Table of Contents
SCHEDULE 14A

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Filed by the Registrant   x                              Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   ¨

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x Definitive Proxy Statement
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¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
¨ Definitive Additional Materials
¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12
SPECTRUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

  

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Date Filed:


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Dear Fellow Stockholders,

You are cordially invited to attend our 20152017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting” in the Proxy Statement), which will be held on Monday,Tuesday, June 29, 201513, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time, at our corporate headquarters located at 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052. In the following pages, you will find the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement describing the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting.

At the Annual Meeting, we are asking you to elect our board of director nominees for the coming year and vote on the other matters described in the accompanying notice. We believe that our director nominees will continue to add value through their strategic guidance as we move forward with the commercialization of our fivesix marketed drugs and development of our clinical drug portfolio.

At

During 2016, Spectrum we have an unwavering commitment to servemade marked progress on multiple fronts. We initiated and made significant progress in enrolling breast cancer patients in a Phase 3, pivotal study with our lead, novel drug ROLONTISTM (eflapegrastim). Our second novel drug POZIOTINIB, has shown exciting preclinical data in lung cancer with exon-20 insertion mutations. Patients with these types of mutations generally do not have satisfactory responses to first generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and to build long-term valuetheir progression free survival, or PFS, is less than two months. For QAPZOLA™, we recently received a Special Protocol Assessment for an improved Phase 3 trial and the FDA agreed that an NDA can be filed based on its results. In addition, we received FDA approval for our stockholders.sixth anticancer drug, EVOMELA®, which achieved approximately 35% penetration of the market within eight months of launch. Spectrum now has six FDA-approved drugs on the market. We use revenue from these drugs to reinvest in our advanced-stage pipeline. We believe that our pipeline has several potential game-changers. Each of our advanced drugs, ROLONTIS, POZIOTINIB and QAPZOLA™, has strong data, a defined regulatory pathway, and the potential to benefit hundreds of thousands of patients suffering with cancer.
I am proud of what the Spectrum team has accomplished this past year. The Company continues to utilize and build upon our deep expertise in developing and commercializing anticancer therapies. The progress that we have a solid base of commercialized products, a healthy balance sheet, a robust researchmade would not have been possible without the dedication and development pipeline, and an accomplished team of executives to lead the executioncommitment of our strategy.team. I am excited about the positive direction of our company and the current and long-term growth potential in meeting the needsthank them for their tireless efforts. On behalf of the oncology/hematology community.

Board of Directors, I also thank our stockholders for their support.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, Iwe encourage you to access the proxy materials and cast your vote using the instructions provided so that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. If you have any questions, please contact our Chief Financial Officer, Kurt A. Gustafson, at (702) 835-6300 or (949) 788-6700.

835-6300.

We thank you for your ongoing support of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.

Sincerely,

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RAJESH C. SHROTRIYA, M.D.

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer


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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held Monday,Tuesday, June 29, 2015

13, 2017

To our Stockholders,

Notice is hereby given that the 20152017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting” in the Proxy Statement) will be held at our corporate headquarters located at 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052, on Monday,Tuesday, June 29, 201513, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:


1.
Election of Directors. To elect the seven directors named in the Proxy Statement to serve until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2016,2018, or until their successors are elected and duly qualified.

2.
Approval of Flexible Settlement Feature for the Potential Conversion of Convertible Senior Notes.To approve the flexible settlement feature in connection with the potential conversion of our Convertible Senior Notes, which would allow us to settle the conversion of the Notes, at our option, with shares of our common stock and/or their equivalent cash value at the time of conversion.

3.Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

4.Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers. To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Proxy Statement.

3.
Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers. To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, how frequently we should seek from our stockholders a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers.
4.
Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.
5.
Stockholder Proposal Regarding Majority Voting Standard. To vote on a stockholder proposal regarding a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors, if properly presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting.
6.
Other Business. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.


The Board of Directors recommends that you vote“FOR” each of the director nominees named in Proposal 1, and“FOR” Proposals 2 and 4, a frequency of every “THREE YEARS” for Proposal 3 and 4.

“AGAINST” Proposal 5.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 30, 2015,17, 2017, as the Record Date for determining the holders of our Common Stock and Series E Convertible Voting Preferred Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to such notice and to vote, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read the Proxy Statement and submit your proxy and voting instructions as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail, the section entitled “How can I vote my shares of Spectrum stock” in the Proxy Statement or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, your enclosed proxy card.

Very truly yours,

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RAJESH C. SHROTRIYA, M.D.

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive

Officer

Henderson, Nevada

May 8, 2015



Approximate Date of Mailing of Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials: April 24, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS


 Page

Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting and Voting

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Executive Officers and Directors

9

Executive Officers

13

Proposal 1 — Election of Directors

15

Proposal 2 —  Approval of Flexible Settlement Feature for the Potential Conversion of Convertible Senior Notes

23

Proposal 3 — Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Account Firm

26

Proposal 4 — Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers

29

Corporate Governance

Proposal 3 — Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers
31

Proposal 4 — Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Account Firm

Proposal 5 — Stockholder Proposal regarding a Majority Voting Standard
Corporate Governance
Stockholder Engagement and Corporate Governance Highlights
Corporate Governance Guidelines

31

Board Independence

31

Board Meeting Attendance

31

Committees of the Board

31

Board Leadership Structure

33

Risk Oversight

34

Communications with the Board of Directors

34

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

34

Stock Ownership Policy

34

Anti-Hedging Policy

35

Report of the Audit Committee

36

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

37

General

37

Named Executive Officers

37

Executive Summary

37

Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Compensation Governance Best Practices
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

39

Role of Compensation Committee

43

Role of Executive Officers

44

Compensation Consultant and Peer Group Data

44

Key Elements of Executive Compensation

45

Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices

53

Summary Compensation Table

54

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2014

2016
55

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2014

2016
56

Options Exercised and Stock Vested in 2014

2016
58

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

58

Employment, Severance and Change in Control Agreements

59

Potential Payments upon Termination or Following a Change in Control

62

Report of the Compensation Committee

64

Equity Compensation Plan Information

65

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

65

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

65

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

66

Transactions with Related Parties

66

Policy on the Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

66

Other Matters

67


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Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This proxy statement contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our future product development activities and costs, the revenue potential of our products and product candidates, the success, safety and efficacy of our drug products, development timelines, liquidity and capital resources and trends, and other statements containing forward-looking words, such as, “believes,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “continues,” or the negative thereof or variation thereon or similar terminology (although not all forward-looking statements contain these words). Such forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Readers should not put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied thereby. For a detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 14, 2017 with the SEC. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any such forward-looking statements.



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PROXY STATEMENT

The enclosed Proxy Statement is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which we refer to as “Spectrum,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” for use at the 20152017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 29, 201513, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time, or the Annual Meeting, or at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The Annual Meeting is being held for the purposes described in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

The following questions and answers are intended to briefly address potential questions that our stockholders may have regarding this Proxy Statement and the Annual Meeting. They are also intended to provide our stockholders with certain information that is required to be provided under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. These questions and answers may not address all of the questions that are important to you as a stockholder. If you have additional questions about the Proxy Statement or the Annual Meeting, please seeWhom should I contact with other questions? below.

1.
1.What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the matters described in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, of Stockholders, and any other matters that properly come before the Annual Meeting.

2.
2.When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?

You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting on Monday,Tuesday, June 29, 201513, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time at our corporate headquarters located at 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052.

3.
3.Why am I receiving these proxy materials?

We are providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company, or the Board, of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the Annual Meeting. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote your shares using one of the other voting methods described in this Proxy Statement. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote your shares as soon as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting and to minimize the cost to the Company of proxy solicitation.

4.
4.Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials?

Instead of mailing printed copies to each of our stockholders, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet under the SEC’s “notice and access” rules. These rules allow us to make our stockholders aware of the Annual Meeting and the availability of our proxy materials by sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or a Notice, which provides instructions for how to access the full set of proxy materials through the Internet or make a request to have printed proxy materials delivered by mail. Accordingly, on or about May 8, 2015,April 24, 2017, we mailed a Notice to each of our stockholders who held shares as of April 30, 2015,17, 2017, which is the Record Date for the Annual Meeting. The Notice contains instructions on how to access

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our proxy materials, including our Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014,2016, or the Annual Report. The Notice also provides instructions on how to vote your shares.


5.
5.What is the purpose of complying with the SEC’s “notice and access” rules?

We believe compliance with the SEC’s “notice and access” rules will allow us to provide our stockholders with the materials they need to make informed decisions about the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, while lowering the costs of printing and delivering those materials and reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. However, if you would prefer to receive printed proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice. If you have previously elected to receive our proxy materials electronically, you will continue to receive these materials via e-mail unless you elect otherwise.


6.
6.What am I being asked to vote upon at the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to:


Elect seven director nominees to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2016,2018, or until their successors are elected and duly qualified (Proposal 1);

Approve the flexible settlement feature in connection with the potential conversion of our Convertible Senior Notes, which would allow us to settle the conversion of the Notes, at our option, with shares of our common stock and/or their equivalent cash value at the time of conversion (Proposal 2);


Ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 (Proposal 3);

Approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement (Proposal 2);


Approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, how frequently we should seek from our stockholders a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 3);

Ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 (Proposal 4);

Vote on a stockholder proposal regarding a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors, if properly presented (Proposal 5); and


Consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.


7.
7.What are the voting options for each Proposal?

In the election of directors (Proposal 1), you may vote “FOR” all of the nominees, you may “WITHHOLD” your vote with respect to all of the nominees, or you may vote “FOR ALL EXCEPT” with respect to any one or more nominees. On the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the flexible settlement feature for the potential conversioncompensation of our Convertible Senior Notesnamed executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement (Proposal 2), on the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 20152017 (Proposal 3)4), and on the approval, onstockholder proposal regarding a non-binding advisory basis,majority voting standard in uncontested elections of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statementdirectors (Proposal 4)5), you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.”

On the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, how frequently we should seek from our stockholders a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, you may vote for every “ONE YEAR”, every “TWO YEARS”, every “THREE YEARS” or “ABSTAIN” (Proposal 3).

8.
8.How does the Board recommend that I vote?

Our Board recommends that you vote your shares:

FOR” the election of each of the seven director nominees named in this Proxy Statement to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2016,2018, or until their successors are elected and duly qualified (Proposal 1);

FOR” the approval of the flexible settlement feature in connection with the potential conversion of our Convertible Senior Notes (Proposal 2);

FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 (Proposal 3); and

FOR” the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement (Proposal 2);

Every “THREE YEARS” for the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 3);

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FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 (Proposal 4); and
AGAINST” the stockholder proposal regarding a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors (Proposal 5).

Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card, who are persons designated by the Board and are members of our management team, will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. Management does not know of any matters which will be brought before the Annual Meeting other than those specifically set forth in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other business properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders or their substitutes will vote as recommended by our Board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

9.
9.Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

If you were a holder of our common stock or Series E Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, which we refer to as the Series E Preferred Stock, as a “stockholder of record,” or if you are the “beneficial owner” of our common stock held in “street name,” as of the close of business on the Record Date, you may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, and at any postponements or adjournments of the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 66,995,05480,443,922 shares of our common stock outstanding and 20 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock outstanding. Each stockholder has one vote for each share of common stock held as of the Record Date.

Holders of our Series E Preferred Stock as of the Record Date are entitled to vote on any matter on which holders of our common stock have the right to vote, voting together with the holders of common stock as one class. Each holder of our Series E Preferred Stock is entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which such shares of Series E Preferred Stock could be converted on the Record Date, as determined pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences of the Series E Preferred Stock, or the Certificate of Designations. As of the Record Date, each share of Series E Preferred Stock was entitled to 2,000 votes on each matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Consequently, the holders of our Series E Preferred Stock have a total of 40,000 votes on each matter at the Annual Meeting.

Including both the outstanding common stock and the Series E Preferred Stock, voting together as one class, a total of 67,035,054 votes may be cast at the Annual Meeting. A list of our stockholders will be available for examination by any stockholder at the Annual Meeting and at our corporate headquarters, located at 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052, for a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.

10.
10.What does it mean to be a “stockholder of record”?

If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, then you are a “stockholder of record.” As a “stockholder of record,” you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote your shares using one of the voting methods described in this Proxy Statement and the Notice.

11.
11.What does it mean to be a “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name”?

If, on the Record Date, your shares were held in an account at a broker, bank, or other financial institution (we refer to each of those organizations collectively as a “broker”), then you are the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being made available to you by that broker. The broker holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. You have the right to direct your broker on how to vote the shares in your account. As a beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting, but since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy“Legal Proxy” from your broker giving you the legal right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting. You must also satisfy the Annual Meeting admission criteria set out below.

Under the rules that govern brokers, your broker is not permitted to vote on your behalf on any matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting (other than the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015)2017) unless you provide specific instructions to the broker as to how to vote. As a result, we encourage you to communicate your voting decisions to your broker before the date of the Annual Meeting to ensure that your vote will be counted.

12.
12.How many shares must be present or represented to conduct business at the Annual Meeting?

The presence at the Annual Meeting of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares, as of the Record Date, of our common stock, and our Series E Preferred Stock, considered together as a single class (and counting the Series E Preferred Stock as if converted into common stock), in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, will constitute a quorum, permitting us to conduct our business at the Annual Meeting. Proxies marked “withhold authority” as to any director nominee, “abstentions” and “broker non-votes” will each be counted as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. “Broker non-votes” will result for shares that are not voted by the broker who is the record holder of the shares because the broker is not instructed to vote on such matter by the beneficial owner of the shares and the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on such matter. For further discussion on broker non-votes, please refer to “What are the voting requirements to approve the proposals?”below. If a quorum is not present, the Annual Meeting will be adjourned until a quorum is obtained.



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13.
13.How can I vote my shares of Spectrum stock?

Stockholders of record can vote by proxy or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The persons named as proxies on the proxy card were designated by the Board and are members of our management. If you vote by proxy, you can vote over the Internet, by telephone, or by mail as described below. If you are the beneficial owner of shares, please refer to the information forwarded by your broker to see which voting options are available to you and to see what steps you must follow if you choose to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares.

Vote by Internet:You can vote by proxy over the Internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice or the voting instruction card provided to you by your broker, if applicable. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 28, 2015.12, 2017. Our Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders by using individual control numbers, which are located on the Notice.

Vote by Telephone:If you requested to receive printed proxy materials, you can vote by telephone pursuant to the instructions provided on the proxy card or by following the voting instruction card provided to you by your broker, if applicable. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 28, 2015.12, 2017.

Vote by Mail:If you requested to receive printed proxy materials, you can vote by mail pursuant to the instructions provided on the proxy card or by following the voting instruction card provided to you by your broker, if applicable. In order to be effective, completed proxy cards must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 12, 2017. If you choose to vote by mail, simply mark your proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the postage-prepaid envelope. If you do not have the postage-prepaid envelope, please mail your completed proxy card to the following address: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., c/o Computershare, Post Office Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3070.

Eastern Time on June 28, 2015. If you choose to vote by mail, simply mark your proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the postage-prepaid envelope. If you do not have the postage-prepaid envelope, please mail your completed proxy card to the following address: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., c/o Computershare, Post Office Box 43070, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3070.

Vote in Person at the Annual Meeting:If you satisfy the admission requirements to the Annual Meeting, as described in this Proxy Statement, you may vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote in advance by Internet, telephone or mail so that your vote will be counted in the event you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting. The method you use to vote will not limit your right to vote at the Annual Meeting if you decide to attend in person. If you are the beneficial owner of your shares, you must obtain a proxy,Legal Proxy, executed in your favor by your broker, to be able to vote at the Annual Meeting. If you sign and return your proxy card but do not give voting instructions, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.We encourage you to submit your proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. If you properly give your proxy and submit it to us in time to vote, the individuals named as your proxy holders will vote your shares as you have directed. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, and regardless of the number of shares of our stock that you own, it is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting.

14.
14.How may I attend the Annual Meeting?

You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting only if you were a stockholder of record as of the Record Date, or if you are a “beneficial owner” who holds a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time and seating will begin immediately after. Since seating is limited, admission to the Annual Meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If you attend, please note that you should be prepared to present government-issued photo identification for admittance, such as a passport or driver’s license. If you are the “beneficial owner” of your shares, you will also need proof of ownership as of the Record Date, such as your most recent account statement prior to the Record Date, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your broker, or similar evidence of ownership. If you do not have proof of ownership of our stock and a valid picture identification, you may be denied admission to the Annual Meeting. Please note that for security reasons, you and your bags may be subject to search prior to your admittance to the Annual Meeting. If you do not comply with each of the foregoing requirements, you may not be admitted to the Annual Meeting.

15.
15.Can I change my vote after I have submitted my vote?

Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote by (i) providing written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company at our corporate headquarters located at 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052, (ii) by executing a subsequent proxy using any of the voting methods discussed above, or (iii) by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. However, simply attending the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. If you are a “beneficial owner” of shares and have previously

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instructed your broker to vote your shares, you must follow directions received from your broker to change those instructions. Subject to any such revocation, all shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications therein.

16.
16.What are the voting requirements to approve the proposals?

Assuming that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the voting requirements to approve each of the proposals to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting are as follows:

Election of Directors (Proposal 1) — Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy. This means that the director nominees who receive the most affirmative, or “FOR,” votes will be elected. In a contested election, where there are more nominees than open board positions, the nominees who received the most “FOR” votes will be elected. In an uncontested election, where the number of nominees is equal to the number of open board positions, as is the case for the Annual Meeting, the nominees who receive any votes will be elected. A properly executed proxy marked “WITHHOLD” or “FOR ALL EXCEPT” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated. The election of directors is a “non-discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the election of directors, your broker is not permitted to vote on this Proposal and your votes will be counted as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect in determining which directors are elected at the Annual Meeting.
Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (Proposal 2) — Approval of the non-binding advisory resolution regarding the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes present or represented on this Proposal and will have the same effect as votes against this Proposal. The advisory vote on compensation is a “non-discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the advisory vote on compensation, your broker is not permitted to vote on this Proposal and your votes will be counted as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the Proposal.
Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (Proposal 3) — Approval of the non-binding advisory resolution regarding the frequency of the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. In the absence of a majority of votes in support of any one frequency, the alternative that receives the highest number of votes cast (holding the vote every one, two or three years), in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting will be considered. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes present or represented on this Proposal and will have the same effect as votes against this Proposal. The advisory vote on frequency is a “non-discretionary” item. Therefore, if you hold your shares in street name and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the advisory vote on frequency, your broker may not vote with respect to this Proposal and those votes will be counted as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the Proposal.
Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Proposal 4) — Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes present or represented on this Proposal and will have the same effect as votes against this Proposal. The ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP is a “discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP, your broker may use its discretion to vote your uninstructed shares on this Proposal.
Stockholder Proposal Regarding a Majority Voting Standard in Uncontested Elections of Directors (Proposal 5) — Approval of the stockholder proposal regarding a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors, if properly presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes present or represented on this Proposal and will have the same effect as votes against this Proposal. The vote on the resolution regarding a majority voting standard in uncontested elections is a “non-discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the vote on the resolution regarding a majority voting standard in

5



uncontested elections, your broker is not permitted to vote on this Proposal and your votes will be counted as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the Proposal.

17.

Election of Directors (Proposal 1) — Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy. This means that the director nominees who receive the most

affirmative, or “FOR,” votes will be elected. In a contested election, where there are more nominees than open board positions, the nominees who received the most “FOR” votes will be elected. In an uncontested election, where the number of nominees is equal to the number of open board positions, as is the case for the Annual Meeting, the nominees who receiveany votes will be elected. A properly executed proxy marked “WITHHOLD” or “FOR ALL EXCEPT” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated. The election of directors is a “non-discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the election of directors, your broker is not permitted to vote on this Proposal and your votes will be counted as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect in determining which directors are elected at the Annual Meeting.

Approval of Flexible Settlement Feature for the Potential Conversion of Convertible Senior Notes (Proposal 2) — Approval of the flexible settlement feature for the potential conversion of our Convertible Senior Notes, which would allow us to settle the conversion of the Notes, at our option, with shares of our common stock and/or their equivalent cash value at the time of conversion, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to such matter will not be voted. Accordingly, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal. The vote on the flexible settlement feature is a “non-discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the vote on the flexible settlement feature, your broker is not permitted to vote on this Proposal and your votes will be counted as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the Proposal.

Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Proposal 3) — Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to such matter will not be voted. Accordingly, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal. The ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP is a “discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP, your broker may use its discretion to vote your uninstructed shares on this Proposal. Accordingly, broker non-votes will not result for this Proposal.

Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (Proposal 4) — Approval of the non-binding advisory resolution regarding the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to such matter will not be voted. Accordingly, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal. The advisory vote on compensation is a “non-discretionary” matter under applicable stock exchange rules, meaning that if you are the beneficial owner of your shares and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to the advisory vote on compensation, your broker is not permitted to vote on this Proposal and your votes will be counted as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the Proposal.

17.Could other matters be decided at the Annual Meeting?

As of the date this Proxy Statement was made available to stockholders, we did not know of any matters to be raised at the Annual Meeting other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters are presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the Annual Meeting to another time or place in order to solicit additional proxies in favor of

one or more of the proposals,Proposals, the persons named as proxy holders and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on these matters according to their best judgment to the same extent as the person delivering the proxy would be entitled to vote.


18.
18.Who is paying for the cost of this proxy solicitation?

The proxies being solicited hereby are being solicited by us, and the cost of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be borne by us. We have also retained Georgeson Inc.,LLC, to aid in the solicitation. For these services, we will pay Georgeson Inc.LLC a fee of approximately $7,500$25,000 and reimburse them for certain out-of-pocket disbursements and expenses. Our officers and other employees may, without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by further mailings, personal conversations, telephone, facsimile or other electronic means. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock.

19.
19.What is the deadline to submit stockholder proposals for our 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders?

Under Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, any stockholder desiring to include a proposal in our Proxy Statement with respect to our 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders should arrange for such proposal to be delivered to us at our corporate headquarters no later than January 9, 2016,December 25, 2017, in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement relating to such annual meeting. Matters pertaining to such proposals, and the eligibility of persons entitled to have such proposals included, are regulated by the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC.

In addition, pursuant to our bylaws, any stockholder desiring to submit a proposal for action or nominate one or more persons for election as directors at our 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit a notice of the proposal or nomination including the information required by our bylaws to us between March 1, 2016February 13, 2018 and March 31, 2016,15, 2018, or else it will be considered untimely and ineligible to be properly brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if our 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held between May 30, 201614, 2018 and September 7, 2016,August 22, 2018, under our bylaws, this notice must be provided not earlier than the one hundred twentieth day prior to the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and not later than the close of business on the later of (a) the ninetieth day prior to the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or (b) the tenth day following the date on which notice of the date of the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is first mailed to stockholders or otherwise publicly disclosed, whichever first occurs.

All such notices should be directed to our Secretary at our corporate headquarters located at Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052.

20.
20.I share an address with another stockholder, and we received only one copy of the proxy materials. How may I obtain an additional copy of the proxy materials?

The SEC rules permit brokers to participate in a practice known as “householding,” which means that only one copy of the Notice and, if applicable, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report, will be sent to multiple stockholders who share the same address unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. Householding is designed to reduce printing and postage costs, and results in cost savings for Spectrum. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able to access and receive separate proxy cards. If you receive a householding mailing this year and would like to have additional copies of our Notice and, if applicable, this Proxy Statement and/or the Annual Report mailed to you, or if you would like to opt out of this practice for future mailings, please contact your broker or submit your request to our Secretary, c/o Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052.89052 or contact us by telephone at (702) 835-6300. Upon receipt of any such request, we agree to promptly deliver a copy of the Notice and, if applicable, this Proxy Statement and/or the Annual Report to you. In addition, if you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and wish to receive only one copy of future proxy materials for your household, please contact us using the contact information set forth above. This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are also available atwww.sppirx.com.


6




21.
21.Where can I find voting results of the Annual Meeting?

We will announce preliminary voting results with respect to each proposal at the Annual Meeting. In accordance with SEC rules, final voting results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following the Annual Meeting, unless final results are not known at that time in which case preliminary voting results will be published within four business days of the Annual Meeting and final voting results will be published once they are known by the Company.

22.
22.Has the Board made a final determination regarding the implementation of a proxy access bylaw provision?
While the Board has not yet made a determination on adopting a proxy access bylaw, in 2016, we engaged with stockholders representing more than half of the outstanding shares of the Company and gathered feedback on our corporate governance and executive compensation program. In response to stockholder feedback and to enhance corporate governance, on October 14, 2016, Dr. Luigi Lenaz was elected by the independent members of the Board as our lead independent director. In addition, we instituted changes to our compensation program including revising our peer group and apportioning a portion of equity compensation to performance-based units which will vest based on relative total stockholder return to further align interests with stockholders.

23.Whom should I contact with other questions?

If you have additional questions about this Proxy Statement or the Annual Meeting, or if you would like additional copies of this Proxy Statement, please contact our Chief Financial Officer, Kurt A. Gustafson at Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052, at (702) 835-6300, or at (949) 788-6700.

835-6300.



7



SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Based on information publicly filed and provided to us by certain holders, the following table shows the amount of our Series E Preferred Stock and common stock beneficially owned as of April 30, 201517, 2017 (unless otherwise indicated) by holders of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of our voting securities,common stock, other than with respect to Dr. Rajesh C. Shrotriya (our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) whose ownership is included in the second table below. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting and/or investment power with respect to our voting securities,common stock, unless footnoted to the contrary. For purposes of the following tables, the percentage ownership is based upon 20 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock (convertible into a total of 40,000 shares of common stock) and66,995,05480,443,922 shares of our common stock, including restricted shares of our common stock, outstanding as of April 30, 2015.

Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner

 Preferred
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
  Percent of
Preferred
Stock
Outstanding(2)
  Common
Shares and
Common
Equivalents
Beneficially
Owned(3)
  Percent of
Common
Shares
Outstanding(3)
  Percent of Shares
Eligible to Vote on
April 30, 2015(4)
 

BlackRock, Inc.(5)

          8,097,328    12.09  12.08

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

     

FMR LLC(6)

          5,191,817    7.75  7.74

245 Summer Street

Boston, MA 02210

     

Eastern Capital Limited(7)

          4,737,307    7.07  7.07

P.O. Box 31300

Grand Cayman, KY1-1206,

Cayman Islands

     

Millennium Management LLC(8)

          4,643,255    6.93  6.93

666 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10103

     

The Vanguard Group(9)

          4,145,354    6.19  6.18

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

     

State Street Corporation(10)

          3,381,609    5.05  5.04

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

     

Sands Brothers Venture Capital

  20    100.00  40,000    *    *  

Funds 1-IV, LLC(11)

15 Valley Drive

Greenwich, CT 06831

     

17, 2017.
Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
Common Shares Beneficially OwnedPercent of
Common
Shares
Outstanding
BlackRock, Inc. (1)
11,505,01814.30%
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
  
   
The Vanguard Group (2)
6,333,8527.86%
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
  
   
Eastern Capital Limited (3)
4,737,3075.90%
P.O. Box 31300
Grand Cayman, KY1-1206,
Cayman Islands
  
   
Renaissance Technologies LLC(4)
5,177,3126.44%
800 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
  
___________

*Represents ownership of less than 1%
(1)The amount relates to the shares of our Series E Preferred Stock owned by the entity as of April 30, 2015. There are no outstanding shares of any other series of our preferred stock.

(2)Represents the percentage ownership of the total number of our outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

(3)Shares of common stock underlying preferred stock and warrants currently convertible or exercisable, or convertible or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2015, are deemed beneficially owned and outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities, but are not considered outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.

(4)Reflects actual voting percentage. Each share of Series E Preferred Stock is entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which such shares of Series E Preferred Stock could be converted on the Record Date at the then current conversion value as determined pursuant to the Certificate of Designations. At the current conversion value, each share of Series E Preferred Stock is entitled to 2,000 votes on each matter at the Annual Meeting. Consequently, the holder of our Series E Preferred Stock has a total of 40,000 votes on each matter at the Annual Meeting.

(5)The information set forth herein is based solely on information contained in Amendment No. 68 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 9, 201517, 2017 by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock has sole voting power over 7,921,44011,304,899 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power over 8,097,32811,505,018 shares of our common stock.


(6)
(2)The information set forth herein is based solely on information contained in Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 20152017 by FMR LLC (“FMR”). FMRThe Vanguard Group. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power over 106,823 shares of our common stock, shared voting power over 8,274 shares of our common stock, sole dispositive power over 6,221,755 shares of our common stock, and shared dispositive power over 112,097 shares of our common stock. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of the 5,191,817 shares as described below. Edward C. Johnson 3d is a Director and the Chairman of FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson is a Director, the Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the President of FMR LLC. Members of the family of Edward C. Johnson 3d, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common103,823 shares of FMR LLC, representing 49%our common stock as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts. Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the voting powerbeneficial owner of  FMR. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into11,274 shares of our common stock as a shareholders’ voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority voteresult of Series B voting common shares. Accordingly, through their ownershipits serving as investment manager of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders’ voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR. Neither FMR nor Mr. Johnson nor Ms. Johnson has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the subject shares; rather, such voting power is with the various funds’ Boards of Trustees.Australian investment offerings.


(7)
(3)The information set forth herein is based solely on information contained in Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012 by Eastern Capital Limited. Eastern Capital Limited is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Portfolio Services Ltd. Kenneth B. Dart is the beneficial owner of all of the outstanding shares of Portfolio Services Ltd., which in turnsturn owns all the outstanding shares of Eastern Capital Limited. As of the date of the Schedule 13G/A filing, Portfolio Services Ltd., Eastern Capital Limited and Mr. Dart beneficially own in the aggregate 4,737,307 shares of our common stock. Portfolio Services Ltd., Eastern Capital Limited and Mr. Dart have shared voting and dispositive powers with respect to 4,737,307 shares of our common stock.


(8)
(4)The information set forth herein is based solely on information contained in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 7, 2015 by Millennium Management LLC (“MM”). MM is the beneficial owner of the 4,643,255 shares as described below. MM is (i) the general partner of the managing member of Integrated Core Strategies (US) LLC (“ICS”), which beneficially owns 3,945,000 shares, (ii) the general partner of the 100% shareholder of ICS Opportunities, Ltd. (“IOL”), which owns 568,478 shares, and (iii) the general partner of the 100% shareholder of Integrated Assets, Ltd. (“IAL”), which owns 129,777 shares; and as such may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over such securities. Millennium International Management LP (“MIM”) is the investment manager to IOL and IAL and may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over securities owned by IOL and IAL. Israel A. Englander, the managing member of MIM and MM may also be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over the securities owned by ICS, IOL and IAL, respectively.

(9)The information set forth herein is based solely on information contained in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 201514, 2017 by The Vanguard Group. The Vanguard GroupRenaissance Technologies LLC (“Renaissance”) and Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation, which is the majority owner of Renaissance. Renaissance has sole voting power over 99,387 shares of our common stock,and sole dispositive power over 4,053,5675,110,000 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power over 91,78767,312 shares of our common stock.

(10)The information set forth herein is based solely on information contained in the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2015 by State Street Corporation. State Street Corporation has shared voting power over 3,381,609 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power over 3,381,609 shares of our common stock

(11)Based upon the information provided to us by the holder, SB Venture Capital Management I-IV, LLCs are the member-managers of Sands Brothers Venture Capital LLC (“SBV”), Sands Brothers Venture Capital II LLC (“SBV II”), Sands Brothers Venture Capital LLC III (“SBV III”) and Sands Brothers Venture Capital IV LLC (“SBV IV”) (collectively, the “Funds”). The Funds’ beneficial ownership includes the effect of converting the 20 shares of Series E Preferred Stock into 40,000 shares of common stock. Martin S. Sands and Steven B. Sands are co-Member Managers of SB Venture Capital Management LLC, SB Venture Capital Management II LLC, SB Venture Capital Management III LLC, and SB Venture Capital Management IV LLC, each a New York limited liability company and each the member-manager of SBV, SBV-II, SBV-III and SBV-IV, respectively, and are the natural persons exercising voting and investment control over securities beneficially owned by the Funds.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 30, 201517, 2017 by: (i) each of our directors and director nominees, (ii) each of our named executive officers, and (iii) all of our directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise noted, the Company believes that each person listed below has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to shares shown as owned by him. Information as to beneficial ownership is based upon statements furnished to us or filed

8



with the SEC by such persons. Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each stockholder listed below is c/o Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052.

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Options   Shares  Total
Beneficially
Owned(1)
   Percent of
Shares
Outstanding
 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya

   5,749,126(2)    2,389,047(3)   8,138,173(2)(3)    11.19

Joseph W. Turgeon

   203,750     227,662(4)   431,412(4)    *  

Kurt A. Gustafson

   168,746     134,012(5)   302,758(5)    *  

Lee F. Allen

   111,875     86,384(6)   198,259(6)    *  

Raymond W. Cohen

   20,000     20,000(7)   40,000(7)    *  

Stuart M. Krassner

   275,000     28,613(8)   303,613(8)    *  

Anthony E. Maida

   223,300     16,337(9)   239,637(9)    *  

Luigi Lenaz

   160,000     45,952(10)   205,952(10)    *  

Gilles R. Gagnon

   47,500     55,000(11)   102,500(11)    *  

Dolatrai Vyas

   30,000     15,795(12)   45,795(12)    *  

All Executive Officers and Directors/Director Nominees as a group (10 persons)

   6,989,297     3,018,802(13)   10,008,099(13)    13.53%  

Name of Beneficial Owner 
Options (1)
 Shares 
Total Beneficially Owned (2)
 Percent of Shares Outstanding
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. 6,362,510(3)2,569,819(4)8,932,329(3)(4)  10.29%
Joseph W. Turgeon 701,389 305,300(5)1,006,689(5)1.24%
Kurt A. Gustafson 560,490 186,334(6)746,824(6)*
Raymond W. Cohen 50,000 36,250(7)86,250(7)*
Stuart M. Krassner 275,000 46,847(8)321,847(8)*
Anthony E. Maida 238,300 20,445(9)258,745(9)*
Luigi Lenaz 195,000 62,202(10)257,202(10)*
Gilles R. Gagnon 82,500 75,000(11)157,500(11)*
Dolatrai Vyas 60,000 31,041(12)91,041(12)*
All Executive Officers and Directors/Director Nominees as a group (9 persons) 8,525,189 3,333,238(13)11,858,427(13)13.33%
__________
*    Represents ownership of less than 1%

*
(1)Represents ownershipoptions that are currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of less than 1%April 17, 2017.

(1)
(2)Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2015,17, 2017, are deemed beneficially owned and outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities, but are not considered outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.


(2)
(3)The number of options includes (i) 1,172,765600,000 options held indirectly through Dr. Shrotriya’s spouse, as trustee of the Shrotriya Gift Trust, and (ii) 1,288,498 options held indirectly through Dr. Shrotriya’s spouse, as trustee of the Shrotriya Annuity Trust.


(3)

(4)The number of shares includes (i) 115,784150,244 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting, (ii) 445,993498,894 shares held indirectly by Dr. Shrotriya as the trustee of the CS Family Trust,

(iii) 78,08969,349 shares held indirectly by Dr. Shrotriya as a director and officer of the Shrotriya Family Foundation, a Nevada nonprofit corporation, (iv) 10,67687,018 shares held indirectly through Dr. Shrotriya’s spouse, as trustee of the Shrotriya Gift Trust, and (v) 9,523 shares held indirectly through Dr. Shrotriya’s spouse.spouse, and (vi) 28,322 shares held in Dr. Shrotriya's 401k plan.


(5)    The number of shares includes 117,537 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(6)    The number of shares includes 62,622 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(4)
(7)The number of shares includes 152,50012,500 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(5)The number of shares includes 80,000 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(6)The number of shares includes 47,250 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(7)The number of shares includes 5,000 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(8)The number of shares includes 5,000 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(9)The number of shares includes 5,000 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(10)The number of shares includes 5,000 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(11)The number of shares includes 5,000 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(12)The number of shares includes 5,000 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(13)The number of shares includes 425,534 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.


(8)    The number of shares includes 12,500 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(9)    The number of shares includes 12,500 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(10)    The number of shares includes 12,500 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(11)    The number of shares includes 12,500 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(12)    The number of shares includes 12,500 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

(13)    The number of shares includes 405,403 unvested restricted shares of our common stock subject to future vesting.

We are not aware of any arrangements that have resulted, or may at a subsequent date result, in a change of control of Spectrum.


9



EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Each executive officer of the Company serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The determination of which employees of the Company qualify as executive officers was made by the Board in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Biographical information for the executive officers of the Company as of the date this Proxy Statement was made available is set forth below. There are no family relationships between any executive officer and any other executive officer or director. Except as disclosed below, thereThere are no legal proceedings related to any of the executive officers which must be disclosed pursuant to Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.

Name and Age

  

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. (71)

(73)

Chairman of the Board and Chief

Executive Officer

LOGO

 Information regarding Dr. Shrotriya is provided in this Proxy Statement under “Proposal 1 — Election of Directors” starting on page 15 of this Proxy Statement..
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Joseph W. Turgeon (57)

(59)

President and Chief

Operating Officer

LOGO

 Mr. Turgeon has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since April 2014 and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer from October 2012 to April 2014. He brings over 25more than 30 years of pharma sales experience, including various executive leadership roles at Amgen Inc. Prior to joining Spectrum, Mr. Turgeon spent 22 years at Amgen Inc. as Vice President of Sales where he built and led the sales organization across multiple areas, including oncology, inflammation and bone health. Under Mr. Turgeon’s leadership, Amgen Oncology launched four new drugs and revenues rose from $2 billion to over $6 billion.

Mr. Turgeon holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Economics from Jacksonville University.

Name and Age

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Kurt A. Gustafson (47)(49)

Executive Vice President and


Chief Financial Officer

LOGO

 Mr. Gustafson joined Spectrum in June 2013 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He brings more than 2025 years of diverse experience in corporate finance, with 15 years in senior management roles leading the finance departments of multi-faceted, dynamic and growth oriented biopharmaceutical industry organizations. Prior to joining Spectrum, Mr. Gustafson served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company. Before joining Halozyme in 2009, Mr. Gustafson worked at Amgen for over 18 years, most recently as Vice President,holding various positions in finance including Treasurer, VP Finance with responsibility for financial planning and cost accounting for worldwide manufacturing covering seven manufacturing sites. During his tenure at Amgen, Mr. Gustafson also served as Chief Financial Officer of Amgen International and residedbased in Zug, Switzerland. Mr. Gustafson is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Xencor, Inc. (XNCR), a NASDAQ-listed clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing engineered monoclonal antibodies to treat severe and life-threatening diseases with unmet medical needs.company. Mr. Gustafson serves as Chair of Xencor’s Audit Committee and is a Membermember of its Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Gustafson is also currently a member of the Board of Directors of ChromaDex, Inc. (CDXC), a NASDAQ-listed proprietary ingredient company. Mr. Gustafson serves as Chair of ChromaDex’s Audit Committee and is a member of its Compensation Committee. Mr. Gustafson holds a BachelorsBachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from North Park University in Chicago and a Masters in Business Administration from University of California, Los Angeles.

Lee F. Allen, M.D., Ph.D. (63)

Senior Vice President and

Chief Medical Officer

LOGO

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 Dr. Allen has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer since March 2013. He brings over 15 years of biotech and pharmaceutical experience, as well as over 10 years of extensive research experience with over 40 papers published. Prior to joining Spectrum, from August 2007 to March 2013, Dr. Allen served in varying capacities including Chief Medical Officer, Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, where he led the company’s clinical development, medical affairs and regulatory activities. Before AMAG, Dr. Allen held senior leadership roles at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., serving as Vice President of Clinical Research and Development for the Oncology Therapeutic Area and as the Cambridge Clinical Site Head. Dr. Allen received an M.D. and a Ph.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.



10



PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven annually elected directors. Acting upon the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the full Board of Directors nominated Raymond W. Cohen, Gilles R. Gagnon, Stuart M. Krassner, Luigi Lenaz, Anthony E. Maida, Rajesh C. Shrotriya and Dolatrai Vyas for election to our Board at the Annual Meeting.

Unless you specifically withhold authority in the attached proxy for the election of any of these directors, the persons named in the attached proxy will vote “FOR” the election of Drs. Krassner, Lenaz, Maida, Shrotriya and Vyas, and Messrs. Cohen and Gagnon to our Board of Directors. Each director will be elected to serve a one-year term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 20162018 and until his successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal.

Each of the nominees has consented to serve if elected. If any of them becomes unavailable to serve as a director, our Board may designate a substitute nominee. In that case, the proxy holders will vote for the substitute nominee designated by the Board. Our Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve. There are no agreements or understandings pursuant to which any of the directors was selected to serve as a director.

Board Recommendation

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SEVEN NOMINEES.

Name and Age

  
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. (73)
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Shrotriya has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since August 2002 and a director of Spectrum since June 2001. From September 2000 to April 2014, Dr. Shrotriya also served as President of Spectrum. From September 2000 to August 2002, Dr. Shrotriya also served as Chief Operating Officer of Spectrum. Prior to joining Spectrum, Dr. Shrotriya held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer from November 1996 until August 2000, and as Senior Vice President and Special Assistant to the President from November 1996 until May 1997, for SuperGen, Inc., a publicly-held pharmaceutical company focused on drugs for life-threatening diseases, particularly cancer. From August 1994 to October 1996, Dr. Shrotriya held the positions of Vice President, Medical Affairs and Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of MGI Pharma, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Shrotriya spent 18 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”), an NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company, in a variety of positions, most recently as Executive Director, Worldwide CNS Clinical Research. Previously, Dr. Shrotriya held various positions at Hoechst Pharmaceuticals, most recently as Medical Advisor. Dr. Shrotriya was an attending physician and held a courtesy appointment at St. Joseph Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. In addition, he received a certificate for Advanced Biomedical Research Management from Harvard University. Dr. Shrotriya received an M.D. from Grant Medical College, Bombay, India, in 1974; a D.T.C.D. (Post Graduate Diploma in Chest Diseases) from Delhi University, V.P. Chest Institute, Delhi, India, in 1971; an M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery — equivalent to an M.D. in the U.S.) from the Armed Forces Medical College, Poona, India, in 1967; and a B.S. in Chemistry from Agra University, Aligarh, India, in 1962. Currently, Dr. Shrotriya is a member of the Board of Directors of CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CASI), a NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical company, and on the Board of Trustees at the UNLV Foundation.

Dr. Shrotriya is a demonstrated leader in the biopharmaceutical industry. His significant leadership experience includes over ten years of serving as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Shrotriya has held prior leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry including his positions as our President and Chief Operating Officer, as the executive vice president and chief scientific officer for a publicly-held pharmaceutical company, and 18 years of experience in various positions he held in BMS. Dr. Shrotriya’s significant leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical sector, along with his experience as a physician and his expertise in drug development, makes his well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.


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11



Name and Age

Luigi Lenaz, M.D. (76)
Lead Director
Dr. Lenaz was unanimously elected as Lead Director by the independent directors of the Board on October 14, 2016 and has served as a director of Spectrum since June 2010. From 1978 to 1997, Dr. Lenaz held several senior management positions with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”), a NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company, including Senior Vice President of Oncology Franchise Management from 1990 to 1997 and Director of Scientific Affairs, Anti-Cancer from 1985 to 1990. From 1997 to 2000, Dr. Lenaz served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Research, Medical Affairs at SuperGen, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed pharmaceutical company dedicated to cancer drug development. Dr. Lenaz served as President of Spectrum’s Oncology Division from 2000 to 2005 and as Spectrum’s Chief Scientific Officer from February 2005 to June 2008. Dr. Lenaz is also a prominent researcher, having conducted research in the areas of pharmacology, experimental chemotherapy, histology, general physiology, and experimental therapeutics at various institutions for cancer research, including Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute in Milan. He is a member of several scientific societies, including the American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for Clinical Oncology, European Society for Medical Oncology, and International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Dr. Lenaz served as a director of Pharmaco-Kinesis Corporation, a privately-held medical device company, from 2009 to 2014. Dr. Lenaz is a graduate of Liceo Scientifico A. Righi in Bologna, Italy and he received a medical degree from the University of Bologna Medical School in 1966.
Dr. Lenaz is a renowned and accomplished oncologist who brings to the Board of Directors over 35 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a wealth of knowledge in the field of cancer drug development. Dr. Lenaz’s qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors include his expertise in the development of cancer drugs, his tenure as our Chief Scientific Officer, his management experience with BMS, and his prominent research in the field of oncology. As a result, Dr. Lenaz is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.
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Raymond W. Cohen (56)

LOGO

(58)
 
Mr. Cohen has been a director of Spectrum since June 2013.  He is an accredited public company director and a veteran life-science executive with over 30 years in the healthcare industry. Currently, Mr. Cohen serves as the CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc., an Irvine, California based venture capital-backed developer of implantable neuromodulation technology. Mr. Cohen also serves as Chairman of the Board at a number of publicly traded and privately-held U.S. and European medical technology companies including BioLife Solutions, Inc., (NASDAQ: BLFS) a Seattle-based, commercial-stage publicly traded manufacturer of preservation media products used to extend the viability of human cells; a member of the Board of Directors of LifeWatch AG (LIFE.SW), a Zurich based Swiss public company engaged in the ambulatory ECG service business; Lombard Medical Technologies,(NASDAQ: EVAR), a UK-based publicly traded commercial stage manufacturer and marketer of abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graphs; JenaValve Technology Inc., a Munich-based privately-held, commercial-stage manufacturer and marketer of transcatheter-delivered aortic valve systems; BioLife Solutions, Inc., a Seattle-based, commercial-stage publicly traded manufacturer of preservation media products used to extend the life of human cells and organs; and Syncroness, Inc., a Westminster, Colorado privately-held contract engineering and product development firm.  
From June 2010 to November 2012, Mr. Cohen was the Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Vessix Vascular, Inc., a privately-held developer of a novel renal denervation system for the treatment of hypertension which was acquired by Boston Scientific in November 2012.
From 1997 to 2006, Mr. Cohen served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASDAQ-listed Irvine, CaliforniaCA based Cardiac Science, Inc., a manufacturer of external automatic defibrillators which was ranked as the 4th4th fastest growing company in North America by Deloitte in 2004.  In 2008, Mr. Cohen was named by AeA as the Private Company Life Science CEO of the Year.  Mr. Cohen was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002 by the Orange County Business Journal.  Mr. Cohen holds a B.S. in Business Management from Binghamton University.

Name and Age

Mr. Cohen brings to the Board of Directors over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, including currently serving as Chairman at several prominentlife science companies. As a result, Mr. Cohen is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.


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12



Name and Age

Gilles R. Gagnon, M.Sc., M.B.A., ICD.D (61)

LOGO

(63)
 

Mr. Gagnon was appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as a director of Spectrum in March 2012. SinceHe currently serves as director, President and CEO of Ceapro Inc., a Canadian growth-stage biotechnology company whose primary business activities relate to the development and commercialization of active ingredients for the pharmaceuticals, personal care and cosmetic industries. From 2008 to 2015, he has also served as President of Spectrum Pharma Canada Inc., an affiliate of Spectrum. Prior to joining Spectrum, Mr. Gagnon was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Æterna Zentaris (AEZS), a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and endocrinology. Prior to this position, he served as Vice President, Corporate Development at Æterna Laboratories since 1999, became President and Chief Operating Officer in 2001 and then President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2003, following the acquisition of Zentaris from German-based Degussa AG in December 2002. Prior to joining Æterna Zentaris, he was Vice President, External Affairs for Novartis Pharma Canada Inc. from 1996 to 1999. Prior to that, from 1989 to 1996, Mr. Gagnon held various positions including Executive Director, Corporate Planning and Business Development, Senior Director, Strategic Alliances, General Manager, Governments Affairs and Access to Market and Director of Professional Services at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Inc. Throughout his career in the pharmaceutical industry, Mr. Gagnon was especially involved in corporate development, alliance management, as well as marketing functions where he participated in the launch of nine innovative pharmaceutical products, in addition to his general management functions.

Mr. Gagnon has also participated in several international committees and strategic advisory boards. Mr. Gagnon serves on the board of directors of Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (“Rx&D”) where he represents members from the biopharmaceutical sector and pioneered the Rx&D’s biopartnering initiative. He recently completed his mandate as Chairman of the Board of BioQuebec and as a Director of Montreal In Vivo. He is currently a member of the board of directors of Spectrum Pharma Canada Inc. and serves as director, President and CEO of Ceapro Inc., a Canadian growth-stage biotechnology company whose primary business activities relate to the development and commercialization of active ingredients for pharmaceuticals, personal care and cosmetic industries.

Mr. Gagnon holds an M.Sc. in pharmacology and an M.B.A. from the Université de Sherbrooke and a certificate in General Management from the London Business School, UK. He completed the Directors Education Program at the Rotman School of Management of University of Toronto and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors.

Mr. Gagnon’s qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors include his extensive experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, including his prior experience as Chief Executive Officer of Æterna Zentaris, a similar biotechnology company. As a result, Mr. Gagnon is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.



Name and Age

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Stuart M. Krassner, Sc.D.,
Psy.D. (79)

LOGO

(81)
 Dr. Krassner has been a director of Spectrum since December 2004 and was previously a member of our Scientific Advisory Board from 1996 to 2001. Dr. Krassner’s career spans four decades of experience in various positions at the University of California, Irvine (“UCI”), most recently as Professor Emeritus of Developmental and Cell Biology at the School of Biological Sciences. While at UCI, he developed and reinforced US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and National Institute of Health (“NIH”) compliance procedures for UCI-sponsored human clinical trials, established UCI’s first Institutional Review Board, and at one time headed all contract and grant activities. Dr. Krassner has also been retained by a number of public and private pharmaceutical, medical device and other companies to provide scientific and regulatory advisory services, including FDA compliance. Dr. Krassner’s work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed U.S. journals. Dr. Krassner has been awarded grants from the NIH, the National Science Foundation and the World Health Organization. Dr. Krassner has been a member of the American Society of Protozoology, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the Corporation of the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woods Hole, MA among others. Dr. Krassner received a B.S. in Biology from Brooklyn College and a Sc.D. from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.
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13



Name and Age
 Dr. Krassner’s extensive and distinctive experience in business and academia brings valuable perspective to our Board. He has a strong background in research in the area of developmental and cell biology and his work in the field has been published in numerous peer-reviewed U.S. journals. Moreover, his expertise in scientific and regulatory advisory services, including FDA compliance, makes him well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.

Luigi Lenaz, M.D. (74)

LOGO

Dr. Lenaz has been a director of Spectrum since June 2010. Dr. Lenaz served as Spectrum’s Chief Scientific Officer from February 2005 to June 2008 and as President of Spectrum’s Oncology Division from 2000 to 2005. Since retiring as Spectrum’s Chief Scientific Officer in June 2008, Dr. Lenaz provided consulting services to Spectrum from June 2008 to June 2010. From 1997 to 2000, Dr. Lenaz served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Research, Medical Affairs at SuperGen, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed pharmaceutical company dedicated to cancer drug development. From 1978 to 1997, Dr. Lenaz held several senior management positions with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”), a NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company, including Senior Vice President of Oncology Franchise Management from 1990 to 1997 and Director of Scientific Affairs, Anti-Cancer from 1985 to 1990. Dr. Lenaz is also a prominent researcher, having conducted research in the areas of pharmacology, experimental chemotherapy, histology, general physiology, and experimental therapeutics at various institutions for cancer research, including Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute in Milan. He is a member of several scientific societies, including the American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for Clinical Oncology, European Society for Medical Oncology, and International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Dr. Lenaz has served as a director of Pharmaco-Kinesis Corporation, a privately-held medical device company, since January 2009. Dr. Lenaz is a graduate of Liceo Scientifico A. Righi in Bologna, Italy and he received a medical degree from the University of Bologna Medical School in 1966.

Name and Age

Dr. Lenaz is a renowned and accomplished oncologist who brings to the Board of Directors over 35 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a wealth of knowledge in the field of cancer drug development. Dr. Lenaz’s qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors include his expertise in the development of cancer drugs, his tenure as our Chief Scientific Officer, as well as his subsequent consulting services for our Company, his significant management experience with BMS, and his prominent research in the field of oncology. As a result, Dr. Lenaz is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.

Anthony E. Maida, III, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D. (63)

LOGO

(65)
 
Dr. Maida has been a director of Spectrum since December 2003. Since June 2010, Dr. Maida has served as Senior Vice President, Clinical Research for Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc., a cancer vaccine company focused on therapy for patients with glioblastoma multiforme and prostate cancer. Prior to that, from June 2009 through June 2010, Dr. Maida served as Vice President of Clinical Research and General Manager, Oncology, Worldwide for PharmaNet, Inc., a clinical research organization. Prior to joining Pharmanet, from 1997 through 2010, Dr. Maida served as Chairman, Founder and Director of BioConsul Drug Development Corporation and Principal of Anthony Maida Consulting International, servicing pharmaceutical firms, venture capital, hedge funds and Wall Street in the clinical development of therapeutic products and product/company acquisitions. Prior to that, from 1992 to September of 1999, Dr. Maida was President and Chief Executive Officer of Jenner Biotherapies, Inc., a company engaged in the development of immunotherapies to treat patients with cancer and certain side effects related to chemotherapy. During his tenure at Jenner, Dr. Maida moved four products into the clinic; one Phase III randomized clinical trial demonstrating clinical benefit to patients with osteogenic sarcoma which ultimately gained approval in Europe, two Phase II double-blinded randomized placebo controlled clinical trials in patients with prostate cancer and nine Phase I/II clinical trials. For over 25 years, Dr. Maida has focused on the clinical development of immunotherapies to treat patients with cancer. Dr. Maida has served in a number of executive roles, including, Chairman, CEO, COO, CSO, CFO and business development, and as a result his skill set includes the execution and oversight of finance, operations, research, and commercial clinical and scientific development, regulatory and manufacturing for the development of various therapeutic modalities. He is an expert in ‘virtual’ development and cost-cutting of operations in large and small biotechnology companies.

Name and Age


Dr. Maida is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Stevia First Corp. (STVF)Vitality Biopharma, Inc. (VBIO), an OTCQB-quoted agricultural biotechnologybiopharmaceutical company and also OncoSec Medical Inc. (ONCS), an OTCQB-quoted biopharmaceutical company developing its advanced-stage ImmunoPulse DNA-based immunotherapy to treat solid tumors. Dr. Maida serveshas served on the advisory board of EndPoint BioCapital, Sdn Bhd (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), and as an advisor, consultant and technical analyst for CMX Capital, LLC, Sagamore Bioventures, Roaring Fork Capital, Toucan Capital, North Sound Capital, The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, and Pediatric BioScience, Inc. Additionally, Dr. Maida has been retained by each of, Abraxis BioScience, Inc., Northwest BioTherapeutics, Inc. and Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Osaka, Japan). Dr. Maida holds a B.A. in Biology, a B.A. in History, an M.B.A., aan M.A. in toxicologyToxicology and a Ph.D. in Immunology. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, the Society of Neuro-Oncology, the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer and the American Chemical Society. Dr. Maida holds a number of patents and patent applications associated with various therapeutic modalities and approaches.

Dr. Maida’s qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors include the extensive experience he has gained holding senior management positions, including chairman, president, chief financial officer and chief executive officer, at various biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies. He has successfully raised financing from venture capital and strategic investors for biopharmaceutical companies and he currently provides consulting services to hedge funds and venture capital firms interested in biopharmaceutical firms. Furthermore, Dr. Maida’s vast knowledge in the area of clinical development of oncology products and product acquisitions, in addition to his continuous research in the field of oncology, provides unique and valuable insight to our Board of Directors. As a result, Dr. Maida is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.



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14



Name and Age

  

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. (71)

LOGO

Dr. Shrotriya has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since August 2002 and a director of Spectrum since June 2001. From September 2000 to April 2014, Dr. Shrotriya also served as President of Spectrum. From September 2000 to August 2002, Dr. Shrotriya also served as Chief Operating Officer of Spectrum. Prior to joining Spectrum, Dr. Shrotriya held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer from November 1996 until August 2000, and as Senior Vice President and Special Assistant to the President from November 1996 until May 1997, for SuperGen, Inc., a publicly-held pharmaceutical company focused on drugs for life-threatening diseases, particularly cancer. From August 1994 to October 1996, Dr. Shrotriya held the positions of Vice President, Medical Affairs and Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of MGI Pharma, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Shrotriya spent 18 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”), an NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company, in a variety of positions, most recently as Executive Director, Worldwide CNS Clinical Research. Previously, Dr. Shrotriya held various positions at Hoechst Pharmaceuticals, most recently as Medical Advisor. Dr. Shrotriya was an attending physician and held a courtesy appointment at St. Joseph Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. In addition, he received a certificate for Advanced Biomedical Research Management from Harvard University. Dr. Shrotriya received an M.D. from Grant Medical College, Bombay, India, in 1974; a D.T.C.D. (Post Graduate Diploma in Chest Diseases) from Delhi University, V.P. Chest Institute, Delhi, India, in 1971; an M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery — equivalent to an M.D. in the U.S.) from the Armed Forces Medical College, Poona, India, in 1967; and a B.S. in Chemistry from Agra University, Aligarh, India, in 1962.
Dr. Shrotriya is a demonstrated leader in the biopharmaceutical industry. His significant leadership experience includes over ten years of serving as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Shrotriya has held prior leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry including his positions as our President and Chief Operating Officer, as the executive vice president and chief scientific officer for a publicly-held pharmaceutical company, and 18 years of experience in various positions he held in BMS. Dr. Shrotriya’s significant leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical sector, along with his experience as a physician and his expertise in drug development, makes his well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.

Name and Age

  

Dolatrai Vyas, Ph.D. (71)

LOGO

(73)
 
Dr. Vyas has been a director of Spectrum since June 2013. He has 31 years’ tenure in oncology drug discovery research at BMS, an NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company, where he served in various positions including most recently as a Group Director and Distinguished Research Fellow (Executive Level) in Oncology Discovery Chemistry. Dr. Vyas is considered one of the pioneers of the BMS oncology medicinal chemistry discovery efforts based on natural products derived cytotoxics. During this period he was also involved in BMS’s pioneering research on antibody drug conjugate (“ADC”) technology to target cytotoxics selectively to tumors. This technology in recent years has yielded valuable new biologics for treating a variety of cancers. In the last 15 years of his oncology research career at BMS, he was involved in discovery and development of personalized medicine research involving small molecule molecular targeted oncology therapeutics (e.g. kinase inhibitors). During his tenure at BMS in oncology drug discovery, he has participated in the discovery and development of 12 small molecules and one biologic (ADC) as clinical development candidates with one US Food and Drug Administration approved NDA. He has authored/co-authored over 110 publications and written numerous book chapters and review articles. He is also an inventor/co-inventor on more than 40 patents. He is an elected member of the Connecticut Academy of Sciences and Engineering (“CASE”) and ishas also served on the editorial board of Medicinal Research Reviews. Dr. Vyas retired from BMS in 2011 and subsequently formed a research and development consulting company, Dinesh Vyas, LLC. Currently, he is consulting for an India-based pharmaceutical company and is also on the scientific advisory board of anotheran Indian company.company and two US based companies. Dr. Vyas received a B.Sc. with honors in Chemistry/Geology from University College Nairobi (Kenya), University of East Africa in 1967 and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Queens University, Kingston, Canada in 1972.

Dr. Vyas brings to the Board of Directors over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, especially in oncology drug research and development. As a result, Dr. Vyas is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.

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15



Director Compensation

For service during 2014,2016, directors who arewere not employees of the Company, whichwhom we refer to as “non-employee directors,” received an annual retainer of $50,000. In addition, non-employee directors were entitled to receive additional retainer fees for their Board committee positions, pursuant to the fee table below. Non-employee directors were also reimbursed for certainreasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred with respect to their attendance at Board and committee meetings.

Non-Employee Director Fees

Annual Retainer (All)

  $50,000  

Additional Annual Retainer for Audit Committee Chairperson

  $20,000  

Additional Annual Retainer for Compensation Committee Chairperson

  $15,000  

Additional Annual Retainer for Audit Committee Member

  $10,000  

Additional Annual Retainer for Compensation Committee Member

  $7,500  

Also for services in 2014, under the 2009 Incentive Award Plan, or the 2009 Plan,

Annual Retainer (All)$50,000
Additional Annual Retainer for Lead Director$20,000
Additional Annual Retainer for Audit Committee Chairperson$20,000
Additional Annual Retainer for Compensation Committee Chairperson$15,000
Additional Annual Retainer for Audit Committee Member$10,000
Additional Annual Retainer for Compensation Committee Member$7,500
Annual Grants
In June 2016, each of our non-employee directordirectors was granted options to purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.94$6.33 per

share, the closing price of our common stock on the date immediately prior to the date of grant.grant, subject to the terms of the 2009 Incentive Award Plan, as amended (the “2009 Plan”). The options vest as to 25% of the shares on the date of grant, and the remaining shares vest in three equal installments on each anniversary of the date of grant. Furthermore, under the 2009 Plan,grant, subject to each director’s continued service through such date. In addition, each non-employee director was also issued 10,000 shares of restricted shares.stock subject to the terms of the 2009 Plan. The restricted sharesstock will vest as to 50% of the shares six months after100% on the date of grant, and the remaining 50% of the shares one year after the date of grant.

Annual Meeting, subject to each director’s continued service through such date.

The following table shows fiscal 2014year 2016 compensation for our non-employee directors. Directors who were employees did not receive any additional compensation for their service as directors.

Non-Employee Director Compensation

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
   Value of
Restricted
Stock
Awards(1)
   Value of
Stock
Option
Awards(2)
   Total 

Raymond W. Cohen(3)

  $67,500    $79,400    $71,408    $218,308  

Gilles R. Gagnon

  $50,000    $79,400    $71,408    $200,808  

Stuart M. Krassner(3)

  $71,250    $79,400    $71,408    $222,058  

Luigi Lenaz

  $57,500    $79,400    $71,408    $208,308  

Anthony E. Maida(3)

  $73,750    $79,400    $71,408    $224,558  

Dolatrai Vyas

  $57,500    $79,400    $71,408    $208,308  

Name Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
 

Stock
Awards
(1)
 

Option
Awards
(2)
 Total
Raymond W. Cohen $75,000 $63,300 $58,917 $197,217
Gilles R. Gagnon $50,000 $63,300 $58,917 $172,217
Stuart M. Krassner $63,750 $63,300 $58,917 $185,967
Luigi Lenaz $67,500 $63,300 $58,917 $189,717
Anthony E. Maida $73,750 $63,300 $58,917 $195,967
Dolatrai Vyas $57,500 $63,300 $58,917 $179,717

(1)
Represents the grant date fair value of therestricted stock awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 calculated based on closing price of the Company’s stock on the day preceding the grant date of the restricted stock award.awards multiplied by the number of shares granted. Restricted stock awards are subject to time-based vesting criteria as described above. These amounts do not represent cash payments or proceeds actually received by the directors and the actual values they realize may be materially different from these reported amounts upon their sale of the underlying shares.


(2)Represents the grant date fair value of the stock option awardawards calculated in accordance with the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Stock options are subject to time-based vesting criteria as described above. These amounts do not represent cash payments or proceeds actually received by the directors and the actual values they realize may be materially different from these reported amounts upon their sale of the underlying shares.FASB ASC Topic 718, using

(3)The fees earned by Mr. Cohen and Drs. Krassner and Maida were pro-rated for 2014 as their committee assignments changed effective June 27, 2014.

the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Stock options are subject to time-based vesting as described above. These amounts do not represent cash payments or proceeds actually received by the directors and the actual values they realize may be materially different from these reported amounts upon their sale of the underlying shares. For fair value assumptions refer to Note 6 to our financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on March 14, 2017.

16




Number of Options and Restricted Stock Awards Held by Non-Employee Directors at Fiscal Year-End 20142016
Name 
Stock Options
(Vested and
Unvested)
(#)
 Restricted
Stock
Awards
(Unvested)
(#)
Raymond W. Cohen 80,000 12,500
Gilles R. Gagnon 112,500 12,500
Stuart M. Krassner 325,000 12,500
Luigi Lenaz 225,000 12,500
Anthony E. Maida 288,300 12,500
Dolatrai Vyas 90,000 12,500

All of our directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, are subject to a stock ownership policy as described in more detail under the section entitled “

Name

  Stock
Options
(Vested
and
Unvested)
(#)
   Restricted
Stock
Awards
(Unvested)
(#)
 

Raymond W. Cohen

   40,000     7,500  

Gilles R. Gagnon

   72,500     7,500  

Stuart M. Krassner

   300,000     7,500  

Luigi Lenaz

   185,000     7,500  

Anthony E. Maida

   248,300     7,500  

Dolatrai Vyas

   50,000     7,500  

Corporate Governance-Stock Ownership Policy.”



17



PROPOSAL 2 — APPROVALADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF FLEXIBLE SETTLEMENT FEATURE FOR THE POTENTIAL CONVERSION OF CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES

BackgroundOUR NAMED

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Board is committed to excellence in governance and Reasonrecognizes the interest our stockholders have in our executive compensation program. Our stockholders are being asked to support, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers for Seeking Stockholder Approval

On December 23, 2013,fiscal year 2016, as reported in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement.

In 2016, the Company undertook significant changes in corporate governance and how executive compensation is administered. In recent years, we issued Convertible Senior Notes, which we refer to as the Notes, inhave added new Compensation Committee members, and appointed a private offering to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The Notes pay interest at a rate of 2.75% and are due in December 2018. The aggregate principal amountnew chair of the Notes was $120 million,Compensation Committee. We also engaged an independent executive compensation firm, Exequity, to review current compensation practices and make recommendations to the Committee and the Board.
The Chairman of which our net proceeds after expenses were approximately $115.4 million. We used approximately $13.1 millionCompensation Committee together with members of senior management engaged with stockholders representing more than half of our outstanding shares of the net proceedsCompany and gathering feedback for, certain derivative instrument purchasesamong other things, our executive compensation program, we implemented changes to hedgeour compensation program. In response to stockholder feedback and in consultation with our independent compensation consultant, the conversion feature of the Notes. We intendchanges to use the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, researchour compensation program included revising our peer group and development and clinical studies. We may also useapportioning a portion of equity compensation to performance-based units which will vest based on relative total stockholder return to further align interests with stockholders as described in the net proceeds to acquire or license additional drug candidates or complementary technologies; however, we have no current commitments to complete any such transaction.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement. The Notes are convertible into sharesmajority (56%) of our common stock at an initial conversion rateChief Executive Officer’s compensation for 2016 continued to be in the form of 95.01 shares per $1,000 principal amountat-risk pay (i.e., not guaranteed to be earned).

During 2016, Spectrum made marked progress on multiple fronts. We initiated and have made significant progress in enrolling breast cancer patients in a Phase 3, pivotal study with our lead, novel drug ROLONTISTM (eflapegrastim). Our second novel drug, POZIOTINIB, has shown exciting activity in lung cancer with exon-20 insertion mutations. In addition, we received FDA approval for our sixth anticancer drug, EVOMELA®, which achieved approximately 35% penetration of Notes,the market within eight months of launch. Spectrum now has six FDA-approved drugs on the market. We believe these activities will contribute to meaningful long-term value for Spectrum stockholders.
Stockholders are urged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, which is equivalentdiscusses in detail our fiscal year 2016 compensation program and moreover, decisions made by the Committee with respect to approximately $10.53 per share, subjectchanges to adjustment in certain circumstances. The initial conversion price represents a 27.5% premium to the last reported sale priceour programs for compensation of our common stock onnamed executive officers.
“Say-on-Pay” Vote
This non-binding advisory stockholder vote gives you as a stockholder the NASDAQ Global Select Market of $8.26 per share on December 17, 2013,opportunity to approve or not approve the date we priced the offeringcompensation of the Notes. Additional information regarding the terms of the Notesnamed executive officers that is below under “Summary of Terms and Conditions of the Notes.”

Under the terms of the Notes, rather than only having the option to settle in common stock, we will have the option to settle conversions of the Notes in cash, shares of our common stock, or through any combination of cash and common stock, at our election (referred to as “flexible settlement”disclosed in this Proxy Statement) if we obtain stockholder approval in accordanceStatement by voting for or against the following resolution (or by abstaining with respect to the NASDAQ requirements in place atresolution):

“RESOLVED, that the timecompensation of the original issuanceCompany’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the NotesCompensation Discussion and Analysis, and the related compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in 2013, under Listing Rule 5635. Since the issuance of the Notes, NASDAQ has changed its interpretation so that the flexible settlement feature no longer requires stockholder approval. Had we entered into the Indenture now, stockholder approval wouldthis Proxy Statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be a condition to being able to settle conversions in cash rather than common stock. We are seeking stockholder approval becausebinding on the Indenture was entered into prior to NASDAQ’s recent change in interpretation.

Reason for Stockholder Approval

The Board of Directors, believes the flexible settlement feature will benefitCompensation Committee or Spectrum. However, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, values the opinions of our stockholders by providing us with financial flexibilityand will, in the conversion of the Notes. This flexibility will allow us to use the settlement method that is in the best interests of Spectrum and our stockholders at the time of conversion, whether that involves issuing shares of our common stock to preserve cash, using cash to reduce dilution of existing stockholders, or relying upon a combination of share issuance and cash payment as we deem appropriate.

The terms of the Notes do not require us to seek stockholder approval of the flexible settlement feature, and we will not incur any penalties under the Notes if the stockholders do not approve the flexible settlement feature.

their discretion, consider your vote when making future executive compensation decisions.

Proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the flexible settlement feature described above.compensation of our named executive officers disclosed in this Proxy Statement unless otherwise specified in the proxy.

Board Recommendation

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE FLEXIBLE SETTLEMENT FEATURE FORCOMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DESCRIBED IN THE POTENTIAL CONVERSIONCOMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SECTION OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT.



18



PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES.

SummaryFREQUENCY OF AN ADVISORY VOTE ON THE

COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
At least every six years, we are required to hold a separate, non-binding, advisory stockholder vote with respect to the frequency of Terms and Conditionsfuture advisory votes on the compensation disclosed in our proxy statement of our named executive officers. By voting on this frequency proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer that the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers occur every one, two or three years. Stockholders may also abstain from voting on the proposal. Accordingly, the following resolution is submitted for a non-binding advisory stockholder vote at the annual meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the option set forth below that receives the greatest number of votes cast by the stockholders of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. shall be the preferred frequency of the Notes

Below is a summaryCompany’s stockholders for holding an advisory vote on the compensation of the termsCompany’s executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table of the Notes. The summary contains basic information aboutCompany’s proxy statement:


    every year;

    every two years; or

    every three years.”
After careful consideration, the Notesboard of directors has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years is the best approach for us. An advisory vote occurring once every three years will provide our stockholders with sufficient time to evaluate the effectiveness of our overall compensation philosophy, policies and does not provide a complete descriptionpractices in the context of our long-term business results for the corresponding period, while avoiding over-emphasis on short-term variations in compensation and business results. Spectrum, the Compensation Committee and the board of directors believe that it is appropriate and in our best interest for our stockholders to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years because, as described in Proposal 2, our compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate and retain talented executive officers and we believe that the programs are aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders. In light of the Notes. Stockholders should readabove, we believe that our resources in preparing for and seeking an advisory vote on executive compensation will be most effectively deployed every three years as opposed to a shorter time period, without sacrificing the Indenture, included as Exhibit 4.1ability of our stockholders to the Current Report on Form 8-K that we filedbe heard.
The proxy card provides our stockholders with the SECopportunity to choose among four alternatives with respect to this Proposal (holding the vote every one, two or three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, stockholders will not be simply voting to approve or disapprove the board of directors’ recommendation. The alternative that receives the greatest number of votes (holding the vote every one, two or three years) will be the frequency that stockholders choose. Although the vote on December 23, 2013, for a more detailed accountthe frequency of the terms“say-on-pay” vote is non-binding, the board of directors and conditionsthe Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the Notes.

Maturity; Interest.    The Notes will maturevote when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on December 15, 2018, unless earlier converted or purchased by us.The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 2.75% per annum, payable semi-annuallyexecutive compensation.

Proxies received in arrears, commencing on June 15, 2014.

Ranking.    All payments due under the Notesresponse to this solicitation will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank senior in right of paymentvoted “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, to any indebtedness that is expressly subordinated toconduct an advisory vote on the Notes; rank equal in right of payment to unsecured indebtedness that is not subordinated; be effectively subordinated in right of payment to secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and liabilitiescompensation of our subsidiaries.named executive officers every

Conversion Right.    Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 15, 2018, holders may convert all or a portion of their Notes only under the following circumstances:“THREE YEARS”

during any fiscal quarter (and only during such fiscal quarter) commencing after March 31, 2014, if, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, the last reported sale price of our common stock on such trading day is greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable conversion price on such trading day;

during the five consecutive business day period immediately following any five consecutive trading day period, referred to as the measurement period, in which, for each trading day of that measurement period, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for such trading day was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock on such trading day and the applicable conversion rate on such trading day;

upon the occurrence ofunless otherwise specified corporate transactions as set forth in the indenture; and

proxy.

at any time, if we have not received stockholder approval of the flexible settlement feature.


On or after June 15, 2018, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their Notes at any time, regardless of the circumstances listed above.

Board Recommendation

The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 95.01 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $10.53 per share of our common stockOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO CONDUCT ANADVISORY STOCKHOLDER VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS EVERY “THREE YEARS”.The conversion rate is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.In addition, upon the occurrence of a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture), in certain circumstances, the conversion rate may be increased by a number of additional shares for a holder that converts its Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change.

Conversion Settlement.    Upon conversion of a Note, we will deliver for each $1,000 principal amount of converted Notes a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on the conversion date.However, if we receive stockholder approval of the flexible settlement feature, we will settle conversions of the Note through payment or delivery, as the case may be, of cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and stock, at our election.

Obligation to Purchase.    Upon the occurrence of a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture), holders of the Notes may require us to purchase all or a portion of the Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus any then accrued and unpaid, interest.

Additional Issuances.    The approval by stockholders of the flexible settlement feature, so that the Company can elect to pay cash instead of issuing shares, would also apply to any future issuances of Notes under the Indenture.

Accounting Effect on Reported Financial Results

If our stockholders approve the flexible settlement feature, we may settle conversions of the Notes in cash, shares of our common stock, or any combination thereof, at our election. Under applicable accounting literature, an entity must separately value convertible debt instruments that may be settled entirely or partially in cash upon conversion, including (i) the debt component and (ii) the embedded conversion option.

Regardless of whether our stockholders approve the flexible settlement feature, we will continue to record non-cash interest expense as a result of the amortization of the discounted carrying value of the Notes to their face amount over its term. This will adversely impact our presented net income (loss) in our financial results because of the recognition of both the amortization of the debt discount and the instrument’s stated interest.

We currently include the full number of shares that may be issuable upon conversion of the Notes in the calculation of diluted earnings per share in periods of positive net income. If the stockholders approve the flexible settlement feature, the calculation of diluted earnings per share may change. Convertible debt instruments that may be settled entirely or partly in cash are generally accounted for using the “treasury stock method,” rather than the “if-converted method,” the effect of which is that the shares that may be issuable upon conversion of the Notes are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share except to the extent that the conversion value of the Notes exceeds their principal amount. If we are unable to apply the if-converted method in the future in our accounting for the shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes, then diluted earnings per share could be adversely affected.

Even if the stockholders approve the flexible settlement feature and holders do not elect to convert their Notes, we could be required in the future under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the Notes as a current liability. This would materially reduce our calculated net working capital.


19



PROPOSAL 34 — RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of our Board is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP, or D&T, as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 20152017 and has further directed that management submit the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting. D&T served as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2014.

2016.

Although ratification by our stockholders is not a prerequisite to the Audit Committee’s ability to select our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee believes that asking our stockholders to ratify the selection is advisable and in the best interests of our stockholders, and represents an important corporate governance practice. Accordingly, stockholders are being asked to ratify, confirm and approve the selection of D&T as our independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of our consolidated financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting for fiscal year 2015.2017. If the stockholders do not ratify the selection of D&T, the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee; provided, however, the Audit Committee may select D&T even if our stockholders do not ratify D&T’s selection. If the appointment of D&T is ratified, the Audit Committee will continue to conduct an ongoing review of D&T’s scope of engagement, pricing and work quality, among other factors, and will retain the right to replace D&T at any time.

There will be representatives from D&T present at the Annual Meeting. They may make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to answer appropriate questions from stockholders. Representatives from Ernst & Young, LLP, or E&Y, our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2013, are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.

Proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted “FOR” the ratification of D&T unless otherwise specified in the proxy.

Board Recommendation

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015.

Change in Independent Registered Public Accountants (Fiscal Year 2014)

During the first half of fiscal 2014, the Audit Committee of our Board conducted a competitive process to select our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2014. The Audit Committee invited four national accounting firms, including E&Y, our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2013, to participate in this process. On March 17, 2014, E&Y notified us that they would not participate in the process and resigned as our independent registered public accounting firm.

On April 5, 2014, the Audit Committee completed the competitive process and unanimously approved the appointment of D&T for the integrated audit for fiscal year 2014 and for the review of each of the fiscal quarters in fiscal year 2014. On April 9, 2014, the Audit Committee formally engaged D&T.

In connection with the audit of our financial statements during each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and in the subsequent interim period through March 17, 2014, the date of resignation by E&Y, there were no disagreements as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, with E&Y on any matter of

accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to E&Y’s satisfaction, would have caused E&Y to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report.

In connection with the audit of our financial statements during each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and in the subsequent interim period through March 17, 2014, there was a “reportable event,” as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K related to a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Our management concluded that as of December 31, 2013, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective because of the existence of a material weakness related to our controls over (i) the process of estimating the required period-end accruals for services performed under open purchase orders, which resulted in overstated operating expenses and accrued liabilities in multiple reporting periods in, and prior to, 2013; and (ii) the ineffective design and operating effectiveness of controls over the process for identifying and recording liabilities for vendor invoices received subsequent to year end that related to 2013 activities, which would have resulted in understated operating expenses and accrued liabilities, if left uncorrected, as described in Item 9A of the Annual Report, which description is incorporated herein by reference. Our management concluded that as of December 31, 2012, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective because of the existence of a material weakness related to the accurate and timely accounting for accruals identified in management’s assessment of internal controls, which resulted in overstatement of expenses and accrued liabilities in such periods, as described in Item 9A of the Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, which description is incorporated herein by reference. The Audit Committee discussed the subject matter of the foregoing material weaknesses with E&Y.

E&Y’s audit report on our financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and E&Y’s audit report was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. E&Y’s audit report on our financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, except for the effects on the consolidated financial statements of the restatement described in Note 1A to the financial statements. The E&Y 2013 and 2012 audit reports reference the E&Y internal control over financial reporting adverse opinion on our internal control over financial reporting, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework).

We previously reported the change in accounting firms on Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 21, 2014 and April 10, 2014, respectively. We provided E&Y with a copy of the above disclosures, other than the engagement of D&T, and requested that E&Y furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the foregoing statements. A copy of E&Y’s letter dated March 17, 2014 was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2014.

During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the subsequent interim period through April 5, 2014, neither we nor anyone on our behalf consulted with D&T with respect to (a) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial statements, and no written report or oral advice of D&T was provided to us that D&T concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (b) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K), or a “reportable event” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

E&Y served as our independent registered public accounting firm from December 3, 2009 to March 17, 2014. During such time, E&Y rendered audit opinions on our consolidated financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2013.

We provided E&Y and D&T with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and requested that E&Y and D&T each review such disclosures. In addition, E&Y and D&T were given an opportunity to furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC containing any new information, clarifying our expression of their respective views, or stating the extent to which they do not agree with the foregoing statements. E&Y and D&T each informed us that it agreed with the foregoing statements and did not furnish such a letter to us or the SEC.

2017.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms Fees

The following table summarizes aggregate fees billed to us for professional services rendered by D&T and E&Y in their respective capacity as our principal accountant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20142016 and December 31, 2013:

    Year Ended December 31, 2013   Year Ended December 31, 2014 
    D&T   E&Y   D&T 

Audit Fees

        1,626,144     1,535,500  

Audit-related Fees

        249,754     16,250  

Tax Fees

        660,700     7,295  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $  —    $2,536,598    $1,559,045  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2015:

   
Year Ended December 31,
   
2016 2015
Audit Fees1,227,197
 $1,397,500
Audit-related Fees187,785
 125,000
Tax Fees309,649
 158,406
Total$1,724,631
 $1,680,906
The fees billed to us during or related to the fiscal years ended December 31, 20142016 and 20132015 consist solely of audit fees, audit-related fees, and tax fees, as follows:

Audit Fees.Represents the aggregate fees billed to us by our principal accountant for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting, for the reviews of our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Q filings for each fiscal quarter, and the preparation of comfort letters and consents with respect to registration statements.

Audit-related Fees.Represents the aggregate fees billed to us by our principal accountant for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit and review of our consolidated financial statements that are not already reported in Audit Fees. These services include accounting consultations and attestation services that are not required by statute.

Tax Fees.    Fees.    Represents the aggregate fees billed to us by our principal accountant for professional services rendered for tax returns, compliance and tax advice.


20



All Other Fees.We did not incur any other fees to D&T and E&Y as our principal accountantsaccountant during the fiscal years ended December 31, 20142016 and December 31, 2013.2015.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-approval of Audit and Permissible Non-audit Services of Independent Auditor

All audit and non-audit services by our independent registered public accounting firm were pre-approved by our Audit Committee. For audit services, the independent accountant provides the Audit Committee with an audit plan, including proposed fees in advance of the annual audit. The Audit Committee approves the plan and fees for the audit. Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee may establish pre-approval policies and procedures, subject to SEC and NASDAQ rules and regulations, to approve audit and non-audit services; however, it has not yet done so.



21



PROPOSAL 45ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD

The Boardfollowing stockholder proposal will be voted on at the Annual Meeting if properly presented by the proponent or one who is committedqualified under state law to excellencepresent the proposal on such proponent’s behalf. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in governanceperson or by proxy and recognizesentitled to vote at the interest our stockholders have in our executive compensation program. As part of that commitment, and in accordance withAnnual Meeting. Following SEC rules, our stockholdersother than minor formatting changes, we are being askedreprinting the proposal and supporting statement as they were submitted to approveus, and we take no responsibility for their content. We will provide the name, address and number of shares of Spectrum stock held by the proponent promptly upon written or oral request by any stockholder to the Corporate Secretary.
BE IT RESOLVED: 
That the shareholders of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. hereby request that the Board of Directors initiate the appropriate process to amend the Company's articles of incorporation and/or bylaws to provide that director nominees shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at an advisory resolutionannual meeting of shareholders, with a plurality vote standard retained for contested director elections, that is, when the number of director nominees exceeds the number of board seats.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT:
In order to provide shareholders a meaningful role in director elections, the Company's current director election standard should be changed from a plurality vote standard to a majority vote standard. The majority vote standard is the most appropriate voting standard for director elections where only board nominated candidates are on the compensation paidballot, and it will establish a challenging vote standard for board nominees to our “named executive officers,”improve the performance of individual directors and entire boards. Under the Company's current voting system, a nominee for the board can be elected with as reportedlittle as a single affirmative vote, because "withheld" votes have no legal effect. A majority vote standard would require that a nominee receive a majority of the votes cast in order to be re-elected and continue to serve as a representative for the shareholders.
In response to strong shareholder support a substantial number of the nation's leading companies have adopted a majority vote standard in company bylaws or articles of incorporation. In fact, more than 94% of the companies in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis sectionS&P 500 have adopted majority voting for uncontested elections. We believe the Company needs to join the growing list of companies that have already adopted this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as standard.
CalSTRS is a “Say-on-Pay” proposal, gives stockholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our fiscal year 2014 compensation program and policies for our named executive officers.

For fiscal year 2014, the Committee established aggressive financial and strategic goals for the Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers, the achievement of which the Committee believed to be of paramount importance to the continued successlong-term shareholder of the Company and we believe that accountability is of upmost importance. We believe the accrualplurality vote standard currently in place at the Company completely disenfranchises shareholders and makes the shareholder's role in director elections meaningless. Majority voting in director elections will empower shareholders with the ability to remove poorly performing directors and increase the directors' accountability to the owners of the Company, its shareholders. In addition, those directors who receive the majority support from shareholders will know they have the backing of the very shareholders they represent. We therefore ask you to join us in requesting that the Board of directors promptly adopt the majority vote standard for director elections.

Please vote FOR this proposal.
SPECTRUM’S RESPONSE -- STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSAL NO. 5
SPECTRUM’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS CONSIDERED THE ABOVE MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD PROPOSAL AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “AGAINST” THE MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD PROPOSAL.
The Board has given careful consideration to this proposal and has concluded for the reasons described below that the adoption of this resolution is unnecessary and is not in the best interests of Spectrum and its stockholders.
The Board believes that the voting procedures set forth in our bylaws, last amended and restated in August 2012, are in the best interests of Spectrum and our stockholders. The Board takes its accountability to stockholders very seriously and believes that changing the voting standards as set forth in our bylaws is not in the best interests of Spectrum or our stockholders.
Current mechanisms are already in place for ensuring a Board that represents the best interests of Spectrum and our stockholders.
Under our bylaws, directors are elected using a plurality voting standard. Spectrum’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is tasked with evaluating and recommending nominees for election to our board of directors. As part of the practice, the committee reviews and considers individual director performance, board and committee performance, governance practices,

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and stockholder approval before making recommendations to the Board. Stockholders can currently express dissatisfaction with an incumbent director’s performance by withholding their vote.
Changing our voting standards could risk unintended consequences.
A plurality voting standard for the election of directors is common under Delaware law. It assures that we avoid “failed elections” (scenarios where directors fail to achieve the votes necessary to be elected, resulting in vacancies on our board). The possibility of failed elections introduces unnecessary legal uncertainty and risk to our director election process as vacancies on our board of directors could result in our inability to comply with certain NASDAQ listing requirements or other securities regulations. This includes regulations related to director independence, committee composition, and the maintenance of an audit committee financial expert.
Changing the voting standards could risk outsider activism that distracts Spectrum from important matters.
The Board is also concerned that the majority vote requirement sought by the proposal could result in undue influence of certain activist stockholders whose interests and agenda may differ from those of our stockholders generally. The pharmaceutical industry faces many unique challenges each year. We expect our directors to support policies that are in the long-term best interests of Spectrum and our stockholders, even if such choices could lead to “withhold” vote campaigns against qualified directors. As a Board, we strongly believe that a stringent majority voting policy, and the potential distraction that ensues therefrom, does not enhance the ability of our directors to act in the long-term best interests of Spectrum and our stockholders.
The Board believes that the current procedures set forth in the bylaws have resulted in a Board that is responsive to stockholder input and promotes a strategy of long-term value tocreation for Spectrum. Disruption of the Board's functioning could adversely affect the pursuit of our long-term strategies. For the foregoing reasons, we believe that this proposal is unnecessary and is not in the best interests of our stockholders.

As discussed in

FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “AGAINST” THIS STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL. PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “AGAINST” THE MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD PROPOSAL UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.



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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Stockholder Engagement and Corporate Governance Highlights
We are committed to good governance and believe that communication with our stockholders is a key part of ensuring good governance. We annually engage with stockholders representing more detail inthan half of our outstanding shares of the Compensation DiscussionCompany and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement,gather feedback on our corporate governance and executive compensation program is designedprogram. In response to attractstockholder feedback, in 2016, we implemented certain changes that we believe strengthen our governance and retain professionals of the highest caliber, who are capable of leading us to fulfill our ambitious business objectives. The Compensation Committee believes our program is competitiveexecutive compensation practices in the marketplace, links pay to performance by rewarding our named executive officers for achieving Company and individual performance targets, and aligns our named executive officers’ interests with the interests of our stockholders by providingstockholders.
In particular, effective October 14, 2016, the independent members of the Board decided to appoint a significant portionlead independent director. We believe the role of total compensation through the grant of equity awards. The total compensation paidlead independent director provides an effective balance to our named executive officers in 2014 was highly correlated with the achievementcombined role of our 2014 financialchairman and strategic goals.

During 2014Chief Executive Officer, enhances the Board’s ability to provide effective oversight of management, and into early 2015, we accomplished various critical business objectives, which included:

Business Development:

In September 2014, we executed three product out-license agreements with perpetual terms with CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CASI). Under these out-licenses, we granted CASI the exclusive rights to distribute in the greater China territory, two of our commercialized drugs, ZEVALIN® and MARQIBO®, and our Phase 3 drug candidate, C-E MELPHALAN. In return, we received equity representing 19.9% of CASI’s then outstanding common stock and a secured promissory note, with an aggregate combined transaction value of $10 million.

In December 2014, we executed a ZEVALIN out-license agreement withensures the Board remains accountable to stockholders. On October 14, 2016, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd.Luigi Lenaz was elected as our lead independent director. The signing triggered a $0.5 million licensing fee to us. We will also receive payments (aggregating up to $3.0 million) upon the achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestone in India, in addition to royalties for any sales in their territory.

In February 2015, we executed an in-license agreement with Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for Poziotinib, a pan-HER inhibitor in Phase 2 clinical trials, for an upfront payment and future regulatory and sales-dependent milestone payments. Poziotinib has shown single agent activity in the treatment of various cancer types, including breast, gastric, colorectal and lung cancers. Under the terms of this agreement, we received the exclusive rights to commercialize this drug, excluding Korea and China.

Commercial:

Total product revenue in 2014 was $186.5 million, representing 30% growth over 2013.

In the second half of 2014, BELEODAQ® became our fifth commercialized drug, with 2014 net sales of nearly $5 million. We launched BELEODAQ in less than three weeks following its approval.

Medical:

In April 2014, we reported that C-E MELPHALAN had met its primary endpoint in a pivotal trial for use as a conditioning treatment prior to autologous stem cell transplant for patients with multiple myeloma, and as a result, we filed its NDA with the FDA in December 2014.

In July 2014, we received accelerated approval from the FDA for BELEODAQ’s use for the treatment of PTCL. BELEODAQ was given priority review by the FDA, despite the fact that other agents were already approved for treatment of PTCL. Together with FOLOTYN®, our other PTCL drug, this approval established a strengthened PTCL franchise.

In September 2014, we announced our decision to advance SPI-2012 to Phase 3 trials. SPI-2012 is our novel long-acting GCSF to treat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The decisions to advance to Phase 3 trials was based on positive Phase 2 results in our collaboration program with Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. In late 2014, we met with eachindependent members of the FDABoard believe that Dr. Lenaz's unique scientific background and business expertise make him ideally suited for this position.

We also maintain, among other measures, the EMAfollowing corporate governance practices to discuss our Phase 3 design, and have identified more than 50 sites forensure the trial’s completion. A successful launch of SPI-2012 will allow us to compete in a multi-billion dollar market.

Corporate: We continued to strengthen our management team and thoughtfully invested in our infrastructure for long-term growth and success.

Financial: We maintained fiscal discipline during the year, and ended 2014 with $133 million in aggregate cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Stockholders are urged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses in detail our fiscal year 2014 compensation program and decisions made by the Committee with respect to the compensationaccountability of our named executive officers.

Board:

“Say-on-Pay” Vote

This non-binding advisory stockholder vote gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to approve or not approve the compensation of the named executive officers that is disclosed in this Proxy Statement by voting for or against the following resolution (or by abstaining with respect to the resolution):

“RESOLVED, that the compensation policies applicable to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, and the related compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensationWe hold annual elections of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on theBoard of Directors.

A majority of our Board of Directors is independent, and we evaluate the Committee or Spectrum. However, the Boardindependence of Directors and the Compensation Committee, which is comprised entirely of independentour directors will, in their discretion, consider your vote when making future executive compensation decisions.

annually.

Proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis,Each of the compensation policies applicable tomembers of our namedAudit Committee is designated as a financial expert.
We maintain stock ownership requirements for our CEO and our non-employee directors.
Our directors hold regular executive officers disclosedsessions without management.
We prohibit any director, officer or other employee from engaging in this Proxy Statement unless otherwise specified in the proxy.any kind of hedging transaction.

Board Recommendation

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION POLICIES APPLICABLE TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DESCRIBED IN THE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SECTION OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance Guidelines

We have adopted written corporate governance guidelines to assist the Board of Directors in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines are posted on our website atwww.sppirx.com.

Board Independence

In determining whether members of our Board of Directors are independent, the Board reviews a summary of the relationships of each director with Spectrum and other facts relevant to the analysis of whether the directors qualify as “independent directors” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules.

The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Drs. Krassner, Lenaz, Maida and Vyas, and Mr. Cohen, are independent directors pursuant to the NASDAQ Listing Rules. All members of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are independent pursuant to the NASDAQ Listing Rules. In addition, the members of the Audit Committee are independent directors pursuant to the heightened independence criteria for members of Audit Committees set forth in SEC rules.

Board Meeting Attendance

Our Board of Directors met seven times and acted by unanimous written consent three timesonce during 2014.2016. We expect each director to attend each meeting of the Board and of the committees on which he serves. Our policy is that every director is expected to attend the annual meeting of our stockholders in-person. If a director is unable to attend a meeting, he must notify the Board and attempt to participate in the meeting by telephone, if possible. All directors have attended at least 75% of the meetings of the full Board and the meetings of committees on which he served in 2014.2016. Our Board of Directors met in executive sessions without management seven times during 2014.2016. All our Board members attended the 20142016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Committees of the Board

Our Board of Directors has five standing committees: Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Placement, and Product Acquisition.


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Our Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees each act pursuant to a written charter. Copies of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charters are posted on our website atwww.sppirx.com.http://investor.sppirx.com/governance.cfm. The Board intends to reevaluate the composition of each of the committees at its meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting.

Board Committee Membership

as of December 31, 20142016

Name

 Audit
Committee
 Compensation
Committee
 Placement
Committee
 Nominating and
Corporate
Governance
Committee
 Product
Acquisition
Committee

Raymond W. Cohen

 M C M M 

Gilles R. Gagnon

   M  M

Stuart M. Krassner

MM
Luigi Lenaz M M CM
Anthony E. Maida C

Luigi Lenaz

 M M M M

Anthony E. Maida

Rajesh C. Shrotriya
 C C
Dolatrai Vyas M M

Rajesh C. Shrotriya

CC

Dolatrai Vyas

M M M

  MMember

  CChair

M    Member
C    Chair

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Audit Committee.     At December 31, 2014,2016, the Audit Committee was comprised of Drs. Maida (Chair) and Krassner, and Mr. Cohen, each of whom satisfied the NASDAQ and SEC “independence” and other rules for Audit Committee membership. The Audit Committee held sevenfour meetings during 2014.2016. Our Board of Directors determined that Drs. Maida and Krassner, and Mr. Cohen were Audit Committee “financial experts” within the meaning of SEC rules.

Principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include but are not limited to:

Appointing, compensating, retaining and overseeing the work of the independent registered public accounting firm;

Reviewing independence qualifications and quality controls of the independent registered public accounting firm;

Overseeing and monitoring internal controls, procedures, the audit function, accounting procedures and financial reporting process; and

Reading and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the annual audited, and quarterly unaudited, financial statements.

Compensation Committee.     At December 31, 2014,2016, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Mr. Cohen (Chair), and Drs. Krassner,Maida, Lenaz, and Vyas. The Compensation Committee held twofour meetings and acted by unanimous written consent once during 2014.2016. Our Board of Directors determined that each of the members was an “independent director” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and a “non-employee director” within the meaning ofRule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.Rules.

For additional information about the role and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Role of Compensation Committee” section of this Proxy Statement.

Placement Committee.     At December 31, 2014,2016, the Placement Committee was comprised of Drs. Shrotriya (Chair), Maida and Lenaz, and Messrs. Cohen and Gagnon. The Placement Committee has the authority to act on behalf of the Board with respect to approving and evaluating all issuances of our securities (other than stock options, restricted stock and other grants for compensation purposes, which is handled by the Compensation Committee, the Board or the Board)designees), including the authority to set the terms of each security being issued, including, without limitation, common stock, warrants, preferred stock or other securities convertible into common stock. The Placement Committee did not meet during 2014.2016. Instead, the full Board previously considered and approved the 2016 issuances of our securities.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.     At December 31, 2014,2016, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was comprised of Drs. KrassnerLenaz (Chair), Lenaz,Krassner, Maida, and Vyas, and Mr. Cohen. Our Board of Directors determined that each of the members was an “independent director” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: the identification and recommendation of nominees for election as directors by the stockholders; the identification and recommendation of candidates to fill any vacancies on our board; and the recommendation of policies and standards of corporate governance. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee metheld one time in 2014.meeting during 2016.

In selecting and making recommendations to the Board for director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider suggestions from many sources, including our stockholders. Any such director nominations, together with appropriate biographical information and qualifications, should be submitted by the stockholder(s) to the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors, c/o Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052. Director nominees submitted by stockholders are subject to the same review process as director nominees submitted from other sources, such as other Board members or senior management. No director nominations by stockholders have been received as of the filing of this Proxy Statement.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers a number of factors when reviewing potential nominees for the Board. The factors which are considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include the following: the candidate’s ability and willingness to commit adequate time to Board and committee matters; the fit of the candidate’s skills and personality with those of other directors and potential directors in building a Board that is effective, collegial and responsive to our needs; the candidate’s personal and professional integrity, ethics and values; the candidate’s experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly-held company; the candidate’s experience in our industry and with relevant social policy concerns; the candidate’s experience as a Board member of another publicly-held company; whether the candidate would be “independent” under applicable standards; whether the candidate has practical and mature business judgment; and the candidate’s academic expertise in an area of our operations. In addition to the factors set forth above, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also strives to create diversity in perspective, background and experience in the Board as a whole.


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In identifying, evaluating and selecting future potential director nominees for election at each annual meeting of stockholders and nominees for directors to be elected by the Board to fill vacancies and newly created directorships, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee engages in a selection process. In identifying potential nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider as potential director nominees candidates recommended by various sources, including any member of the Board, any of our stockholders or senior management. In appropriate circumstances, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also hire a search firm to help locate qualified candidates. Once potential nominees are identified, they are initially reviewed by the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or in the Chairman’s absence, any other member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee delegated to initially review director candidates. The reviewing member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will make an initial determination in his or her own independent business judgment as to the qualifications and fit of such director candidates based on the criteria set forth above. If the reviewing member determines that it is appropriate to proceed, the Chief Executive Officer and at least one member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will interview the prospective director candidate(s). The full Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may interview the candidates as well. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will provide informal progress updates to the Board and will meet to consider and recommend final director candidates to the entire Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors determines which candidates are nominated or elected to fill a vacancy.

Product Acquisition Committee.At December 31, 2014,2016, the Product Acquisition Committee was comprised of Drs. Shrotriya (Chair), Lenaz, Maida and Vyas, and Mr. Gagnon. The Product Acquisition Committee is responsible for evaluating our product acquisition opportunities. The Product Acquisition Committee did not meet during 2014.2016. Instead, the full Board previously considered and approved the 20142016 investments and activities related to product acquisitions.

Board Leadership Structure

Currently, our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rajesh C. Shrotriya, serves as Chairman of our Board of Directors. The Board believes that Dr. Shrotriya is the director best situated to identify strategic opportunities for our Company and to focus the activities of the Board due to his full-time commitment to the business and his long tenure with Spectrum. The Board also believes that Dr. Shrotriya’s dual roles as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer promotes effective execution of our business strategy and facilitates information flow between management and the Board.

As discussed above, following stockholder engagement on our corporate governance, on October 14, 2016, Dr. Luigi Lenaz was elected by the independent members of the Board to the newly created position of Lead Director. Dr. Lenaz is a world-renowned oncologist and a leading scientist authority in developing cancer drugs. The independent members of the Board believe that his unique scientific background and business expertise make him ideally suited for this position. In such position, the Lead Director serves as a means for regular communication between the independent directors and Dr. Shrotriya, keeping Dr. Shrotriya apprised of any concerns, issues or determinations made during the independent sessions, and consults with Dr. Shrotriya on other matters pertinent to the Company and the Board. The Lead Director’s additional responsibilities include:
Presiding at meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors;
Serving as a liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors;
Being responsible for leading the Board’s annual self-assessment;
Having the authority to call meetings of the independent directors; and
If requested by major stockholders, ensuring that he/she is available for consultation and direct communication.
Our Board has determined that the appointment of an independent Lead Director, as well as maintaining the independence of a majority of our directors, helps maintain the Board’s independent oversight of management and ensures that the appropriate level of independence is applied to all Board decisions. Our Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, each consisting of independent Board members, oversee critical matters such as our accounting policies, financial reporting processes, internal control assessment over financial reporting, executive compensation program, and selection and evaluation of our directors and director nominees.

Risk Oversight

Management is responsible for identifying our risk exposures and communicating such exposures to our Board. Our Board is responsible for implementing our risk oversight responsibilities. The Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but administers this function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through committees of the Board. For example, the Audit Committee assists the Board in its risk oversight function by reviewing and discussing with management our accounting principles and procedures, financial reporting processes and system of disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in its risk oversight function by periodically

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reviewing and discussing with management important corporate governance principles and practices and by considering risks related to our director nominee evaluation process. The Compensation Committee assists the Board in its risk oversight function by overseeing compliance with our executive compensation programs and considering risks relating to the design of our executive compensation programs and arrangements. In addition, our compliance officer monitors our corporate compliance program and our compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations and provides reports to our Board with respect to compliance matters and any related issues. The full Board considers strategic risks and opportunities and receives reports from the committees regarding risk oversight in their areas of responsibility as necessary. We believe our Board leadership structure facilitates the division of risk management oversight responsibilities among the Board committees and enhances the Board’s effectiveness in fulfilling its oversight function with respect to different areas of our business risks and our risk mitigation practices.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders who wish to contact members of our Board of Directors may send email correspondence to:ir@sppirx.com. If stockholders would like to write to the Board of Directors, they may also send written correspondence to the following address: Board of Directors, c/o Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Board of Directors, 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052. Stockholders should provide proof of share ownership with their correspondence. It is suggested that stockholders also include contact information. All stockholder communications will be received and processed by the Investor Relations Office, and then directed to the appropriate member(s) of the Board of Directors. In general, correspondence relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be referred to the chairperson of the Audit Committee, with a copy to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. All other correspondence that is directed to the Board of Directors generally will be referred to the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. To the extent correspondence is addressed to a specific director or requires a specific director’s attention, it will be directed to that director.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be provided to any person, without charge, upon request to (702) 835-6300 or to Investor Relations, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052. Amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that apply to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller or persons performing similar functions, if any, will be posted on our website atwww.sppirx.com. We will disclose any waivers of provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that apply to our directors and principal executive, financial and accounting officers by disclosing such information on a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Stock Ownership Policy


We have adopted a Stock Ownership Policy that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and our non-employee directors. Within five yearsdirectors, effective as of initial appointment or election, as applicable (or April 1, 2020 for2015, to further align the

Company’s current non-employee directors and Chief Executive Officer), interests of such individuals with those of our stockholders. Under the policy, the Chief Executive Officer and non-employee directors must hold and maintain, directly or indirectly (including through Company equity plans), shares of CompanyCompany's common stock (including vested “in-the-money” options) equalingequivalent to at least five timetimes his or her annual base cash salary or three times the annual cash Board retainer fee (excluding any additional fees paid for committee assignments and service as the lead director or committee chair, if any), as applicable. The current Chief Executive Officer and non-employee directors have five years from the effective date of the policy (April 1, 2020) to reach the required ownership level, and any newly appointed or elected persons will have five years from the date on which he or she is appointed or elected to reach the required ownership level. Furthermore, within one year of his or her initial appointment or election, each such personsperson must own and maintain some shares of Company stock. Individuals who do not hold the required number of shares shall be required to hold one hundred percent (100%) of any shares received as an equity grant, net of shares sold or withheld to pay the exercise price of stock options or to pay withholding taxes. A copy of the Stock Ownership Policy is posted on our website atwww.sppirx.com.

Anti-Hedging Policy

We have adopted an anti-hedging policy that prohibits any director, officer or other employee of the Company or its subsidiaries from, at any time, directly or indirectly, engaging in any kind of hedging transaction that could reduce or limit such person’s holdings, ownership or interest in or to any common shares or other securities of the Company, including without limitation outstanding stock options, deferred share units, restricted share units, or other compensation awards the value of which are derived from, referenced to or based on the value or market price of securities of the Company. Prohibited transactions include the purchase by a director, officer or other employee of financial instruments, including, without limitation, prepaid variable forward contracts, instruments for short sale or purchase or sale of call or put options, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchangeable funds, that are

28



designed to or that may reasonably be expected to have the effect of hedging or offsetting a decrease in the market value of any securities of the Company. A copy of the anti-hedging policy is posted on our website atwww.sppirx.com.


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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for assisting our Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding Spectrum’s financial accounting and reporting process, system of internal control, audit process, and process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which is posted on our website atwww.sppirx.com. The Audit Committee met sevenfour times during fiscal 2014.2016. All members of the Audit Committee are non-employee directors and satisfy the current NASDAQ Global Market Listing Standards and SEC requirements with respect to independence, financial literacy and experience.

Management of Spectrum has the primary responsibility for Spectrum’s consolidated financial statements as well as Spectrum’s financial reporting process, accounting principles and internal controls. Deloitte & Touche, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company in 2014,2016, is responsible for performing an audit of Spectrum’s consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of such financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and the effectiveness of Spectrum’s internal control over financial reporting.

In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of Spectrum as of and for the year ended December 31, 20142016 with Spectrum’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16,1301, “Communication with Audit Committees” (which superseded Statement on(formerly known as Auditing StandardsStandard No. 61 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012)16), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB (Rule 3526) regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm’s independence.

Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to our Board of Directors the inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements in Spectrum’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

2016.

Anthony E. Maida, III, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D., Chair

Stuart M. Krassner, Sc.D., Psy.D.

Raymond W. Cohen

The foregoing Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our other filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this Report by reference therein.



30



COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS


General

In this section we discuss and analyze the compensation paid to our “named executive officers” for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

2016.

This section is divided into the following discrete parts:

Named Executive Officers

Executive Summary

Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Compensation Governance Best Practices
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Role of Compensation Committee

Role of Executive Officers

Compensation Consultant and Peer Group Data

Key Elements of Executive Compensation

Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices


Named Executive Officers

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014,2016, the Compensation Committee, or the Committee, determined that our named executive officers were as follows:

Name

 

Title

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Joseph W. Turgeon

 President and Chief Operating Officer

Kurt A. Gustafson

 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Lee F. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

Joseph K. Keller(1)

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

(1)Mr. Keller ceased serving as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on April 17, 2014. Mr. Keller is being included as a named executive officer for purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis pursuant to applicable SEC rules.

Executive Summary

At Spectrum, we have

Our Company has an unwavering commitment to serve cancer patients and to build long-term value for our stockholders. We believe that we have a solid base of commercialized products, a healthy balance sheet,adequate capital, a robust research and development pipeline, and an accomplished team of executives to lead the execution of our strategy.

During 2014

As described below, during 2016 and into early 2015,2017, we made significant progress towards achieving our keyachieved various critical business objectives and further positioned theour Company for future growth and success.

Below is


ROLONTIS (formerly referred to as SPI-2012 or LAPS-G-CSF), a brief summarynovel long-acting G-CSF: A pivotal Phase 3 study (ADVANCE Study, or SPI-GCF-301) was initiated in the first quarter of the key business developments which, taken2016 to evaluate ROLONTIS as a whole, made 2014treatment for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with breast cancer. The study uses a successful yearfixed dose of ROLONTIS and continued that success into 2015:

Business Development:

In September 2014, we executed three product out-license agreementsis randomized to be compared to Neulasta with perpetual terms with CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CASI). Under these out-licenses, we granted CASInon-inferiority of duration of severe neutropenia as the exclusive rights to distributeprimary endpoint. This study will be conducted in the greater China territory, two of our commercialized drugs, ZEVALINUnited States, Canada, and MARQIBO, and ourSouth Korea. A second pivotal Phase 3 study (RECOVER Study, or SPI-GCF-302) with an identical study design is also planned. This study will enroll patients globally including in Europe and the United States.


QAPZOLA, a potent tumor-activated drug candidate, C-E MELPHALAN. In return,being investigated for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: We submitted a New Drug Application on December 11, 2015 which was accepted on February 9, 2016. On November 17, 2016, we

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received a Complete Response Letter. We have since developed a new Phase 3 study for QAPZOLA, and in February 2017, we received equity representing 19.9%a Special Protocol Assessment from the FDA. The new Phase 3 study has been specifically designed to build on learnings from the previous studies as well as recommendations from the FDA. Compared to the previous study, this study will use twice the dosage of CASI’s then outstanding common stockQAPZOLA (8mg), will evaluate approximately 70% fewer patients (n=425), and a secured promissory note, with an aggregate combined transaction value of $10 million.

In December 2014, we executed a ZEVALIN out-license agreement with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. The signing triggered a $0.5 million licensing fee to us. We will also receive payments (aggregating upevaluate time-to-recurrence as the primary endpoint compared to $3.0 million) uponrecurrence at two years.


POZIOTINIB, a novel pan-HER inhibitor: In March 2016, we initiated a Phase 2 Breast Cancer Trial. The Phase 2 study is an open-label study that will enroll approximately 75 patients with HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer, who have failed at least two and no more than four HER-2 directed therapies. The dose and schedule of oral POZIOTINIB is based on clinical experience from the achievement of certain regulatorystudies in South Korea, and sales milestone in India, in addition include the use of prophylactic therapies to royalties for any saleshelp minimize known side-effects of pan-HER directed therapies. In collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, an investigator sponsored trial is being initiated in their territory.

In February 2015, we executed an in-license agreementnon-small cell lung cancer patients with Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for Poziotinib, a pan-HER inhibitor in Phase 2 clinical trials, for an upfront payment and future regulatory and sales-dependent milestone payments. Poziotinib has shown single agent activity inEGFR Exon- 20 insertion mutations. The study is expected to yield results before December 31, 2017.


EVOMELA (formerly referred to as Captisol-Enabled MELPHALAN): On March 10, 2016, the treatment of various cancer types, including breast, gastric, colorectal and lung cancers. Under the terms of this agreement, we received the exclusive rights to commercialize this drug, excluding Korea and China.

Commercial:

Total product revenue in 2014 was $186.5 million, representing 30% growth over 2013.

In the second half of 2014, BELEODAQ became our fifth commercialized drug, with 2014 net sales of nearly $5 million. We launched BELEODAQ in less than three weeks following its approval.

Medical:

In April 2014, we reported that C-E MELPHALAN had met its primary endpoint in a pivotal trial for useFDA approved EVOMELA as a high-dose conditioning treatment prior to autologous stemhematopoietic progenitor (stem) cell transplant fortransplantation in patients with multiple myeloma, and as a result,for the palliative treatment of patients with multiple myeloma for whom oral therapy is not appropriate. In April 2016, we filed its NDAlaunched EVOMELA, our sixth anti-cancer drug, with our existing sales force. On April 20, 2016, the FDA in December 2014.

granted orphan drug designation to EVOMELA, giving us seven years of marketing exclusivity and two composition of matter patents that do not expire until March 2029.

In July 2014,

Out-license with Servier Canada: On January 8, 2016, we received accelerated approval from the FDA for BELEODAQ’s useentered into a strategic partnership with Servier Canada, Inc. for the treatmentout-licenses of PTCL.ZEVALIN, FOLOTYN, BELEODAQ, was given priority review by the FDA, despite the fact that other agents were already approved for treatment of PTCL. Together with FOLOTYN, our other PTCL drug, this approval established a strengthened PTCL franchise.

In September 2014, we announced our decision to advance SPI-2012 to Phase 3 trials. SPI-2012 is our novel long-acting GCSF to treat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The decisions to advance to Phase 3 trials was based on positive Phase 2 results in our collaboration program with Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. In late 2014, we met with each of the FDA and the EMA to discuss our Phase 3 design, and have identified more than 50 sites for the trial’s completion. A successful launch of SPI-2012 will allow us to compete in a multi-billion dollar market.

Corporate:MARQIBO. We continued to strengthen our management team and thoughtfully invested in our infrastructure for long-term growth and success.

Financial: We maintained fiscal discipline during the year, and ended 2014 with $133received $6 million in aggregate cashupfront payments in the first quarter of 2016. We will also receive development milestone payments upon achievement of regulatory milestones, and cash equivalents and marketable securities.a high single-digit royalty on their sales of these products.


***
The Committee established annual goals for our Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers in the beginning of 2014,2016, which were challengingintended to achieve.have meaningful impact on stockholder value. The Committee believedbelieves the achievement of these goals to be of vital importanceis important to the continued growth and success of the Company.
These goals related to the the:
(i)    achievementAchievement of a revenue target, target;
(ii)    acquisition of commercial products, (iii) managementManagement of our

product pipeline, (iv) advancementpipeline;

(iii) Advancement of clinical studies, (v) hiring key members of our management team,studies; and (vi) maintaining
(iv) Maintaining appropriate level of expense control and cash management.
The total compensation paid to our named executive officers in 2014,2016 as determined by the Committee, and approved byincluding Bonus amounts set forth in the full Board of Directors,Summary Compensation Table, was highly dependent ontied directly to the achievement of these financial and strategic goals, as described in greater detail below.

goals.

Executive compensation for 2015 has been similarly2016 was structured to encourage and reward performance.  Highlights of our 2016 executive compensation program include the following:
For 2016, our Chief Executive Officer’s base salary remained unchanged from 2015, annualand the base salaries forof our named executive officersPresident and Chief Operating Officer and our Chief Financial Officer were increased between 3.4% and 5.0%by only 4-6% over 2014 amounts. 2015 levels.
Our performance-based cash bonus awards for 2015 will continue to2016 put a significant percentage of executive pay at risk,at-risk, and failure to achieve pre-established financial and strategic goals willcould have significantly reducereduced total compensation for our named executive officers.
In 2016, we granted only awards of restricted stock to our named executive officers. Going forward, as detailed herein, our performance-based unit awards for 2017 will further align named executive officer compensation with overall company performance.

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We believe our “pay for performance” philosophy attracts, retains and motivates our named executive officers to be more fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders as well as our short and long-term strategic objectives.

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Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
At our objectives,2016 Annual Meeting, our advisory vote on executive compensation passed with approximately 59.5% of the shares entitled to vote in favor of the proposal, a significant increase from 39.4% in 2015. We annually engage with stockholders representing more than half of our outstanding shares of the Company and helps usgathered feedback for, among other things, our executive compensation program. In response to meetstockholder feedback and in consultation with our goals.

independent compensation consultant, in 2016, we instituted changes to our compensation program including revising our peer group and apportioning a portion of equity compensation to performance-based units which will vest based on relative total stockholder return to further align interests with stockholders.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Committee retained an independent executive compensation firm, Exequity, to conduct a competitive review of our executive compensation program, as well as to provide guidance on our compensation practices as compared to our updated peer group of companies discussed below.
At the recommendation of Exequity, the Committee approved a new long-term incentive program that applied to grants commencing in 2017, where:
Award sizes will be determined annually based on competitive benchmarking data.
One third of the target annual grant value will be in the form of performance-based units (the “TSR Performance-Based Units”) tied to the Company’s relative total stockholder return (“TSR”) performance, one third of the value will be in stock options which will vest over time, and one third will be in restricted stock which will vest over time.
The number of TSR Performance-Based Units earned will be tied to the Company’s TSR as compared to the TSR of the peer group measured over a two-year performance period. To earn the target number of TSR Performance-Based Units, the Company’s relative TSR ranking for the two-year performance period must be at, or above the 50th percentile of the peer group. If the Company’s relative TSR ranking is below the 30th percentile of the peer group, no TSR Performance-Based Units will be earned. If the Company’s relative TSR ranking is at the 30th percentile of the peer group, then 25% of the target number of TSR Performance-Based Units will be earned. If the Company’s relative TSR ranking is at, or above the 80th percentile of the peer group, a maximum of 200% of the target number of TSR Performance-Based Units will be earned.
TSR Performance-Based Units tied to the Company's relative TSR performance will be earned, if at all, following the end of the two-year performance period.
If a change in control occurs prior to the end of the two-year performance period, and the TSR Performance-Based Units are not assumed by the acquirer, they will become immediately vested based on the Company's actual TSR ranking as compared to the peer group for the shortened performance period.
Compensation Governance Best Practices
We maintain strong governance standards with respect to our executive compensation programs. Our practices include the following:
Independent Compensation Consultant. The Committee engages an independent compensation consultant.
Annual Compensation Risk Assessment. We perform an annual compensation risk assessment to identify any elements of compensation that carry elevated levels of risk.
Stock Ownership Guidelines. We maintain a stock ownership requirement for our Chief Executive Officer and non-employee directors.
Annual Peer Group Review. We evaluate our peer group annually for purposes of our executive compensation review.
Anti-hedging Policy. We prohibit any director, officer or other employee from engaging in any kind of hedging transaction.
No Excessive Perquisites. We provide only limited perquisites to our executive officers that are intended to facilitate them in the performance of their duties.

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No In-the-Money Options. We do not grant options with an exercise price less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.
No Guaranteed Bonuses. Our executive officers’ bonuses are performance-based and 100% at risk.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Compensation Philosophy

The Committee’s executive compensation philosophy is to attract and retain professionals of the highest caliber with highly sought-after skill sets, who are capable of leading the Company in fulfilling its ambitious business objectives. The Committee understands that competition for attracting talent in the pharmaceutical industry is very intense, and that such competition is local, national, and even international in scope. The Committee also understands that, notwithstanding the Company’s financial growth and strategic success over the past several years, it is still in the process of achieving its goal of becoming a premiere player in the hematology and specialty oncology treatment sector.

As a result, the Committee recognizes that ourseeks to design executive compensation packages must be designed tothat encourage exceptional candidates to make the decision to join and stay with the Companyus over other potential employers, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other life sciences companies that may be much larger and better known than Spectrum. To be successful, our Company must aggressively find and retain exceptional and accomplished executives that have unique and highly-sought-after skill sets, most of whom have joined us from prestigious companies withinAs a result, the life sciences industry. This results in us providing compensation packages to our named executive officers that are at the top end of the range, as compared to peer group companies. The Committee seeks to implement this compensation philosophy by offering compensation opportunities that significantly reward executives for advancing our long and short-term financial and strategic goals.

Compensation Objectives

When reviewing and approving our executive compensation program, the Committee is guided by the following five compensation objectives:

1.Attract the right executives:

Attract exceptional and accomplished executives with the properrelevant experience and skills that are required to direct our strategic objectives for achievement of revenue growth and business success;

objectives;
2.Motivate the right executives:

Provide a total compensation package that is highly competitive with significant players inwithin the life sciences industry and, more specifically, within our peer group companies;

3.
MakeHave a portion of executive compensation at risk of Company and individualbe at-risk based on performance:

Condition a significant portion of potential total compensation on the achievement of Company and individual performance targets;


4.Align the financial interests of our executives and stockholders:

Provide a significant portion of total compensation through the grant of restricted stock awards and stock options, as well as performance-based units tied to relative total stockholder return, to more directly align the long-term interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders; and

5.Retain the right executives:

Provide for time-based vesting of restricted stock and stock option awards (generally at least three years) to encourage our executive officers to remain with the Company over a meaningful period of time.

Additionally, the Committee considered the results of the stockholder vote on executive compensation. In response to the stockholder vote, for 2014 the Committee maintained the base salary of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, increased the percentage of “at risk” pay vs. “guaranteed” pay for the Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers and generally reduced total annual compensation amounts including restricted stock and stock option grants from prior years. Moreover, bonus amounts (as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table) were tied to achievement of specific quantitative objectives such as total revenue and regulatory approvals. These objectives were identified in the beginning of the 2014 calendar year and bonus payments were made based on accomplishment of the objectives.

Quantitative and Qualitative Performance Indicators

The Committee takes into account various quantitative andindicators such as financial metrics, as well as qualitative indicators of Company and individual performance in determining the level and structure of compensation for each of the named executive officers. The Committee considers Company quantitative performance indicators which generally correspondQualitative factors are intended to financial results such as total revenueidentify and operating expenses by category.

The Committee also appreciates the importance of businessreward achievements that the Committee believes are preparatory steps in the Company’s achievement of meaningful growth and may be difficult to objectively quantify. These qualitative factors include, among other things, the (i) completion of the acquisition of commercial or clinical-phase drugs at an advantageous cost structure, (ii) advancement of product candidates through clinical


35



trials, (iii) obtaining regulatory approvals in the U.S. and abroad, and (iv) fostering a high-performance culture throughout the organization.

In general, theThe Committee believes that the Company’s long-term growth and success areis dependent on these quantitative and qualitative performance indicators. As a result, the Committee seeks to ensure that the realized compensation of our named executive officers is aligned with the achievement of each. The specific performance indicators that were deemed to be the most important for purposes of compensation paid in 20142016 are discussed below. For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis Annual Cash Bonuses.”

- Key Elements of Executive Compensation -

Annual Cash Bonuses.”

Principal Compensation Elements
In furtherance of the Committee’s compensation philosophy, the Committee generally believes that using a combination of three principal compensation elements - base salary, annual cash bonus, and equity incentive awards - appropriately delivers on our executive compensation objectives. The Committee also uses other compensation elements, including standard benefits and perquisites, as well as change of control benefits for certain executives, which it views as necessary components of a competitive and effective program. However, in light of our significant financial growth over a period of several years, and due to the rapidly evolving nature of the industry in which we operate, the Committee believes it is not presently feasible to pinpoint specific competitive market levels to target for each element of compensation. Instead, the Committee strives to make “total compensation” appropriately balanced between fixed and variable components to the named executive officers. The Committee purposely sets target compensation to these executives at the top end of a pre-identified peer group in order to recruit and retain only the very best top talent, and to motivate them to deliver exceptional results for our Company.

Mix of Compensation Elements

In assessing the “total compensation” opportunity for each named executive officer, and determining the value or amount paid with respect to each compensation element, the Committee generally seeks to weight the compensation mix heavily towards performance-based compensation (annual cash bonuses and equity awards), which we refer to as “at risk”“at-risk” compensation, and seeks to limit the level of “guaranteed” compensation, especially guaranteedsuch as cash compensation (base salary, benefits, and perquisites). In doing so, the Committee is mindful of the appropriate mix between guaranteed pay and at riskat-risk pay so as to mitigate compensation related risk.

the potential for excessive risk taking.

The Committee also strives to provide a largersignificant proportion of the total compensation opportunity in the form of “non-cash” componentsnon-cash (such as restricted sharesstock, options and options)performance-based units) rather than “cash” components (such as base salary and annual cash bonuses).components. The Committee does so to allow the named executive officers to be financially rewarded for exceptional Company performance that the Committee believes will advance our business objectives, and to further align the interests of the named executive officers with those of our stockholders.

However, notwithstanding the foregoing general principles,in order to promote flexibility to appropriately award our key executives, the Committee has not established any formal policies or guidelines for allocating between at riskat-risk and guaranteed compensation, or cash and non-cash compensation. The Committee also has not adopted any policies for allocating between long-term and currently paid compensation or between any particular elements of compensation. For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Key Elements of Executive Compensation.

At Risk”At-Risk” vs. “Guaranteed” Compensation

The following chart illustrates that the guaranteed pay (base salary, benefits and perquisites) of our Chief Executive Officer was only 25%44% of his total compensation for 2014paid during 2016 and approximately 75%56% represented at riskat-risk pay (annual cash bonuses,(cash bonus, restricted stock awards and stock option awards). This at risk pay was dependent on the achievement of Company or individual performance targets, or appreciation in the value of our stock. These amounts are based on the amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation Table for base salary, bonus, stock awards, option awards, and “all other compensation.”

LOGO

As depicted in the above pie chart, the vast majority of our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation for 2014 was in the form of pay which was at risk (i.e., not guaranteed to be earned). This is consistent with the Committee’s philosophy of providing a significant portion of potential total compensation based on the achievement of Company and individual performance targets, which are designed to advance our business objectives and create long-term stockholder value.

“Cash” vs. “Non-Cash” Compensation

The following chart illustrates the various elements of the total compensation package paid to our Chief Executive Officer in 2014. The cash components (base salary, annual cash bonuses, benefits and perquisites) represented 43% of his potential compensation for 2014, and approximately 57% was in the form of non-cash components (restricted shares and options). These amounts are based on the amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation Table for base salary, bonus, stock awards, option awards, and “all other compensation.”

LOGO

Table.

ceoatriskvsguaranteed2017.jpg

As depicted in the above pie chart, the majority of our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation for 2016 was in the totalform of at-risk pay (i.e., not guaranteed to be earned).

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“Cash” and “Non-Cash” Compensation
The Committee reviewed both cash and non-cash compensation. In 2016, cash compensation paiddid not increase and non-cash compensation decreased by 74% compared to 2015. The following chart illustrates the non-cash compensation to our Chief Executive Officer in 2014 was2016. These amounts are based on the amounts set forth in the form of non-cash equity awards. This is consistent with the Committee’s philosophy of providing a significant portion of total compensation through the grant of equity incentive awards (restricted stock and stock options) in order to properly align the long-term interests of our Chief Executive Officer with those of our stockholders. It is also consistent with the Committee’s philosophy of seeking to encourage skilled executives to remain with the Company since the restricted stock and stock option awards require time-based vesting over a period of several years.

The Committee believes that its overall executive compensation philosophy is effective at achieving its objectives of attracting and retaining top executives with the skills necessary to achieve our business objectives, providing a competitive total compensation package, encouraging the achievement of Company and individual performance targets, aligning the interests of the executives with those of our stockholders, and properly allocating between “at risk” and “guaranteed” compensation.

Summary Compensation Table.

noncashcompensationbarchart2.jpg
Realized Pay vs Product Revenue – 2013 and 2014

Pay*

The following charts illustratechart illustrates that 20142016 Realized Pay* of our Chief Executive Officer decreased from the prior year 2015 by approximately 34%, while product revenue increased14% and 2015 Realized Pay decreased from the prior year 2014 by approximately 31%40%, or an aggregate decrease of approximately 49% between 2014 and 2016.
* Realized Pay is compensation actually realized by our Chief Executive Officer during the year, including (i) salary, (ii) bonus, (iii) “all other compensation” reported under the Summary Compensation Table, (iv) net spread on stock option exercises and (v) the market value at vesting of previously granted restricted stock awards. Items (iv) and (v) above are detailed in the same period.

LOGOLOGO

*Realized Pay is compensation actually realized by our Chief Executive Officer during the year, including (i) salary, (ii) bonus, and (iii) “All Other Compensation” reported under the “Summary Compensation Table.” It also includes (iv) net spread on stock option exercises and (v) market value at vesting of previously granted restricted stock awards/units. These are reported within “Options Exercised and Stock Vested in 2014” (and the same table in our 2013 Proxy Statement).

section titled “Options Exercised and Stock Vested in 2016” below.


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realizedpaybarchart2017r1.jpg


Role of Compensation Committee

The Committee was appointed by the Board of Directors, and consists entirely of directors who are “independent directors” under the applicable NASDAQ Listing Rules, “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, andwho are free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a member of the Committee. The Committee is responsible for, among other things:

reviewing and approving the compensation of our named executive officers;

approving individual and Company performance targets that relate to the payment of annual cash bonuses orand the grant of equity awards, assessing achievement with respect to the targets, and approving the payments or grants made to our named executive officers;

administering the Company’s cash incentive plans, equity incentive plans, profit sharing plans, deferred compensation plans and similar programs (if any), and approving awards under such plans to our named executive officers;

reviewing and approving offer letters, employment agreements, severance agreements, change of control agreements and other similar compensatory arrangements with our named executive officers;

reviewing and discussing the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s annual proxy statement with management, including the related executive compensation information, and determining whether to recommend to the Board of Directors that such section be included in this Proxy Statement; and

preparing and approving the Report of the Compensation Committee for inclusion in this Proxy Statement.

In performing its duties, the Committee, in its discretion, may retain or replace any independent counsel, compensation consultants or other outside expert or advisor that the Committee believes necessary or advisable, and the Committee has the sole authority to approve the compensation of such persons. The Committee met two timesheld four meetings during 2014.

2016.

Role of Executive Officers

The Committee generally solicits input from our Chief Executive Officer in determining the amount and elements of compensation payable to the named executive officers and other key management personnel. Our Chief Executive Officer also generally assists the Committee in establishing specific Company financial and strategic goals that are ultimately used to determine whether certain compensation elements (such as annual cash bonuses) have been earned.

However, while

While our Chief Executive Officer discusses his compensation recommendations with the Committee for other named executive officers, he does not participate in any Committee deliberation or determination with respect to his own compensation. The ultimate determination of the amount of compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer is made by the Committee.

The Committee considers recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer when assessing individual performance of the other named executive officers. However, the ultimate determination of the amount of any cash or equity incentive awards payable to the other named executive officers is made by the Committee. The other named executive officers and other senior management

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personnel also are generally not present at meetings of the Committee and do not participate in its discussions regarding executive compensation decisions.

Compensation Consultant and Peer Group Data

During 2016 and in the fourthfirst quarter of 2014,2017, the Committee retained anengaged with its independent executive compensation consultancy,firm, Exequity, to conduct a competitive review of our executive compensation program, which included an evaluation of our peer group companies. Specifically, the Committee tasked Exequity with reviewingidentifying and compiling data on the executive compensation practices of the Company against that ofselecting comparably sized, industry-affiliated companies, as well as providing the Committee guidance on our compensation practices in light of the compensation practices of our peer group companies.

Exequity’s work also included analyzing our historical pay practicesof companies operating within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries, with 2015 revenues of between $60 million and presenting recommendations regarding our current pay practices, including cash compensation levels and$500 million with market capitalization of up to approximately $1.0 billion. By comparison, in the amount and mixprior year, the peer group referenced had market capitalization of equity compensation. Exequity presented a reportup to the Committee in November 2014, which the Committee reviewed and discussed at length.

approximately $1.5 billion.

The peer group that Exequity selected in its report and which the Committee approved, consisted ofincluded the following 1521 publicly traded pharmaceutical companies which we refer to as our “Peer Group”:

•    Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.

•    INSYS Therapeutics, Inc.

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

•    Aegerion

Albany Molecular Research, Inc.
Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•    Sagent

Genomic Health, Inc.
Fluidigm Corporation
Luminex Corporation
Harvard Bioscience, Inc.
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
 
Mimedx Group, Inc.
Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

•    Auxilium Pharmaceuticals,

Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

VIVUS, Inc.
 

•    

SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
NewLink Genetics Corporation

•    Dendreon Corp.

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 

•    

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•    DepoMed Inc.

 

•    Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

•    Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.

•    The Medicines Company

•    Genomic Health Inc.

•    VIVUS Inc.

•    Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc.

The

Exequity was tasked with reviewing and compiling data on the executive compensation practices of the Peer Group and to provide the Committee guidance on compensation practices. Exequity then presented recommendations to the Committee for a new long-term incentive compensation program for the named executive officers. Exequity's report was selected based on companies that are operating withinpresented to the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries, have 2014 revenuesCommittee in the first quarter of between $100 million to $1.0 billion,2016. The Committee reviewed and have market capitalization of up to $1.5 billion.

discussed the findings and recommendations at length.

The Exequity report was used by the Committee to review and understand the level of total compensation, and the level and mix of base salaries, annual cash bonuses, annual and long-term equity incentive awards, and other benefits and perquisites provided to executives of companies within the Peer Group. The Committee reviewed compensation data from the Peer Group in an effort to obtain a generalan understanding of current comparative compensation practices and as one of several components in making its executive compensation decisions. The Committee references the Peer Group data in order to ensure that our compensation program is competitive and appropriate. The Committee concluded that its named executive officers are reasonably compensated with an appropriate mix of guaranteed and at-risk pay in light of competitive pay practices of our Peer Group and the Company’s 20142016 performance.


Key Elements of Executive Compensation

In light of our executive compensation philosophy and objectives, and following the review of the Peer Group data discussed above, the Committee has determined that the

The principal elements of compensation for our named executive officers should include:

Base Salary

Annual Cash Bonus

Equity Incentive Awards (Restricted SharesStock, Stock Options and Stock Options)

Performance-Based Units)

Benefits and Perquisites

Payments upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control


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Information regarding each of these elements is provided in the following chart and then each element is discussed individually in greater detail below.

Type

 

Form

 

Purpose

 

Performance Criteria

Cash

 Base Salary Fixed annual compensation to attract and retain key executives; guaranteed base amount of compensation 
Guaranteed pay; not performance-based, although increases in base salary may be based, in part, on performance criteria (see “Base Salary” below)

Cash

 Annual Cash Bonuses Incentive for executives to achieve Company and individual goals; encourage performance that leads to achievement of Company goals that are designed to advance business objectives and create long-term stockholder value 
At riskAt-risk pay; Company and individual performance goals (both quantitative and qualitative) approved by the Committee in advance; goals for 20142016 included revenue target (adjusted to reflect new sales outlook)outlook at mid-year), expense management, cash balance, commercial product acquisitions, product pipeline development, etc. (see “Annual Cash Bonuses” below)

Equity

 Equity Incentive Awards (Restricted Shares, Options and Options)Performance-Based Units) Incentive to work towards achieving exceptional stock price performance; encourage retention of key executives through time-basedtime and performance-based vesting; align interests of executives with those of stockholders 
At riskAt-risk pay; value accrues to executives through increases in our stock price (see “Equity Incentive Awards” below)

Benefits and Perquisites

 401(k) contributions; Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan; health and welfare benefits; long-term disability insurance; life insurance Provide competitive, broad-based employee benefits structure necessary to attract and retain executives; benefits are generally offered to all full-time employees (with exception of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan) 
Guaranteed pay; not performance-based (see “Benefits and Perquisites” below)

Severance/Change of Control Payments

 Employment Agreement for Chief Executive Officer; Change in Control Severance Agreements for the other named executive officers (effective in 2014);officers; provisions of equity incentive plan awards Attract and retain executives; maintain a stable and effective management team in the event of a change of control or other significant Company event Not performance-based

Base Salary

We provide base salaries to attract and retain executives with the proper experiences and skill sets required to assist us in achieving our specific business objectives, as well as our future growth and success.objectives. Base salaries provide a guaranteed base level of compensation that comprises a standard element of executive compensation packages within our industry.

The base salaries of our named executive officers are established as part of an annual compensation review undertaken by the Committee. Base salaries for a particular fiscal year are generally established either at the end of the prior year or the beginning of the current year (in which case they are generally retroactive to the beginning of the year). Base salaries are intended to reflect the scope of each executive’s responsibilities, as well as their qualifications, breadth of experience, functional expertise, recent individual performance, impact on Company results and overall Company performance. The base salary for our Chief Executive Officer for 20142016 remained the same compared to 2015, as for 2013 and was recommendedapproved by the Committee andin March 2016.
The Committee also approved by the Board of Directorsincreases in December 2012.

In establishing the base salaries for 2014 for theour other named executive officers for 2016 of between 4.3% and 6.4% as compared to the prior year in December 2013, the Committee considered each named executive officer’s roleorder to maintain a competitive compensation program to promote retention and levelto reward our executives in light of responsibility at the Company, recent individual performance, perceived impact on Company results, and overall Company performance. The Committee also considered information regarding salary levels paid to executives with similar titles and levels of responsibility within a peer group provided in a report from Radford, an Aon Hewitt company, which the Committee engaged in 2013.

In light of the consideration of these factors, the base salaries approved by the Committee for theour named executive officers in 20132015 and 20142016 were as follows:

   2013   2014 

Executive

  Base Salary 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D

  $900,000    $900,000  

Joseph W. Turgeon

  $450,000    $550,000  

Kurt A. Gustafson

  $450,000    $450,000  

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

  $420,000    $445,000  

Joseph K. Keller

  $550,000    $550,000  


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  Base Salary
Executive 2015 2016
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D $945,000 $945,000
Joseph W. Turgeon $575,000 $600,000
Kurt A. Gustafson $470,000 $500,000

The 2017 base salaries of each of our named executive officers remain at the same level as reflected above in 2016.
Annual Cash Bonuses

As discussed above, the Committee believes it is important to tie a meaningful portion of the total compensation potential for the named executive officers to the achievement of specified quantitative and qualitative Company performance targets, as well as individual performance targets. The achievement of these advancetargets advances our specific business objectives and result in long-term stockholder value. The Committee also seeks to limit guaranteed pay in favor of pay that is at risk.at-risk while encouraging retention. One compensation component that has historically been utilizedthe Committee uses to address these objectives is annual cash bonuses that are earned based on the achievement of pre-established Company and individual performance targets.

Chief Executive Officer. The cash bonus awardedtargets and which are subject to our Chief Executive Officer with respect to 2014 was determined by the Committee in February 2015 based on an assessmentexecutive’s continued employment through the date of numerous factors, including:

payment.

the Company’s achievement with respect to pre-established Company financial and strategic objectives, which included (i) achievement of a revenue target, (ii) opportunistic in- and out-licensing of clinical and commercial products, (iii) appropriate advancement of our clinical studies, and (iv) expense maintenance; and

achievement of individual performance targets that were pre-established, which included recruitment and retaining of key members of our management team, as well as providing overall leadership and vision for our management team to execute upon.

In determining the amount of the annual cash bonus amount to award to our Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers, the Committee took into account theseevaluates specified performance targets, but retains the discretion to consider additional qualitative factors as well asbeyond the fact thatachievement of the applicable criteria. We believe this provides our Chief Executive Officer hadCommittee with the principal authority and executive decision-making ability requiredflexibility to execute onreward our various financial and strategic initiatives and achieve our objectives. The Committee believed that the various Company and individual accomplishments,executives for their performance when considered in the aggregate, merited an annual cash bonus award.

context of our dynamic industry and provides them with the incentive to pursue strategic objectives in addition to our pre-established goals.

Notably, while the annual cash bonuses paid by the Company have components of a non-equity incentive plan award since they are based, to a large extent, on actual performance with respect to pre-determined performance metrics, they also have a discretionary component to them because the actual targeted amount, as well as the precise correlation between the achievement of the performance targets and the annual cash bonus amount, is not pre-established and communicated by the Committee. For this reason, and in accordance with SEC rules, the annual cash bonus amounts are disclosed as “bonuses” in the Summary Compensation Table (rather than as “non-equity incentive plan awards”). For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Summary Compensation Table.

Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer's 2016 target bonus opportunity was set at the same percentage of salary as in 2015 (100%). The cash bonus awarded to our Chief Executive Officer with respect to 2016 was determined by the Committee in March 2017 based on an assessment of the following objectives: revenues, cash management, development, regulatory, and strategic goals with respect to licensing and/or co-promote transactions. For 2016, the Committee established and evaluated the following key strategic performance goals for the Company and the Chief Executive Officer and determined that substantially all of these goals were met or exceeded as detailed in the table below:

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Key Strategic Goals
1. Revenue / Commercial Goals

Exceed $95 million in Revenue

Evomela Launch & Revenue of at least $15 million annualized

Achieved and Exceeded;
Total Revenue - $146.4 million
Product Sales - $128.6 million

Evomela Sales - $16.2 million for the first nine months of launch and $9.4 for Q4 2016
Evomela Exit Share - 35%

2. Folotyn Patent Litigation

Victory or Achievement of Favorable Settlement
Achieved;
Settled Folotyn Litigation; securing revenue stream through November 2022
3. Development

Confidential Enrollment Targets for Rolontis Phase III Study

Advance Poziotinib Phase II Studies
Achieved;
ROLONTIS Enrollment on track for 2018 BLA filing

Established collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in an investigator-initiated trial of Poziotinib in non-small cell lung cancer in patients with EGFR Exon-20 insertion mutations

4. FDA Approvals and Regulatory

Achieve Evomela Approval

Achieved; Evomela Approval


5. Financial
$60 million cash at year end
Achieved and Exceeded;
Cash - $158.2 million compared to a goal of $60 million and compared to a prior balance of $139.7 million at year end 2015

Repurchased $10 million of convertible notes for $9 million
6. Partnerships

Advance Partnerships
Achieved; Achieved goals with Eagle Partnership and out-licensed Zevalin, Marqibo, Folotyn and Beleodaq to Servier in Canada in January 2016 for $6 million up front and other contingent consideration


42



As a result of the achievement of the goals described above, the Committee determined a 20142016 annual cash bonus award for our Chief Executive Officer, paid in March 2017, in the amount set forth in the table below:

Name

  2014 Annual Cash Bonus 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

  $900,000  

Name2016 Target Cash Bonus (as a Percentage of 2016 Base Salary)2016 Actual Cash Bonus
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.$945,000 (100%)$945,000
Other Named Executive Officers. The process forIn determining the 2016 annual cash bonus awards for our other named executive officers, is generally similar to what is described above with respect to our Chief Executive Officer. For 2014, the Committee took into account the Company’s performance with respect to the same financial and strategic performance goals discussed above for our Chief Executive Officer, as well as the individual performance of each of the other named executive officers. The Committee assessed the individual performance of the other named executive officers and also considered the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer. Officer in order to form a meaningful and comprehensive assessment of the capabilities and contributions of each named executive officer to the Company.
The other named executive officers reported directly to ourofficers’ 2016 target bonus opportunities were set at the same percentage of salary as in 2015 and the target payouts were based on their 2016 salary as of the last day of the fiscal year (President & Chief ExecutiveOperating Officer throughout the year60% and so, the Committee believes, he was in a position to provide a meaningful assessment of their capabilities and contributions to the Company.

Chief Financial Officer 50%). The Committee determined 20142016 annual cash bonus awards for the other named executive officers (paid in March 2017) in the amounts set forth in the table below:

Name

  2014 Annual Cash Bonus 

Joseph W. Turgeon

  $330,000  

Kurt A. Gustafson

  $225,000  

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

  $270,000  

Name2016 Target Cash Bonus (as a Percentage of 2016 Base Salary)2016 Actual Cash Bonus
Joseph W. Turgeon$360,000 (60%)$345,000
Kurt A. Gustafson$250,000 (50%)$235,000
Equity Incentive Awards

In furtherance of the Committee’s compensation philosophy, the Committee believes it is important to provide a significant portion of the named executive officers’ total compensation opportunity through the grant of equity incentive awards in order to further align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders. This also provides an additional way in which the Committee can seek to limit guaranteed pay in favor of pay that is at risk. Furthermore, the Committee believes granting equity incentive awards that vest over time encouragesencourage executives to remain with the Company. In order to accomplish these objectives, the Committee has historically granted the named executive officers a combination of options and restricted sharesstock each year. While these typesIn March 2016, we granted awards of restricted stock for performance in 2015, and made no other grants of equity awards are differentduring the year.
In April 2016, following engagement with our stockholders regarding our executive compensation program, at the recommendation of the Company’s independent executive compensation firm, Exequity, the Committee revised its long-term equity incentive compensation program to include the grant of performance-based units effective for 2017. Under the terms of the revised program:
Award sizes will be determined annually based on competitive benchmarking data; and
One third of the target annual grant value will be in some respects, they are similar in that their respective values are directlythe form of performance-based units (the “TSR Performance-Based Units”) tied to the priceCompany’s relative total stockholder return (“TSR”) performance, one third of our common stock.

the value will be in stock options which will vest over time, and one third of the value will be in restricted stock which will vest over time.

Stock Options. During the past several years, we have granted stock options to our named executive officers and other employees pursuant to the 2009 Plan, which was previously approved by our Board and stockholders. In accordance with the terms of the 2009 Plan, the exercise price of stock options granted pursuant to the 2009 Plan is set at the closing price of our common stock on the date immediately prior to the date of grant. We believe that stock options are an important element of total named executive officer compensation principally because stock options:

Are consistent with our philosophy of aligning the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders, because value is created for the executives only if the share price of our common stock increases during the stock option term, which in turn leads to increased stockholder value; and

Help to retain executives through the use of time-based vesting provisions that provide for vesting over several years.


43



Restricted Stock. DuringOver the past several years, we have also granted restricted stock pursuant to the 2009 Plan. Recipients are generally not required to pay for the restricted stock, as they are granted for compensation purposes, although they are required to pay applicable taxes on the fair value of such grants as they vest. We believe restricted stock is an important element of total named executive officer compensation because restricted stock:

Results in immediate value to the recipients (unlike stock options which require an increase in stock price followingwhile still incentivizing the date of grantholders to create value), which allows us to immediately compensatemaximize the named executive officers for individual and Company performance (subject to the vesting of the restricted stock, if any, in accordance with its terms);

Is consistent with our philosophy of aligning the interestsvalue of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders, because additional value is created for the executives only if the share price of our common stock increases while the executive continues to hold the shares, which in turn leads to increased stockholder value;stock; and

Helps to retain executives through the use of time-based vesting provisions that provide for vesting over several years.

Annual AwardsPerformance-Based Units. Commencing in March 2017, we began granting performance-based units pursuant to the 2009 Plan. We believe that performance-based units are an important element of total named executive officer compensation because they provide equity incentives linked to the Company’s performance rather than being based solely on continued employment. The Committee generally grants restricted stockprincipal terms of such performance-based units include:
The number of TSR Performance-Based Units earned will be tied to the Company’s TSR as compared to the TSR of the peer group measured over a two-year performance period. To earn at least the target number of TSR Performance-Based Units, the Company’s relative TSR ranking for the two-year performance period must be at, or above the 50th percentile of the peer group. If the Company’s relative TSR ranking is below the 30th percentile of the peer group, no TSR Performance-Based Units will be earned. If the Company’s relative TSR ranking is at the 30th percentile of the peer group, then 25% of the target number of TSR Performance-Based Units will be earned. If the Company’s relative TSR ranking is at, or above the 80th percentile of the peer group, a maximum of 200% of the target number of TSR Performance-Based Units will be earned. For relative TSRs between the 30th percentile and stock options annually,the 50th percentile, or between the 50th percentile and the 80th percentile, the number of TSR Performance-Based Units earned will be determined by means of linear interpolation.
TSR Performance-Based Units tied to the Company's relative TSR performance will be earned, if at all, following the end of the two-year performance period.
If a Change in Control (as defined in the 2009 Plan) occurs prior to the end of the two-year performance period, and the TSR Performance-Based Units are not assumed by the acquirer, they will become immediately vested based on the Company's actual TSR ranking as circumstances warrant.compared to the peer group for the shortened performance period. Further, in the case of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, if, prior to the end of the two-year performance period, he is terminated by the Company Without Cause, terminates his employment for Good Reason or is terminated for death or Disability (as such terms are defined in his employment agreement), then the greater of (i) the target number of TSR Performance-Based Units and (ii) the number of TSR Performance-Based Units that would otherwise have vested for the shortened performance period based on the Company’s actual TSR ranking as compared to the peer group during such period, will become immediately vested.
Determination of Awards

. In determining the number of restricted stock and/orand stock options to grant to a particular named executive officer, the Committee takeshas historically taken into account numerous factors, including: the executive’s role and level of responsibility within the Company, the Company’s performance with respect to the pre-established financial and strategic objectives discussed above, the Company’s overall financial performance and performance relative to the Peer Group and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, the Committee’s assessment of the named executive officer’s past performance and perceived impact on Company performance, and the named executive officer’s stock and option holdings at the time of grant. The Committee also considers competitive benchmarking data, including information regarding equity grants made to, and the aggregate equity holdings of, executives with similar titles and levels of responsibility within the Peer Group and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index generally, includingas well as information provided in the reports from its independent compensation consultants, if any. The Committee typically grantsconsultants. Beginning in 2017, the sizes of annual restricted stock and stock optionequity awards towards the end of the year (or at the beginning of the next year)will be determined based on competitive benchmarking data.

2016 Grants. Annual stock option and restricted stock awards for 2014granted in 2016 were determined by the Committee in December 2014 and February 2015, respectively,March 2016 for our Chief Executive Officer.

The Committee has not adopted any formal policies or guidelines for determining the allocation of restricted stock versusOfficer and other named executive officers. No stock options or other equity awards were granted to a particularour named executive officer. However,officers in general, the Committee will recommend the grant of a greater number of stock options than shares of restricted stock to any given named executive officer. This is principally because the Committee recognizes that restricted stock provides immediate value to recipients upon vesting and therefore involves less risk than options. Nonetheless, the Committee retains discretion to award a mix of equity grants in amounts it deems appropriate.

2016.

In determining the appropriate grant of restricted stock and stock options to be made to our Chief Executive Officer in 2014,March 2016, the Committee relied on the framework described above. In doing so, the Committee recognized that:

our Chief Executive Officer accomplished the pre-established Company financial and strategic objectives (for additional information see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Annual Cash Bonuses” above);

our Chief Executive Officer accomplished the pre-established Company financial and strategic objectives (for additional information see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Key Elements of Executive Compensation — Annual Cash Bonuses” above);
the Company was able to meet important strategic objectives that the Committee believes are critical to the Company’s continued growth success; and


44



our Chief Executive Officer had the principal authority and executive decision-making ability requiredresponsibility to execute our various financial and strategic goals and objectives.

The Committee believed that these accomplishments, in the aggregate, merited a grant of restricted stockstock. Furthermore, in response to shareholder feedback, the Compensation Committee undertook changes to the equity program, such that a portion would be granted in the form of performance-based awards. The program was first effective for 2017 and stock option awards. However,is described further below.
In March 2016, the grant date fair value of the stock option awards in 2014 was significantly lower than in each of the two prior years.

The Committee awarded restricted stock and stock options for performance in 20142015 and continued service to the Chief Executive Officerour named executive officers in the amounts set forth in the table below:

Name

  Restricted  Shares
(#)(1)
   Options
(#)(1)
 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

   100,000     650,000  

below.
Name
Restricted  Stock Awards
(#)
(1)
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.100,000
Joseph W. Turgeon50,000
Kurt A. Gustafson30,000

(1) These awards vest as to 25% of the underlying shares on the date of grant, and the balance of the underlying shares vest in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.
2017 Grants. As discussed above, in accordance with our revised long-term incentive program, we granted to our named executive officers awards of options, restricted stock and performance-based units that vest based on the Company’s relative TSR as measured from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018 as follows:
Name 
Restricted Stock Awards
(#)
(1)
 
Stock Options
(#)(1)
Performance Units (#)(2)
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. 100,326 233,918100,326
Joseph W. Turgeon 66,717 155,55666,717
Kurt A. Gustafson 50,163 116,95950,163

(1)These awards vest as to 25% of the underlying shares on the date of grant, and the balance of the underlying shares vest in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

The process for determining the annual restricted stock

(2) These awards and stock option grants madevest as to our other named executive officers (besides the Chief Executive Officer), is generally similar to what is described above. For 2014, the Committee took into account100% if the Company’s relative TSR ranking measured over a two-year performance with respectperiod is at or above at least the 50th percentile and vest as to 200% if the Company’s relative TSR ranking over such period is at or above at least the 80th percentile. These awards do not vest to the financial and strategic performance goals already discussed above, as well asextent that the individual performanceCompany’s relative TSR ranking over such period is below the 30th percentile. If the Company’s relative TSR ranking is at the 30th percentile of the other named executive officers. The Committee’s assessment of individual performance also considered the recommendationspeer group, then 25% of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Committee awarded restricted stocktarget number of TSR Performance-Based Units will be earned. For relative TSR’s between the 30th percentile and stock options for performance in 2014 for the other named executive officers in50th percentile, or between the amounts set forth in50th percentile and the table below:

80th percentile, the vesting will be determined by means of linear interpolation.

Name

Restricted  Stock
Awards
(#)
Stock Options
(#)

Joseph W. Turgeon

170,000(1)250,000(2)

Kurt A. Gustafson

25,000(2)100,000(2)

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

35,000(3)60,000(4)

(1)These awards represent two restricted stock grants in the amounts of 120,000 shares and 50,000 shares, respectively. With respect to the first grant, 25% of the shares vest on the one year anniversary of the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant. With respect to the second grant, 25% of the shares vest on the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.

(2)These awards vest as to 25% of the shares on the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.

(3)

These awards represent two restricted stock grants in the amounts of 20,000 shares and 15,000 shares, respectively. With respect to the first grant, 25% of the shares vest on the one year anniversary of the date of

grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant. With respect to the second grant, 25% of the shares vest on the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.

(4)These awards vest as to 25% of the shares on the one year anniversary of the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.

Management Incentive Plan. With the goal of further encouraging long-term Company performance and further aligning the interests of the named executive officers with those of our stockholders, on April 22, 2011, theOur Board previously adopted a Long-Term Retention and Management Incentive Plan, or the Management Incentive Plan.Plan, which provided that the CEO would be eligible to receive certain awards of common stock upon the achievement of specified market capitalization targets. The Management Incentive Plan as amended to date, provides that, upon the achievement by the Company of a $750 million market capitalization target for at least 20 consecutive business days, referred to as the Initial Capitalization Target, and upon the achievement by the Company of a $1 billion market capitalization target for at least 20 consecutive business days, referred to as the Subsequent Capitalization Target, our Chief Executive Officer is entitled to receive additional shares of common stock pursuant to the 2009 Plan. Shares granted pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan are immediately vested. The Management Incentive Plan will terminateterminated by its terms on April 22, 2016.

In December 2011, the Initial Capitalization Target was achieved and shares of our common stock were issued to our Chief Executive Officer under the Management Incentive Plan. In the event that the Subsequent Capitalization Target is achieved, our Chief Executive Officer will be entitled to receive an additional 260,000 shares pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan.

Benefits and Perquisites

The named executive officers are eligible to receive benefits that are generally available to each of our full-time employees, including health insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance and vacation pay. As with other employees, the named executive officers are required to make contributions to the Company to offset a portion of the cost of certain benefit plans.

We also maintain a 401(k) Plan and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, each of which are generally available to all employees. The 401(k) Plan provides matching employee contributions in shares of our common stock up to applicable limits. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides employees with the opportunity to purchase our common stock through accumulated payroll deductions, at a 15% discount to the lesser of (i) the market price of the stock at the beginning of the designated period, and (ii) the market price of the stock at the end of the period. These Plansplans are designed to encourage employees to save for retirement and to

45



encourage ownership of shares of our common stock. We believe they provide an additional incentive for our employees to contribute towards our continued success and align the interests of our employees with those of our stockholders.

In addition, our Board of Directors has approved the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.Plan in 2011. The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan is administered by the Committee and is intended to be an unfunded plan. The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan is maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for a select group of our employees, including our named executive officers. Under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, we provide participants with the opportunity to make annual elections to defer up to a specified amount or percentage of their eligible cash compensation, as established by the Committee.Committee (in 2016, eligible participants could defer up to 75% of base salary and up to 100% of bonus). In addition, we have the option, but not the obligation, to make discretionary or matching cash contributions to employees under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. During 2016, the Company matched each participant's contributions to the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan up to 10% of the participant's eligible compensation. For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.”

Payments upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control

Our

We have entered into an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer has an employment agreement that provides for the payment of certain benefits upon separation of employment from us under specified circumstances. The benefits provided are designed to protect earned benefits in the case that our Chief Executive Officer is terminated without cause or as a result of a change in control of the Company, and to encourage our Chief Executive Officer to act in the best interests of the stockholders at all times during the course of a change in control transaction or other significant event involving our Company.

The level of benefits provided under the agreement reflects the Committee’s assessment of market conditions and are designed to provide a competitive level of compensation if our Chief Executive Officer is impacted by a termination without cause or in connection with a change in control, as well as recognition of the Company’s growth and success achieved during

Under his years of service to the Company.

Under the employment agreement, our Chief Executive Officer will receive certain severance benefits, which differ depending on the circumstance, if he is terminated by us at the expiration of the term of the agreement (if not renewed), if his employment is terminated by us without cause, if his employment is terminated as a result of a change in control or his position is adversely affected due to a change in control and he resigns, or if he voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company.

Each of our named executive officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer, has entered into a Change in Control Severance Agreement that provides certain severance benefits to such named executive officers if, during the term of such Agreement,agreement, and within 12 months after a change in control has occurred, the named executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause or the named executive officer resigns for good reason. Additionally, each of the named executive officers are entitled to an acceleration of vesting of our matching contribution pursuant to the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.

For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment, Agreements, Termination of EmploymentSeverance and Change in Control ArrangementsAgreements.”

Impact of Accounting and Tax Considerations on Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation

The fair value of equity-based compensation, which includes options, and restricted shares and performance-based units, is measured in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance. We measure compensation cost for all equity-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period over which the awards are expected to vest.

Section 162(m)

Section 162(m)162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits our ability to deduct compensation paid in any given year to a named executive officer in excess of $1.0 million. Performance-based compensation plans are not subject to this restriction. In the event the proposed compensation for any of our named executive officers is expected to exceed the $1.0 million limitation, the Committee will, in making a decision, balance the benefits of tax deductibility with its responsibility to hire, retain and motivate executive officers with competitive compensation programs.

Section 280G and Section 4999

Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code relate to a 20% excise tax that may be levied on a payment made to an executive as a result of a change in control if the payment equals or exceeds 2.993 times the executive’s base earnings (as defined by the applicable section). Our Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement provides that we will compensate him for any excise taxes that might arise upon a change in control of the Company. The decision to provide our Chief Executive Officer with this tax gross-up reflects the relatively low cash compensation he received in prior years (which increases his potential 280G tax liability should a change in control occur), and to encourage him to hold the options and restricted shares awarded in prior years for an extended period. We do not currently provide similar tax protection to our other named executive officers.



46



Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices

The Committee has considered the concept of risk as it relates to our executive compensation program. The Committee believes that, for the reasons set forth below, although the majority of compensation provided to our named executive officers is at risk,at-risk, our executive compensation programs do not encourage excessive risk taking and encourage our executive officers to remain focused on appropriate short-term and long-term financial and strategic goals that are tied to the creation of long-term value for our stockholders.

Our executive compensation program consists of an appropriate mix of guaranteed pay (salary, benefits and perquisites) and at-risk pay (annual cash bonuses and equity incentive awards) and the Committee reviews this mix annually. The guaranteed portion is designed to provide a minimum compensation base that is necessary to attract and retain executives, as well as to provide meaningful income to the executives regardless of stock price performance so that executives do not feel pressured to focus exclusively on stock price performance and other financial performance targets to the detriment of other important business metrics.

Our program establishes appropriate financial and strategic performance goals that are designed to advance our business objectives and encourage the creation of long-term value for our stockholders (as opposed to just short-term increases in our stock price). These performance goals reflect a mix of Company financial and strategic goals, and individual performance goals, so as not to place too much emphasis on any particular type of objective at the expense of others.

Our program encourages executive retention through theboth time-based and performance-based vesting provisions of our equity incentive awards. Our restricted stock and stock option equity incentive awards generally vest over three or four years after their initial grant.

Our performance-based unit awards vest based upon a measurement of the Company’s relative TSR over a two-year measurement period.

A significant portion of our equity incentive awards are granted in the form of stock options and performance-based units, which are only valuable if our stock price increases over time. This serves to align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders.

The Committee retains ultimate oversight over the compensation of our named executive officers and maintains the ability to use discretion where appropriate.

Our internal controls and procedures, as well as our codes of conduct and ethics, also help mitigate risks associated with our executive compensation program.

Based on these considerations, the Committee has concluded that any risks arising from our executive compensation program are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us and do not encourage or incentivizeplace incentives on excessive or inappropriate risk-taking by our named executive officers or other employees.


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Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth summary information concerning the compensation we paid (or accrued) during 2014, 20132016, 2015, and 20122014 to the named executive officers. The amounts reflected in the columns entitled “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” are estimated values as of the date of grant based on the applicable SEC rules, do not represent any cash payments or proceeds actually received by the named executive officers, and may be materially different from the amounts ultimately realized by the named executive officers upon the vesting and sale of the underlying shares.

Name and Principal Position

 Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)(1)
  Stock
Awards
($)(2)
  Option
Awards
($)(2)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(3)(4)(5)
  Total
($)
 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

  2014    900,000    900,000    723,000    2,011,423    294,140    4,828,563  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  
 
2013
2012
  
  
  
 
900,000
800,000
  
  
  
 
900,000
1,600,000
  
  
  
 
734,400
1,849,996
  
  
  
 
2,929,657
5,535,358
  
  
  
 
167,508
322,955
  
  
  
 
5,631,565
10,108,309
  
  

Joseph W. Turgeon(6)

  2014    550,000    330,000    1,187,100    773,624    59,022    2,899,746  

President and Chief Operating

  2013    450,000    260,000    240,500    351,157    63,412    1,365,069  

Officer

  2012    72,338    100,000    552,500    892,500    6,057    1,623,395  

Kurt A. Gustafson(7)

  2014    450,000    225,000    180,750    309,450    104,119    1,269,319  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

  2013    262,500    200,000    821,000    1,109,255    45,924    2,438,679  

Lee F. Allen, M.D.(8)

  2014    445,000    270,000    247,450    194,671    82,893    1,240,014  

Senior Vice President and

  2013    420,000    166,250    349,200    672,480    57,208    1,665,138  

Chief Medical Officer

       

Joseph K. Keller(9)

  2014    179,445                39,211    218,656  

Executive Vice President

  2013    550,000    275,000    288,600    472,794    110,986    1,697,380  

and Chief Operating Officer

  2012    175,000    213,000    1,441,200    2,120,378    6,057    3,955,635  

Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 
Bonus
($)
(1)
 
Stock
Awards
($)
(2)
 
Option
Awards
($)
(2)
 
All Other
Compensation
($)
(3)(4)(5)
 Total
($)
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. 2016 945,000
 945,000
 608,000
 
 262,977 2,760,977
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 2015 945,000
 945,000
 723,000
 1,555,962
 253,603 4,422,565
  2014 900,000
 900,000
 
 2,011,423
 294,140 4,105,563
               
Joseph W. Turgeon 2016 593,750
 345,000
 304,000
 
 87,887 1,330,637
President and Chief Operating Officer 2015 575,000
 345,000
 361,500
 1,414,511
 66,673 2,762,684
  2014 550,000
 330,000
 825,600
 773,624
 59,022 2,538,246
               
Kurt A. Gustafson 2016 492,500
 235,000
 182,400
 
 129,658 1,039,558
Executive Vice President and Chief 2015 470,000
 235,000
 180,750
 848,706
 116,098 1,850,554
Financial Officer 2014 450,000
 225,000
 116,700
 592,110
 104,119 1,487,929
               
(1)
The amounts in this column for 2016 reflect the annual cash bonuses paid in March 2017 with respect to 2014.2016. For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Key Elements of Executive Compensation — Annual Cash Bonuses.


(2)
The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards granted in each respective awardsyear in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For fair value assumptions refer to noteNote 6 to our financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014,2016, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015. The awards are subject to vesting criteria over future years.14, 2017. For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Key Elements of Executive Compensation — Equity Incentive Awards. The grants reflected under the column entitled “Stock Awards” for (i)
(3)2016 amounts reflect; automobile allowances paid to each of Dr. Shrotriya and Messrs. Turgeon and Gustafson were made in 2015,the amounts of $29,460, $13,800 and (ii) Dr. Allen were made in 2014 and 2015.

(3)Amounts reflect automobile allowance;$12,000, respectively; annual 401(k) matching contribution;contributions of $10,600 for each of Dr. Shrotriya and Mr. Gustafson; premiums paid on healthcare and life insurance policies, which are benefits that are offered to all employees; supplemental medical benefits for each of Dr. Shrotriya and Mr. Gustafson in the amounts of $4,354 and $7,158, respectively; and matching contributions paid by us to match employee deferrals under our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, eachas detailed in footnote (4) below. Perquisites and other personal benefits are valued on the basis of the aggregate incremental cost to the extent applicable.Company.


(4)
The matching contributions paid by us in 20142016 to match named executive officer deferrals under our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (up to 10% of eligible compensation) are as follows: Dr. Shrotriya — $180,000;$189,000; Mr. Turgeon — $46,938; and Mr. Gustafson — $65,000; Dr. Allen — $60,156; and Mr. Turgeon — $26,040.$72,750. These amounts wereare also reported in the column entitled “Company Contributions in 2014”2016” in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Nonqualified Deferred Compensation PlanTablesection, and were not paid in addition to such amounts.below.


(5)Additionally, theThe amount for our Chief Executive Officer also includes the economic benefit of $51,550$10,601 for fiscal year 2016 related to life insurance policies covering his life and having as beneficiary his estate or other beneficiaries.

(6)Mr. Turgeon joined the Company in October 2012. The amounts for 2012 reflect that he was only employed by the Company for a portion of the year.

(7)Mr. Gustafson joined the Company in June 2013. The amounts for 2013 reflect that he was only employed by the Company for a portion of the year.

(8)Dr. Allen joined the Company in March 2013. The amounts for 2013 reflect that he was only employed by the Company for a portion of the year.

(9)Mr. Keller resigned from his employment with the Company on April 17, 2014. Mr. Keller is being included as a named executive officer for purposes of this Summary Compensation Table pursuant to applicable SEC rules.


48



Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2014

2016

The following table provides information about equity incentive awards (restricted shares and options) granted to the named executive officers for their performance in 20142016 (no “non-equity incentive plan” awards were granted in 2014)2016). The amounts reflected in the column entitled “Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards” are estimated values on the date of grant based on the applicable SEC rules, do not represent any cash payments or proceeds actually received by the named executive officers, and may be materially different from the amounts ultimately realized by the named executive officers upon the vesting and sale of the underlying shares.

Name

  Grant Date   All Other
Stock

Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)
   All Other
Option

Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
   Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($)(1)
   Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
($)(2)
 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

   12/19/2014          650,000(3)    7.24     2,011,423  
   2/18/2015     100,000(3)              723,000  

Joseph W. Turgeon

   4/17/2014     120,000(4)        825,600  
   12/19/2014          250,000(3)    7.24     773,624  
   2/18/2015     50,000(3)              361,500  

Kurt A. Gustafson

   12/19/2014          100,000(3)    7.24     309,450  
   2/18/2015     25,000(3)              180,750  

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

   5/8/2014     20,000(4)              139,000  
   5/8/2014          60,000(4)    6.95     194,671  
   2/18/2015     15,000(3)              108,450  

Name Grant Date 
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock (#)
(1)
 All Other Option
Awards: Number of
Securities Underlying
Options (#)
 
Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($)
 
 
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock and
Option Awards
($)
(2)
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. 03/22/2016 100,000 
 
 608,000
Joseph W. Turgeon 03/22/2016 50,000 
 
 304,000
           
Kurt A. Gustafson 03/22/2016 30,000 
 
 182,400
           
(1)The exercise priceThese awards are vested as to 25% of the option awards isshares on the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the fair market valueexecutive’s continued service to the Company on the respective dates of grant in accordance with the terms of the 2009 Plan.applicable vesting date.


(2)
The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the respective awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For fair value assumptions refer to noteNote 6 to our financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014,2016, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015.14, 2017.

(3)These awards vest as to 25% of the shares on the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.

(4)These awards vest as to 25% of the shares on the one year anniversary of the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.


49



Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2014

2016

The following table provides information regarding the outstanding option and restricted stock awards as of December 31, 20142016 held by each of the named executive officers. The amounts reflected in the columns entitled “Market Value of Shares That Have Not Vested” and “Market Value of Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested” are estimated values based on the closing sales price of our common stock on December 31, 2014,30, 2016, do not represent any cash payments or proceeds actually received by the named executive officers, and may be materially different from the amounts ultimately realized by the named executive officers upon the vesting and sale of the underlying shares.

  OPTION AWARDS  STOCK AWARDS 

Name

 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options 
(#)
  Option
Exercise
Price 
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of
Shares
That
Have
Not
Vested 
(#)
  Market
Value
of
Shares
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)(1)
  
Number of
Unearned
Shares
That Have
Not
Vested 
(#)
  Market
Value of
Unearned
Shares
That
Have Not
Vested 
($)(1)
 
   Exercisable  Unexercisable                         

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

  129,248     4.23    1/1/2016      
  150,000     5.08    9/26/2016      
  332,015     5.53    1/1/2017      
  100,000     3.15    12/6/2017      
  500,000     2.55    3/25/2018      
  112,500     1.43    12/6/2018      
  250,426     1.47    1/16/2019      
  500,000     6.09    6/26/2019      
  478,495     4.65    1/8/2020      
  500,000     3.92    7/1/2020      
  985,444     6.87    1/3/2021      
  500,000     8.27    6/12/2021      
  723,498    241,167(2)   11.34    12/19/2022      
  325,000    325,000(2)   9.18    12/13/2023      
  162,500    487,500(2)   7.24    12/19/2024      
      40,784(3)   282,633    
        260,000(13)   1,801,800  

 

 

Joseph W. Turgeon

  81,250    68,750(4)   11.05    10/29/2022      
  7,500    7,500(2)   7.79    3/14/2023      
  30,000    30,000(2)   9.62    12/3/2023      
  62,500    187,500(2)   7.24    12/19/2024      
      12,500(5)   86,625    
      12,500(6)   86,625    
      120,000(7)   831,600    

 

 

Kurt A. Gustafson

  93,748    156,252(4)   8.21    6/3/2023      
   75,000(8)   7.78    3/25/2024      
  25,000    75,000(2)   7.24    12/19/2024      
      75,000(9)   519,750    
      15,000(10)   103,950    

 

 

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

  65,625    84,375(4)   7.76    3/18/2023      
   50,000(8)   7.78    3/25/2024      
   60,000(8)   6.95    5/8/2024      
      22,500(11)   155,925    
      8,000(10)   55,440    
      20,000(12)   138,600    

 

 

  OPTION AWARDS STOCK AWARDS
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options 
(#)
 Option
Exercise
Price 
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number
of Shares
That Have
Not Vested 
(#)
 Market Value
of Shares
That Have
Not Vested
($) (1)
 Number of
Unearned
Shares
That Have
Not
Vested 
(#)
 
Market Value
of Unearned
Shares That
 
Have Not Vested 
($) (1)
    ExercisableUnexercisable            
Rajesh C.
Shrotriya, M.D.
 332,015  5.53 1/1/2017        
  100,000  3.15 12/6/2017        
  500,000  2.55 3/25/2018        
  112,500  1.43 12/6/2018        
  250,426  1.47 1/16/2019        
  500,000  6.09 6/26/2019        
  478,495  4.65 1/8/2020        
  500,000  3.92 7/1/2020        
  985,444  6.87 1/3/2021        
  500,000  8.27 6/12/2021        
  964,665  11.34 12/19/2022        
  650,000  9.18 12/13/2023        
  487,500162,500(2)7.24 12/19/2024        
  275,000275,000(2)5.86 12/18/2025        
         50,000(3)221,500    
         75,000(4)332,250    
Joseph W. Turgeon 150,000  11.05 10/29/2022        
  15,000  7.79 3/14/2023        
  60,000  9.62 12/3/2023        
  187,50062,500(2)7.24 12/19/2024        
  250,000250,000(2)5.86 12/18/2025        
         60,000(5)265,800 ��  
         25,000(3)110,750    
         37,500(4)166,125    
Kurt A. Gustafson 218,74931,251(6)8.21 6/3/2023        
  37,50037,500(7)7.78 3/25/2024        
  75,00025,000(2)7.24 12/19/2024        
  150,000150,000(2)5.86 12/18/2025        
         25,000(8)110,750    
         7,500(9)33,225    
         12,500(3)55,375    
         22,500(4)99,675    
(1)Amounts are based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2014,30, 2016, which was $6.93$4.43 per share.


(2)Option shares vest 25% on the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.


(3)Shares granted on December 19, 2012February 18, 2015 with 25% vesting on the date of grant, date, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.


(4)Option shares vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date and in 36 equal monthly increments thereafter.

(5)(4)Shares granted on October 29, 2012March 22, 2016 with 25% vesting on October 29, 2013,the date of grant, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.


50



(6)
(5)Shares granted on December 3, 2013April 17, 2014 with 25% vesting on December 3, 2013,the first anniversary of the date of grant, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.


(7)Shares granted on April 17, 2014 with 25% vesting on April 17, 2015, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.

(8)(6)Option shares vest 25% on the one yearfirst anniversary of the date of grant and in 36 equal monthly increments thereafter.

(7)Option shares vest 25% on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and the balance of the shares vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.


(9)
(8)Shares granted on June 3, 2013 with 25% vesting on June 3, 2014,the first anniversary of the date of grant, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.


(10)
(9)Shares granted on March 25, 2014 with 25% vesting on March 25, 2015,the first anniversary of the date of grant, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.

(11)Shares granted on March 18, 2013 with 25% vesting on March 18, 2014, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.

(12)Shares granted on May 8, 2014 with 25% vesting on May 8, 2015, and continuing to vest in equal 25% increments each anniversary thereafter until fully vested.

(13)Represents shares that may be issued pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan upon the achievement of the Subsequent Capitalization Target. For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Equity Incentive Awards.


Options Exercised and Stock Vested in 2014

2016

The following table provides information regarding the number of shares acquired upon exercise of options and vesting of restricted sharesstock in 20142016 and the resulting value deemed to have been realized by the named executive officers. However, the amounts reflected in the table do not represent cash payments to or proceeds received by the named executive officers. The shares acquired by the named executive officers, less any shares forfeited to pay for taxes, were retained by the named executive officers. The actual values that may be realized by the named executive officers in connection with these awards may be materially different from these amounts when ultimately realized upon sale of the shares.

   OPTION AWARDS   STOCK AWARDS 
Name  

Number of

Shares

Acquired on

Exercise

(#)

   

Date of

Exercise

   

Value

Realized on

Exercise

($)(1)

   

Number of

Shares

Acquired on

Vesting

(#)

   

Date of

Vesting

   

Value

Realized on

Vesting

($)(1)

 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

   36,061     12/15/2014     56,035     62,500     1/3/2014     549,375  
         40,000     6/13/2014     336,800  
         150,000     11/29/2014     1,081,500  
         40,000     12/13/2014     284,000  
                   40,785     12/19/2014     295,283  

Joseph W. Turgeon

                  6,250     10/29/2014     47,812  
                   6,250     12/3/2014     45,563  

Kurt A. Gustafson.

                  25,000     6/3/2014     193,250  
                   7,500     3/18/2014     58,350  

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

                  7,500     3/18/2014     58,350  
                   7,500     3/18/2014     58,350  

Joseph K. Keller

                              

  OPTION AWARDS STOCK AWARDS
Name 
Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
 
Date of
Exercise
 
Value Realized
on Exercise
($) (1)
 
Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
 
Date of
Vesting
 
Value
Realized on
Vesting
($) (1)
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. 
 
 
 25,000 2/18/2016 113,750
        25,000 3/22/2016 152,000
Joseph W. Turgeon 
 
 
 12,500 02/18/2016 56,875
        12,500 3/22/2016 76,000
        30,000 4/17/2016 221,400
        6,250 10/29/2016 22,937
        6,250 12/3/2016 25,000
Kurt A. Gustafson 
 
 
 6,250 2/18/2016 28,437
        7,500 3/22/2016 45,600
        3,750 3/25/2016 22,350
        25,000 6/3/2016 188,000
(1)The amounts realized upon the exercise of options and the vesting of restricted sharesstock is based on the closing price of our common stock on the date immediately prior to the relevant exercise or vesting dates.


Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

In order to enhance our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, our Board has approved the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, which is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.Code. The Plan is administered by the Committee, and is intended to be an unfunded plan which is maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for a select group of our employees including the named executive officers. Under the Plan, we will provide the participants with the opportunity to make annual elections to defer up to a specified amount or percentage of their eligible cash compensation, as established by the administrator, and we have the option, but not the obligation, to make discretionary or matching cash contributions.

The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan provides eligible participants the opportunity to defer up to 75% of base salary and up to 100% of bonus. We have the option, but not the obligation, to make discretionary or matching cash contributions.Deferral accounts will be credited with a rate of return (positive or negative) based on the performance of the deemed investment options selected by the participant. The value of the accounts may increase or decrease depending upon the performance of the selected investment options.  For each annual deferral, the participant may designate a specific date distribution prior to separation

51



from service (called an “In-Service” distribution account) or distribution upon separation from service.  In-Service distribution account(s) are paid in the month following the month selected by the participant in the elected year that is at least three years after the plan year to which the deferral election relates.
In 2014,2016, we matched participants’ deferrals up to 10% of eligible compensation. The Company match generally vests three years after the date of deferral. However, contributions become 100% vested upon the occurrence of the earliest of: (i) retirement; (ii) death of the participant; (iii) disability of the participant; and (iv) change of control of the Company, each as defined in the Plan.

The following table summarizes activity under the Plan in 2014:

Name

  Executive
Contributions
in 2014
($)(1)
   Company
Contributions
in 2014
($)(2)
   Aggregate
Earnings/
(Losses)
in 2014
($)
   Aggregate
Withdrawals /
Distributions
in 2014
($)
  Aggregate
Balance at
12/31/2014
($)
 

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

   540,000     180,000     69,692     (499,136  1,693,056  

Joseph W. Turgeon

   52,080     26,040     5,660         173,608  

Kurt A. Gustafson

   110,000     65,000     9,270         231,935  

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

   120,313     60,156     18,519         392,341  

Joseph K. Keller(3)

   44,864     17,946     18,684     (356,990    

2016:
Name 
Executive
Contributions
in 2016
 ($)(1)
 
Company 
Contributions
in 2016
 ($)(2)
 
Earnings/(Losses)
in 2016
($)
  
Withdrawals /
Distributions
in 2016
($)
 
Balance as of
12/31/2016 (inclusive of 2016 and earlier activity)
($)
(3)
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. 850,500 189,000 293,541 (420,935) 3,451,783
           
Joseph W. Turgeon 93,875 46,938 26,423  421,173
           
Kurt A. Gustafson 145,500 72,750 63,975  707,842
           
(1)These amounts were also reported in the columns entitled “Salary” and/or “Bonus” in the Summary Compensation Table, and were not paid in addition to such amounts.


(2)These amounts were also reported in the column entitled “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table, and were not paid in addition to such amounts.


(3)Mr. Keller resigned from his employment with$189,000, $46,938 and $72,750 of the Company on April 17, 2014. Mr. Keller is being includedamounts reflected in the “Balance as a named executive officerof 12/31/16” column for purposeseach of this Nonqualified DeferredDr. Shrotriya and Messrs. Turgeon and Gustafson, respectively, were reported in the column entitled “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Plan Table pursuant to applicable SEC rules.in previous years.


Employment, Severance and Change in Control Agreements

We have entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Rajesh C. Shrotriya, our President and Chief Executive Officer. We have also entered into employment arrangements and Change in Control Severance Agreements with our other named executive officers. The terms of the various agreements are discussed below.

Employment Agreement — Dr. Shrotriya

The Company entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Shrotriya on January 2, 2008, as amended April 17, 2014, which expires on January 2, 2016.2018. The employment agreement automatically renews for subsequent one-year calendar terms unless either party gives written notice of such party’s intent not to renew the agreement at least 90 days prior to the commencement of the new term. The employment agreement requires Dr. Shrotriya to devote his full working time and effort to our business and affairs during the term of the agreement. The employment agreement provides for a minimum annual base salary, periodic bonuses and equity grants each in amounts to be recommended by the Committee.

Compensation and Benefits

Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, Dr. Shrotriya shall receive an annual base salary, which may be adjusted annually as determined by the Committee. The Committee has set Dr. Shrotriya’s annual base salary at $950,000$945,000 for 2015.

2017.

Dr. Shrotriya shall also be paid an annual performance bonus in cash and/or equity based awards, no later than January 31 of the year following, each in amounts to be determined by the Committee.

Under the agreement, Dr. Shrotriya is entitled to receive additional employment benefits, including the right to participate in certain incentive plans, life, medical and dental benefits, the right to certain estate planning services, a leased vehicle and reimbursements for automobile related expenses, and other benefits.

For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Summary Compensation Table.”


52



Termination

Dr. Shrotriya’s employment may be terminated due to non-renewal of the agreement by us, by mutual agreement of the parties, by us for cause (as that term is defined in the agreement) or without cause, on grounds of disability or death of Dr. Shrotriya, by Dr. Shrotriya for no reason or for good reason (as those terms are defined in the agreement), or by Dr. Shrotriya’s non-renewal of the agreement.

If (i) the agreement is not renewed by us, (ii) Dr. Shrotriya is terminated without cause, or (iii) Dr. Shrotriya resigns for good reason, then Dr. Shrotriya’s guaranteed severance payments include the right to receive (a) a lump sum payment equivalent to the aggregate of two years’ cash compensation;compensation (base salary, cash bonus and the vehicle allowance paid to Dr. Shrotriya pursuant to Dr. Shrotriya's employment agreement); (b) Company-paid continued coverage for Dr. Shrotriya and his eligible dependents under our existing health and benefit plans for two years; and (c) immediate vesting of all options, restricted shares and other equity-based awards granted to Dr. Shrotriya. Dr. Shrotriya shall have three years to exercise all vested equity based awards. Since options issued to Dr. Shrotriya pursuant to our 1997 Plan can only be exercised for ninety days after termination, a replacement option shall be granted to Dr. Shrotriya at termination to allow for three years’ of exercisability.

In the event Dr. Shrotriya voluntarily resigns for good reason, or is terminated by us without cause, we will pay or reimburse Dr. Shrotriya for reasonable relocation expenses up to $75,000. The Company will also pay additional cash compensation to offset the taxes attributable to him as a certain amount.

result of such reimbursement. If Dr. Shrotriya informs the Company that he does not wish to relocate, the Company will pay him $75,000 in a single lump sum, less any relocation expenses already incurred or advanced.

If the agreement is terminated due to death or disability of Dr. Shrotriya, a lump sum equal to three months of base salary, at the time of his termination, shall be paid to Dr. Shrotriya, or his legal representative or estate, as applicable. All equity based awards, such as options and restricted shares, shall immediately vest and shall remain exercisable in accordance with the terms of the respective equity plan(s) and individual agreement(s) governing such options and restricted shares.

If Dr. Shrotriya voluntarily resigns his employment for no reason, any stock options or other equity based awards (except for restricted shares) shall immediately become fully vested upon the effective date of Dr. Shrotriya’s resignation, and he shall have three years to exercise all such vested equity based awards. Dr. Shrotriya shall receive the same benefits for any unexpired options issued pursuant to our 1997 Plan as if he had been terminated without cause by us.

If during the term of the agreement, Dr. Shrotriya resigns for good reason (as defined in the agreement) other than pursuant to the circumstances of a change in control and our Board has not cured the condition(s) that constitute good reason, then Dr. Shrotriya shall receive all of the severance benefits he would receive if he had been terminated without cause by us.

Upon a change of control of Spectrum, if (i) Dr. Shrotriya’s employment is terminated (other than by Dr. Shrotriya) without cause within twelve months thereafter; or (ii) Dr. Shrotriya is adversely affected in certain terms outlined in the agreement, and Dr. Shrotriya, within twelve months after an event constituting a change of control, elects to resign his employment with us, then in either case, Dr. Shrotriya shall be provided with Company-paid senior executive outplacement (at a value of no less than $40,000) at an outplacement or executive search firm of his selection, and shall receive the same severance benefits as he would receive if he was terminated by us without cause. However, instead of two years’ cash compensation (comprised of his base salary, bonus and car allowance), Dr. Shrotriya shall receive three years cash compensation. In addition, upon a change of control, we shall pay Dr. Shrotriya a one-time payment of $600,000 in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Company.

If the agreement is terminated due to mutual agreement, Dr. Shrotriya’s non-renewal of the agreement, or by us for cause, Dr. Shrotriya shall not be entitled to any severance.

Other

If any payment or distribution by us to or for the benefit of Dr. Shrotriya is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the IRCCode or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Dr. Shrotriya with respect to such

excise tax, then Dr. Shrotriya shall be entitled to receive an additional payment in an amount such that after payment by Dr. Shrotriya of all taxes (including any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and excise tax imposed upon such payment, Dr. Shrotriya retains an amount of the payment equal to the excise tax imposed upon the payment.

If we determine that any payments to Dr. Shrotriya under the agreement fail to satisfy the distribution requirement of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, of 1986, as amended, the payment schedule of that benefit shall be revised to the extent necessary so that the benefit is not subject to the provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. We may attach conditions to or adjust the amounts so paid to preserve, as closely as possible, the economic consequences that would have applied in the absence of this adjustment; provided, however, that no such condition or adjustment shall result in the payments being subject to Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.

Employment Arrangements with Other Named Executive Officers

We have entered into employment arrangements with each of our named executive officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the terms of the arrangements, each of the named executive officer’s employment is “at-will” for no specified term, and may be terminated by the named executive officer or us at any time for any reason or for no reason. The employment arrangements provide for an annual base salary, bonuses and equity based awards as determined by our Compensation Committee.

Compensation and Benefits

Pursuant to the terms of each employment arrangement, the named executive officers shall receive an annual base salary as stated in the definitive document, subject to adjustment by the Compensation Committee. Each Mr. Turgeon’s bonus is at the discretion

53



of the named executive officers, with the exception ofCompensation Committee. Mr. Turgeon,Gustafson is eligible for a performance bonus of up to 50% of his base salary. Mr. Turgeon’s bonus is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The employment arrangements also provide for certain additional equity awards for each of the named executive officers. Our Compensation Committee may, at its sole discretion, award bonuses of cash, stock, or stock options from time to time to each of the named executive officers.

Under the employment arrangements, each named executive officer is entitled to receive additional employment benefits, including the right to participate in certain incentive plans, life, medical and dental benefits, and other standard benefits.

For additional information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Summary Compensation Table.”

Termination

As discussed above, each of the named executive officer’s employment arrangement is “at-will” for no specified term, and may be terminated by the named executive officer or us at any time for any reason or for no reason.

Change in Control Severance Agreements

In March 2014, we entered into a Change in Control Severance Agreement, referred to as the Severance Agreement, with each of our named executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer. Under the Severance Agreement, severance benefits are payable to the eligible officers if, during the term of the Severance Agreement, and within 12 months after a Change of Control (as defined in the Severance Agreement) has occurred, the eligible officer’s employment is terminated by us other than for Cause or the eligible officer resigns for Good Reason (each as defined in the Severance Agreement). Severance benefits under the Severance Agreement include: (i) the continuation of current base salary for a period of 12 months following termination of

employment (24 months in the case of Mr. Turgeon, in accordance with his first amendment entered into in MarchFebruary 2015), and (ii) the payment of accrued benefits. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of Mr. Turgeon's second amendment entered into in August 2015, his severance benefits also include (x) any earned and accrued but unpaid bonus with respect to fiscal years prior to the year of termination, and (y) a lump sum payment equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of his annual base salary. The purpose of the Severance Agreements is, among other things, to provide the eligible officers with enhanced financial security and sufficient incentive and encouragement to remain in the employ of the Company prior to and during the completion of a Change in Control. We do not intend to enter into a separate Severance Agreement with our Chief Executive Officer as his employment agreement already provides for the payment of severance benefits under circumstances and in amounts deemed appropriate by the Committee.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Following a Change in Control

The table below reflects the amount of compensation to be paid to or earned by each of our named executive officers in the event of the termination of such executive’s employment with the Company under different circumstances. The table describes, for each named executive officer, the amount of compensation payable upon (i) voluntary terminationresignation without cause (other than for good reason),reason, (ii) death, (iii) disability, (iv) involuntary termination without cause, (including voluntary terminationnon-renewal of Dr. Shrotriya's employment agreement by the Company, or resignation for good reason),reason, (v) involuntary termination for cause or (vi) termination following a change of control of the Company (other than for cause or without good reason). Where applicable, the amounts shown assume that the termination was effective as of the last trading day of 2014,2016, and use the closing price per share of our common stock on such date of $6.93.$4.43. The amounts set forth in the table only reflect estimates of the amounts that would actually be paid out in connection with a particular termination event. The actual amounts to be paid out with respect to any particular termination can only be determined at the time of an executive’s termination from the Company.

Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.

  Voluntary
Termination
Without
Cause
($)
   Death
($)
   Disability
($)
   Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause
($)
   Involuntary
Termination
For Cause
($)
   Change in
Control
($)
 

Cash Severance Payments(1)

        225,000     225,000     3,665,264          5,497,896  

Benefit Payments(2)

                  142,090          142,090  

M&A Transaction Bonus(4)

                            600,000  

Management Incentive Plan(5)

                            4,571,700  

Vesting Acceleration — Options(6)

                              

Vesting Acceleration — Restricted Stock(7)

        282,633     282,633     282,633          282,633  

280G Gross Up

                              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        507,633     507,633     4,089,987          11,094,319  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Joseph W. Turgeon

                        

Cash Severance Payments(3)

                            1,100,000  

Benefit Payments

                              

Vesting Acceleration — Deferred Compensation Match(8)

                            26,978  

Vesting Acceleration — Options(6)

                              

Vesting Acceleration — Restricted Stock(7)

                            1,004,850  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

                            2,131,828  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Kurt A. Gustafson

                        

Cash Severance Payments(3)

                            450,000  

Benefit Payments

                              

Vesting Acceleration — Deferred Compensation Match(8)

                            66,875  

Vesting Acceleration — Options(6)

                              

Vesting Acceleration — Restricted Stock(7)

                            623,700  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

                            1,140,575  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Lee F. Allen, M.D.

                        

Cash Severance Payments(3)

                            445,000  

Benefit Payments

                              

Vesting Acceleration — Deferred Compensation Match(8)

                            61,906  

Vesting Acceleration — Options(6)

                       ��       

Vesting Acceleration — Restricted Stock(7)

                            349,965  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

                            856,871  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


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Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. Resignation without Reason ($) Death
($)
 Disability
($)
 Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause/Non-renewal of Agreement by Company
or Resignation for Good Reason ($)
 Involuntary
Termination
For Cause ($)
 Termination Within 12 Months Following Change in
Control ($)
Cash Severance Payments (1) 
 236,250
 236,250
 3,838,920
 
 5,758,380
Benefit Payments (2) 
 
 
 152,926
 
 152,926
M&A Transaction Bonus (4) 
 
 
 
 
 600,000
Vesting Acceleration — Options (5) 
 
 
 
 
 
Vesting Acceleration — Restricted Stock (6) 
 553,750
 553,750
 553,750
 
 553,750
280G Gross Up (estimated) 
 
 
 
 
 8,068,536
             
Total 
 790,000
 790,000
 4,545,596
 
 15,133,592
             
Joseph W. Turgeon            
Cash Severance Payments (3) 
 
 
 
 
 2,265,000
Benefit Payments 
 
 
 
 
 
Vesting Acceleration — Deferred Compensation Match (7) 
 
 
 
 
 46,938
Vesting Acceleration — Options (5) 
 
 
 
 
 
Vesting Acceleration — Restricted Stock (6) 
 
 
 
 
 542,675
             
Total 
 
 
 
 
 2,854,613
             
Kurt A. Gustafson            
Cash Severance Payments (3) 
 
 
 
 
 500,000
Benefit Payments 
 
 
 
 
 
Vesting Acceleration — Deferred Compensation Match (7) 
 
 
 
 
 72,750
Vesting Acceleration — Options (5) 
 
 
 
 
 
Vesting Acceleration — Restricted Stock (6) 
 
 
 
 
 299,025
             
Total 
 
 
 
 
 871,775
(1)Dr. Shrotriya receives the following: (i) three-times his current base salary, bonus and car allowance upon a termination by us without cause or by Dr. Shrotriya after being adversely affected within 12 months following a change in control; (ii) two-times such amounts upon non-renewal of his employment agreement by us, termination without cause;cause or for good reason; and (iii) three months’ salary upon death or disability.


(2) Dr. Shrotriya receives two years of benefits continuation and a relocation bonus upon a change in control or an involuntary termination without cause or for good reason. In addition, upon a change in control Dr. Shrotriya will receive estimated costs for outplacement services in an amount not less than $40,000 upon a termination by us without cause or after being adversely affected within 12 months of a change in control.

(2)Dr. Shrotriya receives two years of benefits continuation and a relocation bonus upon a change in control or an involuntary termination without cause. In addition, upon a change in control Dr. Shrotriya will receive estimated costs for outplacement services.

(3)Joseph Turgeon receives (i) 24 months of his current base salary (paid monthly over that period), (ii) accrued but unpaid bonus, and (iii) a special bonus payment equal to 120 percent of his current base salary, if terminated without cause (or by Mr. Turgeon for good reason) within 12 months following a change in control. Kurt Gustafson and Lee Allen receivereceives 12 months of theirhis current base salary upon termination of their employment with the Company in certain circumstances(paid monthly over that period) if terminated without cause (or by Mr. Gustafson for good reason) within 12 months following a change in control.


(4)Pursuant to his employment agreement, Dr. Shrotriya is entitled to receive a $600,000 cash bonus upon a change in control irrespective of termination.


(5)Pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan, Dr. Shrotriya is entitled to receive a cash bonus in the amount of 1% of the transaction value (based on market capitalization for purposes of this table) upon a change in control irrespective of termination.

(6)Includes the aggregate intrinsic value of those stock options the vesting of which is accelerated upon a change in control. Dr. Shrotriya’s unvested stock options also vest upon (i) termination without cause, (ii) voluntary resignation, (iii) death or disability, and death / disability.(iv) change in control. For Messrs. Turgeon and Gustafson, these options only vest if termination occurs within 12 months following a change in control.


(7)
(6)Includes the aggregate fair market value of restricted stock the vesting of which accelerates upon a change in control. Dr. Shrotriya’s unvested restricted stock also vests upon termination without cause, for good reason and upon death /or disability.

(8)
(7)Includes Company matching amounts under the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.


55



REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement with management as required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Statement and the Company's 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Respectfully Submitted,

Compensation Committee

Raymond W. Cohen, Chair

Stuart M. Krassner, Sc.D., Psy.D,

Luigi Lenaz, M.D.

Anthony E. Maida, III, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.
Dolatrai Vyas, Ph.D

Ph.D.

The foregoing Report of the Compensation Committee shall not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this Report by reference therein.



56



EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table summarizes all of the Company’s equity compensation plans, including those approved by stockholders and those not approved by stockholders, as of December 31, 2014.

Plan Category

 Number of
Securities to
be Issued
Upon Exercise
of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants or Rights
(a)
  Weighted-
average
Exercise
Price of
Warrants
and
Rights
(b)
  Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)(2)

  12,649,102   $6.62    9,505,551  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(3)

  445,000          

Employee Stock Purchase Plan approved by security holders

          4,441,435  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

  13,094,102   $6.62    13,946,986  

2016. 
Plan Category 
Number of Securities 
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options,Warrants
or Rights
(a)
 Weighted-average
Exercise Price of
Warrants and
Rights
(b)
 
Number of Securities Remaining 
Available for Future Issuance
Under Equity Compensation
Plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)(2)
 14,340,582 $6.86 10,610,967
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(3)
 445,000 $6.78 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan approved by security holders 
 
 9,171,883
Total 14,785,582 $6.82 19,782,850

(1)We currently have two stock incentive plans: the 2003 Amended and Restated Incentive Award Plan, or the 2003 Plan, and the 2009 Incentive Award Plan, or the 2009 Plan, each of which have been approved by our Board and stockholders. Subsequent to the adoption of the 2009 Plan, no new options have been granted pursuant the 2003 Plan, however awards outstanding under the 2003 Plan continued to be governed by its terms, and our Board doesmay not anticipate grantinggrant additional awards under the 2003 Plan.


(2)The Board and the stockholders initially approved 10,000,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2009 Plan. Beginning on January 1, 2010, and on each January 1st thereafter during the term of the 2009 Plan, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2009 Plan shall increase by the greater of (i) 2,500,000 and (ii) a number of shares such that the total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2009 Plan shall equal 30% of the number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding. As of March 31, 2015,2017, a total of 27,177,89432,177,894 shares were authorized for issuance under the 2009 Plan.


(3)The amount in column (a) reflects the number of shares of our common stock that are issuable upon exercise of warrants issued to certain non-employees under plans approved by our Board of Directors that are not required to be approved by our stockholders pursuant to the NASDAQ Listing Rules.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Cohen, and Drs. Krassner, Lenaz, Maida and Vyas. NoneWith the exception of Dr. Lenaz, who served as President of our Oncology Division from 2000-2005 and as our Chief Scientific Officer from 2005 to 2008, none of the members of our Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company. None of our executive officers has served as a director or member of the compensation committee (or similar committee) of any other entity, any of whose executive officers served on the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely upon our review of the copies of reporting forms furnished to us, and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act applicable to our directors, officers and any persons holding 10% or more of our common stock with respect to our fiscal year ended December 31, 20142016 were satisfied on a timely basis.


57



CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS


Transactions with Related Parties

For disclosures relating to certain transactions with related parties, see the“Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment, Severance and Change in Control Agreements” section of this Proxy Statement.

There are no other transactions, or series of similar transactions, since January 1, 2014,2016, or any currently proposed transaction, to which we are a party that requires disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Policy on the Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

We have adopted a written policy for approval or ratification of all transactions with related parties that are required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The policy provides that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors will review the material facts of all transactions and either approve or disapprove of the entry into the transaction.

The Audit Committee may establish that certain transactions may be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. However, the Audit Committee has not identified any such transactions.

No director may participate in the approval of a transaction for which he or she is a related party. The director must provide all material information concerning the transaction to the Audit Committee.

There were no transactions with related parties required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K since January 1, 2016 where the above policies and procedures did not require review, approval or ratification or where such policies and procedures were not followed.


58



OTHER MATTERS

Our Board of Directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other business properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have the discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

A Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials was mailed to our stockholders on or about May 8, 2015,April 24, 2017, which contained instructions on how to access the proxy materials on the Internet. You may obtain a complete copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014,2016, with all exhibits filed therewith, from the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov under EDGAR filings. We will provide to you a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Chairman and CEO Letter by writing us at Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052, Attn: Investor Relations. Exhibits filed with our Annual Report will be provided upon written request, in the same manner noted above, at a nominal per page charge. Information on our website, is not part of the proxy soliciting material and is not incorporated herein by reference.

By Order of the Board of Directors

LOGO

RAJESH

rajsignaturea01.jpg
RAJESH C. SHROTRIYA,SHROTRIYA, M.D.

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive

Officer

Henderson, Nevada

May 8, 2015

LOGO

C123456789 IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION 000004 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext ENDORSEMENT_LINE SACKPACK 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext MR A SAMPLE Electronic Voting Instructions DESIGNATION (IF ANY) Available

April 24, hours a day, 7 days a week! ADD 1 ADD 2 Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting ADD 3 methods outlined below to vote your proxy. ADD 4 VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. MMMMMMMMM ADD 5 Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by ADD 6 11:2017


59 p.m., Eastern Time on June 28, 2015. Vote by Internet • Go to www.envisionreports.com/SPPI • Or scan the QR code with your smartphone • Follow the steps outlined on the secure website Vote by telephone • Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message X this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. Annual Meeting Proxy Card 1234 5678 9012 345 qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees named in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. 1. Election of Directors: 01 - Raymond W. Cohen 02 - Gilles R. Gagnon 03 - Stuart M. Krassner 04 - Luigi Lenaz + 05 - Anthony E. Maida 06 - Rajesh C. Shrotriya 07 - Dolatrai Vyas Mark here to vote Mark here to WITHHOLD For All EXCEPT - To withhold authority to vote for any FOR all nominees vote from all nominees nominee(s), write the name(s) of such nominee(s) below. For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. To approve the flexible settlement feature in connection 3. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our with the potential conversion of our Convertible Senior independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal Notes, which would allow us to settle the conversion of the year ending December 31, 2015. Notes, at our option, with shares of our common stock and/or their equivalent cash value at the time of conversion. 4. To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Proxy Statement. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the B Non-Voting Items meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. Change of Address — Please print new address below. C Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. C 1234567890 J N T MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND 1UPX 2 3 8 4 2 2 1 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND + 0235ZB



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IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Proxy — SPECTRUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders June 29, 2015 10:30 AM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned, a Stockholder of SPECTRUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Annual Report to Stockholders and the accompanying Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting to be held on June 29, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time, at 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052, and, revoking any proxy previously given, hereby appoints Dr. Rajesh C. Shrotriya and Kurt A. Gustafson, and each of them individually, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, each with full power of substitution and revocation, and each with all power that the undersigned would possess if personally present, to vote SPECTRUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. capital stock which the undersigned is entitled to represent and vote at such meeting and any postponements or adjournments of such meeting, as set forth on the reverse, and in their discretion upon any other business that may properly come before the meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER. WHERE NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS NAMED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS PROXY, “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE FLEXIBLE SETTLEMENT FEATURE FOR THE POTENTIAL CONVERSION OF OUR CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES, “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND “FOR” APPROVAL ON A NON BINDING ADVISORY BASIS OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET OR BY SIGNING AND RETURNING THIS PROXY BY MAIL.


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+ C 1234567890 IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION 000004 ENDORSEMENT_LINE SACKPACK MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 NNNNNNNNN ADD 5 ADD 6 Vote by Internet • Go to www.envisionreports.com/SPPI • Or scan the QR code with your smartphone • Follow the steps outlined on the secure website Stockholder Meeting Notice 1234 5678 9012 345 Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on June 29, 2015 The proxy materials for Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s annual meeting are available on the Internet or by mail. Follow the instructions below to view the materials and vote online or request a copy. The items to be voted on and location of the annual meeting are on the reverse side. Your vote is important! This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at: www.envisionreports.com/SPPI Easy Online Access — A Convenient Way to View Proxy Materials and Vote When you go online to view materials, you can also vote your shares. Step 1: Go to www.envisionreports.com/SPPI to view the materials. Step 2: Click on Cast Your Vote or Request Materials. Step 3: Follow the instructions on the screen to log in. Step 4: Make your selection as instructed on each screen to select delivery preferences and vote. When you go online, you can also help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery of future materials. Obtaining a Copy of the Proxy Materials – If you want to receive a paper or email copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed on the reverse side on or before June 15, 2015 to facilitate timely delivery. COY + 02362B


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LOGO

Stockholder Meeting Notice Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 240, Henderson, Nevada 89052, at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Proposals to be voted on at the meeting are listed below along with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. 1. Election of Directors. To elect seven directors to serve until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2016, or until their successors are elected and duly qualified. 2. Approval of Flexible Settlement Feature for the Potential Conversion of Convertible Senior Notes. To approve the flexible settlement feature in connection with the potential conversion of our Convertible Senior Notes, which would allow us to settle the conversion of the Notes, at our option, with shares of our common stock and/or their equivalent cash value at the time of conversion. 3. Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. 4. Advisory Vote on the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers. To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the director nominees named in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. PLEASE NOTE – YOU CANNOT VOTE BY RETURNING THIS NOTICE. To vote your shares you must vote online or request a paper copy of the proxy materials to receive a proxy card. If you wish to attend and vote at the meeting, please bring this notice with you. Here’s how to order a copy of the proxy materials and select a future delivery preference: Paper copies: Current and future paper delivery requests can be submitted via the telephone, Internet or email options below. Email copies: Current and future email delivery requests must be submitted via the Internet following the instructions below. If you request an email copy of current materials you will receive an email with a link to the materials. PLEASE NOTE: You must use the number in the shaded bar on the reverse side when requesting a set of proxy materials. g Internet – Go to www.envisionreports.com/SPPI. Click Cast Your Vote or Request Materials. Follow the instructions to log in and order a copy of the current meeting materials and submit your preference for email or paper delivery of future meeting materials. g Telephone – Call us free of charge at 1-866-641-4276 and follow the instructions to log in and order a paper copy of the materials by mail for the current meeting. You can also submit a preference to receive a paper copy for future meetings. g Email – Send email to investorvote@computershare.com with “Proxy Materials Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.” in the subject line. Include in the message your full name and address, plus the number located in the shaded bar on the reverse, and state in the email that you want a paper copy of current meeting materials. You can also state your preference to receive a paper copy for future meetings. To facilitate timely delivery, all requests for a paper copy of the proxy materials must be received by June 15, 2015. 02362B


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