined in the Warrants to mean (i) we, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effect any merger or consolidation with or into another person, (ii) we or any subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by us or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of common stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity, (iv) we, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effect any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of our common stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which our common stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) we, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another person or group of persons whereby such other person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock purchased byor 50% or more of the participant undervoting power of the option,common equity.

Transferability

Subject to applicable laws, the participant will recognizeWarrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned. There is currently no trading market for the Warrants and a capital gaintrading market is not expected to develop.

Rights as a Stockholder

Except as otherwise provided in the amountWarrants or by virtue of the excess. If the participant incurs a loss on the disposition (the total amount realized is less than the exercise price paid by the participant), the loss will be a capital loss.

Other Disposition.    If a participant disposesholder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, acquired upon exercisethe holders of a nonqualified stock option in a taxable transaction, the participant will recognize capital gainWarrants do not have the rights or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the participant’s basis (as discussed above) in the shares sold and the total amount realized upon disposition. Any such capital gain or loss (and any capital gain or loss recognized on a disqualifying dispositionprivileges of sharesholders of our common stock, acquired uponincluding any voting rights, unless and until they exercise their Warrants.

Amendments

The Warrants may be amended with the written consent of incentive stock optionsthe holders of a majority of the Warrant Shares underlying the Warrants that are outstanding as discussed above) willof such date and us. The Placement Agent Warrants may be shortamended with the written consent of the holder of such Placement Agent Warrant and us.

-termListing or long-term depending

There is no established public trading market for the Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for listing of the Warrants on whetherany national securities exchange.

Reasons for the shares of ourWarrant Exercise Proposal

Our common stock were held for moreis listed on The Nasdaq Capital Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) and trades under the ticker symbol “ADIL.” Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) requires stockholder approval of transactions other than one year frompublic offerings of greater than 20% of the date such shares were transferredoutstanding common stock or voting power of the issuer prior to the participant.

AlternativePrivate Placement for less than the applicable Minimum Tax.    Alternative minimum taxPrice. Under Rule 5635(d), the “Minimum Price” means a price that is payable if and to the extentlower of: (i) the amount thereof exceedsclosing price immediately preceding the amountsigning of the taxpayer’s regular tax liability, and any alternative minimum tax paid generally may be credited against future regular tax liability (but not future alternative minimum tax liability).

Alternative minimum tax applies to alternative minimum taxable income. Generally, regular taxable income as adjusted for tax preferences and other items is treated differently underbinding agreement; or (ii) the alternative minimum tax.

For alternative minimum tax purposes, the spread upon exercise of an incentive stock option (but not a nonqualified stock option) will be included in alternative minimum taxable income, and the taxpayer will receive a tax basis equal to the fair market valueaverage closing price of the shares of our common stock at such time for subsequent alternative minimum tax purposes. However, if the participant disposesfive trading days immediately preceding the signing of the incentive stock option shares in the year of exercise, the alternative minimum tax income cannot exceed the gain recognized for regular tax purposes, provided that the disposition meets certain third party requirements for limiting the gain on a disqualifying disposition. If there is a disqualifying disposition in a year other than the year of exercise, the income on the disqualifying disposition is not considered alternative minimum taxable income.

There are no federal income tax consequences to us by reason of the grant of incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options or the exercise of an incentive stock option (other than disqualifying dispositions). At the time the participant recognizes ordinary income from the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, we will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in the amount of the ordinary income so recognized (as described above), provided that we satisfy our reporting obligations described below. To the extent the participant recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying disposition of the stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option, and subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the year in which the disposition occurs. We are required to report to the Internal Revenue Service any ordinary income recognized by any participant by reason of the exercise of a nonqualified stock option. We are required to withhold income and employment taxes (and pay the employer’s share of the employment taxes) with respect to ordinary income recognized by the participant upon exercise of nonqualified stock options.

26

Stock Appreciation Rights

There are generally no tax consequences to the participant or us by reason of the grant of stock appreciation rights. In general, upon exercise of a stock appreciation rights award, the participant will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess of the stock’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the stock appreciation rights’ base price, or the amount payable. Generally, with respect to employees, the Company is required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, the Company generally will be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.

Restricted Stock

Unless a participant makes a Section 83(b) election, as described below, with respect to restricted stock granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, a participant receiving such an award will not recognize U.S. taxable ordinary income and we will not be allowed a deduction at the time such award is granted. While an award remains unvested or otherwise subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, a participant will recognize compensation income equal to the amount of any dividends received and we will be allowed a deduction in a like amount. When an award vests or otherwise ceases to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the excess of the fair market value of the award on the date of vesting or the cessation of the substantial risk of forfeiture over the amount paid, if any, by the participant for the award will be ordinary income to the participant and will be claimed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes by us. Upon disposition of the shares received, the gain or loss recognized by the participant will be treated as capital gain or loss, and the capital gain or loss will be short-term or long-term depending upon whether the participant held the shares for more than one year following the vesting or cessation of the substantial risk of forfeiture.

However, by filing a Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days after the date of grant, a participant’s ordinary income and commencement of holding period and the deduction will be determined as of the date of grant. In such a case, the amount of ordinary income recognized by such a participant and deductible by us will be equal to the excess of the fair market value of the award as of the date of grant over the amount paid, if any, by the participant for the award. If such election is made and a participant thereafter forfeits his or her award, no refund or deduction will be allowed for the amount previously included in such participant’s income.

Generally, with respect to employees, we are required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation and any tax withholding condition, we generally will be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient. Upon disposition of stock, the recipient will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for such stock, if any, plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon acquisition (or vesting) of the stock. Such gain or loss will be long- or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year from the date ordinary income is measured.

Section 409A

If an award under the 2017 Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, but does not comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the taxable events as described above could apply earlier than described, and could result in the imposition of additional taxes and penalties. Participants are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the applicability of Section 409A of the Code to their awards.

Potential Limitation on Company Deductions

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid in a taxable year by a publicly held corporation to its chief executive officer and certain other “covered employees”. Our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee intend to consider the potential impact of Section 162(m) on grants made under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, but reserve the right to approve grants of options and other awards for an executive officer that exceeds the deduction limit of Section 162(m).

27

New Plan Benefits

Any awards to be made under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan will be subject to the discretion of our Compensation Committee. As a result, as of the date of this proxy statement, we are unable to determine any specific grants of awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan that will be made. Since it is not possible to determine the exact number of awards that will be granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, the awards granted during fiscal 2022 under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan are set forth in the following table.

Name and Position

 

Number of
Shares
Underlying
Options Grants (#)

 

Number of
Shares
Granted
(#)

 

Total
Number of
shares
subject to grant
(#)

Cary J. Claiborne, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

266

 

 

40,000

 

40,266

Joseph Truluck, Chief Financial Officer

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

William B. Stilley, Former Chief Executive Officer, Former Executive VP and Former CEO of Purnovate, Inc.

 

4,000

(1)

 

3,333

 

7,333

All Executive Officers as a Group

 

11,666

 

 

43,333

 

54,999

All Non-Executive Directors as a Group

 

10,400

 

 

 

10,400

All Non-Executive Officer Employees as a Group

 

6,800

 

 

 

6,800

____________

(1)      Option to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock were cancelled on Mr. Stilley’s resignation on September 18, 2023.

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers

Our directors and executive officers have substantial interests in the matters set forth in this proposal since equity awards may be granted to them under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

Market Price of Shares

binding agreement. The closing price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq on September 28,October 18, 2023, was $2.58.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

On October 9, 2017, we adopted the Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan; which became effective on July 31, 2018. The following table provides information, as of December 31, 2022 with respect to options outstanding under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

Plan Category

 

Number of
Securities to
be Issued
upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Equity
Compensation
Plan Options*

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Equity
Compensation
Plan Options

 

Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation
Plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
the first
column)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

167,092

 

$

59.39

 

122,975

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

NA

 

NA

Total

 

167,092

 

$

59.39

 

122,975

____________

*        Excludes 5,584 options issued prior to adoptiontrading date immediately preceding the signing of the Equity Compensation PlanPurchase Agreement, was $2.775 per share. In order to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the Warrants and 89,933the Placement Agent Warrants are not exercisable until Shareholder Approval is obtained.

We are seeking stockholder approval for the issuance of up to an aggregate of 3,007,092 shares of our common stock upon the exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants that were issued or are issuable. Effectively, stockholder approval of this Warrant Exercise Proposal is one of the conditions for us to receive up to an additional

11

Table of Contents

approximately $8.6 million (before deducting expenses and placement agent fees) upon the exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants, if exercised for cash. Loss of these potential funds could adversely impact our ability to fund our operations.

The Board is not seeking the approval of our stockholders to authorize our entry into or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the securities purchase agreement, as the Private Placement has already been completed. We are only asking for approval to issue the Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants.

Potential Consequences if Proposal No. 1 is Not Approved

The failure of our stockholders to approve this Proposal No. 1 will mean that: (i) we cannot permit the exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants and (ii) may incur substantial additional costs and expenses.

Each Series A Warrants and Series B Warrant has an initial exercise price of $2.82 per share and each Placement Agent Warrant has, or will have, an initial exercise price of $3.525 per share. Accordingly, we would realize an aggregate of up to approximately $8.6 million in gross proceeds before deducting expenses and fees that we will owe to H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, the placement agent in connection with the Private Placement, if all the Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants were exercised for cash. If the Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants cannot be exercised, we will not receive any such proceeds, which could adversely impact our ability to fund our operations.

In addition, in connection with the Private Placement and the issuance of Warrants, we have agreed to seek stockholder approval every 90 days until our stockholders approve the issuance of the Warrant Shares. We are required to seek such approval until such time as none of the Warrants are outstanding which could result in us seeking such approval every 90 days for five and one half years. The costs and expenses associated with seeking such approval could materially adversely impact our ability to fund our operations and advance the clinical trials, regulatory approvals for, and commercialization of our products and product candidates.

Potential Adverse Effects of the Approval of Proposal No. 1

If this Proposal No. 1 is approved, existing stockholders will suffer dilution in their ownership interests in the future upon the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants. Assuming the full exercise of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants, an aggregate of 3,007,092 additional shares of common stock issuedwill be outstanding, and the ownership interest of our existing stockholders would be correspondingly reduced. In addition, the sale into the public market of these shares also could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

No Appraisal Rights

No appraisal rights are available under the Equity Compensation Plan.General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or under our Certificate, or our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, with respect to the Warrant Exercise Proposal.

28

Required Vote Required

The affirmative vote from the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this matterthe Warrant Exercise Proposal at the 2023 AnnualSpecial Meeting is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes AGAINST this proposal. As noted above, we believe that this proposal and Proposal 2 will be considered “non-routine” and therefore broker non-votes are not expected to be present at this meeting.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” Proposal No. 1 to approve the Warrant Exercise Proposal.

12

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL NO. 2 — THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

Background of and Rationale for the Proposal

The Board believes that if the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting is insufficient to approve Proposal No. 1 (the Warrant Exercise Proposal), it is in the best interests of the stockholders to enable the Board to continue to seek to obtain a sufficient number of additional votes to approve the Warrant Exercise Proposal.

In the Adjournment Proposal, we are asking stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board to vote in favor of adjourning or postponing the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If our stockholders approve this proposal, we could adjourn or postpone the Special Meeting, and any adjourned session of the Special Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the Warrant Exercise Proposal.

Additionally, approval of the Adjournment Proposal could mean that, in the event we receive proxies indicating that a majority of the number of outstanding shares of our common stock will vote against the Warrant Exercise Proposal, we could adjourn or postpone the Special Meeting without a vote on the proposal and use the additional time to solicit the holders of those shares to change their vote in favor of the Warrant Exercise Proposal.

If it is necessary or appropriate (as determined in good faith by the Board) to adjourn the Special Meeting, no notice of the adjourned meeting is required to be given to our stockholders, other than an announcement at the Special Meeting of the time and place to which the Special Meeting is adjourned, so long as the meeting is adjourned for 30 days or less and no new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting. At the adjourned meeting, we may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal is required to approve the amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.this proposal. Abstentions will be counted and will have the same effect as a vote against theAGAINST this proposal. As noted above, we believe that this proposal and Proposal 1 will be considered “non-routine” and therefore broker non-non-votes-votes, if any, are not votes cast and not votesexpected to be present at the meeting and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.meeting.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT TO OUR 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE THAT WE WILL HAVE AUTHORITY TO GRANT.

29

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Set forth below are the executive officers of the Company who do not serve as directors, including their ages, their positions with our company and a brief biographical description.

Executive Officers

 

Age

 

Position(s) Held

 

Officer Since

Bankole A. Johnson, DSc, MD

 

63

 

Chief Medical Officer

 

2019

Joseph Truluck, MBA

 

45

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2017

Bankole A. Johnson, D.Sc., M.D., Chief Medical Officer

Bankole Johnson has served as our Chief Medical Officer since March 24, 2019. Dr. Johnson also served as the Chairman of our Board from November 2010 until March 24, 2019. Dr. Johnson is a world-leading neuroscientist and a pioneer in the development of medications for the treatment of alcohol abuse and is the inventor of all patents covering AD04. In August 2013, he was appointed Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and also leads the Brain Science Research Consortium Unit at the University of Maryland, a position he held until March 2019 to devote greater focus to his new duties with us. Previously, from 2004 until August 2013, he served as Alumni Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Johnson graduated in Medicine from Glasgow University in 1982 and trained in Psychiatry at the Royal London and Maudsley and Bethlem Royal Hospitals. Additional to his medical degree, he trained in research at the Institute of Psychiatry (University of London) and conducted studies in neuropsychopharmacology for his doctoral thesis (degree from Glasgow University) on the Medical Research Council unit at Oxford University. In 2004, Dr. Johnson earned his Doctor of Science degree in Medicine from Glasgow University — the highest degree that can be granted in science by a British university. His primary area of research expertise is the psychopharmacology of medications for treating addictions.

Dr. Johnson is a licensed physician and board-certified psychiatrist throughout Europe and in the U.S. He is the Principal Investigator on National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research studies utilizing neuroimaging, neuropharmacology, and molecular genetics techniques. Dr. Johnson’s clinical expertise is in the fields of addiction, biological, and forensic psychiatry. Honors include service on numerous NIH review and other committees including special panels.

Dr. Johnson was the 2001 recipient of the Dan Anderson Research Award for his “distinguished contribution as a researcher who has advanced the scientific knowledge of addiction recovery.” He received the Distinguished Senior Scholar of Distinction Award in 2002 from the National Medical Association. Dr. Johnson also was an inductee of the Texas Hall of Fame in 2003 for contributions to science, mathematics, and technology, and in 2006 he received the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA’s) Distinguished Psychiatrist Lecturer Award. In 2007, he was named as a Fellow in the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and in 2008 he was elected to the status of Distinguished Fellow of the APA. In 2009, he received the APA’s Solomon Carter Fuller Award, honoring an individual who has pioneered in an area that has benefited significantly the quality of life for Black people. In 2010, he was named as a Fellow in the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Dr. Johnson is Field Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Psychiatry, serves on the Editorial Board of The American Journal of Psychiatry, and reviews for over 30 journals in pharmacology, neuroscience, and the addictions. He has over 200 publications. Dr. Johnson also has edited three books: Drug Addiction and Its Treatment: Nexus of Neuroscience and Behavior, Handbook of Clinical Alcoholism Treatment, and Addiction Medicine: Science and Practice, one of the foremost reference textbooks in the field.

Dr. Johnson has served as a consultant to Johnson & Johnson (Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC), Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., D&A Pharma, Organon, Adial Corporation, Psychological Education Publishing Company (PEPCo LLC), and Eli Lilly and Company. He also has served on the Extramural Advisory Board for NIAAA (2004-present), the National Advisory Council for NIDA (2004-2007), the Medications Development Subcommittee of NIDA’s Advisory Council on Drug Abuse (2004-2007), and the Medications Development Scientific Advisory Board for NIDA (2005-2009). In addition, he has been the recipient of research grant support from both NIAAA and NIDA.

30

Joseph Truluck, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary

Joseph Truluck has served as our Chief Financial Officer since June 2017 and our Treasurer and served as our Secretary from October 2017 until September 27, 2021, and from May 2016 until his appointment as our Chief Operating Officer, as our VP Operations and Finance. From January 2013 to December of 2019, Mr. Truluck served as the VP Operations and Finance at Adenosine Therapeutics, LLC after the company reacquired its major drug development program. As VP Operations and Finance, at Adenosine Therapeutics, Mr. Truluck oversaw the operations of the business, including seeing to completion a project to merge and analyze two partially completed Phase 3 trials to constitute a single trial. From April 2005 to July 2009, Mr. Truluck served as the Operations Manager of Adenosine Therapeutics’ until its purchase in August 2008 by Clinical Data. After the purchase of Adenosine Therapeutics’ operations by Clinical Data, Mr. Truluck went on to gain an MBA from Tulane University with a concentration in Finance. In addition to his MBA at Tulane, Mr. Truluck earned an MA in Philosophy at the University of Virginia, with a thesis in the philosophy of language.

31

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the information as to compensation paid to or earned by our executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 whose total compensation did exceed $100,000. The persons listed in the following table are referred to herein as the “named executive officers.”

Name and Principal Position

 

Fiscal
Year

 

Salary

 

Bonuses

 

Option &
Stock
Award(s)

 

All Other
Compensation

 

Total

Cary Claiborne

 

2022

 

$

356,722

 

 

$

(1)

 

$

600,862

(2)

 

$

58,354

(3)

 

$

1,015,938

Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors

 

2021

 

$

15,200

(4)

 

$

 

 

$

447,650

(5)

 

$

3,913

(6)

 

$

466,763

Joseph A. M. Truluck

 

2022

 

$

267,500

 

 

$

(7)

 

$

162,920

(8)

 

$

12,200

(9)

 

$

442,620

Chief Financial Officer

 

2021

 

$

248,750

 

 

$

45,500

(10)

 

$

316,435

(11)

 

$

13,839

(12)

 

$

624,524

William B. Stilley

 

2022

 

$

363,611

 

 

$

(13)

 

$

166,666

(14)

 

$

61,299

(15)

 

$

591,576

Former Chief Executive Officer, Former Executive Vice President and Former Chief Executive Officer of Purnovate, Inc.(19)

 

2021

 

$

408,750

 

 

$

114,800

(16)

 

$

632,870

(17)

 

$

71,436

(18)

 

$

1,227,856

____________

(1)      According to the terms of Mr. Claiborne’s executive agreement, he is eligible to receive a bonus of 40% of his base salary for service as CEO during 2022. The Company has accordingly recognized $180,000 in accrued expenses associated with Mr. Claiborne’s service for the year ended December 31, 2022. However, at the date of this filing, no bonus for 2022 has been paid and the amount of any such bonus to be paid in the future remains at the discretionRecommendation of the Board of Directors.

(2)      Includes the value of 40,000 shares issued on August 18, 2022 on accession as CEO with a market value on issue of $14.75 per share. Also includes the fair value of 267 options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $40.75 per share issued for service as a director on November 2, 2021 at a fair value of $63.25 per option. All options vest over a three-year period from grant date. Fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023.

(3)      Includes (i) the payment of $20,433 of medical and dental insurance premiums, (ii) $12,200 of matched 401(k) contributions, $24,913 cash fee for services as a Director, and (iv) $808 of reimbursed telephone expenses.

(4)      Mr. Claiborne began his service as COO on December 8, 2021.

(5)      Includes the fair value of 2,400 options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $78.75 per share issued for service as a director on November 2, 2021 at a fair value of $63.25 per option and 5,200 options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $66.00 per share issued on December 7, 2021 at a fair value of $57.00 per option. All options vest over a three-year period from grant date. Fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023.

(6)      All other compensation for Mr. Claiborne is comprised of cash fee for services as a Director of $3,913.

(7)      According to the terms of Mr. Truluck’s executive agreement, he is eligible to receive a bonus of 25% of his base salary for service as CEO during 2022. The Company has accordingly recognized $67,500 in accrued expenses associated with Mr. Truluck’s service for the year ended December 31, 2022. However, at the date of this filing, no bonus for 2022 has been paid and the amount of any such bonus to be paid in the future remains at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

(8)      Includes the fair value of 4,000 options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $78.75 per share issued on February 23, 2022 at a fair value of $40.75 per option. Options vest over a three-year period from grant date. Fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023.

(9)      Comprised of $12,200 in matched 401(k) contributions.

(10)    Consisting of a cash performance bonus payment of $45,500 fully earned in 2021 and paid in 2022.

32

(11)    Represents the fair value of 5,000 options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $77.75 per share issued on February 8, 2021 at a fair value of approximately $63.25 per option. Options vest over a three-year period from grant date. Fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023.

(12)    Comprised of $13,839 in matched 401(k) contributions.

(13)    According to the terms of Mr. Stilley’s executive agreement, he was eligible to receive a bonus of 40% of his base salary for service as CEO during 2022. The Company has accordingly recognized $90,000 in accrued expenses associated with Mr. Stilley’s service for the year ended December 31, 2022. As of the date of his resignation, no bonus for 2022 had been paid, nor will any such bonus be paid.

(14)    Includes the value of 3,333 shares issued on February 23, 2022 with a market value on issue of $50.00 per share as a discretionary bonus. An additional 6,667 shares were originally granted on the same day at the same value per share but were cancelled on December 30, 2022 at Mr. Stilley’s will. Fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023.

(15)    Includes (i) the payment of $24,700 of medical and dental insurance premiums and HSA contributions, (ii) $8,702 of matched 401(k) contributions, $27,000 cash fee for services as a Director, and (iv) $897 of reimbursed telephone expenses.

(16)    Bonuses for Mr. Stilley were comprised of cash performance bonus payment of $114,800 earned in 2021 and paid in 2022.

(17)    Includes the fair value of 10,000 options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $77.75 per share issued on February 8, 2021 at a fair value of $63.25 per option. Options vest over a three-year period from grant date. Fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023.

(18)    All other compensation for Mr. Stilley is comprised of (i) a contribution by our company to an HSA ($8,004); (ii) the payment by our company of insurance premiums including life, dental, vision ($28,245); (iii) matched 401(k) contributions ($11,187); and (iv) cash fee for services as a Director ($24,000).

(19)    Mr. Stilley served as our Chief Executive Officer until August 18, 2022 when he served as our Executive Vice President and the Chief Executive Officer of Purnovate, Inc. On September 18, 2023, Mr. Stilley resigned from all positions he held with us including as a member of our Board of Directors and Executive Vice President as well as Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary.

33

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End (December 31, 2022)

The following table provides information aboutBoard unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” Proposal No. 2 to approve the numberAdjournment Proposal.

13

Table of outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2022:

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

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares That
Have Not
Vested

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market
or
Payout Value
of
Unearned
Shares
That
Have Not
Vested

Cary Claiborne

 

1,000

 

1,400

(1)

 

$

78.75

 

11/1/31

    

Chief Executive Officer

 

1,878

 

3,322

(2)

 

$

66.00

 

12/7/31

    

and Member of the

 

81

 

185

(3)

 

 

50.00

 

2/23/22

    

Board of Directors

    

 

 

 

       

Joseph Truluck

 

1,205

 

(4)

 

$

142.50

 

6/30/27

    

Chief Financial Officer

 

7,200

 

(5)

 

$

84.75

 

3/9/29

    
  

7,556

 

444

(6)

 

$

36.00

 

3/3/30

    
  

3,194

 

1,806

(7)

 

 

77.75

 

2/8/31

    
  

1,222

 

2,777

(3)

 

 

50.00

 

2/23/22

    

William B. Stilley

 

2,299

 

(8)

 

 

142.50

 

6/30/27

    

Former Chief

 

20,000

 

(9)

 

 

84.75

 

3/9/29

    

Executive Officer,

 

17,378

 

1,022

(10)

 

 

36.00

 

3/3/30

    

Former Executive VP

 

6,389

 

3,611

(11)

 

 

77.75

 

2/8/31

    

and Former CEO of

    

 

 

 

       

Purnovate, Inc.

    

 

 

 

       

____________

(1)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, November 2, 2021, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month.

(2)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, December 7, 2021, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month.

(3)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, February 23, 2022, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month.

(4)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, June 30, 2017, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month. At the date of this filing, these grants are fully vested.

(5)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, March 9, 2019, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month. At the date of this filing, these grants are fully vested.

(6)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, March 3, 2020, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month.

(7)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, February 8, 2021, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month.

(8)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, June 30, 2017, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month. At the date of this filing, this grant was fully vested. Any options unexercised at December 17, 2023, which is 90 days from the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation, will be cancelled.

(9)      One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, March 9, 2019, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month. At the date of this filing, this grant was fully vested. Any options unexercised at December 17, 2023, which is 90 days from the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation, will be cancelled.

(10)    One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, March 3, 2020, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month. At the date of this filing, this grants was fully vested. Any options unexercised at December 17, 2023, which is 90 days from the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation, will be cancelled.

34Contents

(11)    One thirty-sixth (1/36) of these options vested on the date of grant, February 8, 2021, with an additional one thirty-sixth vesting on the first day of each subsequent month. On September 18, 2023, the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation, 1,111 unvested options were cancelled. The remaining 8,889 options will be cancelled if they are unexercised on December 17, 2023, which is 90 days from the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation.

Employment Agreements and Consulting Agreement

Employment Agreements

We are currently a party to employment agreements with each of Messrs. Claiborne and Truluck.

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Claiborne as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, we and Mr. Claiborne entered into a three-year employment agreement (the “Claiborne Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Claiborne Employment Agreement, Mr. Claiborne received an annual base salary of $304,000, had a target bonus opportunity equal to 25% of his base salary and devoted no less than 80% of his business time to the affairs of the Company. On August 22, 2022, Mr. Claiborne was appointed Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors, at which time his employment agreement was amended to increase his annual base salary to $450,000 with a target bonus opportunity of 40% of his annual salary. Mr. Claiborne agreed to devote substantially all his business time to the affairs of the Company. On execution of this agreement, Mr. Claiborne was also granted one million shares of common stock, said shares vesting monthly over a three year period. Mr. Claiborne’s annual salary is subject to increase at the discretion of the Board. The Board may, in its discretion, pay a portion of Mr. Claiborne’s annual bonus in the form of cash or equity or equity-based awards (or any combination thereof). Mr. Claiborne is also subject to certain restrictive covenants, including a non-competition (applicable during employment and for 24 months thereafter), customer non-solicitation and employee and independent contractor non-solicitation (each applicable during employment and for 12 months thereafter), as well as confidentiality (applicable during employment and 7 years thereafter) and non-disparagement restrictions (applicable during employment and at all times thereafter).

Effective upon the closing of the initial public offering, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Joseph Truluck to serve as our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the “Truluck EA”), which agreement was amended on February 12, 2021 to extend the term of the agreement to March 31, 2026. Under the Truluck EA, Mr. Truluck devotes no less than 50% of his business time to the affairs of our company, which was increased to 75% on February 12, 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the Truluck EA, as amended on March 10, 2019 to increase his salary to $150,000 per annum and further amended on March 3, 2020 to increase his salary to ($170,000 per annum) and further amended on February 23, 2022, he receives an annual salary of $270,000 and has a target bonus opportunity equal 25% of his salary. Mr. Truluck’s annual salary is subject to increase at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, pay a portion of Mr. Truluck’s annual bonus in the form of equity or equity-based compensation. Mr. Truluck is also subject to certain restrictive covenants, including a non-competition (applicable during employment and for 24 months thereafter), customer non-solicitation and employee and independent contractor non-solicitation (each applicable during employment and for 12 months thereafter), as well as confidentiality (applicable during employment and 7 years thereafter) and non-disparagement restrictions (applicable during employment and at all times thereafter).

Effective upon the closing of our initial public offering, we entered into a five-year employment agreement with Mr. Stilley to serve as our Chief Executive Officer, which agreement was amended on February 12, 2021 to extend the term of the agreement to March 31, 2026 (the “Stilley EA”). Under the Stilley EA, as amended on March 10, 2019 to increase his salary to $400,000 and further amended on February 12, 2021 and March 17, 2021, Mr. Stilley received an annual salary of $410,000 and had a target bonus opportunity equal to 40% of his salary. Mr. Stilley’s annual salary was subject to increase at the discretion of our Board of Directors. On August 22, 2022, Mr. Stilley was appointed by the Board of Directors to be Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Purnovate, Inc. and on August 31, 2022, he was appointed as our Executive Vice President. At that time, his employment agreement was amended to make his annual salary equal to $260,000, which was to be increased to $430,000 at such time as Purnovate’s cash on hand is equal to three million dollars or more. Our Board of Directors could have, in its discretion, paid a portion of Mr. Stilley’s annual bonus in the form of equity or equity-based compensation, provided that commencing with the year following the year in which a Change of Control (as defined in the Stilley EA) occurs, Mr. Stilley’s annual bonus would be paid in cash. Mr. Stilley is also subject to certain restrictive covenants, including a non-competition (applicable during employment and for 24 months thereafter), customer non-solicitation and employee and independent contractor non-solicitation (each applicable during employment and for 12 months

35

thereafter), as well as confidentiality (applicable during employment and 7 years thereafter) and non-disparagement restrictions (applicable during employment and at all times thereafter). Mr. Stilley resigned from all positions he held with the Company and our subsidiaries on September 18, 2023.

In the event that Mr. Claiborne’s or Mr. Truluck’s (each an “Executive”) employment is terminated by us other than for Cause, or upon his resignation for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement), the Executive will be entitled to any unpaid bonus earned in the year prior to the termination, a pro-rata portion of the bonus earned during the year of termination, continuation of base salary for 12 months in the case of Mr. Claiborne, 6 months in the case of Mr. Truluck, plus 12 months of COBRA premium reimbursement. If Mr. Claiborne’s termination occurs within 60 days before or within 24 months following a Change of Control, then Mr. Claiborne will be entitled to receive the same severance benefits as provided above except he will receive (a) a payment equal to two times the sum of his base salary and the higher of his target annual bonus opportunity and the bonus payment he received for the year immediately preceding the year in which the termination occurred instead of 12 months of base salary continuation and (b) 24 times the monthly COBRA premium for himself and his eligible dependents instead of 12 months of COBRA reimbursements (the payments in clauses (a) and (b) are paid in a lump sum in some cases and partly in a lump sum and partly in installments over 12 months in other cases). In addition, if Mr. Claiborne’s employment is terminated by us without Cause or by the him for Good Reason, in either case, upon or within 24 months following a Change of Control, then he will be entitled to full vesting of all equity awards received by him from us (with any equity awards that are subject to the satisfaction of performance goals deemed earned at not less than target performance).

In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated due to his death or Disability, the Executive (or his estate) will be entitled to any unpaid bonus earned in the year prior to the termination, a pro-rata portion of the bonus earned during the year of termination, 12 months of COBRA premium reimbursement and accelerated vesting of (a) all equity awards received in payment of base salary or an annual bonus and (b) with respect to any other equity award, the greater of the portion of the unvested equity award that would have become vested within 12 months after the termination date had no termination occurred and the portion of the unvested equity award that is subject to accelerated vesting (if any) upon such termination under the applicable equity plan or award agreement (with performance goals deemed earned at not less than target performance, and with any equity award that is in the form of a stock option or stock appreciation right to remain outstanding and exercisable for 12 months following the termination date or, if longer, such period as provided under the applicable equity plan or award agreement (but in no event beyond the expiration date of the applicable option or stock appreciation right).

All severance payments to the Executives will be subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims by the Executive or his estate, as applicable.

For purpose of each of the Claiborne EA and Truluck EA, “Good Reason” is defined as the occurrence of any of the following events without the respective Executive’s consent: (i) a material reduction in the Executive’s duties, responsibilities or authority; (ii) a reduction of the Executive’s base salary; (iii) failure or refusal of a successor to us to either materially assume our obligations under the employment agreement or enter into a new employment agreement with the Executive on terms that are materially similar to those provided under this Agreement, in any case, in the event of a Change of Control; (iv) relocation of the Executive’s primary work location that results in an increase in the Executive’s one-way driving distance by more than twenty-five (25) miles from the Executive’s then-current principal residence; or (v) a material breach of the employment agreement by us.

For purposes of the Claiborne EA and Truluck EA, “Cause” is defined as that the Executive shall have engaged in any of the following acts or that any of the following events shall have occurred, all as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion: (i) conviction for, or entering of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (or its equivalent under any applicable legal system) with respect to (A) a felony or (B) any crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) commission of fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or theft against any person; (iii) engaging in any intentional activity that injures or would reasonably be expected to injure (monetarily or otherwise), in any material respect, the reputation, the business or a business relationship of the Company or any of its affiliates; (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the Executive’s duties to us or its affiliates under this Agreement, or willful refusal or failure to carry out the lawful instructions of the Board of Directors that are consistent with the Executive’s title and position; (v) violation of any fiduciary duty owed to us or any of its affiliates; or (vi) breach of any restrictive covenant (as defined) or material breach or violation of any other provision of the employment agreement, of a written policy or code of conduct of our company or any of our affiliates (as in effect from time to time) or any other agreement between the Executive and we or any of our affiliates. Except when such acts constituting Cause which, by their nature,

36

cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, the Executive will have twenty (20) days following the delivery of written notice by the Company of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause within which to cure any acts constituting Cause. Following such twenty (20) day cure period, and if the reason stated in the notice is not cured, the Executive shall be given five (5) business days prior written notice to appear (with or without counsel) before the full Board for the opportunity to present information regarding his views on the alleged Cause event. After we provide the original notice of our intent to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause, we may suspend the Executive, with pay, from all his duties and responsibilities and prevent him from accessing our or our affiliates premises or contacting any of our personal or any of our affiliates until a final determination on the hearing is made. The Executive will not be terminated for Cause until a majority of the independent directors approve such termination following the hearing.

For the purposes of each of the Claiborne EA and Truluck EA, “Change of Control” is defined as: (i) the accumulation over a twelve (12) month period, whether directly or indirectly, by any individual, entity or group of our securities representing over fifty (50%) percent of the total voting power of all our then outstanding voting securities; (ii) a merger or consolidation of us in which our voting securities immediately prior to the merger or consolidation do not represent, or are not converted into securities that represent, a majority of the voting power of all voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after the merger or consolidation; (iii) a sale of substantially all of our assets; or (iv) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, our current directors, together with any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.

Consulting Agreements

On March 24, 2019, we entered into a three-year consulting agreement with Bankole Johnson. Dr. Johnson’s consulting agreement with us (the “Johnson Consulting Agreement”) provides that Dr. Johnson will serve as our Chief Medical Officer and devote 75% of his working time to our business and affairs and will receive: (i) an annual fee of $375,000 a year; (ii) a signing bonus of $250,000 (which he received); and (iii) an option to purchase 250,000 shares of our common stock. The shares of common stock underlying the option award vests pro rata on a monthly basis over a thirty-six month period. The options are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant and have an exercise price of $3.01 per share. On March 22, 2022, the agreement was extended for an additional three-year term, to expire on March 21, 2025 and to be terminable by either party for any reason on 30 days notice. On September 8, 2022, the agreement was further amended to increase the annual fee due Dr. Johnson to $435,000 and to grant Dr. a number of bonuses in cash and equity, contingent on achieving certain milestones.

The Johnson Consulting Agreement may be terminated by us upon Dr. Johnson’s death, upon thirty days’ notice for a material breach of the Consulting Agreement by Dr. Johnson that can be cured, after notice of breach and failure to cure; upon notice for a breach of the Consulting Agreement by Dr. Johnson that cannot be cured; upon thirty days’ notice for any other cause.

On March 15, 2023, we entered into a nine-month consulting agreement with Tony Goodman (the “Goodman Consulting Agreement”), one of our directors. Pursuant to the terms of the Goodman Consulting Agreement, Mr. Goodman is to receive a cash payment of $22,000 per month and will receive a grant of 100,000 shares of Common Stock upon consummation of a partnering transaction if such transaction is consummated prior to December 31, 2024.

Indemnification Agreements

We entered into agreements with each Executive and each director under which we will be required to indemnify them against expenses, judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with an actual or threatened proceeding if any of them may be made a party because the Executive or director is or was one of our Executives. We will be obligated to pay these amounts only if the executive or director acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests. With respect to any criminal proceeding, we will be obligated to pay these amounts only if the Executive or director had no reasonable cause to believe his/her conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements also set forth procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification.

37

OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and ManagementSECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information, as of September 28,November 17, 2023, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by each of the following:

•        each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;

•        each of our directors;

•        each of our named executive officers; and

•        all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

As of September 28,November 17, 2023, we had 1,217,981 shares of common stock outstanding.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In addition, the rules include shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of profits interest units,options, warrants or other rights that are either immediately exercisable or exercisable on or before November 27, 2023, which is approximatelywithin 60 days after the date of this proxy statement.November 17, 2023. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options or warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.

Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each of the individuals and entities listed in this table is c/o Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901.

Name and address of beneficial owner

 

Number of
Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned

 

Percentage of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned

Directors and named executive officers

    

 

Cary J. Claiborne (Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director)(1)

 

69,599

 

5.67

%

Joseph Truluck (Chief Financial Officer)(2)

 

35,927

 

2.89

%

William B. Stilley, III (Former Executive Vice President and Director and Former CEO of Purnovate, Inc.)(3)

 

103,378

 

8.14

%

J. Kermit Anderson (Director)(4)

 

5,790

 

*

 

Robertson H. Gilliland, MBA (Director)(5)

 

5,790

 

*

 

Bankole Johnson, DSc, MD (Chief Medical Officer)(6)

 

32,660

 

2.66

%

James W. Newman, Jr. (Director)(7)

 

20,016

 

1.63

%

Kevin Schuyler, CFA (Director)(8)

 

12,188

 

1.00

%

Tony Goodman (Director)(9)

 

6,198

 

*

 

     

 

All current executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons)(10)

 

185,338

 

14.35

%

Name and address of beneficial owner

 

Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned

 

Percentage of
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned

Directors and named executive officers

    

 

Cary J. Claiborne (Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director)(1)

 

69,047

 

5.63

%

Joseph Truluck (Chief Financial Officer)(2)

 

35,538

 

2.86

%

J. Kermit Anderson (Director)(3)

 

5,645

 

*

 

Robertson H. Gilliland, MBA (Director)(4)

 

5,645

 

*

 

Bankole Johnson, DSc, MD (Chief Medical Officer)(5)

 

32,577

 

2.65

%

James W. Newman, Jr. (Director)(6)

 

19,871

 

1.62

%

Kevin Schuyler, CFA (Director)(7)

 

12,043

 

*

 

Tony Goodman (Director)(8)

 

6,746

 

*

 

William B. Stilley (Former Executive Vice President and Director and Former CEO of Purnovate, Inc.)(9)

 

51,513

 

4.23

%

All current executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons)(10)

 

187,112

 

14.47

%

____________

*        less than 1%

(1)      Comprised of 60,799 shares of common stock and an option to purchase 8,8008,248 shares of common stock which will vest within 60 days of September 28,November 17, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants to purchase 19,866 shares of our common stock.

(2)      Comprised of 10,605 shares of our common stock. Includes option to purchase 25,32224,933 shares of common stock, which will vest within 60 days of September 28,November 17, 2023, which shares were part of a total option grant to purchase 30,405 shares of our common stock.

38

(3)      Includes (i) 37,573 shares of common stock and a warrant to acquire 218 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share; (ii) 13,330 shares of common stock and a warrant to acquire 392 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share owned by Mr. Stilley and his wife Anne T. Stilley. Does not include (x) 223 shares of our common stock owned by the Meredith A. Stilley Trust dtd 11/23/2010; (y) 223 shares of our common stock owned by the Morgan J. Stilley Trust dtd 11/23/2010; and (z) 223 shares of our common stock owned by the Blair E. Stilley Trust dtd 11/23/2010. The trusts are for the benefit of Mr. Stilley’s children and Mr. Stilley is not the trustee. Mr. Stilley disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have in such shares. The number of shares reported for Mr. Stilley represents the number of shares he and the trusts received in connection with the corporate conversion/reincorporation and subsequent stock issuances.      Includes option to purchase 51,865 shares of common stock which will have been vested within 60 days of September 28, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants originally to purchase 56,698 shares of our common stock, but which were reduced to 51,865 with the cancellation of options unvested on September 18, 2023, the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation. If unexercised, all remaining options will be cancelled on December 17, 2023, which is 90 days from the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation.

(4)      Includes option to purchase 5,7905,645 shares of common stock which will vest within 60 days of September 28,November 17, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants to purchase 7,823 shares of our common stock.

(5)(4)      Includes option to purchase 5,7905,645 shares of common stock which will vest within 60 days of September 28,November 17, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants to purchase 7,823 shares of our common stock.

(6)14

Table of Contents

(5)      Includes (i) 5,929 shares of our common stock, owned by En Fideicomiso De Mi Vida 11/23/2010 (Trust); (ii) 3,720 shares of our common stock owned by En Fidecomiso de Todos Mis Suenos Grantor Retained Annuity Trust dated June 27, 2017; (iii) 8,041 shares of our common stock and a warrant to purchase 131 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86, both owned directly by Bankole A. Johnson; (iv) 892 shares of our common stock owned by En Fideicomiso De Mis Suenos 11/23/2010 (Trust); (v) 403 shares of our common stock owned by De Mi Amor 11/23/2010 (Trust); (vi) an aggregate of 372 shares of our common stock owned by Efunbowale Johnson, Ade Johnson, Lola Johnson, Lina Tiouririne, and Aida Tiouririne from whom Dr. Johnson has an voting proxy, (vi) 1,618 shares of our common stock owned by Medico-Trans Company, LLC. Medico-Trans Company, LCC is controlled by Bankole Johnson. Dr. Johnson is the Trustee of each Trust. Includes option to purchase 11,55611,473 shares of common stock which will have been vested within 60 days of September 28,November 17, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants to purchase 13,223 shares of our common stock.

(7)(6)      Includes (i) 6,117 shares of common stock, a warrant to purchase 216 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $0.13 per share, and a warrant to purchase 198 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share, all owned by Virga Ventures, LLC; (ii) 1,646 shares of our common stock and a warrant to acquire 94 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share, all owned by Newman GST Trust FBO James W. Newman Jr; (iii) 2,008 shares of our common stock and a warrant to acquire 47 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share, both owned by Ivy Cottage Group, LLC.; (iv) 13,079 shares of our common stock, a warrant to acquire 108 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $0.13 per share, and a warrant to acquire 28 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share, all owned by Rountop Limited Partnership, LLP; (v) 1,385 shares of common stock held in a Roth IRA for the benefit of Mr. Newman; (vi) 800 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Newman, and (vii) 200 shares of common stock owned by Courtney Newman, daughter of Mr. Newman. Mr. Newman is the sole member of Virga Ventures, LLC, the general partner of Ivy Cottage Group, LLC and Rountop Limited Partnership, LLP, and Trustee of the Newman GST Trust. Includes option to purchase 5,7905,645 shares of common stock which will vest within 60 days of September 28,November 17, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants to purchase 7,823 shares of our common stock.

(8)(7)      Includes (i) 121 shares of our common stock, a warrant to acquire 78 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.13 per share, and a warrant to acquire 46 shares of common stock at exercise price of $190.86, owned by Carolyn M. Schuyler, Mr. Schuyler’s wife, (ii) warrant to acquire 40 shares common stock at exercise price of $0.13 per share and warrant to acquire 345 shares common stock at exercise price of $190.86 per share, all owned by the Kevin William Schuyler 2020 Irrevocable Perpetuities Trust, for which Mr. Schuyler’s wife Carolyn M. Schuyler, is trustee, and (iii) 5,768 shares of common stock, all owned directly by MVA 151 Investors, LLC. MVA 151 Investors, LLC is an entity under Mr. Schuyler’s control. Includes option to purchase 5,7905,645 shares of common stock which will vest within 60 days of September 28,November 17, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants to purchase 7,823 shares of our common stock.

(9)(8)      Includes 350 shares of our common stock. Mr. Goodman has also been granted an option to purchase 9,046 shares of our common stock, of which 6,5686,396 are vested and exercisable within 60 days of November 17, 2023.

(9)      Includes (i) 37,573 shares of common stock and a warrant to acquire 218 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share; (ii) 13,330 shares of common stock and a warrant to acquire 392 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $190.86 per share owned by Mr. Stilley and his wife Anne T. Stilley. Does not include (x) 223 shares of our common stock owned by the Meredith A. Stilley Trust dtd 11/23/2010; (y) 223 shares of our common stock owned by the Morgan J. Stilley Trust dtd 11/23/2010; and (z) 223 shares of our common stock owned by the Blair E. Stilley Trust dtd 11/23/2010. The trusts are for the benefit of Mr. Stilley’s children and Mr. Stilley is not the trustee. Mr. Stilley disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have in such shares. The number of shares reported for Mr. Stilley represents the number of shares he and the trusts received in connection with the corporate conversion/reincorporation and subsequent stock issuances. Does not include the option to purchase 51,865 shares of common stock were vested at November 17, 2023, which shares were part of total option grants originally to purchase 56,698 shares of our common stock, but which were reduced to 51,865 with the cancellation of options unvested on September 28, 2023.18, 2023, the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation. If unexercised, as these options will be cancelled on December 17, 2023, which is 90 days from the date of Mr. Stilley’s resignation.

(10)    Includes all of the current directors and all of the current named executive officers (save William Stilley) and Dr. Johnson.officers.

3915

Table of Contents

NO DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS

The corporate actions described in this proxy statement will not afford stockholders the opportunity to dissent from the actions described herein or to receive an agreed or judicially appraised value for their shares.

40

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS, PROMOTERS AND CERTAIN CONTROL PERSONS

Pursuant to our charter, our Audit Committee shall review on an on-going basis for potential conflicts of interest, and approve if appropriate, all our “Related Party Transactions” as required by of Nasdaq Rule 4350(h). For purposes of the Audit Committee Charter, “Related Party Transactions” shall mean those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404.

The following is a summary of transactions since January 1, 2021 to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and in which any of our executive officers, directors or beneficial holders of more than five percent of our capital stock had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements which are described under the sections of this proxy statement “2022 Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation.”

Lock Up Agreement

On October 5, 2021, we released 8,000 shares of our common stock and 6,000 warrants, expiring July 31, 2023 and exercisable at $156.25 per share, beneficially owned by Dr. Bankole Johnson, from a Lock-Up Agreement by and between us and Dr. Johnson, dated December 12, 2019, as amended, and the related Pledge and Security Agreement, by and between us and Dr. Johnson, dated December 12, 2019, to permit the sale of such shares and warrants to Bespoke Growth Partners, Inc. in a private transaction.

Grant Incentive Plan

On April 1, 2018, the Board of Directors approved and then revised, respectively, a Grant Incentive Plan to provide incentive for Bankole A. Johnson (the “Plan Participant”), to secure grant funding for us. Under the Grant Incentive Plan, we will make a cash payment to the Plan Participant each year based on the grant funding received by us in the preceding year in an amount equal to 10% of the first $1 million of grant funding received and 5% of grant funding received in the preceding year above $1 million. Amounts to be paid to the Plan Participants will be paid to each as follows: 50% in cash and 50% in stock. As of December 31, 2022, no grant funding that would result in a payment to the Plan Participant had been obtained.

Purnovate

On January 25, 2021, we closed the Acquisition contemplated by that Equity Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we purchased all of the outstanding membership interests of Purnovate from the members of Purnovate, such that after the Acquisition, Purnovate became our wholly owned subsidiary. Purnovate is a drug development company with a platform focused on developing drug candidates for non-opioid pain reduction and other diseases and disorders potentially targeted with adenosine analogs that are selective, potent, stable, and soluble.

William B. Stilley, our then President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors, and James W. Newman, a member of our Board of Directors, were Members of Purnovate and received $100,554 and $1,865 of the cash consideration and 8,044 and 149 shares of our common stock from the Acquisition. Mr. Stilley owned approximately 28.7% of the membership interest of Purnovate and Mr. Newman controls two entities that, together, owned less than 1% of the membership interests of Purnovate.

Related Party Share Purchase Agreements

On March 11, 2021, we entered into Securities Purchase Agreements (the “March SPAs”) with each of Bespoke, three entities controlled by James W. Newman, Jr., a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Newman”), and Keystone Capital Partners, LLC (“Keystone”), pursuant to which: (i) Bespoke agreed to purchase an aggregate of 13,467 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $75.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,010,001; (ii) Newman agreed to purchase an aggregate of 1,200 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $75.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $90,000; and (iii) Keystone agreed to purchase an aggregate of 13,334 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $75.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,000,002.

On July 6, 2021, we entered into Securities Purchase Agreements, dated July 6, 2021 (the “July SPAs”), with three pre-existing investors for an aggregate investment of $5,000,004 in consideration of the purchase by such investors of an aggregate of 66,667 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $75.00 per share. SPAs were entered with

41

each Bespoke, Keystone, and Richard Gilliam, a private investor (“Gilliam”) (collectively, the “Investors,” and each an “Investor”), pursuant to which: (i) Bespoke agreed to purchase an aggregate of 33,333 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $75.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,500,002; (ii) Keystone agreed to purchase an aggregate of 20,000 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $75.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,500,000; and (iii) Gilliam agreed to purchase an aggregate of 13,333 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $75.00 per share for gross proceeds of $1,000,002.

Under the terms of the July SPAs, on July 7, 2021: (i) Bespoke purchased 3,333 shares of our common stock and agreed to purchase an additional 30,000 shares of our common stock upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement; (ii) Keystone purchased 2,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and agreed to purchase an additional 18,000 shares of our common stock upon the effectiveness of the registration statement; and (iii) Gilliam purchased 1,333 shares of our common stock and agreed to purchase an additional 12,000 shares of our common stock upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

Under the terms of the July SPAs, on August 2, 2021, Bespoke purchased 30,000 shares of our common stock for proceeds of $2,250,000; and on August 4, 2021, Keystone purchased 18,000 shares of our common stock for proceeds of $1,350,000 and Gilliam purchased 12,000 shares of our common stock for proceeds of $900,000. The shares sold pursuant to the July SPAs were registered though a registration statement on Form S-3 that was filed with the SEC on July 20, 2021 and declared effective on July 29, 2021.

On November 9, 2021, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Bespoke (“the November SPA”) whereby Bespoke agreed to purchase up to 8,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $100.00 per share for an aggregate investment of $800,000. Pursuant to the terms of the November SPA, Bespoke purchased an initial 800 shares of our common stock on November 9, 2021 and agreed to purchase an additional 7,200 shares of our common stock upon the effectiveness of a registration statement. On December 17, 2021, after the effectiveness of a registration statement on form S-3, the additional 7,200 were sold.

Purnovate Option Agreement

On January 27, 2023, we and Adenomed LLC (now known as Adovate, LLC, the “Buyer”) entered into an Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) pursuant to which we granted to the Buyer an exclusive option for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days from the effective date of the Agreement (the “Option Term”) for Buyer or its designated affiliate to acquire all of the assets of Purnovate, Inc. (“Purnovate”), our wholly owned subsidiary. William Stilley, our former director and Executive Vice President and former Chief Executive Officer of Purnovate, Inc., serves as the President of Buyer and is the principal stockholder of Buyer. As consideration for the Option Agreement, we and Mr. Stilley entered into an amendment to Mr. Stilley’s employment agreement, as amended (the “Stilley Amendment”), that (i) deleted the provision of the employment agreement that provided that the termination by Mr. Stilley of his employment on or before February 22, 2023 shall be deemed to be a termination by him for good reason and (ii) added a provision to the employment agreement providing that Mr. Stilley will not serve on a full time basis for us and may provide services to other businesses including Buyer. The Option Agreement also provides that the Buyer may elect to acquire all of the equity of Purnovate from us instead of purchase all of the assets of Purnovate.

The Buyer has the right to extend the Option Term for an additional thirty (30) consecutive day period by the payment of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) to us prior to the end of the original Option Term, and Buyer may also extend the Option Term for another thirty (30) consecutive day period by the payment of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to us prior to the end of the extended Option Term.

The Buyer had the right to exercise the Option by paying a cash exercise price of $150,000, which was exercised on May 8. 2023. Upon exercise of the Option, we transferred to and Buyer assumed liabilities of Purnovate, including: (i) trade payables incurred for services or purchases by Purnovate exclusively for its research operations; (ii) any unpaid salaries of personnel on Purnovate’s payroll; and (iii) the lease for 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, VA 22901 (as modified). All other Purnovate liabilities, shall be retained by, or transferred to, us and any amounts owed by Purnovate to us will be extinguished. We will be reimbursed by Buyer for any Purnovate expenditures incurred and paid commencing December 2022, to be paid within thirty (30) days of execution of the final acquisition agreement, and will hold a security interest in the assets of Buyer until the expense reimbursement is paid in full and the equity in Buyer described below is issued to us.

42

The Option Agreement sets forth the terms of the definitive acquisition agreement to be negotiated in good faith by the parties after exercise of the Option which include: (i) a cash payment of $300,000 upon the completion of the definitive acquisition agreement (in additional to the option exercise fee); (ii) the issuance by Buyer to Company of 19.99% of the equity of Buyer within thirty (30) days of execution of the final acquisition agreement (such 19.99% to be subject to anti-dilution protection until the Buyer has raised $4,000,000); (iii) the assumption by Buyer of the obligations of Company under that certain Equity Purchase Agreement by and among Company, Purnovate, the members of Purnovate, and Robert D. Thompson as the member’s representative, dated December 7, 2020 and amended January 25, 2021 (the “PNV EPA”); (iv) the assumption by Buyer of the obligations of Company under that certain Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2018, as amended, by and between Company and William Stilley; (v) a low, single digit royalty payments on net sales; (vi) cash payments of up to approximately $11 million in development and approval milestones for each compound after payments to the prior members of Purnovate pursuant to the PNV EPA; and (vii) cash payments of up to an aggregate of $50,000,000 upon the achievement of certain commercial milestones.

The Option Agreement was approved by our Board of Directors and by a committee of our Board of Directors consisting solely of independent directors.

On May 8, 2023, the Buyer gave irrevocable notice of its exercise of the Option to acquire all of the assets and business of Purnovate under that certain Option Agreement. In connection with exercise of the Option, we received from Buyer a non-refundable option exercise fee and upfront payment of $450,000 and entered into an option exercise agreement with Buyer (the “Option Exercise Agreement”) providing that the exercise of the Option will be effective as of May 16, 2023 and that any Purnovate expenses incurred on or subsequent to May 16, 2023 will be the sole responsibility of Buyer.

Effective June 30, 2023, we completed the sale of the assets and business of Purnovate to Buyer under the Option Agreement. Pursuant to the Option Agreement and Option Exercise Agreement, in consideration for the sale to Buyer of the assets and business of Purnovate: (i) we received a non-refundable option exercise fee and upfront payment of $450,000; (ii) Buyer will reimburse all approved Purnovate expenditures incurred and paid commencing December 1, 2022 through and including May 15, 2023, (iii) Buyer issued to us 19.99% of the equity of Buyer; (iv) Buyer assumed our obligations under that certain Equity Purchase Agreement by and among us, Purnovate, the members of Purnovate, and Robert D. Thompson as the member’s representative, dated December 7, 2020 and amended January 25, 2021 (the “PNV EPA”); (v) Buyer assumed our obligations under that certain Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2018, as amended, by and between Buyer and William Stilley; and (vi) we will receive low, single digit royalty payments on net sales, cash payments of up to approximately $11 million in development and approval milestones for each compound after payments to the prior members of Purnovate pursuant to the PNV EPA and cash payments of up to an aggregate of $50,000,000 upon the achievement of certain commercial milestones.

On September 18, 2023, we entered into a final acquisition agreement (the “FAA”) with the Buyer to memorialize the sale effective on June 30, 2023 (the “Sale”) to Adovate of the assets and business of Purnovate pursuant to the Option Agreement and related Option Exercise Agreement. The FAA memorializes the Sale as effected on June 30, 2023, pursuant to the Option Agreement and Option Exercise Agreement, provides for customary representations, warranties and indemnities by the parties, and sets the timing and final amount of the reimbursement to us by Buyer of the operating expenses incurred and paid by Purnovate, Inc. after December 1, 2022 (the “Reimbursable Expenses”). The FAA provides that the Reimbursable Expenses shall be set at $1,050,000, of which $350,000 was previously paid on June 30, 2023 to us by Buyer, $350,000 will be paid within 48 hours following the execution of the FAA, which was paid and received on September 20, 2023, and $350,000 will be paid in increments of 25% of each equity raise by Buyer within 72 hours following the receipt of such proceeds and in full by December 2, 2023. The FAA also provides for anti-dilution protection from future Buyer equity raises in order to maintain at least 15% ownership in Buyer. The anti-dilution protection expires upon Buyer receiving $4,000,000 in cumulative funding since January 27, 2023.

Orbytel Consulting Agreement

On October 24, 2022, we entered into a Master Services Agreement (the “MSA”) with Abuwala & Company, LLC, dba as Orbytel, for provision of strategic consulting services. Orbytel made it known that it intended to utilize the services of the Keswick Group, LLC as a subcontractor in the provision of these services. Tony Goodman, a director, is the founder and principal of Keswick Group, LLC, therefor Orbytel was considered a related party.

43

Review, Approval and Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

The general policy of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and our audit committee is that all material transactions with a related-party and agreements with related parties, as well as all material transactions in which there is an actual, or in some cases, perceived, conflict of interest, will be subject to prior review and approval by our audit committee and its independent members, which will determine whether such transactions or proposals are fair and reasonable to our company and our stockholders. In general, potential related-party transactions will be identified by our management and discussed with our audit committee at our audit committee’s meetings. Detailed proposals, including, where applicable, financial and legal analyses, alternatives and management recommendations, will be provided to our audit committee with respect to each issue under consideration and decisions will be made by our audit committee with respect to the foregoing related-party transactions after opportunity for discussion and review of materials. When applicable, our audit committee will request further information and, from time to time, will request guidance or confirmation from internal or external counsel or auditors. Our policies and procedures regarding related-party transactions are set forth in our Audit Committee Charter and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, both of which are publicly available on our website at www.adial.com under the heading “Investors — Corporate Governance.”

44

OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors of Adial knows of no other matters to be presented for stockholder action at the 2023 Annual Meeting. However, other matters may properly come before the 2023 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If any other matter is properly brought before the 2023 Annual Meeting for action by the stockholders, proxies in the enclosed form returned to Adial will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

45

ANNUAL REPORT/FORM 10-K

Adial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 is being mailed to certain stockholders concurrently with this proxy statement. Copies of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and any amendments thereto may be obtained without charge by writing to Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495 Charlottesville, Virginia 22901, Attention: Corporate Secretary. A complimentary copy may also be obtained at the internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, and by visiting our internet website at www.adial.com.

46

NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTS
(“ (“HOUSEHOLDING” INFORMATION)

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports by delivering a single copy of these materials to an address shared by two or more Adial stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies and intermediaries. A number of brokers and other intermediaries with account holders who are our stockholders may be householding our stockholder materials, including this proxy statement. In that event, a single proxy statement, as the case may be, will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or other intermediary that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent, which is deemed to be given unless you inform the broker or other intermediary otherwise when you receive or received the original notice of householding. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your broker or other intermediary to discontinue householding and direct your written request to receive a separate Proxy Statementproxy statement to us at: Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 or by calling us at (434) 422-9800. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Proxy Statement at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker or other intermediary.

4716

Table of Contents

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING

Stockholders who intend to present proposals at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under SEC Rule 14a-8 must ensure that such proposals are received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company not later than June 1, 2024. Such proposals must meet the requirements of the SEC to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s 2024 proxy materials.

Generally, timely notice of any director nomination or other proposal that any stockholder intends to present at the 2024 Annual Meeting, but does not intend to have included in the proxy materials prepared by the Company in connection with the 2024 Annual Meeting, must be delivered in writing to the Corporate Secretary at the address above not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the prior year’s meeting. However, if we hold the 2024 Annual Meeting on a date that is not within 30 days before or 30 days after such anniversary date, we must receive the notice not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting is first made. As a result, stockholders who intend to present proposals at the 2024 Annual Meeting under these provisions must give written notice to the Corporate Secretary, and otherwise comply with the Bylaw requirements, no earlier than the close of business on July 5, 2024, and no later than the close of business on August 4, 2024, provided our 2024 Annual Meeting is not 30 days before or after November 2, 2024. In addition, the stockholder’s notice must set forth the information required by our Bylaws with respect to each stockholder making the proposal and each proposal and nomination that such stockholder intends to present at the 2024 Annual Meeting. All proposals should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901.

In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than September 3, 2024. If such meeting date is changed by more than 30 days, then notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19 must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the annual meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

  

/s/ Cary J. Claiborne

  

Cary J. ClaiborneChief Executive Officer and

  

Chief Executive Officer and President and Director

Charlottesville, Virginia
September 29, 2023

48

APPENDIX A

AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE
ADIAL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

This amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), is hereby adopted this dayChairman of November [•], 2023, by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”). All capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company adopted the Plan for the purposes set forth therein; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Board of Directors 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 of Directors has approved and authorized this Amendment to the Plan and has recommended that the stockholders of the Company approve this Amendment; and

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) of the Plan is hereby amended by increasing the share references in such section from 380,000 to 500,000, so that Section 4(a) reads in its entirety as follows:

“(a) Shares Available for Awards.    The maximum aggregate number of shares of Company Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan (all of which may be granted as Incentive Stock Options) shall be Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares. Shares reserved under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Company Stock or authorized and issued Company Stock held in the Company’s treasury. The Compensation Committee may direct that any stock certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares pursuant to the Plan.”

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 Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as adopted by the Board of Directors on August [•], 2023, and approved by the Company’s stockholders on November [•], 2023.

ADIAL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By:

/s/ Cary J. Claiborne

Name:

Cary J. Claiborne

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

A-117

* SPECIMEN * 1 MAIN STREET ANYWHERE PA 99999-9999 VOTE ON INTERNET Go to http://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy Click on Proxy Voter Login and log-on using the below control number. Voting will be open until 11:59 pm EST on November 1, 2023. CONTROL # VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the envelope we have provided. VOTE IN PERSON If you would like to vote in person, please attend the Annual Meeting to be held on November 2, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. local time at 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 400, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911. Please Vote, Sign, Date and Return Promptly in the Enclosed Envelope. 2023 Annual MeetingTable of Stockholders Proxy Card - Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. DETACH PROXY CARD HERE TO VOTE BY MAIL THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 2 AND 3. (1) Election of two (2) Class II directors, each to serve a three-year term expiring at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW (except as marked to the contrary below) WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW INSTRUCTION TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEES’ NAMES BELOW: (2) To ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending o December 31, 2023; FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN (3) To approve an amendment to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock that we will have authority to grant under the plan (as adjusted to reflect the recent stock 1:25 reverse stock split that we effected on August 4, 2023) from 380,000 to 500,000; FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN Note: To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Date Signature Signature, if held jointly Note: This proxy must be signed exactly as the name appears hereon. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by a duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address. * SPECIMEN * AC:ACCT9999 90.00Contents

ADIAL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders November 2, 2023 ADIAL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. THIS
1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901

SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS — JANUARY 11, 2024
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned revoking all prior proxies,stockholder of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. hereby constitutes and appoints Cary J. Claiborne and Joseph Truluck or either of them,as attorneys and proxies, with full power of substitution, as proxy to representappear, attend and vote all of the shares of Common Stockcommon stock standing in the name of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (the “Company”), which the undersigned will be entitled to vote if personally present at the AnnualSpecial Meeting of the Stockholders of the Company to be held at 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 on November 2, 2023,January 11, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m., Local Time,local time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, upon matters set forththe following:

Proposal One: Approval of the issuance of up to an aggregate of 3,007,092 shares of our common stock upon the exercise of our common stock purchase warrants issued or issuable to an institutional investor and designees of the placement agent in connection with our private placement offering that closed on October 24, 2023 that may be equal to or exceed 20% of our common stock outstanding before such offering.

 FOR

 AGAINST

 ABSTAIN

Proposal Two: Approval of an adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes in favor of Proposal One.

 FOR

 AGAINST

 ABSTAIN

The undersigned hereby revokes any proxies as to said shares heretofore given by the undersigned and ratifies and confirms all that said proxy lawfully may do by virtue hereof.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED HEREON WITH RESPECT TO THE ABOVE PROPOSALS, BUT IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE THEY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS LISTED ABOVE.

Please mark, date and sign exactly as your name appears hereon, including designation as executor, trustee, etc., if applicable, and return the proxy in the Proxy Statement, a copy of which has been receivedenclosed postage-paid envelope as promptly as possible. It is important to return this proxy properly signed in order to exercise your right to vote if you do not attend the meeting and vote in person. A corporation must sign in its name by the undersigned. Each share of common stockpresident or other authorized officer. All co-owners and each joint owner must sign.

Please check if you intend to be present at the meeting:

Date:

Signature:

Signature:

Title:

 I agree to receive all future communications related to these holdings electronically via the email address provided below. I understand I am able to change this selection at any time in the future.

EMAIL ADDRESS:

Voting Instructions

You may vote your proxy in the following ways:

Via Internet:

Login to https://voteproxy.com/Adial Pharmaceuticals

Enter your control number (12 digit number located below)

Via Mail:

VStock Transfer Company
c/o Proxy Department
18 Lafayette Place
Woodmere, NY 11598

CONTROL NUMBER

You may vote by Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Internet voting is entitled to one vote. Theavailable through 11:59 p.m., prevailing time, on January 10, 2024.

Your Internet vote authorizes the named proxies are further authorized to vote in their discretion, upon such other businessthe same manner as may properly come before the meeting. Thisif you marked, signed and returned your proxy when properly executed, will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, the proxy shall be voted FOR the election of the listed nominees as directors, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Marcum LLP, FOR the approval of an amendment to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, and to consider and act on such other matters that legally come before the meeting, as said proxy(s) may deem advisable. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR VOTE ON THE REVERSE SIDE (Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)card.