SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

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Check the appropriate box:

¨Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

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ý Definitive Proxy Statement

¨Definitive Additional Materials

¨Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

RETROPHIN,

TRAVERE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)

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ý No fee required.

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4.Date Filed:



RETROPHIN,


TRAVERE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

12255 El Camino Real,

3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250

300

San Diego, CA 92130

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On May 18, 2016

17, 2023

Dear Stockholder:

You

We are cordially invited to attendhereby providing notice that the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The meeting will be held on May 18, 201617, 2023 at 9:3000 a.m., local time, at the Company’s San Diego officeCompany's corporate headquarters located at 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, California 92130, for the following purposes:

1.To elect the six nominees for director named herein to the Board of Directors to serve for a term of one year;
2.To approve our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, to, among other items, increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,600,000;
3.To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;
4.To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of BDO USA, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2016; and
5.To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting.

Theseitems of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.

1.To elect the ten nominees for director named herein to the Board of Directors to serve for a term of one year;
2.To approve the Company's 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,700,000 shares;
3.To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;
4.To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and
5.To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting.
These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
May 18, 2016

17, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., local time

at the Company's corporate headquarters located at 3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92130
The Proxy Statement and our 20162022 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at:
http://www.viewproxy.com/retrophin/2016

travere/2023

The record date for the Annual Meeting is March 23, 2016.21, 2023. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

By Order

Your vote is important, and we strongly encourage you to vote your shares by proxy as soon as possible to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. You may vote over the Internet, as well as by telephone or by mailing a proxy or voting instruction form. Please review the instructions on each of the Board of Directors

/s/ Margaret Valeur-Jensen

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

General Counsel and Secretary

your voting options described in these proxy materials.

By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Elizabeth E. Reed
Elizabeth E. Reed
General Counsel and Secretary
San Diego, California

April 4, 2016

You are cordially invited13, 2023

We urge you to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy, or vote over the internet or using a telephone as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy, youYou may still vote in person if you attend the meeting.meeting, even if you have voted by proxy. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.



RETROPHIN,


TRAVERE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

12255 El Camino Real,

3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250

300

San Diego CA 92130

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 20162023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held on May 18, 2016

17, 2023

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING

Why am I receiving these materials?

We have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of Directors (sometimes referred to as the “Board”) of Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc. (sometimes referred to as “we,” “us,” the “Company” or “Retrophin”“Travere”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 20162023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), including at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting toTo vote your shares. Instead,shares we encourage you may simplyto complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card, or vote over the internet or using a telephone as instructed in these materials.

You may also vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting.

We intend to mail these proxy materials on or about April 4, 201614, 2023 to all shareholdersstockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

How do I attend

What is the location of the Annual Meeting?

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 201617, 2023 at 9:3000 a.m., local time, at the Company’s San Diego officeCompany's corporate headquarters located at 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, California 92130. Information on howDirections to vote in person at the Annual Meeting is discussed below.

can be found at:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/3611+Valley+Centre+Dr+Suite+300,+San+Diego,+CA+92130
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 201621, 2023 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On this record date, there were 36,585,76874,544,516 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on March 23, 201621, 2023 your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you mayare permitted to vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attendHowever, in lieu of voting in person at the meeting,Annual Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card, or vote over the internet or using a telephone as instructed in these materials, to ensure your vote is counted.

materials.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If on March 23, 201621, 2023 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, sinceSince you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

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What am I voting on?

There are four matters scheduled for a vote:

election of the sixten nominees for director named herein to the Board of Directors to serve for a term of one year;
approval of our 2015the Company's 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, to among other items, increase the number of shares of common stock reservedauthorized for issuance thereunder by 1,600,000;2,700,000 shares;
approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and
ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of BDO USA,Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.2023.

What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.



1


How do I vote?

For Proposal 1, you may either vote “For” all the nominees to the Board of Directors, you may “Withhold” your vote for all nominees, or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nomineenominee(s) you specify.specify and vote “For” the rest. For Proposals 2, 3 and 4each other matter to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting.

The procedures for voting are as follows:

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, or vote over the internet or using a telephone as instructed in these materials. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting and vote in person at the Annual Meeting, even if you have already voted by proxy.

To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.
To vote using the enclosed proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
To vote by telephone, dial toll-free (888) 693-86831 (866) 804-9616 using a touch-tone phone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call. Your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 17, 201616, 2023 to be counted.
To vote through the internet, go towww.cesvote.comto complete an electronic proxy card. Have your proxy card available when you access the website. Your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 17, 2016 to be counted.

To vote through the internet, go to www.AALvote.com/TVTX to complete an electronic proxy card. Have your proxy card available when you access the website. Your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 16, 2023 to be counted.
To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a voting instruction form with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the voting instruction form to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the internet as instructed by your broker, bank or other agent. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

How many votes do I have?

On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of March 23, 2016.

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21, 2023.

What happens if I do not vote?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by completing your proxy card or in person at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether The NasdaqNew York Stock MarketExchange (“Nasdaq”NYSE”) deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under the rules and interpretations of the Nasdaq Listing Rules,NYSE, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposals 1, 2, or 3 without your instructions, but may vote your shares on Proposal 4.

What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices?

If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as applicable, “For” the election of all sixten nominees for director, “For” approval of our 2015the Company's 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, to among other items, increase the number of shares of common stock reservedauthorized for issuance thereunder by 1,600,000,”For”2,700,000 shares, "For" the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, and “For” ratification of selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of BDO USA,Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending 2016.December 31, 2023. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

In addition, we have retained Alliance Advisors, LLC to assist in the solicitation. We will pay Alliance Advisors approximately $7,000$10,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses, for its assistance.

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What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?

If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on the proxy cards in the proxy materials to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:

You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
You may grant a subsequent proxy through the internet or over the telephone.
You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to the attention of the Secretary of Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc. at 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, CACalifornia 92130.

3


You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.

Your most current proxy card is the one that is counted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

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

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by December 5, 201616, 2023 to the attention of the Secretary of Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc. at 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, CACalifornia 92130.

If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) at the 20172024 meeting that is not to be included in the 20172024 proxy materials, your written request must be received by the Secretary of RetrophinTravere between January 18, 20172024 and February 17, 2017.2024. You are also advised to review the Company’s amended and restated bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our Board’s nominees must provide in their notice the additional information required by Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
How are votes counted?

Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count, for the proposal to elect directors, votes “For,” “Withhold” and broker non-votes;non-votes, and, with respect to the other proposals, votes “For” and “Against,” abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for Proposals 2, 3 and 4 and will have the same effect as “Against” votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total foron any proposal.

For Proposal 1, it is the Company's policy that any nominee for director in an uncontested election who does not receive a majority of the votes cast (i.e., receives a greater number of votes "withheld" from his or her election than votes "for" in such election) shall submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee shall consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. The Board will then act on the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation. Promptly following the Board’s decision, the Company will disclose that decision and an explanation of such decision in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and a press release. Votes withheld from any director are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but have no other legal effect under Delaware law.

What are “broker non-votes”?

As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed by Nasdaqthe NYSE to be “non-routine,” the broker or nominee cannot vote the shares. These unvoted shares are counted as “broker non-votes.”

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

For Proposal 1, the election of directors, the sixten nominees receiving the most “For” votes from the holders of shares present in person, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected. Only votes “For” or, to the extent provided pursuant to the director resignation policy described above, “Withhold”, will affect the outcome. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
To be approved, Proposal 2 approving our 2015the Company's 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, to among other items, increase the number of shares of common stock reservedauthorized for issuance thereunder by 1,600,000,2,700,000 shares, requires a “For” vote from at leastthe holders of a majority of the shares present in person, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote aton the Annual Meeting.matter. If you mark your proxy to “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
3


Proposal 3, advisory approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, will be considered to be approved if it receives “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present in person, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote aton the Annual Meeting.matter. If you mark your proxy to “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
To be approved, Proposal 4 ratifying the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of BDO USA,Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending 2016December 31, 2023 must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present in person, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote aton the Annual Meeting.matter. If you mark your proxy to “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect.

4


What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were 36,585,76874,544,516 shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of 18,292,88537,272,258 shares must be present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting to have a quorum.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the meeting. Abstentions, withhold votes and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date.

What proxy materials are available on the internet?
The proxy statement, 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and annual report to stockholders are available at http://www.viewproxy.com/travere/2023.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.

4


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
These proxy materials contain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on our current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include statements regarding anticipated data readouts and the timing thereof, clinical development programs and trials, potential regulatory filings and regulatory decisions and the timing thereof, future commercial performance, statements regarding the expected or potential benefits of the proposed amendment to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan as described in Proposal 2, and other forward-looking information in Proposal 2. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied by forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned under the “Risk Factors” heading of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of the Company’s common stock as of March 11, 20161, 2023 by: (i) each director and director nominee, (ii) each named executive officer, (iii) each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of all outstanding shares of our common stock, and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. The table is based upon information supplied by our executive officers and directors and a review of Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe that each of the stockholders named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.

Applicable percentages are based on 36,575,76864,768,802 shares outstanding on March 11, 2016,1, 2023, adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In addition, the rules include shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options, warrants or other convertible securities that are either immediately exercisable or exercisable on or before May 10, 2016,April 30, 2023, which is 60 days after March 11, 2016.1, 2023, or issuable pursuant to restricted stock units that vest on or before April 30, 2023. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those securities for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. TheUnless otherwise stated below, the address for each person or entity listed in the table is c/o Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc., 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, CACalifornia 92130.

5% or greater stockholders

  Number of shares
beneficially owed
  Percentage of
shares
beneficially
owned

Broadfin Capital, LLC (1)

  3,679,489  10.06%

Consonance Capital Management LP (2)

  3,460,323  9.46%

Prudential Financial, Inc. (3)

  2,399,056  6.56%

Blackrock, Inc. (4)

  2,319,621  6.34%

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (5)

  1,945,467  5.32%

Directors and named executive officers

      

Stephen Aselage (6)

  505,534  1.38%

Alvin Shih (7)

  95,000    *

Margaret Valeur-Jensen (8)

  65,000    *

Laura Clague (9)

  56,666    *

Jeffrey Meckler (10)

  59,333    *

Cornelius Golding (11)

  40,083    *

Gary Lyons (12)

  29,333    *

Tim Coughlin (13)

  20,000    *

John Kozarich (14)

  20,000    *

All current executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons)

  890,949  2.41%

5% or greater stockholders
Number of shares
beneficially owed
Percentage of shares beneficially owned
Armistice Capital, LLC(1)6,412,0009.90%
Janus Henderson Group plc(2)5,091,2857.86%
BlackRock Fund Advisors(3)5,194,7858.02%
Deep Track Capital, LP(4)4,582,0007.07%
Adage Capital Partners, L.P.(5)4,418,9626.82%
State Street Corporation(6)4,224,0246.52%
RA Capital Management LP(7)3,984,6816.15%
Macquarie Group Limited(8)3,555,9925.49%
The Vanguard Group(9)3,515,4465.43%
Directors and named executive officers
Eric Dube(10)890,2401.36%
Laura Clague(11)465,061*
Christopher Cline(12)155,774*
Peter Heerma(13)212,769*
Jula Inrig(14)27,507*
William Rote(15)248,652*
Roy Baynes(16)79,000*
Suzanne Bruhn(17)33,000*
Tim Coughlin(18)129,000*
Gary Lyons(19)139,000*
Jeffrey Meckler(20)169,000*
John Orwin(21)68,375*
Sandra Poole(22)41,500*
Ron Squarer(23)68,375*
Ruth Williams-Brinkley(24)10,025*
All current executive officers and directors as a group (15 persons)(25)2,511,2693.75%
_______________________
*
*Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
1


1.Broadfin
(1)Armistice Capital, LLC, Broadfin Healthcare(“Armistice Capital”) has shared voting and dispositive power as to 6,412,000 of the shares reported herein. Armistice Capital is the investment manager of Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. and Kevin Kotler share voting and disposition power with respect to the shares held by this stockholder. The address for Broadfin Capital, LLC and Kevin Kotler is 300 Park Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10022. The address for Broadfin Healthcare Master Fund, Ltd. is 20 Genesis Close, Ansbacher House, Second Floor, P.O. Box 1344, Grand Cayman KY 1-1108, Cayman Islands. This information is based on its most recently filed Schedule 13G/A.

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2.Consonance Capital Master Account LP (“Consonance Master”) directly holds 3,323,277 shares of common stock (the “Master Account Shares”Fund”). Consonance Capital Management LP (the “Adviser”) is, the investment adviserdirect holder of Consonance Master,the shares, and pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”), the AdviserInvestment Management Agreement, Armistice Capital exercises voting and investment power over the Master Account SharesCommon Stock of the Company held by Consonance Master. Consonance Capman GP LLC (“Capman”) is the general partner of the AdviserMaster Fund and Mitchell Blutt, as the Manager and Member of Capman and Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser,thus may be deemed to control Capman andbeneficially own the Adviser. A managed account managedCommon Stock of the Company held by Consonance Capital Opportunity Fund Management LP (“Consonance Opportunity”) directly holds 137,046 shares of common stock (the “Managed Account Shares”). Capman is the general partner of Consonance Opportunity and Mitchell Blutt,Master Fund. Mr. Steven Boyd, as the Manager and Membermanaging member of Capman,Armistice Capital, may be deemed to control Capman and Consonance Opportunity.beneficially own the Common Stock of the Company held by the Master Fund. The Master Fund specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the Common Stock of the Company directly held by it by virtue of its inability to vote or dispose of such securities as a result of its Investment Management Agreement with Armistice Capital. The address for the Consonance Master, the Adviser, Consonance Opportunity, Mitchell BluttArmistice Capital and CapmanMr. Boyd is 1370c/o Armistice Capital, LLC, 510 Madison Avenue, of the America, Suite 3301,7th Floor, New York, NY 10019.10022. This information is based on its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023.
(2)Janus Henderson Group, plc. (“Janus Henderson”) has shared voting and dispositive power as to 5,091,285 of the shares reported herein. Janus Henderson has a 100% ownership stake in Janus Henderson Investors U.S. LLC ("JHIUS"), Janus Henderson Investors UK Limited ("JHIUKL") and Janus Henderson Investors Australia Institutional Funds Management Limited ("JHIAIFML"), (each an "Asset Manager" and collectively as the "Asset Managers"). Due to the above ownership structure, holdings for the Asset Managers are aggregated for purposes of the most recently filed Schedule 13G.
3.Through13G/A. Each Asset Manager is an investment adviser registered or authorized in its parent/subsidiary relationship, Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”) may be deemed the beneficial owner of shares held by Jennison Associates LLC (“Jennison”), Prudential Retirement Insurancerelevant jurisdiction and Annuity Company and Quantitative Management Associates LLC, who are the beneficial owners of 2,343,659 shares of common stock, 53,197 shares of common stock and 2,200 shares of common stock, respectively. Jennison furnisheseach furnishing investment advice to several investment companies, insurance separate accounts, andvarious fund, individual and/or institutional clients (“Managed Portfolios”(collectively referred to herein as "Managed Portfolios"). As a result of its role as investment adviser ofor sub-adviser to the Managed Portfolios, JennisonJHIUS may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 5,081,085 shares or 7.9% of the shares outstanding of our common stockthe Company’s Common Stock held by such Managed Portfolios. Prudential indirectly owns 100%However, JHIUS does not have the right to receive any dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, equity intereststhe securities held in the Managed Portfolios and disclaims any ownership associated with such rights. The address for Janus Henderson is 201 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3AE, United Kingdom. This information is based on its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2023.
(3)BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) has sole dispositive power as to 5,194,785 of Jennison. As a result, Prudentialthe shares reported herein, and sole voting power with respect to 5,054,054 shares. The funds were acquired by the following subsidiaries of BlackRock: BlackRock Advisors, LLC, Aperio Group, LLC, BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd., BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd. The address for BlackRock is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. This information is based on its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 3, 2023.
(4)Deep Track Capital, LP. (“Deep Track Capital”) has shared voting and dispositive power as to 4,582,000 of the shares reported herein. Deep Track Capital is the investment manager of Deep Track Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd. (the “Master Fund”), the direct holder of the shares, and pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, Deep Track Capital exercises voting and investment power over the shares of Common Stock held by the Master Fund and thus may be deemed to havebeneficially own the shares held by the Master Fund. Deep Track Capital is the relevant entity for which David Kroin may be considered a control person. The address for Deep Track Capital and David Kroin is c/o Deep Track Capital, LP, 200 Greenwich Ave, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830. The address for the Master Fund is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Ave, George Town, KY1-9001, Cayman Islands. This information is based on its filed Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023.
(5)Adage Capital Partners, L.P. (“ACP”) has shared voting and dispositive power as to 4,418,962 of the shares reported herein. ACP has the power to exercise ordispose of and the power to directvote the exerciseshares beneficially owned by it, which power may be exercised by its general partner, Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C. (“ACPGP”). Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C. (“ACA”), as a managing member of suchACPGP, directs ACPGP’s operations. Neither ACPGP nor ACA directly own any shares. ACPGP and ACA may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by ACP by reason of the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act. Robert Atchinson and Phillip Gross, as managing members of ACA, have shared power to vote the shares beneficially owned by ACP. Neither Mr. Atchinson nor Mr. Gross directly own any shares. Each may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by ACP by reason of the provisions of the Exchange Act. The address for ACP, ACPGP, ACA, Mr. Atchinson, and Mr. Gross is 200 Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor, Boston, MA 02116. This information is based on its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on March 13, 2023.
(6)State Street Corporation (“State Street”) has shared voting and/orpower as to 4,098,481 of the shares reported herein, and shared dispositive power that Jennison may have with respect to our common stock4,224,024 shares. Each of the following entities is a subsidiary of State Street, the parent holding company, that beneficially owns the shares: SSGA Funds Management, Inc., State Street Global Advisors Europe Ltd., State Street Global Advisors Ltd., State Street Global Advisors Trust Co., and State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Ltd. The address for State Street is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. This information is based on its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6, 2023.
(7)The shares reported herein include 3,984,681 shares held by RA Capital Healthcare Fund, L.P. (the “Fund”). RA Capital Healthcare Fund GP, LLC is the general partner of the Fund. The general partner of RA Capital is RA Capital Management GP, LLC, of which Dr. Kolchinsky and Mr. Shah are the controlling persons. RA Capital serves as investment adviser for the Fund and may be deemed a beneficial owner, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, of any securities of the Company held by the Managed Portfolios.Fund. The Fund has delegated to RA Capital the sole power to vote and the sole power to dispose of all securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, including the shares of Common Stock reported herein. Because the Fund has divested voting and investment power over the reported securities it holds and may not revoke that delegation on less than 61 days’ notice, the Fund disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities it holds for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and therefore disclaim any obligation to report ownership of the reported securities under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. As managers of RA Capital, Dr. Kolchinsky and Mr. Shah may be deemed beneficial owners, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, of any securities of the Company beneficially owned by RA Capital. RA Capital, Dr. Kolchinsky, and Mr. Shah disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities reported in this Schedule 13G/A other than for the purpose of determining their obligations under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. The address for Prudential Financial,RA Capital, Peter Kolchnisky, Rajeev Shah and the Fund is c/o RA Capital Management, L.P., 200 Berkeley Street, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02116. This information is based on its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023.
(8)Macquarie Group Limited (“MGL”) beneficially owns 3,555,992 shares due to its ownership of Macquarie Management Holdings Inc. (“MMH”), Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (“MIMBT”). MMH beneficially owns 3,555,992 shares due to its ownership of MIMBT, and has reported sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 3,555,992 shares. MIMBT beneficially owns 3,555,992 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, and has reported sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 3,555,992 shares. The address for MGL is 751 Broad50 Martin Place Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The address for MMH and MIMBT is 2005 Market Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-3777.Philadelphia, PA 19103. This information is based on its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023.
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(9)The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”) has shared voting power as to 95,110 of the shares reported herein, sole dispositive power with respect to 3,375,444 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 140,002 shares, for a total ownership of 3,515,446 shares. The address for Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355. This information is based on its most recentlySchedule 13G/A filed Schedule 13G/A.with the SEC on February 9, 2023.
4.(10)BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power as to 2,249,406 of these shares, and sole dispositive power with respect to 2,319,621 shares. The shares were acquired by the following subsidiaries of BlackRock, Inc.: BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., BlackRock International Limited, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, BlackRock Japan Co Ltd, Xulu, Inc. This information is based on its most recently filed Schedule 13G.
5.Reflects securities beneficially owned by certain operating units (collectively, the “Goldman Sachs Reporting Units”) of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, “GSG”). This filing does not reflect securities, if any, beneficially owned by any operating units of GSG whose ownership of securities is disaggregated from that of the Goldman Sachs Reporting Units. The Goldman Sachs Reporting Units disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities beneficially owned by (i) any client accounts with respect to which the Goldman Sachs Reporting Units or their employees have voting or investment discretion or both, or with respect to which there are limits on their voting or investment authority or both and (ii) certain investment entities of which the Goldman Sachs Reporting Units act as the general partner, managing general partner or other manager, to the extent interests in such entities are held by persons other than the Goldman Sachs Reporting Units. This information is based on its most recently filed Schedule 13G.
6.Includes 199,500816,356 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016. 1, 2023.
(11)Includes 278 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants.
7.Includes 15,000456,496 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.
8.(12)Includes 15,000143,305 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options and 125 restricted stock units which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2023.
(13)Includes 176,830 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.
9.(14)Includes 56,66625,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.

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10.(15)Includes 22,666227,496 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.
11.(16)Includes 28,41662,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.
12.(17)Includes 22,66624,750 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options and 1,750 restricted stock units which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2023.
(18)Includes 94,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.
13.(19)Includes 13,333102,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options and 6,667 restricted stock units which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.
14.(20)Includes 13,333102,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options and 6,667 restricted stock units which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2016.1, 2023.
(21)Includes 53,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2023.
(22)Includes 32,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2023.
(23)Includes 53,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2023.
(24)Includes 8,275 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2023.
(25)Includes the shares described in notes 10 and 12 through 24 above. This group also includes one executive officer who is not named above, who beneficially owns in the aggregate 18,556 shares as of March 1, 2023, including 220,496 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which have vested or will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2023.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with.

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3

PROPOSAL


PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is currently comprised of sixten directors (Stephen Aselage, Tim(Roy Baynes, Suzanne Bruhn, Timothy Coughlin, Cornelius Golding, John Kozarich,Eric Dube, Gary Lyons, Jeffrey Meckler, John A. Orwin, Sandra Poole, Ron Squarer and Jeffrey Meckler)Ruth Williams-Brinkley). With the exception of Stephen AselageEric Dube who is our President and Chief Executive Officer, all current members of the Board of Directors meet the definition of “independent director” under the Nasdaq qualification standards.

With respect to the independence assessment of Ms. Williams-Brinkley, the Board specifically took into consideration our business relationships with Kaiser Permanente, as described below under “Related-Party Transactions”, and determined that such transactions were arms’ length transactions in the ordinary course of business and did not impact the determination of Ms. Williams-Brinkley’s independence. Mr. Aselage, who was our previous President and Chief Executive Officer, served as a non-independent director until his retirement from the Board in May 2022.

After each annual election, each director will then serve a term of one year (or, in each case, until their earlier resignation, removal from office, or death) and until a successor is duly elected and qualified. Officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among the Company’s directors and executive officers.

Vote Required

The ten nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected to the Board of Directors.

However, it is the Company's policy that any nominee for director in an uncontested election who does not receive a majority of the votes cast (i.e., receives a greater number of votes "withheld" from his or her election than votes "for" in such election) shall submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee shall consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. The Board will then act on the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation. Promptly following the Board’s decision, the Company will disclose that decision and an explanation of such decision in a filing with the SEC and a press release.

Votes withheld from any director are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but have no other legal effect under Delaware law.

Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the Company’s nominees named above.below. If any of the Company’s nominees is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who is designated by the present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not expected that any of the Company’s nominees will be unable or will decline to serve as a director.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “For” each of the nominees named below.

Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting

The following is a brief biography of each nominee for director. The brief biographies below include information, as of the date of this proxy statement, regarding the specific and particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each nominee that led the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee to recommend that person as a nominee. However, each of the members of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee may have a variety of reasons why he believes a particular person would be an appropriate nominee for the Board of Directors, and these views may differ from the views of other members.

All of the nominees are currently directors of the Company. AllCompany and all of the nominees were previously elected to the Board of Directors by the Company’s stockholders.

Stephen Aselage

Roy D. Baynes, M.D., Ph.D.has served as a director of the Company since June 2016. Since July 2022, Dr. Baynes has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Eikon Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company. Prior to Eikon Therapeutics, Inc., until April 2022 he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development at Merck Research Laboratories, the research division of Merck and Co., Inc., commencing in December 2013 and as Chief Medical Officer of Merck and Co, Inc., a global healthcare company, commencing in July 2016. Prior to his roles at Merck, Dr. Baynes served as Senior Vice President of Oncology, Inflammation and Respiratory Therapeutics at Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from January 2012 to December 2013. Prior to Gilead, Dr. Baynes held positions of increasing responsibility at Amgen Inc., a biotechnology company, from August 2002 to January 2012, including Vice President of Global Clinical Development and Therapeutic Area Head for Hematology/Oncology. Before joining Amgen, Dr. Baynes was the Charles Martin Professor of Cancer Research at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, at Wayne State University. Dr. Baynes has authored more than 150 publications and is a member or fellow of several international medical societies. Dr. Baynes is on the Board of Directors of Natera, Inc., a genetic testing and diagnostics company, and previously served on the Board of Directors of Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc., a T-cell immunotherapy company. Dr. Baynes received his medical degree and doctorate in philosophy from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, and completed his medical training in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Johannesburg Hospital.
Dr. Baynes was selected as a director because of his life sciences and medical expertise and his extensive drug development experience.
Suzanne Bruhn, Ph.D.has served as a director of the Company since April 2020. Since May 2019, Dr. Bruhn has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tiaki Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company. Dr. Bruhn served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Proclara Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company, from April 2017 to September 2018, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since November 2014. Previously, Mr. Aselage wasPromedior, Inc., a director of Retrophin, Inc. since October 2012. Prior to joining Retrophin, Mr. Aselage served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at BioMarin, a
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biotechnology company, from December 2009 through SeptemberMay 2012 to November 2015. Currently, Dr. Bruhn serves on the Boards of Directors of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., Vigil Neuroscience, Inc., and from July 2005 to December 2009, Mr. AselageMind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. Previously, Dr. Bruhn served as BioMarin’s Senior Vice Presidenta member of Global Commercial Development. From February 2004the Board of Directors of Raptor Pharmaceuticals Corp., a pharmaceutical company, from April 2011 until it was acquired by Horizon Pharma plc in October 2016, as a member of the Board of Directors of Novelion Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from October 2017 to June 2005, Mr. Aselage servedJanuary 2020, as Executive Vice Presidenta member of Global Commercial Operations at Cell Therapeutics,the Board of Directors of Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company, focused on cancer therapeutics. From September 2003from February 2017 to January 2004, Mr. Aselage served as Senior Vice President of North American SalesAugust 2020, and Marketing for the Transplant Division of Genzyme Corporation, a biotechnology company, following Genzyme’s acquisition of Sangstat Medical Corporation where he had worked since February 1999. While at Sangstat, Mr. Aselage restructured the company’s sales, marketing and medical affairs groups. From 1996 through 1999, Mr. Aselage served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Advanced Tissue Sciences, a biotechnology company. Earlier in his career, Mr. Aselage held a variety of sales and sales management

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positions at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies including Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals (now Sanofi-Aventis), Genentech, Inc., and Bristol Laboratories, a biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Aselage is on the Board of Directors of ACERAvalo Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Cerecor, Inc.), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies within the fields of rare pediatric and Patara Pharma, Inc. Mr. Aselage holds aorphan diseases from April 2020 to November 2021. Earlier in her career, Dr. Bruhn served in roles of increasing responsibility at Shire Human Genetic Therapies (formerly Transkaryotic Therapies), including Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Program Management. Dr. Bruhn received her B.S. degree in biologyChemistry from theIowa State University and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Notre Dame.

Mr. AselageTechnology.

Dr. Bruhn was selected as a director because of his businessher extensive global experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and professional experience, including his leadershipher development and regulatory expertise in the area of BioMarin in drug commercialization, private and public financings and a successful turnaround of multiple businesses.

Timrare disease.

Timothy Coughlin has served as a director of the Company since March 2015. He has served asMr. Coughlin is the former Chief Financial Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. since September 2006 after having("Neurocrine"), a biopharmaceutical company that received FDA approval for INGREZZA® (valbenazine) and ORILISSA® (elagolix), both of which were discovered and developed during his tenure at Neurocrine from 2002 to 2018. Mr. Coughlin currently serves on the board of directors of Fate Therapeutics, Inc., and aTyr Pharma, Inc., both biotechnology companies, and previously served as Vice President, Controller. At Neurocrine, he is responsible for accounting, finance, information technology, operations and investor relations.on the Board of Directors of Peloton Therapeutics, Inc. prior to its sale to Merck in 2019. Prior to joining Neurocrine, in 2002, he was with CHI,Catholic Health Initiatives, a nationwide integrated healthcare delivery system, where he served as Vice President, Financial Services. Mr. Coughlin also served as a Senior Manager in the Health Sciences practice of Ernst & Young LLP and its predecessors from 1989 to 1999. Mr. Coughlin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Fate Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded company focused on stem cell research. Mr. Coughlin holds a Bachelor’smaster's degree in Accounting from Temple University and a Master’s degree in International Businessinternational business from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Temple University. Mr. Coughlin is a certified public accountant in both California and Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Coughlin, was selected as a director because of his financial and audit experience as well as his pharmaceutical and life sciences public company experience.

Cornelius E. Golding

Eric Dube, Ph.D.has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of our board of directors since January 2019. Previously, Dr. Dube served as the Head of North America of Viiv Healthcare Limited, a pharmaceuticals company, since January 2018. From June 2015 to December 2017, Dr. Dube served as Sr. Vice President and Head, Global Respiratory Franchise, of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals plc (“GSK”), a pharmaceutical company. From February 2013 to May 2015, Dr. Dube served as Senior Vice President and Business Unit Head, Respiratory Japan of GSK. Earlier in his career, Dr. Dube held positions of increasing responsibility at GSK including senior leadership roles in Strategy, Planning & Operations, Oncology, Managed Markets and Marketing. Dr. Dube currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and for Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for patients with rare genetic mitochondrial diseases. Previously, Dr. Dube served on the Board of Trustees for AIDS United, and on the Board of Directors for Biocom California. Dr. Dube holds a B.S. from Santa Clara University and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Cornell University.
Dr. Dube was selected as a director because of his business and professional experience and extensive drug development and commercialization experience.
Gary Lyons has served as a director of the Company since October 2013. Previously, Mr. Golding was the Senior Vice President2014 and Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, where, among other responsibilities, he oversaw the corporate investment portfolio, a position he held from August 1994 until his retirement in September 2003. Previously, from 1981 to 1994, Mr. Golding served in various management and executive positions at Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, including Senior Vice President and Comptroller, Vice President and Comptroller and Vice President-Internal Audit. Prior to joining Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, Mr. Golding served as the Vice President of Ideal Mutual Insurance Company in 1979 and as the Assistant Controller of AIG, a position he held from December 1979 to March 1980. From 1974 to 1979, Mr. Golding served in various positions at Crum & Forster, including Assistant Controller and from 1972 to 1974 Mr. Golding was employed by the Robert Stigwood Organization. Prior to 1972, Mr. Golding worked for the independent accounting firm of Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) as an auditor. Mr. Golding serves on the Board of Directors of United Automobile Insurance Group, where he is a member of the Corporate Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Investment Committee and the M&T Bank New Jersey Advisory Board, as Trustee of the John A. Forster Trust. Mr. Golding previously served on the Board of Directors of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. and Neurologix, Inc. where he was Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Golding previously served on the Board of Directors of Somerset Hills Bancorp and National Atlantic Holding Corporation. Mr. Golding is a retired CPA and a member of the American Institute of CPAs and a member of the New York State Society of CPAs. A graduate of St. John Fisher College, Mr. Golding holds an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickenson University. Mr. Golding is also a graduate of the Advanced Education Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Mr. Golding was selected as a director because of his extensive experience in financial management, audit and corporate governance.

John Kozarich, Ph.D. has served as a directorChair of the Company since April 2015. Dr. Kozarich is Chairman and President of ActivX Biosciences in La Jolla, California. From 1992 to 2001, he was vice president at Merck Research Laboratories and previously held professorships at the University of Maryland and Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Kozarich is also an adjunct professor of Chemical Physiology at the Scripps Research Institute and serves on several boards, including QLT, Inc., Ligand Pharmceuticals and the Board of Trustees of the Gordon Research Conferences. He is also a recent recipient of the Distinguished Scientist Award from the San Diego Section of the American Chemical Society. Dr. Kozarich earned his B.S. in chemistry, summa cum

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laude, from Boston College, his Ph.D. in biological chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University.

Dr. Kozarich was selected as a director because of his life sciences company experience and extensive scientific and drug discovery experience.

Gary Lyonshas served as a director of the Company since October 2014.May 2016. Previously, Mr. Lyons was the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences from 1993 to 2008 and remains as a member of theits Board of Directors. Prior to joining Neurocrine, Mr. Lyons held a number of senior management positions at Genentech, Inc., including Vice President of Business Development and Vice President of Sales. Mr. Lyons currently serves on the Board of Directors for:of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing drugs for the treatment of inflammatory/autoimmune and metabolic diseases; Vical Incorporated, a biotechnology company focused on the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases; and CytoriEledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Novus Therapeutics, Inc.), a company focused on stem cell therapies.therapeutics for immune disorders; and Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly known as Brickell Biotech, Inc.), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing prescription therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, and other debilitating diseases. Mr. Lyons was previouslyis also a director of PDL BioPharma, Inc., Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc., NeurogesX, Inc., KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Facet Biotech Corporation.Senior Advisor for HealthCare Royalty Partners. Mr. Lyons holds a B.S.B.A. in Marine Biology from the University of New Hampshire and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Management.

Mr. Lyons was selected as a director because of his extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and his breadth and range of experience in operations, corporate leadership, strategy and commercialization.

Jeffrey Meckler has served as a director of the Company since October 2014. Since August 2021, Mr. Meckler is thehas served as Chief Executive Officer of Indaptus Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Intec Inc.), a biopharmaceutical company. From April 2017 to August 2021, Mr. Meckler served as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chair of the Board of Intec Pharma, Ltd. He served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of CoCrystal Pharma, Inc. He is also, a pharmaceutical company, from April 2015 to July 2016, as a director of QLT, Inc., an ultra-orphan opthalmicophthalmic biotechnology company based in Canada, from June 2012 to November 2016, as well as the Managing Director of The Andra Group, a life sciences consulting firm. Previously, Mr. Meckler acted as a director of several biopharmaceutical companies and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Cypress Bioscience Inc. after its acquisition by Royalty Pharma. He has also served as a director of ClearFarma USA, Kyalin Bioscience and Alveolus Inc.medical device companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Meckler held a series of positions at Pfizer Inc. in Manufacturing Systems, Market Research, Business Development, Strategic Planning and Corporate Finance, which included playing a significant role in acquisitions and divestitures. Mr. Meckler is the past President and continues to serve on the board of Children of Bellevue, a non-profit organization focused on advocating and developing pediatric programs at Bellevue Hospital Center. Mr. Meckler holds a
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B.S. in Industrial Management and M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University. In addition, Mr. Meckler received a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.

Law.

Mr. Meckler was selected as a director because he has over 2030 years in the life sciences sector including business development, strategic planning and corporate finance.

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John A. Orwin has served as a director of the Company since March 2017. Since April 2018, Mr. Orwin has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atreca, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. From June 2013 through June 2017, Mr. Orwin served as Chief Executive Officer of Relypsa, Inc. and from June 2013 through March 2017 also served as President of Relypsa and served on its board of directors from June 2013 until Relypsa’s acquisition by the Galenica Group in September 2016. Prior to Relypsa, Mr. Orwin served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Affymax, Inc., a biotechnology company, from April 2010 to January 2011, and as Affymax’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors from February 2011 to May 2013. Previously, Mr. Orwin served as Vice President and then Senior Vice President of the BioOncology Business Unit at Genentech, Inc. (now a member of the Roche Group), a biotechnology company, and served in various executive-level positions at Johnson & Johnson, a life sciences company. Prior to such roles, Mr. Orwin held senior marketing and sales positions at various life sciences and pharmaceutical companies, including Alza Corporation (acquired by Johnson & Johnson), Sangstat Medical Corporation (acquired by Genzyme), Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (merged with Sanofi-Aventis) and Schering-Plough Corporation (merged with Merck). Mr. Orwin currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Seagen Inc., a biotechnology company, and as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the privately held biotechnology company CARGO Therapeutics (formerly Syncopation Life Sciences). Previously he served as a member of the board of directors of Relypsa and Affymax, served on the board of directors of NeurogesX, Inc., and on the board of directors of Array BioPharma Inc. from November 2012 until its acquisition by Pfizer in July of 2019. Mr. Orwin received a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from New York University.
Mr. Orwin was selected as a director because of his extensive commercial and strategic business experience within the life sciences industry.
Sandra Poole has served as a director of the Company since May 2019. Since July 2020, Ms. Poole has served as the Chief Operating Officer of Mythic Therapeutics, an early-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapy. Prior to Mythic, Ms. Poole served as the Chief Operating Officer of LogicBio Therapeutics, Inc., a genome editing company from April 2018 to March 2019, and of Candel Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, from January 2020 to March 2020. Prior to LogicBio, Ms. Poole held executive roles of increasing responsibility at ImmunoGen, Inc., a company developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat cancer, including serving as Senior Vice President of Technical Operations from September 2014 to July 2015, Executive Vice President, Technical Operations from July 2015 to October 2016 and Executive Vice President, Technical Operations and Commercial Development from October 2016 to January 2017. From February 2017 to March 2018 Ms. Poole served as managing director of S.E.P. Life Sciences Consulting LLL (formerly S. Poole Consulting LLC), a biopharmaceutical consulting company. Before joining ImmunoGen, Ms. Poole spent more than 15 years in global operations, manufacturing and process development leadership positions at Genzyme (now Sanofi Genzyme). Previously, Ms. Poole served on the Supervisory Board for Valneva, SE a France based vaccine company, and on the Board of Directors of ViaCyte, a privately held biotechnology until its acquisition by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in July of 2022. Ms. Poole holds an M.A.Sc. and a B.A.Sc. in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo (Canada).
Ms. Poole was selected as a director because of her extensive manufacturing strategy, technical operations, and product development experience across multiple therapeutic areas in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Ron Squarer has served as a director of the Company since April 2017. Since March 2020, Mr. Squarer has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of ADC Therapeutics SA, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and since December 2019, has served for the Board of Directors of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Squarer has extensive commercial, development and executive leadership expertise from a greater than 25-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, Mr. Squarer served as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Array BioPharma, Inc., an oncology focused biopharmaceutical company from April 2012 to July 2019, when Array BioPharma, Inc. was acquired by Pfizer, Inc. at a total enterprise value of approximately $11.4 billion. Prior to this, Mr. Squarer held positions of increasing responsibility with Hospira Inc., a global pharmaceutical and medical device company, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, where he was responsible for delivering $4 billion in annual revenue and leading more than 2,000 employees worldwide. Mr. Squarer joined Hospira from Mayne Pharma, an oncology-focused, global pharmaceutical company, where he served as Senior Vice President, Global Corporate and Business Development when Mayne was sold to Hospira for $2 billion in 2007. Prior to Mayne Pharma, Mr. Squarer held senior management roles at both Pfizer, Inc., focused on global oncology commercial development, and at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (now GlaxoSmithKline) in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Squarer holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
Mr. Squarer was selected as a director because of his extensive commercial, development and executive leadership expertise in the pharmaceutical industry.
Ruth Williams-Brinkley has served as a director of the Company since September 2021. Since June 2020, Ms. Williams-Brinkley has served as President of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, overseeing all of Kaiser Permanente’s care delivery and health plan operations in Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 2017 as President of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest, in Portland, Oregon. Prior to joining Kaiser, Ms. Williams-Brinkley served as CEO of KentuckyOne Health, Kentucky’s largest integrated health system from 2011 to 2017, as President and CEO of Carondelet Health Network in Tucson, Arizona, an affiliate of Ascension Health, from 2008 to 2011 and as President and CEO of Memorial Health Care System of Chattanooga, Tennessee, an affiliate of Catholic Health Initiatives, from 2002 to 2008. Ms. Williams-Brinkley currently serves as a member of the Board of
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS


Directors of Natera, Inc., a genetic testing and diagnostics company. Currently Ms. Williams-Brinkley also serves on the Board of Directors of University of Phoenix, and on the not for profit Boards of DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, Connected DMV, United Way of the National Capital Area, and the Leverage Network which is an organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of Black executives on board and in senior leadership roles in all sectors of the healthcare industry. Previously, she served as a member of the Board of Directors of Results Physiotherapy, a private care delivery company until it was acquired by Upstream Rehabilitation in 2021 and Chattem, Inc. until it was acquired by Sanofi in 2009. Earlier in her career, Ms. Williams-Brinkley held various nursing staff and management roles of increasing responsibility. Ms. Williams-Brinkley received her B.S. and Master’s of Science in Nursing from DePaul University and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Ms. Williams-Brinkley was selected as a director because of her extensive strategic, operational and business experience and her expertise within the healthcare field.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

VOTE FOR EACH NAMED NOMINEE


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INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Independence of the Board of Directors

As required under the Nasdaq listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company’s Board of Directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors consults with the Company’s counsel to ensure that the determinations of the Board of Directors are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent Nasdaq listing standards, as in effect from time to time. Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his family members, and the Company, its senior management and its independent auditors, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that the following fivenine directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards: Dr. Baynes, Dr. Bruhn, Mr. Coughlin, Mr. Golding, Dr. Kozarich,Lyons, Mr. Lyons,Meckler, Mr. Orwin, Ms. Poole, Mr. Squarer and Mr. Meckler.Ms. Williams-Brinkley. In making this determination, the Board of Directors found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with the Company. With respect to the independence assessment of Ms. Williams-Brinkley, the Board specifically took into consideration the revenue we have received from Kaiser, as described below under “Related-Party Transactions” and determined that such amounts were based on arms’ length transactions in the ordinary course of business and did not impact the determination of Ms. Williams-Brinkley’s independence. Following our Annual Meeting, assuming the election of our sixten nominees for director named in these proxy materials, we will have fivenine independent directors and one non-independent director, Mr. Aselage,Dr. Dube, who serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Aselage, who was our previous President and Chief Executive Officer, also served as a non-independent director until his retirement from the Board in May 2022.

Board Leadership Structure

It is the Company’s policy to separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and ChairmanChair of the Board. This separation recognizes the independent roles of the Board of Directors, ChairmanChair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors sets Company strategy and provides oversight and accountability for the Chief Executive Officer and Company management. The ChairmanChair of the Board presides over the Board of Directors and provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer and the balance of the Board of Directors set Company goals with the Chief Executive Officer providing leadership and day to day oversight in furtherance of those goals. The Company believes that separation of the Board of Directors and Company leadership preserves the independence of these roles and maximizes performance.

Furthermore, our Board is committed to strong corporate governance which is used to promoteperformance, increases management accountability and improves the long term interestability of Retrophin and our stockholders. In the last two years, the Board has appointed four new directors: Mr. Coughlin, who was selected becauseto monitor whether management’s actions are in the best interests of his experiencethe Company and expertise in finance, Dr. Kozarich, who was selected because of his experience and expertise in product research, Mr. Lyons, who was selected because of his experience and expertise in commercial operations and Mr. Meckler, who was selected because of his experience and expertise in business development.

its stockholders, including with respect to evaluating whether steps being taking by management to manage risks are appropriate for the Company.

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

We face a number of risks, including those described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Our Board of Directors believes that risk management is an important part of establishing, updating and executing on the Company’s business strategy. Our Board of Directors, as a whole and at the committee level, has oversight responsibility relating to risks that could affect the corporate strategy, business objectives, compliance, operations, and the financial condition and performance of the Company. Our Board of Directors focuses its oversight on the most significant risks facing the Company and on its processes to identify, prioritize, assess, manage and mitigate those risks. Our Board of Directors and its committees receive regular reports from members ofregularly discuss with management the Company’s senior management on areas of materialsignificant risk exposure and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, as well as the Company, including strategic, operational, financial, legal and regulatoryidentification of potential emerging risks.
While ourthe Board of Directors has anultimate oversight role, management is principally tasked with direct responsibility for the risk management and assessmentprocess, it has delegated portions of risks and the implementation of processes and controlsthis responsibility to mitigate their effects on the Company.

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its committees. The Audit Committee, as part of its responsibilities, oversees the management of financial risks, including accounting matters, liquidity and credit risks, corporate tax positions, insurance coverage, and cash investment strategy and results. The Audit Committee is also responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, if required, and its independent registered public accounting firm, as well as our systems of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation and overall compensation and benefit strategies, plans, arrangements, practices and policies.policies, as well as oversight of our Human Capital related initiatives. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee oversees the management of risks associated with our overall compliance and corporate governance practices, and the independence and composition of our Board of Directors.Directors, and has taken the lead on coordinating ESG related activities among the Board committees. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee also serves a coordination role on behalf of the Board in the review of our enterprise risk management program with management. The Science and Medical Technology Committee reviews the risks associated with our research and development activities, including clinical, regulatory and manufacturing risks. These committees provide regular reports, on at least a quarterly basis, to the full Board of Directors.

The participation of the full Board of Directors in setting the Company’s business strategy incorporates assessment and oversight of strategic risks for the Company as a whole.

Cybersecurity and ESG Oversight
During 2022, our Board received quarterly updates from management on the state of the Company’s cybersecurity risk management efforts. Also in 2022, our Board and management regularly discussed the Company’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging ("DEIB") initiatives. In addition to the several programs we actively promote related to DEIB in the patient community, including those aimed at improving health equity for under-represented communities, we are also focused on efforts to increase the diversity of our workforce. We disclose information about our DEIB efforts on our website. Information on our website is not incorporated into this proxy statement.
Board Self-Assessment
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee ensures that the Board and each of its committees are annually assessed with an aim toward enhancing effectiveness. Directors complete an evaluation in order to provide performance feedback and suggestions for improved effectiveness or contributions. The assessments are done by way of a questionnaire conducted by our external legal counsel, Cooley LLP. The
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assessments are treated on a confidential basis, with the results tallied on an anonymous basis for review. The results of the evaluation are analyzed by our General Counsel, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board, who decide whether any changes are needed to the Board’s processes, procedures, composition or Committee structure. The evaluation carried out in 2022 indicated that the Board and its committees were effectively fulfilling their responsibilities.
Board Education
The Board recognizes the importance of ongoing director education. In order to facilitate directors’ educational development, the members of the Board of Directors regularly meet with management and are given periodic presentations on our business and recent business developments. Members of the Board of Directors also periodically meet with other senior decision-makers within the Company as well as outside experts in order to enhance the Board’s understanding of our business and operations. In addition, on an annual basis our Board holds an all-day strategic session with members of our management team in conjunction with the quarterly board meeting. All of our directors have access to resources and ongoing educational opportunities to help them stay current about developments in corporate governance and critical issues relating to the operation of public company boards and their committees. The Company also encourages and provides funding for members of the Board of Directors to attend outside director continuing education events.
Meetings of the Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors met ten times and acted by written consentheld nine timesboard meetings during 2015.2022. All directors who served in 20152022 attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which they served, in each case that were held during the portion of the last fiscal year for which they were directors or committee members, respectively.

Information Regarding Committees of the Board of Directors

The standing committees of our Board of Directors consist of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee and the Science and Medical Technology Committee. The composition and responsibilities of each committee are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors may also establish from time to time any other committees that it deems necessary or advisable. The following table provides membership information for each of the Board committees:

Name  Age Current Position(s) Independent Director
Since
  Committee
            Audit Compensation Nominating /
Corporate
Governance
Stephen Aselage  64 President,

Chief Executive Officer
and Director

  2012    
Tim Coughlin  48 Director X 2015  Chairman  X
Cornelius E. Golding  68 Director X 2013  X X 
John Kozarich  65 Director X 2015   X Chairman
Gary Lyons  63 Director* X 2014   Chairman X
Jeffrey Meckler  49 Director and Chairman* X 2014  X  

*As of the Annual Meeting, Mr. Meckler will step-down as the Chairman of the Board, following which the Board has appointed Mr. Lyons to serve as the Chairman of the Board.

NameAgeCurrent Position(s)Independent
Director
Since
Committee
     AuditCompensation
Nominating /
Corporate
Governance
Science & Medical Technology
Roy Baynes68DirectorX2016XChair
Suzanne Bruhn59DirectorX2020XX
Timothy Coughlin56DirectorX2015ChairX
Eric Dube50Chief Executive Officer and Director2019
Gary Lyons71Director*X2014
Jeffrey Meckler56DirectorX2014XChair
John A. Orwin58DirectorX2017Chair
Sandra Poole59DirectorX2019XX
Ron Squarer56DirectorX2017X
Ruth Williams-Brinkley71DirectorX2021X
* Chair of the Board of Directors
Below is a description of each committee of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that, except as specifically described below, each member of each committee meets the applicable Nasdaq rules and regulations regarding “independence” and that each member is free of any relationship that would impair his or her individual exercise of independent judgment with regard to the Company.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting our Board of Directors in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors, and our internal

13


financial and accounting controls. The Audit Committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention (including termination) and oversight of our independent auditors, and our independent auditors report directly to the Audit Committee.

The members of the Audit Committee currently are Messrs. Coughlin, GoldingMeckler and Meckler.Squarer. Mr. Coughlin has served as chair of the Audit Committee since April 1, 2015. All members of the Audit Committee qualify as an independent director under the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).Act. Our Board of Directors has determined that all three Audit Committee members qualify as “audit committee financial experts” as such term is currently defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

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The Audit Committee has adopted a formal, written Audit Committee charter that complies with Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)SEC rules and regulations and the Nasdaq listing standards. We believe that the composition and functioning of our Audit Committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and all applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Audit Committee met fivefour times and acted by written consent one time during 2015.2022. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is available on the investors section of our website atwww.retrophin.comwww.travere.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report for fiscal 2015.

2022.

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors*

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152022 with management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“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 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 the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

2022.
Mr. Coughlin (Chair)
Mr. GoldingMeckler
Mr. MecklerSquarer

*
*The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee approves the compensation objectives for the Company, approves the compensation of the chief executive officer, to be ratified by the independent directors, and approves or recommends to our Board of Directors for approval the compensation for other executives. The Compensation Committee reviews all compensation components, including base salary, bonus, benefits and other perquisites.

The members of the Compensation Committee currently are Messrs. GoldingCoughlin and LyonsOrwin, Dr. Bruhn and Dr. Kozarich.Ms. Williams-Brinkley. Mr. Lyons served on the Compensation Committee until May 2022. Mr. Orwin serves as chair of the Compensation Committee. Each member of the Compensation Committee (including Mr. Lyons during his time on the Compensation Committee) is a non-employee director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, each is an outside director as defined by Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the

14


“Code”), and each is an independent director as defined by the Nasdaq Listing Rules, including Nasdaq Listing 5605(d)(2).

The Compensation Committee has adopted a formal, written Compensation Committee charter that complies with SEC rules and regulations and the Nasdaq listing standards. We believe that the composition and functioning of our Compensation Committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and all applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Compensation Committee met five times and acted by written consent twoseven times during 2015.2022. A copy of the Compensation Committee charter is available on the investors section of our website atwww.retrophin.comwww.travere.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report for fiscal 2015.

Report of the Compensation Committee*

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

Mr. Golding
Dr. Kozarich
Mr. Lyons

*The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

2022.

Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding candidates for directorships and the structure and composition of our Board of Directors and its committees. In addition, the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing and recommending to our Board of Directors corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company and advising our Board of Directors on corporate governance matters.

The members of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee currently are Messrs. CoughlinMr. Meckler, Dr. Baynes, and Lyons and Dr. Kozarich. Dr. KozarichMs. Poole. Mr. Meckler serves as chair of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee. Each member of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee is a non-employee director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act and an independent director as defined by the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a formal, written Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee charter that complies with SEC rules and regulations and the Nasdaq listing standards. We believe that the composition and functioning of our Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and all applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee met fourtwo times during 2015.2022. A copy of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee charter is available on the investors section of our website atwww.retrophin.comwww.travere.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report for fiscal 2015.

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2022.

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Science and Medical Technology Committee
The Board of Directors created a Science and Medical Technology Committee in 2017, and it is currently comprised of Dr. Baynes, Dr. Bruhn, and Ms. Poole. Dr. Baynes serves as chair of the Science and Medical Technology Committee. Mr. Aselage served as a member of the Science and Medical Technology Committee prior to his retirement from the Board in May 2022. The purpose of the Science and Medical Technology Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of management’s exercise of significant scientific judgments relating to the Company’s research and development activities and portfolio. The Science and Medical Technology Committee met three times during 2022.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Any stockholder or other interested party who desires to communicate with any of the members of the Board of Directors may do so by writing to: Board of Directors, Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc., 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, CACalifornia 92130. Communications may be addressed to an individual director, a Board committee, the non-employee directors or the full Board of Directors. Communications will then be distributed to the appropriate directors unless the ChairmanChair determines that the information submitted constitutes “spam” and/ or communications offering to buy or sell products or services.

Director Nomination Process

In selecting non-incumbent candidates and reviewing the qualifications of incumbent candidates for the Board of Directors, the Nominating/CorporateNominating /Corporate Governance Committee considers the Company’s corporate governance guidelines,Corporate Governance Guidelines, which include the following:

Directors should be less than 70 years of age at the time of first election;
Directors should be a member of not more than sixfour other public company boards of directors; if a member of the Audit Committee serve as chairmanchair of not more than two other audit committees of public companies; if a named executive officer of a public company serve on not more than two other public company boards of directors;
Directors should qualify as independent under the Nasdaq listing requirements, be a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, be an “outside director” under the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and have no material relationship with the Company;
Directors should have the diversity of skills, professional experience, education, associations, achievements, training, points of view and individual qualities and attributes appropriate for representation on the Board of Directors;Directors. The Committee also considers and endeavors to reflect other aspects of diversity, including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other self-identified diversity characteristics;
Directors should have no affiliation with a competitor or have, or appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair their ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a director and represent the shareholders;stockholders;
Directors should have highest quality personal and professional references;
Directors should attend at least 75% of the scheduled Board of Directors meetings and provide meaningful participation; and
Directors should have a commitment to adhere to the Company’s policies.

On an annual basis the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each of the members of the Board of Directors in light of the Company’s business and structure to conclude that each such person should continue to serve as a director. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee annually will review with the Board of Directors the skills and characteristics required of the members in the context of the then current membership of the Board of Directors.

Directors should notify the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee in the event of any significant change in their employment responsibilities or affiliations.

It is the Company’s policy to have a diversity of skills, professional experience, education, associations, achievements, training, points of view and individual qualities and attributes represented on the Board of Directors. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers the diversity of the Board of Directors when evaluating candidates for election or re-election to the Board of Directors.

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board of Directors that brings to the Company a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience.

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In doing so, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also considers candidates with appropriate non-business backgrounds. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee generally relies upon, receives and reviews recommendations from third-party search firms as well as a wide variety of contacts, including current executive officers and directors, as sources for potential director candidates. The Board of Directors retains complete independence in making nominations for election to the Board of Directors.

The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee will consider qualified director candidates recommended by stockholders in compliance with our procedures and subject to applicable inquiries. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee’s evaluation of candidates recommended by stockholders does not differ materially from its evaluation of candidates recommended from other sources. Any stockholder may recommend nominees for director by writing to the Chair of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee, Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc., 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, California 92130, giving the name, Company stockholdings and contact information of the person making the nomination, the candidate’s name, address and other contact information, any direct or indirect holdings of our securities by the nominee, any information required to be disclosed about directors under applicable securities laws and/or stock exchange requirements, information regarding related party transactions with us, the nominee and/or the stockholder submitting the nomination and any actual or potential conflicts of interest, the nominee’s biographical data, current public and private company affiliations, employment history and qualifications and status as “independent” under applicable securities laws and/or stock exchange requirements. All of these communications will be reviewed by the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee for further review and consideration in accordance with this policy.

On an annual basis the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each of the members of the Board of Directors in light of the Company’s business and structure to determine whether each such person should continue to serve as a director. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews with the Board of Directors the skills and characteristics required of the members in the context of the then current membership of the Board of Directors.
Directors are told to notify the Chair of the Board and Chair of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee in the event of any significant change in his or her employment responsibilities or affiliations and so the Board, through the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee, can review such director's continued appropriateness of Board membership under changed circumstances.
Although according to the Company’s bylaws all elections are determined by a plurality of the votes cast, it is the Company’s policy that any nominee for director in an uncontested election who does not receive a majority of the votes cast (i.e. receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” in such election) shall submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee shall consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board of Directors the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. The Board of Directors will then act on the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation. Promptly following the Board of Directors’ decision, the Company will disclose that decision and an explanation of such decision in a filing with the SEC and a press release.
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Director Commitments and Stockholder Engagement
We consider our relationships with our stockholders to be a high priority. We recognize that stockholders can have a range of different views on our governance policies. For example, we are aware that some stockholders voiced their dissatisfaction with the number of boards that Mr. Lyons and Mr. Orwin serve on by withholding votes for their re-election last year. Mr. Lyons is retired and currently serves on four public company boards in addition to ours. Mr. Orwin, who is CEO and a member of the board of Atreca, also serves on the Seagen board. Over the past year, our Board of Directors has continued to evaluate our policy on director time commitments. To ensure that our Board of Directors and management have an opportunity to listen to and understand varying perspectives, we also discussed this topic during stockholder engagements in recent years. Following engagement and discussion, in 2021 we updated our policy on the total number of public company boards a director may serve on, as reflected in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, to be no more than four boards in addition to ours, which is consistent with the current policy of the proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”). We chose to not further limit the number of public company boards that a Board member who is an executive officer at another company may serve on and have maintained that limit at two boards in addition to ours, which is also consistent with current ISS policy. All of our directors are in compliance with our policy regarding the number of public company boards they may serve on. Our Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee and Board believe that Mr. Lyons and Mr. Orwin have each demonstrated their ability to dedicate sufficient time to carry out their Board duties effectively and believe that it is in the Company’s best interest that each continue to serve on our Board. In making this assessment, the Board took into consideration Mr. Lyons’ and Mr. Orwin’s experience as CEOs in the biopharmaceutical industry and the deep commercial and strategic business expertise each of them brings to the Board. The Board also noted with respect to each of Mr. Lyons and Mr. Orwin, as former and current public biopharmaceutical company CEOs, respectively, their regular engagement with, and ability and willingness to serve as a strategic sounding-board to, our CEO since his appointment in January 2019. With respect to Mr. Lyons, the Board also took into account his status as being retired and his exemplary attendance record, accessibility as Chair of the Board to the other Board members and our management team, and valuable contributions he has made over the years to the growth and strategic direction of the Company. With respect to Mr. Orwin, the Board further took into account the strategically valuable prior experience he has with bringing a new product to the nephrology community, as well as his consistently exemplary record of attendance and participation at the Board and Compensation Committee meetings over the past six years since joining our Board. Of note, since their appointment to our Board of Directors, Mr. Lyons and Mr. Orwin have attended 98% and 96%, respectively, of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which each has served.
Board Diversity
When it comes to the recruitment of new Board members, the Nominating / Governance Committee considers many aspects including skills, knowledge and experience as well as other diversity aspects, including but not limited to, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other self-identified diversity characteristics. We have a diversity of skills, professional experience, education, associations, achievements, training, points of view and individual qualities and attributes represented on the Board of Directors. Four out of our 10 Board members are diverse by gender, race or sexual orientation and the Board of Directors is committed to increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the Board.
The Board Diversity Matrix, below, provides the diversity statistics for our Board of Directors:
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 1, 2023)
FemaleMale
Total Number of Directors10
Part I: Gender Identity
     Directors37
Part II: Demographic Background
     African American or Black1
     White27
     LGBTQ+1
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board of Directors that brings to the Company a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience. In doing so, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also considers candidates with appropriate non-business backgrounds. The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee generally relies upon, receives and reviews recommendations from third-party search firms as well as a wide variety of contacts, including current executive officers and directors, as sources for potential director candidates. The Board of Directors retains complete independence in making nominations for election to the Board of Directors.
Our Board Diversity Matrix as of April 4, 2022 can be found in the proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 4, 2022.
Executive Sessions

As required under Nasdaq listing standards, our independent directors have in the past regularly met, and will continue in the future to regularly meet, in executive sessions in which only independent directors are present. Our independent directors met in executive session at each regularly scheduled Board meeting during 2015.

2022.


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Director Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders

We do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board at our annual meetings of stockholders. Mr. AselageDr. Dube and Dr. Bruhn attended our 20152022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Stock Ownership Guidelines
We have adopted stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executive officers. For more information about these guidelines, please see “Director Compensation – Director Stock Ownership Guidelines” and “Compensation of Executive Officers - Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Stock Ownership Guidelines” below.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Dr. Bruhn, Messrs. Coughlin, Lyons and Orwin, and Ms. Williams-Brinkley each served on the Compensation Committee during the last fiscal year. None of the members of our Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company. None of our executive officers serve, or have served during the last three years,fiscal year, as a member of the Board of Directors, Compensation Committee or other board committee performing equivalent functions of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as one of our directors or on our Compensation Committee.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers, employees and agents, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. We make our code of business conduct and ethics available on the investors section of our website atwww.retrophin.comwww.travere.com. We intend to disclose future amendments to the code or any waivers of its requirements on our website to the extent permitted by the applicable rules and exchange requirements.

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Executive Officers
For information about our executive officers, see "Executive Officers" below, which information is incorporated by reference hereunder.
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PROPOSAL 2

APPROVAL


APPROVAL OFAN AMENDMENT

TOTHE 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Overview

On March 21, 2016, 2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

Subject to stockholder approval, our Board of Directors amendedapproved an amendment to the Retrophin, Inc. 2015Company's 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”"2018 Plan"), subject in April 2023 (the 2018 Plan, as so amended, the "Amended 2018 Plan") to stockholder approval, to (i) increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 20152018 Plan by 1,600,000 shares, (ii) add a fungible reserve by which2,700,000 shares. The material terms of the share reserve is reduced by 2.0 shares for each share underlying a restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award, performance stock award or other stock award and suchAmended 2018 Plan are summarized below.
In this Proposal 2, our stockholders are being asked to approve the Amended 2018 Plan in order to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock will return to the share reserve at the same rates, and (iii)authorized for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, (a) confirm the applicable award limits for purposes of compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, (b) confirm existing performance criteria upon which performance goals may be based with respect to performance awardsissuance under the Amended 20152018 Plan and (c) confirm existing permitted means of adjustment when calculating the attainment of performance goals for performance awards granted under the Amended 2015 Plan. by an additional 2,700,000 shares.
Our Board of Directors believes that the Amended 20152018 Plan is an integral part of our long-term compensation philosophypolicy and that the Amended 20152018 Plan is necessary to continue providing the appropriate levels and types of equity compensation forto our employees.
Why We referare Asking our Stockholders to Approve the 2015Amended 2018 Plan as amended by
Our Board believes it is in the Board of Directors on March 21, 2016, as the “Amended 2015 Plan” throughout this proxy statement.

A descriptionbest interests of the material terms of the Amended 2015 Plan are summarized below. The key differences between the terms of the 2015 PlanCompany and the Amended 2015 Plan are as follows:

The Amended 2015 Plan provides that an additional 1,600,000 shares may be issued pursuant to stock awards granted under the Amended 2015 Plan.

On or after March 21, 2016, the number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan will be reduced by one share for each share subject to a stock option or stock appreciation right and by 2.0 shares for each share subject to any other type of stock award issued pursuant to the Amended 2015 Plan, and such shares will return to the share reserve at the same rates upon cancellation or other forfeiture of such awards or shares.

Why we are asking our stockholders to approve the Amended 20152018 Plan

As to increase the number of March 21, 2016, approximately 690,256 shares were availableauthorized for issuance by an additional 2,700,000 shares. If the Amended 2018 Plan is not approved, we will not have a sufficient amount of authorized shares for future issuance under the 2015 Plan, excluding the shares underlying outstanding stock awards and without giving effect2018 Plan. Prior to the approval ofBoard approving the Amended 20152018 Plan, 12,984,114 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2018 Plan. As of March 22, 2023, and after taking into account the annual 2023 grants effected in January 2023, 1,116,049 shares of common stock remained available for future grant under the 2018 Plan.

Why You Should Vote to Approve the Amended 2018 Plan
Equity Awards Are an Important Part of Our Compensation Philosophy
Our Board believes that our future success depends, in large part, on our ability to maintain a competitive position in attracting, retaining and motivating employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The Board believes that the proposed increase inissuance of equity awards is a key element underlying our ability to attract, retain and motivate employees, non-employee directors and consultants, and better aligns the numberinterests of sharesour employees, non-employee directors and consultants with those of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2015our stockholders. The Amended 2018 Plan will allow us to continue to provide equity incentives to our eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. Therefore, the Board believes that the Amended 2018 Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and recommends a vote in favor of this Proposal 2.
We Have Experienced and Expect to Continue to Experience Substantial Growth in Our Business
The Board believes that the Amended 2018 Plan is necessary to continue to attract and retain valuablethe services of talented individuals essential to our long-term growth and financial success. Our Board strongly believes that the issuance of equity awards is a key element underlying our ability to attract, retain and motivate our employees, including our executives, and our consultants and advisors, and is a substantial contributing factor to our success and the growth of our business. So far we have relied significantly on equity incentives in the form of stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards to attract and retain key employees, and continuewe believe that equity incentives are necessary for us to provide its employees, consultants and directors with a proprietary interestremain competitive in the Company. Within the Company, equity awards foster an ownership culturemarketplace for executive talent and are a critical tool for driving shareholder value and for recruiting, retaining and motivatingother employees. The Company grants annual equity awards to employees as an incentive to retain its work force and remain competitive. The terms of the Company’s annual equity awards and the Company’s employee policies are designed to align employee and shareholder interests. The Company grants equity awards to a broad group of employees and such awards constitute a significant component of the Company’s employees’ total compensation. The Company’s equity awards contain long-term vesting, performance-based vesting, and provisions designed to encourage employees to focus on the Company’s long-term goals and success. If our stockholders do not approve the Amended 20152018 Plan, the Company strongly believes that it will be unable to successfully use equity as part of its compensation program, as most of its competitors in the industry do, putting the Company at a significant disadvantage and compromising its ability to enhance shareholderstockholder value. Without replenishment, we
We Consider Dilution and Manage Our Equity Incentive Award Use Carefully
We continue to believe that equity awards such number of shares may be insufficient to meet our anticipated employee recruiting and retention needs for the current year or beyond.

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Approval of the Amended 2015 Plan by our stockholders will also constitute approval of terms and conditions set forth therein that will permit us to grantas stock options and performancerestricted stock units are a vital part of our overall compensation program. Our compensation philosophy reflects broad-based eligibility for equity incentive awards, under the Amended 2015 Plan that may qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation and its affiliates for certain compensation paid to “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to a covered employee exceeds $1 million. However, some kinds of compensation, including qualified “performance-based compensation,” are not subject to this deduction limitation and we believe it is ingrant awards to substantially all of our employees. However, we recognize that equity awards dilute existing stockholders, and, therefore, we must responsibly manage the best interestsgrowth of usour equity compensation program. We are committed to effectively monitoring our equity compensation share reserve, including our “burn rate,” to ensure that we maximize stockholders’ value by granting the appropriate number of equity incentive awards necessary to attract, reward, and retain employees.

We recognize that some of our stockholders utilize internal calculations to preserve the abilitydetermine whether to grant “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. For the grant of awards undersupport a plancompany’s proposal to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, among other things, the plan must (i) describe the employees eligible to receive such awards, (ii) provide a per-person limit onincrease the number of shares subjectreserved for issuance under an equity plan, including potential dilution to stock optionsstockholders as a percentage of common shares outstanding. Under those calculations, our historical equity dilution may appear high relative to peer companies. This is primarily due to the fact that we are a relatively young company as well as the fact that we did not raise capital through the sale of dilutive equity for a five year period spanning from mid-2015 to mid-2020. Many of our peers have consistently relied on repetitive dilutive equity financings resulting in a significantly higher number of outstanding common shares than we currently have outstanding. While we have conducted some equity financing, including in February 2023 for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $216 million, we have otherwise primarily relied on our commercial revenues, the sale of a priority review voucher for $245 million and performance stock awards,convertible note financings, including the currently outstanding $316 million convertible notes issued in March 2022, and the amountremaining $69 million in convertible notes outstanding from our September 2018 issuance, to fund our operations. Even with our equity financing earlier this year, we still have not increased the number of cash that mayour common shares outstanding to a level commensurate with what might be subjecttypical for a development stage biopharmaceutical company of our size. In order to performance cashexecute on our pipeline, maximize the potential of our commercial portfolio and support the projected growth of our company, including with respect to the recent launch of FILSPARI, within a competitive biopharmaceutical labor market, we need highly talented and skilled individuals with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Appropriate equity awards grantedare a key aspect to any employee underattracting, retaining and incentivizing these talented and skilled individuals.
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The Size of Our Share Reserve Request is Reasonable
If the plan in any year, and (iii) include one or more pre-established business criteria upon which the performance goals for performance awards may be granted (or become vested or exercisable). These terms must beAmended 2018 Plan is approved by the stockholders and, accordingly, our stockholders, are requestedwe expect to approve the Amended 2015 Plan,have approximately 3,816,049 shares available for grant after our annual meeting, which includes terms regarding eligibility for awards, per-person limits on awards and the business criteria for performance awards granted under the Amended 2015 Plan.

In requesting approval of the Amended 2015 Plan, we are asking stockholders foranticipate being a pool of shares that we believe, absent a material company acquisition or similar event, will be sufficient for approximately the next yearnecessary to provide an appropriatea predictable amount of equity for attracting, retaining, and motivating employees. The size of our request is also reasonable in light of the equity granted to our employees and directors as we continueover the past year.

Important Aspects of Our Amended 2018 Plan Designed to grow our business. We base this belief on a projected annual burn rate of 5.5% for 2016.

Overhang

The following table provides certain additional information regarding our equity incentive program.

   As of December 31,
2015
 

Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options

   5,665,584  

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options

  $17.05  

Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options

   8.75  

Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding full value awards

   429,666  

Total number of shares of common stock available for grant without giving effect to the approval of the Amended 2015 Plan

   685,045  

Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under other equity incentive plans

   0  
   As of Record
Date
 

Total number of shares of common stock outstanding

       36,585,768  

Per-share closing price of common stock as reported on NASDAQ Global Market

  $13.09  

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Burn Rate

The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to our equity incentive plans for fiscal year 2015.

Fiscal Year 2015

Total number of shares of common stock subject to stock options granted

2,285,000

Total number of shares of common stock subject to full value awards granted

273,000

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding

33,560,249

Burn Rate

7.62%

Protect Our Stockholders’ Interests

The Amended 2015 Plan Combines Compensation and Governance Best Practices

In addition, the Amended 20152018 Plan includes provisions that are designed to protect our stockholders’ interests and to reflect corporate governance best practices including:

Repricing is not allowed without stockholder approval. The Amended 2015 Plan prohibits the repricing of outstanding equity awards and the cancellation of any outstanding equity awards that have an exercise price or strike price greater than the current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other stock awards under the Amended 2015 Plan without prior stockholder approval.

Stockholder approval is required for additional shares. The Amended 2015 Plan does not contain an annual “evergreen” provision. The Amended 2015
No single trigger accelerated vesting upon change in control. The Amended 2018 Plan does not provide for any automatic mandatory vesting of awards upon a change in control.
No liberal share counting or recycling. The following shares will not become available again for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan: (i) shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy the exercise or purchase price of a stock award; (ii) shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with a stock award; and (iii) any shares repurchased by us on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise or purchase price of a stock award.
Minimum vesting requirements. The Amended 2018 Plan provides that no award will vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of the award; provided, however, that up to 5% of the aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the Amended 2018 Plan may be subject to awards which do not meet such vesting requirements.
Recoup/clawback. Awards granted under the Amended 2018 Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that we are required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law.
Repricing is not allowed without stockholder approval. The Amended 2018 Plan prohibits the repricing of outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights and the cancellation of any outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights that have an exercise or strike price greater than the then-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other stock awards under the Amended 2018 Plan without prior stockholder approval.
Stockholder approval is required for additional shares. The Amended 2018 Plan does not contain an annual “evergreen” provision. The Amended 2018 Plan authorizes a fixed number of shares, so that stockholder approval is required to issue any additional shares, allowing our stockholders to have direct input on our equity compensation programs.
No liberal change in control definition. The change in control definition in the Amended 2018 Plan is not a “liberal” definition. A change in control transaction must actually occur in order for the change in control provisions in the Amended 2018 Plan to be triggered.
No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended 2018 Plan must have an exercise or strike price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is granted.
Administration by independent committee. The Amended 2018 Plan will be administered by the members of our Compensation Committee, all of whom are “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and “independent” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards.
Flexibility in designing equity compensation scheme. The Amended 2018 Plan allows us to provide a broad array of equity incentives, including traditional option grants, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards, and other stock awards. By providing this flexibility we can quickly and effectively react to trends in compensation practices and continue to offer competitive compensation arrangements to attract and retain the talent necessary for the success of our business.
Broad based eligibility for equity awards. We grant equity awards to a large portion of our employees. By doing so, we tie our employees’ interests with stockholder interests and motivate our employees to act as owners of the business.
Material amendments require stockholder approval. Consistent with Nasdaq rules, the Amended 2018 Plan requires stockholder approval of any material revisions to the Amended 2018 Plan. In addition, certain other amendments to the Amended 2018 Plan require stockholder approval.
Limit on non-employee director awards and other awards. The Amended 2018 Plan contains a limit on non-employee director compensation.
Restrictions on dividends. The Amended 2018 Plan provides that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any shares of our common stock subject to an award before the date such shares have vested, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of the applicable award agreement (including any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend
15


equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to us on the date such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to a failure to vest.
Overhang
The following table provides certain additional information regarding our equity incentive program.
As of March 22, 2023
Total number of shares so that stockholder approval is required to issue any additional shares, allowing our stockholders to have direct input on our equity compensation programs.

Reasonable share counting provisions. In general, when awards granted under the Amended 2015 Plan lapse or are canceled, the shares reserved for those awards will be returned to the share reserve and be available for future awards. However, shares of common stock tendered to us in payment of the exercise price of stock options or stock appreciation rights, or withheld by us to cover tax withholding obligations relating to the stock awards will not be returned to our share reserve.

Fungible Share Reserve.The Amended 2015 Plan has a fungible share reserve, which increases the rate at which the share reserve is depleted for stock awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights, in order to minimize stockholder dilution. The number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan will be reduced by one share for each share of common stock subject to aoutstanding stock option oroptions10,765,968 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock appreciation right and by 2.0options$21.66 
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options (in years)6.05 
Total number of shares for each share of common stock subject to any other typeoutstanding full value awards (1)3,735,413 
Total number of award issued pursuant to the Amended 2015 Plan, and such shares of common stock will returnavailable for grant without giving effect to the share reserve at the same rates.

No liberal change in control provisions. The definition of change in control in our Amended 2015 Plan requires the consummation of an actual transaction so that no vesting acceleration benefits may occur without an actual change in control transaction occurring.

No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. All stock options and stock appreciation rights must have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is granted.

Flexibility in designing equity compensation scheme. The Amended 2015 Plan allows us to provide a broad array of equity incentives, including traditional option grants, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards, other stock awards and performance cash awards. By providing this flexibility we can quickly and effectively react to trends in compensation practices and continue to offer competitive compensation arrangements to attract and retain the talent necessary for the success of our business.

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Broad based eligibility for equity awards. We grant equity awards to a large portion of our employees. By doing so, we tie our employees’ interests with stockholder interests and motivate our employees to act as ownersapproval of the business.2018 Plan1,116,049 

(1) Includes 223,298 unearned performance-based restricted stock units
Limit on equity awards. The Amended 2015 Plan limits the
As of March 22, 2023
Total number of shares of our common stock that may be granted to any one participant during any one fiscal year.outstanding74,545,556 
Per-share closing price of common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market$19.60 

Burn Rate
The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to our equity incentive plans for fiscal year 2022.
Minimum vesting requirements. The Amended 2015 Plan provides that, except as may be provided in connection with a corporate transaction or a change in control, no restricted stock award, restricted stock unit, performance stock award or other stock award will vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of the award;provided, however, that up to 5% of the aggregate
Fiscal Year 2022
Total number of shares that may be issued under the Amended 2015 Plan may beof common stock subject to stock options granted1,746,270 
Total number of shares of common stock subject to full value awards which do not meet such vesting requirements.granted1,533,518 
Total number of shares of common stock subject to performance-based awards vested17,500 
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding63,758,515 
Burn Rate5.17 %

Description of the Amended 2015 Equity Incentive2018 Plan

The material features of the Amended 20152018 Plan are outlineddescribed below. ThisThe following description of the Amended 2018 Plan is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Amended 20152018 Plan. Stockholders are urged to read the actual text of the Amended 20152018 Plan in its entirety, which is appendedattached to this proxy statement as Appendix A and may be accessed from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Background and A.

Purpose

The purpose of the Amended 20152018 Plan is designed to secure and retain the services of our employees, directors and consultants, provide incentives for our employees, directors and consultants to exert maximum efforts for the success of our company and our affiliates, and provide a means by which such personsour employees, directors and consultants may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of the Company’sour common stock, to assist the Company in recruiting new employees and directors, retaining the services of current employees and directors, and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the Company’s success.

stock.

Types of Awards

The terms of the Amended 20152018 Plan provide for the grant of incentive stock options, or ISOs, nonstatutory stock options, or NSOs,stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights, other stock awards, and performance awards that may be settled in cash, stock, or other property.

Shares Available for Awards

After giving effect

Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the approval of Proposal No. 2, the totalaggregate number of shares of the Company’sour common stock reserved for issuancethat may be issued under the Amended 20152018 Plan, would be 2,290,256 asor the Share Reserve, will not exceed the sum of March 21, 2016. This share reserve consists(A) 15,684,114 shares (which number is the sum of (a) 690,256(i) 1,800,000 shares currently reserved for issuanceoriginally added to the Share Reserve in connection with the Company's adoption of the 2018 Plan, (ii) 2,000,000 shares that were added, with approval by our stockholders, in May 2019, (iii) 2,400,000 shares that were added, with approval by our stockholders, in May 2020, (iv) 3,200,000 shares that were added, with approval by our stockholders, in May 2021, (v) 2,000,000 shares that were added, with approval by our stockholders, in May 2022, (vi) 2,700,000 shares that are subject to approval by our stockholders under the 2015 Plan, plus (b) an additional 1,600,000this Proposal 2, and (vii) 1,584,114 shares subject to approvalthe Prior Plans' Available Reserve (as defined below)), and (B) any Prior Plans’ Returning Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time to time.
The “Prior Plans’ Available Reserve” refers to the unallocated shares that, as of the stockholders ateffective date of the Annual Meeting. In addition, the share reserve will be increased by the number of shares subject to stock awards outstanding2018 Plan, remained available for grant under the Retrophin, Inc.Company's 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and the Company's 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan (collectively, the “Prior Plans”).
The “Prior Plans’ Returning Shares” are shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plans that, from and after the effective date of the 2018 Plan, (i) expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise and wouldor settlement or (ii) are forfeited, cancelled or otherwise be returned to us because of the share reserves underfailure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such plan. Any shares subject to a stock option that are not delivered to a participant because the stock option is exercised through a reductionshares.
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The number of shares subject to theof our common stock award (i.e., “net exercised”) will not again become available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan. Additionally, any shares reacquired2018 Plan will be reduced by us(i) one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to our withholding obligations in connection with the issuance or vesting of stock or upon the exercise of a stock option or stock appreciation right will not again become available for issuance underwith an exercise or strike price of at least 100% of the Amended 2015 Plan. The numberfair market value of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan will be reduced byunderlying common stock on the date of grant, and (ii) one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a full value award (i.e., any stock award that is not a stock option or stock appreciation right with an Optionexercise or Stock Appreciation Right and 2.0strike price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant).
If (i) any shares for each share of Common Stock issued pursuantcommon stock subject to a restricted stock award restricted stock unit award, performance stock award or other stock award after March 21, 2016.

In addition, if aare not issued because the stock award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by suchthe stock award having been issued in full or is settled in cash, such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce

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(or otherwise offset) the number of shares of common stock that may be available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan. If(ii) any shares of common stock issued pursuant to a stock award are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vestfor the vesting of such shares, then thesuch shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan. To2018 Plan (collectively, the extent there is“2018 Plan Returning Shares”). For each 2018 Plan Returning Share subject to a share of common stock issued pursuantfull value award, or Prior Plans’ Returning Share subject to a stock award (whether granted under the Amended 2015 Plan or the Retrophin, Inc. 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan), other than a stock option or stock appreciation right with a strike price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, and after March 21, 2016 such share of common stock again becomes available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan, thenPrior Plans’ Appreciation Award, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Amended 20152018 Plan will increase by 2.0 shares.

Eligibility

Allthe share ratio used at time of our employees, non-employee directors and consultantsgrant.

Any shares of common stock reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy the exercise or purchase price of a stock award will no longer be available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan, including any shares subject to a stock award that are not delivered to a participant because the stock award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to the stock award. In addition, any shares reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 Plan or a stock award under a Prior Plan, or any shares repurchased by us on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise or strike price of a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the Amended 2018 Plan or a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under a prior plan will no longer be available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan.
Eligibility
Persons eligible to participate in the Amended 20152018 Plan are officers, employees, non-employee directors and may receive all typesother key persons (including consultants) of awards; provided that ISOsours and our affiliates, as selected from time to time by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. As of the Record Date, approximately 475 individuals were eligible to participate in the Amended 2018 Plan, which included six executive officers, 460 employees who are not officers, and nine non-employee directors. Incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan only to our employees (including officers) and employees of our affiliates. As of March 21, 2016, we had 130 employees and 5 non-employee directors.

Grant Limits

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit
Under the Amended 20152018 Plan, athe maximum number of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock may besubject to stock awards granted to any one participant during any one fiscalcalendar year pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights and otherany of our non-employee directors, taken together with any cash fees paid by the Company to such non-employee director during such calendar year, will not exceed $750,000 in total value, or $1,250,000 with respect to the calendar year in which the individual is first appointed or elected to the Board (calculating the value of any such stock awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise price or strike price of at least 100% ofbased on the grant date fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The maximum amount covered by performance awards that may be granted to any one participant in any one fiscal year (whether the grant, vesting or exercise is contingent upon the attainment during a performance period of the performance goals described below) is 1,000,000 shares of our common stock in the case of performancesuch stock awards and $2,000,000 in the case of performance cash awards. Such limits are designed allow us to grant awards that are exempt from the $1 million limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid per covered employee imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code.

for financial reporting purposes).

Administration

The Amended 20152018 Plan iswill be administered by our board of directors,Board, which may in turn delegate authority to administer the Amended 20152018 Plan to a committee. Our board of directorsBoard has delegated concurrent authority to administer the Amended 20152018 Plan to its compensation committee,our Compensation Committee, but may, at any time, revertrevest in itself some or all of the power previously delegated to our Compensation Committee. The Board and the compensation committee. Our board of directors and our compensation committeeCompensation Committee are each considered to be the “plan administrator”a Plan Administrator for purposes of this Proposal.Proposal 2. Subject to the terms of the Amended 20152018 Plan (including certain minimum vesting requirements (see “Minimum Vesting Requirements” below)), the plan administratorPlan Administrator, may determine the recipients, numbers andthe types of awards to be granted, the number of shares of our common stock subject to or the cash value of awards, and the terms and conditions of awards granted under the awards,Amended 2018 Plan, including the period of their exercisability and vesting. The Plan Administrator also has the authority to provide for accelerated exercisability and vesting of awards. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administratorPlan Administrator also determines the fair market value applicable to a stock award and the exercise or strike price of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan.

The plan administratorPlan Administrator may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to designate employees who are not officers to be recipients of certain stock awards and the number of shares of our common stock subject to such stock awards, provided thatawards. Under any such delegation, mustthe Plan Administrator will specify the total number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to the stock awards granted by such officer and suchofficer. The officer may not grant a stock award to himself or herself. In addition, our board of directors has the authority to appoint such agents they may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Amended 2015 Plan.

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Minimum Vesting

Except as may be provided in connection with a corporate transaction or a change in control, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance stock awards and other stock awards are subject to a minimum vesting period of twelve months, although up to five percent of the shares reserved for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan may be used for grants of awards not subject to this minimum vesting requirement.

Repricing; Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards

Under the Amended 20152018 Plan, the plan administratorPlan Administrator does not have the authority to reprice any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right or other stock award by reducing the exercise purchase or strike price of suchthe stock awardoption or stock appreciation right or to cancel any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right or stock award that has an exercise or strike price greater than the currentthen-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other stock awards without obtaining the approval of our stockholdersstockholders. Such approval must be obtained within 12 months prior to such an event.
Minimum Vesting Requirements
Under the repricing or cancellation and re-grant event.

Amended 2018 Plan, no stock award will vest (or, if applicable, be exercisable) until at least 12 months following the date of grant of the stock award; provided, however, that up to 5% of the Share Reserve may be subject to awards which do not meet such vesting (and, if applicable, exercisability) requirements.

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Stock Options

Stock options may be granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan pursuant to stock option agreements. The Amended 20152018 Plan permits the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options, or ISOs, and NSOs. Individualnonstatutory stock option agreements may be more restrictive as to anyoptions, or all of the permissible terms described in this section.

NSOs.

The exercise price of NSOs may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to thea stock option ongranted under the date of grant. The exercise price of ISOsAmended 2018 Plan may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the stock option on the date of grant and, in some cases (see “Limitations”“Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not be less than 110% of such fair market value.

The term of stock options granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan may not exceed ten years and, in some cases (see “Limitations”“Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not exceed five years. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates (referred to in this Proposal 2 as “continuous service”) terminates (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability), the participant may exercise any vested stock options for up to three months following the participant’s termination of continuous service. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service terminates due to the participant’s disability or death (or the participant dies within a specified period, if any, following termination of continuous service), the participant, or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, may exercise any vested stock options for up to 12 months following the participant’s termination due to the participant’s disability or for up to 18 months following the participant’s death. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in an optionholder’sa participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service is terminated for cause (as defined in the Amended 2018 Plan), all stock options granted underheld by the Amended 2015 Plan generallyparticipant will terminate three months afterupon the participant’s termination of continuous service and the optionholder’s service unless (i)participant will be prohibited from exercising any stock option from and after such termination is due todate. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, the optionholder’s disability, in which case theterm of a stock option may be exercised (toextended if the extent the stock option was exercisable at the time of the termination of service) at any time within 12 months following termination; (ii) the optionholder dies before the optionholder’s service has terminated, or within the period (if any) specified in the stock option agreement after termination of service for a reason other than death, in which case the stock option may be exercised (to the extent the stock option was exercisable at the time of the optionholder’s death) within 18 months following the optionholder’s death by the person or persons to whom the rights to such stock option have passed; (iii) the optionholder is terminated for cause in which case the stock option will cease to be exercisable immediately upon the optionholder’s termination, or (iv) the stock option by its terms specifically provides otherwise. In addition, the plan administrator may grant options with different terms. A stock option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service is(other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability) would be prohibited by applicable securities laws or if the sale of any common stock received upon exercise of athe stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause) would violate our insider trading policy. In no event, however, may a stock option be exercised after its original expiration date.

Acceptable forms of consideration for the purchase of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of a stock option under the Amended 20152018 Plan will be determined by the plan administratorPlan Administrator and may include payment: (i) by cash, check, bankdraftbank draft or money order made payable to us,us; (ii) payment pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board,Board; (iii) by delivery to us of shares of our common stock previously owned(either by the option holder,actual delivery or attestation); (iv) by a net exercise featurearrangement (for NSOs only),; or (v) in other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.

StockPlan Administrator.

Subject to certain minimum vesting requirements (see “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above), stock options granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan may become exercisable in cumulative increments, or “vest,” as determined by the plan administratorPlan Administrator at the rate specified in the stock option agreement. Shares covered by different stock options granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan may be subject to different vesting schedules as the plan administratorPlan Administrator may determine.
The plan administrator also has flexibility to provide for accelerated vestingPlan Administrator may impose limitations on the transferability of stock options granted under the Amended 2018 Plan in certain events.

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its discretion. Generally, an optionholdera participant may not transfer a stock option granted under the Amended 2018 Plan other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to approval by the Plan Administrator, pursuant to a domestic relations order withor an official marital settlement agreement. However, the Plan Administrator may permit transfer of a stock option in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. In addition, subject to approval ofby the plan administrator orPlan Administrator, a duly authorized officer. Additionally, an optionholderparticipant may with the approval of the plan administrator or a duly authorized officer, designate a beneficiary who may exercise the stock option following the optionholder’sparticipant’s death.

Limitations on Incentive Stock Options

The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of shares of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholdera participant during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. The stock options or portions of stock options that exceed this limit or otherwise fail to qualify as ISOs are treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any affiliate unless the following conditions are satisfied:

the exercise price of the ISO must be at least 110% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the ISO on the date of grant; and

the term of the ISO must not exceed five years from the date of grant.

The

Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs under the Amended 2018 Plan is 8,000,000 shares (subject also to the limitations described above under "Shares Available for Awards").
Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan pursuant to stock appreciation right agreements. Each stock appreciation right is 8,000,000 shares.

denominated in common stock share equivalents. The strike price of each stock appreciation right will be determined by the Plan Administrator, but will in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the stock appreciation right on the date of grant. Subject to certain minimum vesting requirements (see “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above), the Plan Administrator may also impose

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restrictions or conditions upon the vesting of stock appreciation rights that it deems appropriate. The appreciation distribution payable upon exercise of a stock appreciation right may be paid in shares of our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the stock appreciation right agreement. Stock appreciation rights will be subject to the same conditions upon termination of continuous service and restrictions on transfer as stock options under the Amended 2018 Plan.
Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards may be granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan pursuant to restricted stock award agreements. A restricted stock award may be granted in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us, the recipient’sparticipant’s services performed for us or an affiliateany of ours,our affiliates, or any other form of legal consideration acceptable to the plan administrator. SharesPlan Administrator. Subject to certain minimum vesting requirements (see “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above), shares of our common stock acquired under a restricted stock award may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by us in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the plan administrator.

Plan Administrator. Rights to acquire shares of our common stock under a restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock award agreement. Except as otherwise provided in the applicableA restricted stock award agreement may provide that any dividends paid on restricted stock will be subject to the same vesting conditions as apply to the shares subject to the restricted stock award. Upon a participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason, any shares subject to restricted stock awards held by the participant that have not vested willas of such termination date may be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of service for any reason.

to or repurchased by us.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Restricted stock unit awards may be granted under the Amended 20152018 Plan pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements. Payment of any purchase price may be made in any form of legal formconsideration acceptable to the plan administrator. We will settle a payment due to a recipient of aPlan Administrator. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by the delivery of shares of our common stock, byin cash, byin a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the plan administratorPlan Administrator and set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Subject to certain minimum vesting requirements (see “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above), restricted stock unit awards may be subject to vesting in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of our common stock covered by a restricted stock unit award. Restricted stock unit awards mayaward, provided that any additional shares credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to vesting in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined byall of the plan administrator.same terms and conditions of the underlying restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicablea participant’s restricted stock unit award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock appreciation rights

Performance Awards
A performance stock award is a stock award that is payable (including that may be granted, under the Amended 2015 Plan pursuant to stock appreciation right agreements. Each stock appreciation right is denominated in common stock share equivalents. The strike price of each stock appreciation right will be determined by the plan administrator but will in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the stock appreciation right at the time of grant. The plan

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administrator may also impose restrictionsvest, or conditions upon the vesting of stock appreciation rights that it deems appropriate. Stock appreciation rights may be paid in our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of legal consideration approved by the plan administrator and set forth in the stock appreciation right agreement. Stock appreciation rights will be subject to the same conditions upon termination and restrictions on transfer as stock options under the Amended 2015 Plan.

Performance Awards

The Amended 2015 Plan allows us to grant cash and stock based performance awards that may qualify as performance-based compensation that is not subject to the $1 million limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid per covered employee imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. Performance awards may be granted, vest or be exercised basedexercised) contingent upon the attainment of pre-determined performance goals during a performance period. A performance stock award may require the completion of a specified period of time of specified performance goals. Thecontinuous service. Subject to certain minimum vesting requirements (see “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above), the length of any performance period, the performance goals to be achieved during the performance period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such performance goals have been attained will be determined by our compensation committee, except that our board of directors also may make any such determinationsthe Plan Administrator. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the performance stock award agreement, the Plan Administrator may determine that the award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m)cash may be used in payment of the Code.

performance stock awards.

In granting a performance stock award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, our compensation committeePlan Administrator will set a period of time, or a performance period, over which the attainment of one or more goals, or performance goals, will be measured. Within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, at a time when the achievement of the performance goals remains substantially uncertain (typically no later than the earlier of the 90th day of a performance period and the date on which 25% of the performance period has elapsed), our compensation committeeOur Compensation Committee will establish the performance goals, based upon one or more criteria, or performance criteria, enumerated in the Amended 20152018 Plan and described below. As soon as administratively practicable following the end of the performance period, our compensation committeethe Plan Administrator will certify (in writing)determine whether the performance goals have been satisfied.

Performance goals under the Amended 20152018 Plan will be based on any one or more of the following performance criteria:

(1) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (2) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (3) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (4) total stockholder return; (5) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (6) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (7) stock price; (8) margin (including gross margin); (9) income (before or after taxes); (10) operating income; (11) operating income after taxes; (12) pre-tax profit; (13) operating cash flow; (14) sales or revenue targets; (15) increases in revenue or product revenue; (16) expenses and cost reduction goals; (17) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (18) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (19) market share; (20) cash flow; (21) cash flow per share; (22) share price performance; (23) debt reduction; (24) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (25) customer satisfaction; (26) stockholders’ equity; (27) capital expenditures; (28) debt levels; (29) operating profit or net operating profit; (30) workforce diversity; (31) growth of net income or operating income; (32) billings; (33) pre-clinical development related compound goals; (34) financing; (35) regulatory milestones, including approval of a compound; (36) stockholder liquidity; (37) corporate governance and compliance; (38) product commercialization; (39) intellectual property; (40) personnel matters; (41) progress of internal research or clinical programs; (42) progress of partnered programs; (43) implementation or completion of projects and processes; (44) partner satisfaction; (45) budget management; (46) clinical achievements; (47) completing phases of a clinical study (including the treatment phase); (48) announcing or presenting preliminary or final data from clinical studies; in each case, whether on particular timelines or generally; (49) timely completion of clinical trials; (50) submission of INDs and NDAs and other regulatory achievements; (51) partner or collaborator achievements; (52) internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; (53) research progress, including the development of program; (54) investor relations, analysts and communication; (55) manufacturing achievements (including obtaining particular yields from manufacturing runs and other measurable objectives related to process development activities); (56) strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property; (57) establishing relationships with commercial entities with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Company’s products (including

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with group purchasing organizations, distributors and other vendors); (58) supply chain achievements (including establishing relationships with manufacturers or suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other component materials and manufacturers of the Company’s products); (59) co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; and (60) to the extent that an Award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected by our board of directors.

Performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. In establishing a performance goal, our compensation committee (and our board of directors, to the extent that an award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code) may provide that performance will be appropriately adjusted as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, our board of directors retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the performance criteria it selects to use for a performance period.

Other Stock Awards

Other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part with reference to our common stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other stock awards under the Amended 2015 Plan. The plan administrator will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such other stock awards will be granted, the number of shares of our common stock to be granted and all other conditions of such other stock awards. Other forms of stock awards may be subject to vesting in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the plan administrator.

Clawback/Recovery

Stock awards granted under the Amended 2015 Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy we may be required to adopt pursuant to applicable law and listing requirements. In addition, our board of directors may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in any stock award agreement as it determines necessary or appropriate.

Changes to Capital Structure

In the event of certain capitalization adjustments, the plan administrator will appropriately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Amended 2015 Plan; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs; (iii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be awarded to any person pursuant to Section 162(m) limits; and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding stock awards.

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Transactions

In the event of a transaction (as defined in the Amended 2015 Plan and described below), our board of directors may take one or both of the following actions with respect to outstanding stock awards (contingent upon the closing or completion of such transaction):

arrange for the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) to assume or continue the award or to substitute a similar stock award for the award (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to our stockholders pursuant to the transaction);

arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the stock award to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company);

However, if the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not consent to take such actions with respect to a stock award (or portion thereof), then our board of directors will have the discretion to take one or more of the following actions with respect to outstanding stock awards (contingent upon the closing or completion of such transaction):

accelerate the vesting (and, if applicable, the exercisability) of the stock award and provide for its termination prior to the effective time of the transaction;

arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the award;

cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award, to the extent not vested or exercised prior to the effective time of the transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration or no consideration, as our board of directors may consider appropriate; and

make a payment, in such form as may be determined by our board of directors, equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of the stock award immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction, over (ii) any exercise price payable in connection with such exercise.

The board of directors is not obligated to treat all stock awards or portions of stock awards in the same manner. The board of directors may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a stock award.

For purposes of the Amended 2015 Plan, a transaction will be deemed to occur in the event of a corporate transaction or a change in control. A corporate transaction generally means the consummation of (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets, (ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities, (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation, or (iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

A change of control generally means (i) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction; (ii) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity; (iii) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our consolidated assets; or (iv) when a majority of our board of directors becomes comprised of individuals whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of our board members or their approved successors.

Change in Control

Under the Amended 2015 Plan, a stock award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a termination of service in connection with a change in control (as defined in the Amended 2015 Plan) as may be provided in the stock award agreement or other written agreement with the participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

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Dissolution

If the Company dissolves, all outstanding stock awards (other than fully vested stock awards and outstanding shares of our common stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or our right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the dissolution, and we may repurchase or reacquire the shares of our common stock subject to our repurchase rights or a forfeiture condition even if the participant is providing service. Our board of directors may provide, in its discretion, that some or all of the outstanding stock awards will become fully vested, exercisable, or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture prior to the completion of the dissolution but contingent on its completion.

Plan Amendments and Termination

Our board of directors will have the authority to amend or terminate the Amended 2015 Plan at any time. However, except as otherwise provided in the Amended 2015 Plan, no amendment or termination of the Amended 2015 Plan may materially impair any rights under awards already granted to a participant unless agreed to by the affected participant. We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the Amended 2015 Plan as required by applicable law and listing requirements. No ISOs may be granted under the Amended 2015 Plan after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date the Amended 2015 Plan was adopted by our board of directors or approved by our stockholders.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The information set forth below is a summary only and does not purport to be complete. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any recipient may depend on his or her particular situation, each recipient should consult the recipient’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired as a result of an award. The Amended 2015 Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.

Nonstatutory Stock Options

Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of an NSO if the stock option is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. On exercise, an optionholder will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock over the exercise price. If the optionholder is employed by us or one of our affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding taxes. The optionholder’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to their fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock option, and the optionholder’s capital gain holding period for those shares will begin on that date.

Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the optionholder.

Incentive Stock Options

The Amended 2015 Plan provides for the grant of stock options that qualify as “incentive stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, an optionholder generally is not subject to ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. If the optionholder holds a share received on exercise of an ISO for more than two years from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year from the date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to as the required holding period, the difference, if any, between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the holder’s tax basis in that share will be long-term capital gain or loss.

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If, however, an optionholder disposes of a share acquired on exercise of an ISO before the end of the required holding period, which is referred to as a disqualifying disposition, the optionholder generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the share on the date the ISO was exercised over the exercise price. However, if the sales proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionholder will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale. If the amount realized on a disqualifying disposition exceeds the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the holding period for the share exceeds one year.

For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market value of a share of stock acquired on exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of that stock option generally will be an adjustment included in the optionholder’s alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the stock option is exercised. If, however, there is a disqualifying disposition of the share in the year in which the stock option is exercised, there will be no adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to that share. In computing alternative minimum taxable income, the tax basis of a share acquired on exercise of an ISO is increased by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to that share for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year the stock option is exercised.

We are not allowed an income tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a share acquired on exercise of an ISO after the required holding period. If there is a disqualifying disposition of a share, however, we are allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income includible in income by the optionholder, subject to Section 162(m) of the Code and provided that amount constitutes an ordinary and necessary business expense for us and is reasonable in amount, and either the employee includes that amount in income or we timely satisfy our reporting requirements with respect to that amount.

Restricted Stock Awards

Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock.

The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from stock awards will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.

Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock award.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Generally, the recipient of a stock unit structured to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of our common stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the shares of our common stock. To conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the shares of our common stock subject to a stock unit award may generally only be delivered upon one of the following events: a fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death, disability or a change in control. If delivery occurs on another date, unless the stock units

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otherwise comply with or qualify for an exception to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, in addition to the tax treatment described above, the recipient will owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.

The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from stock units will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized when the stock is delivered.

Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock award.

Stock Appreciation Rights

We may grant under the Amended 2015 Plan stock appreciation rights separate from any other award or in tandem with other awards under the Amended 2015 Plan.

Where the stock appreciation rights are granted with a strike price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the stock or cash received upon such exercise. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation right.

New Plan Benefits

Awards under the Amended 2015 Plan to employees and consultants are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts, and we have not approved any awards that are conditioned on stockholder approval of the Amended 2015 Plan. Each of our non-employee directors whose term continues on the date of our annual meeting each year is entitled to receive an automatic annual grant of an option to purchase 8,000 shares of our common stock and 2,000 restricted shares of common stock.

Plan Benefits

The following table sets forth, for each of the individuals and groups indicated, the total number of shares of our common stock subject to awards that have been granted (even if not currently outstanding) under the 2015 Plan through March 11, 2016.

Name and Position

Number of
Shares

Stephen Aselage

187,000

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Laura Clague

75,000

Chief Financial Officer

Alvin Shih, M.D.

75,000

Chief Medical Officer

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

125,000

General Counsel

All current executive officers as a group

462,000

All current non-employee directors as a group (1)

30,000

All current non-executive officer employees as a group

1,277,000

(1)The total number of shares of our common stock subject to awards that have been granted (even if not currently outstanding) under the 2015 Plan through March 11, 2016 to each of our non-employee directors is as follows: Mr. Golding, Mr. Meckler and Mr. Lyons each received awards covering 10,000 shares of common stock.

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The following table sets forth information regarding all of the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2015:

Plan Category

  Number of
Securities to be
Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
(a)
  Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, 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

   3,160,666 (1)  $        21.13     685,045 (2)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   2,934,584 (3)  $10.16       
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   6,095,250   $15.84     685,045  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Represents 1,553,376 shares issued under the 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan and 1,607,290 shares issued under the 2015 Plan.
(2)Represents the number of securities available for future issuance as of December 31, 2015 under the 2015 Plan, without taking into account the additional shares that would become available for issuance if this Proposal 2 is passed.
(3)Consists of 1,914,584 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to nonstatutory stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards which were issued as “inducement awards” pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) and 1,020,000 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to nonstatutory stock option awards which were issued prior to the Company’s listing on the NASDAQ stock market.

Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation

Approval of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on the proposal and will have the same effect as “Against” votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

Our board of directors believes that approval of Proposal 2 is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders for the reasons stated above and recommends voting “FOR” the approval of the Amended 2015 Plan.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2

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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTEON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, our stockholders are entitled to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules. At the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders indicated their preference that the Company solicit a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay vote,” every year. The Board of Directors has adopted a policy that is consistent with that preference. In accordance with that policy, this year, the Company is again asking the stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules.

This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Company’s named executive officers and the related practices described in this proxy statement. The compensation of the Company’s named executive officers subject to the vote is disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and related compensation tables contained in this proxy statement. Compensation of the Company’s named executive officers is designed to enable the Company to attract and retain talented and experienced executives to lead the Company successfully in a competitive environment.

Summary of the Company’s Executive Compensation Philosophy

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) bases its executive compensation decisions on a number of objectives which include aligning management incentives with interests of stockholders, providing competitive compensation, appropriately balancing compensation risk in the context of the Company’s business strategy and meeting evolving compensation governance standards. The philosophy of the Compensation Committee in establishing the Company’s compensation policy for executive officers as well as all other employees is to:

align compensation plans with both short-term and long-term goals and objectives of the Company and stockholder interests;

attract and retain highly skilled individuals by offering compensation that compares favorably to other employers who are competing for available employees;

incentivize employees through a mix of base salary, bonus amounts based on achievement of defined corporate and personal goals and long-term equity awards to generate returns for stockholders; and

pay for performance by ensuring that an ever increasing percentage of an individual’s compensation is performance-based as they progress to higher levels within the Company.

As discussed below in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we believe that we have adopted a compensation philosophy that provides strong alignment between executive pay and performance based on strategic goals designed to provide both near-term and long-term growth in stockholder value.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors is asking the stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote “For” the following resolution:

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

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Because the vote is advisory, it is not binding on the Board of Directors or the Company. Nevertheless, the views expressed by the stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to management and the Board of Directors and, accordingly, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements.

Vote Required

Advisory approval of this proposal requires the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting. Unless the Board of Directors decides to modify its policy regarding the frequency of soliciting say-on-pay votes/advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executives, the next scheduled say-on-pay vote will be at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 3

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following is biographical information about our executive officers, who are also our Named Executive Officers (“NEO”).

Name

Age

Current Position(s)

Stephen Aselage

64President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Laura M. Clague

57Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Alvin Shih, M.D.

39Executive Vice President of Research and Development

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

59General Counsel

The following is certain biographical information describing the business experience of each of our NEOs who is not a director. Mr. Aselage’s biographical information can be found in Proposal 1.

Laura M. Claguehas served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since November 2014. Ms. Clague previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of the San Diego and Ohio operations of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Prior to the acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2012, Ms. Clague was the Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Amylin for 10 years, and during this time also served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Amylin/Lilly Collaboration. From 1988 to 1999, Ms. Clague was the director of finance and accounting operations for Sony Electronics, Inc. From 1985 to 1988, Ms. Clague served as internal audit supervisor at Cubic Corporation. From 1982 to 1985, Ms. Clague held various audit positions at KPMG. Ms. Clague also serves on the Board of Directors of LRAD Corporation where she chairs the Audit Committee and is on the Compensation Committee. Ms. Clague is a certified public accountant in the State of California, and has a B.S. in Business Administration from Menlo College.

Alvin Shih, M.D. has served as the Executive Vice President of Research and Development of the Company since May 2014. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Shih worked for Pfizer Inc. where he founded the Pfizer Rare Disease Research Unit and was a member of the senior management team of such Unit from 2010 to 2014. In his role as the Unit’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Shih led numerous strategic initiatives and had operational responsibility for a pre-clinical and clinical portfolio spanning multiple disease areas and therapeutic modalities. From 2006 to 2010, Dr. Shih was a senior engagement manager at L.E.K. Consulting in Boston, where he led value-creating projects for a diverse set of biotechnology clients. Dr. Shih was previously a member of the consulting staff at McKinsey & Company, where he participated in strategic projects for a variety of healthcare clients, including academic medical centers, integrated healthcare delivery networks, and clinical research organizations. Dr. Shih completed his residency training in internal medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital and received board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine. He holds an M.D. from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D. has served as the General Counsel of the Company since November 2014. Previously, Dr. Valeur-Jensen served as Of Counsel in the Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals and Chemistry Group of Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC. Before that, she was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., where she was responsible for all patent and corporate practice including management of patent portfolio and strategy, corporate partnering, regulatory compliance, and public company issues. Earlier, she was Associate General Counsel Business Law Group of Amgen Inc., where she was responsible for licensing and corporate partnering, mergers and acquisitions, clinical development, sales and marketing, regulatory affairs, and real estate. Prior to joining Amgen, she was an associate at Davis, Polk & Wardwell. Dr. Valeur-Jensen received her J.D. from Stanford University School of Law. In addition, she was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Genetics, as well as at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Department of Molecular Biology. She received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Biology from Skidmore College.

Our executive officers are elected by our Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSIONAND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our executive compensation program for 2015 and certain elements of the 2016 program. It provides qualitative information on the factors relevant to these decisions and the manner in which compensation is awarded to NEOs.

Executive Summary

Business Overview

We are a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with approximately 130 employees headquartered in San Diego, California focused on the development, acquisition and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of serious, catastrophic or rare diseases. We regularly evaluate and, where appropriate, act on opportunities to expand our product pipeline through licenses and acquisitions of products in areas that will serve patients with serious, catastrophic or rare diseases and that we believe offer attractive growth characteristics.

2015 Corporate Performance Highlights

We met or exceeded each of our corporate goals for fiscal 2015. Our corporate goals for 2015 were designed to enhance shareholder value, and related to (i) total revenues and cash burn, (ii) completion of enrollment in the Phase II sparsentan clinical trial, (iii) IND filing for RE-024, (iv) filing for addition of CTX indication to the FDA approved label for Chenodal, (v) at least one accretive business development transaction, (vi) expansion of the investor base, and (vii) internal operational objectives.

Other Compensation Program Highlights

Pay for Performance/At Risk Pay

A significant portion of our CEO’s and other executive officers’ compensation is at risk; this includes cash incentives, stock options and vesting of the performance restricted stock units (“PRSUs”).

Independent Compensation Consultant and Analysis

The Compensation Committee engages an independent compensation consultant to analyze the competitive landscape and make recommendations regarding the compensation of our executive officers.

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all of the Company’s compensation policies. During 2015, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Golding and Lyons and Dr. Kozarich. As discussed in greater detail below, the Compensation Committee takes into consideration peer groups, survey data and advice from independent compensation consultants when setting the compensation structure and compensation philosophy for the Company. The Compensation Committee’s complete roles and responsibilities are set forth in a written charter which was adopted by the Board of Directors and is available atwww.retrophin.com. Some of the significant roles and responsibilities of the Committee include:

reviewing and, if necessary, revising the compensation philosophy of the Company;

reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, and evaluating the performance of the Company’s executive officers in light of the Company’s goals and objectives;

reviewing and approving compensation for all executive officers, and guidelines for salaries, merit salary increases, cash incentive payments, stock based grants and performance based stock grants for all other employees of the Company;

reviewing and approving all employment agreements for executive officers;

35


reviewing and approving all promotions to executive officer positions and all new hires of executive officers;

reviewing and approving director compensation;

reviewing and approving equity grants to non-employees of the Company;

making recommendations to the Board of Directors with regard to equity incentive plans and administering stock option, employee pension and benefit plans;

managing and reviewing the grant of perquisite benefits, if any;

managing and reviewing executive officer and director indemnification and insurance matters;

retaining compensation consultants and independent advisors from time to time to advise the Committee on compensation policies and plans;

complying with requirements established by the SEC, assessing the risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and taking any actions required as a result thereof; and

preparing and approving the Compensation Discussion and Analysis to be included as part of the Company’s annual proxy statement.

Compensation Philosophy Overall Compensation Determination Process

We believe that in order to create value for our stockholders it is critical to attract, motivate and retain key executive talent by providing competitive compensation packages. Accordingly, we design our executive compensation programs to attract, motivate and retain executives with the skills and expertise to execute our business plans, and reward those executives fairly over time for actions consistent with creating long-term stockholder value. The market for talented individuals in the life sciences industry is highly competitive. Our compensation philosophy for executive officers provides that cash compensation should be structured such that between base salary and cash incentives, at least one-third of the executive officer’s total cash compensation is at risk. Non-cash long-term equity compensation for executive officers should be designed to reward and retain key employees as well as motivate executive officers to increase long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee believes that this approach provides an appropriate blend of short-term and long-term incentives to maximize stockholder value.

The implementation of the compensation philosophy is carried out under the supervision of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee uses the services of an independent compensation consultant who is retained by, and reports directly to, the Compensation Committee. The compensation for our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Aselage, as well as the other executive officers, is approved by the Compensation Committee in consultation with our other independent directors. Management, under guidelines and procedures approved by the Compensation Committee, determines the compensation of our other employees.

The Compensation Committee meets at least six times per year. In the first quarter of the year, the performance of each executive officer for the prior year and peer group compensation data are reviewed by the Compensation Committee, and base salary adjustments and cash incentive payouts are discussed and approved. In the second quarter of the year, equity grants to each executive officer are discussed and approved. Also during the first quarter of the year, Company-wide performance goals for the then current year are finalized by the Board of Directors. At mid-year meetings the Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s compensation philosophy, policies and procedures. Meetings in the fourth quarter of the year generally focus on Company goal achievement, selection of the peer group for the following year and the structure of executive officer performance reviews.

Compensation Consultants and Peer Group

The Compensation Committee uses the services of an independent compensation consultant who is retained by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee selected Radford, an

36


AON Hewitt Company, as a third party compensation consultant to assist the Compensation Committee in establishing 2015 and 2016 overall compensation levels. Radford conducted analyses and provided advice on, among other things, the appropriate peer group, executive compensation for our executive officers and compensation trends in the life sciences industry. The Compensation Committee annually assesses the independence of Radford under the guidelines promulgated by the SEC and has determined that Radford is independent and has not provided the Company with any other services other than those requested by the Compensation Committee.

In order to evaluate the Company’s competitive position in the industry related to executive officer compensation, the Compensation Committee has historically reviewed and analyzed the compensation packages, including base salary levels, cash incentive awards and equity awards, offered by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies within a designated peer group, and with data from Radford’s Global Life Sciences Survey for similarly sized companies. The Compensation Committee believes selection of a broad peer group on an annual basis provides the best long-term trend data for companies that compete with the Company for talent. The peer group is established annually by the Compensation Committee based on the advice of its independent compensation consultant taking into consideration various factors including size, market capitalization, location to key biotech talent hubs, and comparable stage of development of product candidates.

For equity awards granted and cash based compensation paid for 2015, the peer group consisted of: Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Agenus, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Amicus Therapeutics, Arena Therapeutics, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Exelis, Halozyme Therapeutics, Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc., ImmunoGen, Insmed, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Omeros Corporation, Raptor Pharmaceuticals, Sangamo Biosciences, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, and Vanda Pharmaceuticals.

For equity awards granted and cash based compensation paid for 2016, the peer group consisted of the 2015 peer group with Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. replaced by MacroGenetics.

Components of Compensation

The Company’s compensation for executive officers consists of six components: base salary, cash incentives, long-term equity awards, retirement benefits as provided under the Company’s 401(k) plan, severance agreements and other benefits. The Company uses the peer group established by the Compensation Committee as a guideline for establishing base salaries, cash incentives and long-term equity award components of compensation. The Chief Executive Officer annually reviews the performance of each executive officer (other than himself) and reports the results of the reviews to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, in consultation with the other independent members of the Board of Directors, annually reviews the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Compensation Committee considers each executive officer’s performance, contribution to goals, responsibilities, experience, qualifications, and where in the competitive range the executive officer compares to the Company’s identified peer group when determining the appropriate compensation for each executive officer. The Compensation Committee considers each component of compensation independently and therefore there is no direct correlation between any of the components. Each compensation component is described below.

Base Salary

The base salary is designed to compensate executive officers competitively at levels necessary to attract and retain qualified executives in the life sciences industry. As a general matter, the base salary for each executive officer is based on the scope of each executive officer’s responsibilities, as well as their qualifications, breadth of experience, performance record and depth of applicable functional expertise. The base salary is established and adjusted to be within the range of the applicable peer group, enabling the Company to attract, motivate, reward and retain highly skilled executives. Base salaries of the executive officers are reviewed by the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the independent members of the Board of Directors, annually in light of personal and Company goal attainment, executive officer performance and peer group data. Year-to-year adjustments to each executive officer’s base salary are based upon sustained superior performance, changes in the general level

37


of base salaries of persons in comparable positions within our industry, and the average merit salary increase for such year for all employees of the Company established by the Compensation Committee, as well as other factors the Compensation Committee judges to be pertinent during an assessment period. In making base salary decisions, the Compensation Committee exercises its judgment to determine the appropriate weight to be given to each of these factors. Adjustments may also be made during the fiscal year for promotions, highly urgent retention reasons, superior performance in response to changed or challenging circumstances, and similar special circumstances. There was no adjustment to base salary for our NEOs for 2015. The NEOs’ annualized base salaries for 2015 were as follows: $480,000 for Mr. Aselage, $359,000 for Ms. Clague, $450,000 for Dr. Shih, and $425,000 for Dr. Valeur-Jensen.

Effective March 1, 2016, base salary increases based on the Company’s strong corporate performance in 2015, a review (as described above) of each officer’s performance, and base salary positioning relative to similar officers in our peer group. The NEOs’ annualized base salaries for 2016 are as follows: $516,500 for Mr. Aselage, $369,800 for Ms. Clague, $463,500 for Dr. Shih, and $437,800 for Dr. Valeur-Jensen.

Cash Incentives

The Compensation Committee’s philosophy in establishing the Company’s cash incentive program is to provide a mix of compensation between base salary and total cash compensation such that at least one-third of the total target cash compensation is at risk for executive officers each year. The cash incentive program, including corporate goals and target payouts, are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee annually and may include individual performance targets for each executive officer. The corporate goals are prepared in an interactive process between management and the Board of Directors based on the Company’s business plan and budget for the year. Cash incentive payments are linked to the attainment of overall corporate and personal goals. The Compensation Committee establishes the target and maximum potential amount of each executive officer’s cash incentive payment annually.

In July 2015, the Compensation Committee approved the adoption of the 2015 Retrophin, Inc. Executive/Designated Officer Annual Bonus Plan (the “2015 Bonus Plan”) for the NEOs and other designated officers of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the 2015 Bonus Plan, the target bonus percentage is set at 60% of base salary for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and 50% of base salary for the other executive officers.

The amounts payable under the 2015 Bonus Plan were weighted for each participant based on the determination by the Compensation Committee of the achievement of corporate performance goals (weighted 100% for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and 80% for the other executive officers) and, for other than the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, individual performance (weighted 20% for other executive officers). Based on actual performance during 2015, the Compensation Committee was permitted, in its sole discretion, to increase or decrease each of the corporate and individual weightings under the 2015 Bonus Plan within a range between 0% and 125%, provided, that no payments would have been made pursuant to the 2015 Bonus Plan in the event that the Compensation Committee determines that less than 50% of the corporate performance goals are achieved.

Both the target and maximum target percentages set forth in the 2015 Bonus Plan were consistent with the applicable peer group data for the Chief Executive Officer as well as the other executive officers.

An executive officer must be an employee of the Company on the date the cash incentive is actually paid in order to receive the cash incentive. Any executive officer who leaves the employment of the Company, voluntarily or involuntarily, prior to the payment, will not receive any cash incentive. An employee who becomes an executive officer during the fiscal year may be eligible for a pro-rated cash incentive at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, generally provided the executive officer has been employed a minimum of three months during the calendar year. No clawback policy has been adopted by the Company at this time. The Compensation Committee believes that the performance goals established for incentives do not encourage excessive risk taking or have potential for encouraging behavior that may impact the Company negatively in future years.

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The corporate performance goals for the 2015 Bonus Plan related primarily to:

financial targets including revenues and cash burn;

completion of enrollment in the Phase II sparsentan clinical trial;

IND filing for RE-024;

filing for addition of CTX indication to the FDA approved label for Chenodal;

at least one accretive business development transaction;

expansion of the investor base; and

internal operational objectives.

In February 2016, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the other independent members of the Board of Directors, determined that the Company exceeded its corporate performance goals for 2015. The basis for such determination included:

achievement of total revenue and cash burn targets;

successful equity offering;

successful completion of consenting patients in the Phase II sparsentan clinical trial;

successful filing of IND for RE-024;

acquisition of cholic acid and receipt of pediatric review voucher;

addition of high quality institutional investors; and

successful achievement of internal operational objectives.

Based on these achievements, the Compensation Committee awarded cash incentive payouts for our NEOs under the 2015 Bonus Plan based on a 105% corporate performance goal achievement. For example, this 105% achievement rate yielded Mr. Aselage a cash incentive award of 63% of his 2015 base salary (105% of the 60% target cash incentive percentage). The individual amounts approved by the Compensation Committee for each NEO and awarded pursuant to the 2015 Bonus Plan were: Mr. Aselage, $302,400; Ms. Clague, $186,680; Dr. Shih, $234,000; and Dr. Valeur-Jensen, $221,000.

In February 2016, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the 2016 Retrophin, Inc. Executive Officer Annual Bonus Plan (the “2016 Bonus Plan”) for the Company’s executive officers.

The assigned target bonus percentage of each participant in the 2016 Bonus Plan did not change from the 2015 Bonus Plan, and remain substantially similar to the applicable peer group data for the Chief Executive Officer, as well as the other executive officers. No payments will be made pursuant to the 2016 Bonus Plan in the event that the Compensation Committee determines that less than 50% of the corporate performance goals are achieved.

The corporate performance goals under the 2016 Bonus Plan relate primarily to

total revenues and operating profit;

read out of the Phase II sparsentan clinical trial;

initiation of a trial for RE-024;

agreement with the FDA on a path forward for the addition of CTX indication to the FDA approved label for Chenodal;

initiation of Cholbam U.S. registry;

at least one business development transaction;

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identification of lead compounds in the discovery program;

expansion of the investor base;

resolution of litigation; and

internal operational objectives.

The Compensation Committee did not assign relative weightings to the corporate performance goals under the 2016 Bonus Plan. The corporate performance goals under the 2016 Bonus Plan are designed to enhance shareholder value and the long-term success of the Company.

Long-Term Equity Awards

The Compensation Committee provides the Company’s executive officers with long-term incentive compensation through grants of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and PRSUs under the Company’s equity compensation plans. These equity-based programs create a strong link to the Company’s long-term financial performance, create an ownership culture and closely align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes that these grants directly motivate an executive officer to maximize long-term stockholder value and serve as an effective tool for incentivizing and retaining those executive officers who are most responsible for influencing stockholder value. The grants also utilize vesting periods, both performance-based and time-based, that encourage key executive officers to continue in the employ of the Company. The Compensation Committee considers each grant subjectively, considering factors such as the individual performance of the executive officer, the anticipated contribution of the executive officer to the attainment of the Company’s long-term strategic performance goals, and the ability of such grants to retain and motivate key executive officers. The equity awards for each year are set to be competitive with the applicable peer group to enable the Company to attract, motivate, and retain highly skilled executive officers. Long-term incentives granted in prior years are also taken into consideration, but do not play a significant role in current year determinations.

It has been the Company’s practice to make equity-based awards to our executive officers on an annual basis. Recent grants of annual stock option awards vest on a quarterly basis, ratably, over three years and have a ten year term. Additionally, all stock option awards are priced based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Recent grants of RSUs vest on an award by award basis. PRSU grants vest upon achievement of certain corporate objectives. Equity-based awards to our executive officers are reviewed by the Compensation Committee annually in light of Company goal attainment, executive officer performance evaluations and peer group data. Prior year actual gains from the exercise of vested equity grants are not considered in the determination of current year compensation.

The Compensation Committee also considers the Company’s annual burn rate of equity grants as compared to industry standards when determining the long-term equity component of compensation. Burn rate is defined as the number of shares underlying equity grants for a given year divided by the total shares outstanding at the end of that same year.

In July 2015, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the independent members of the Board of Directors, considered the factors outlined above, and approved stock option awards and PRSUs to the executive officers. The equity based awards were determined based on the Company’s 2014 performance, each executive officer’s individual performance, each executive officer’s contribution to long-term strategic and performance goals, as well as retention and motivation of the executive officers. The individual grants of stock options and PRSUs to NEOs were: Mr. Aselage 150,000 stock options and 37,000 PRSUs; and Ms. Clague, Dr. Shih and Dr. Valeur-Jensen each 60,000 stock options and 15,000 PRSUs.

The Compensation Committee, in consultation with the independent members of the Board of Directors, determined with respect to the 2015 equity grants that the use of both stock options, which vest quarterly over a three year period, and PRSUs, which vest upon achievement of certain corporate objectives, were the appropriate equity compensation vehicles. The PRSUs represent a multi-year grant and are expected to be a one-time grant

40


for the sole purpose described below. Vesting of these awards is designed to require several years of effort for the executive officers to realize any value from these grants. If the vesting criteria outlined below are achieved, we believe significant shareholder value will be created. One-half of these PRSUs vest upon the Company achieving revenues in any year in excess of $200,000,000, while the remaining one-half of the PRSUs vest upon the Company filing of a New Drug Application with the FDA.

Retirement Benefits

The terms of the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) provide for executive officer and broad-based employee participation on the same general terms. Under the 401(k) Plan, all Company employees are eligible to receive discretionary matching contributions from the Company that have three year vesting, based on the terms of the 401(k) Plan. The Company’s matching contribution to the 401(k) Plan for 2016 is 50% of eligible participant contributions, subject to applicable federal limits. The Company made no matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan in 2015.

Other Benefits

Executive officers are eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans on the same terms as all other full-time employees. These plans include medical, dental and life insurance. Executive officers are eligible for four weeks of vacation.

Severance Benefits

Executive officers are eligible to receive severance benefits in connection with terminations of employment as more fully described below inEmployment Contracts. The Compensation Committee believes that the executive officer severance arrangements reflect current market standards and severance benefits competitive with those provided by our peer group. The Compensation Committee believes that in order to continue to retain the services of our key executive officers, it is important to provide them with some income and benefit protection against an involuntary termination of employment.

The Compensation Committee further believes that in order to continue to retain the services of our key executive officers and focus their efforts on stockholder interests when considering strategic alternatives, it is important to provide them with enhanced income and benefit protection against loss of employment in connection with a change of control of our Company and thereby align the interests of our stockholders and our executive officers. However, the Company does not provide for such benefits solely in the event of a change of control because we believe that our executive officers are materially harmed only if a change of control results in our executive officers’ involuntary loss of employment, reduced responsibilities, reduced compensation, or other adverse change in the nature of the employment relationship.

Equity Trading Policies and Procedures

The Company has policies and procedures to prohibit direct or indirect participation by employees of the Company in transactions involving trading activities in Company common stock which by their aggressive or speculative nature may give rise to an appearance of impropriety. Such prohibited activities would include the purchase of put or call options, or the writing of such options as well as short sales, hedging transactions such as “cashless” collars, forward sales, equity swaps and other related arrangement which may indirectly involve short-sale and any other transactions designed for profit from short-term movement in the Company’s stock price.

Additionally, transactions in which Company common stock is margined or pledged to secure a loan must be pre-approved by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel based on guidelines adopted by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee.

There are no transactions involving pledging or margining Company common stock as of the Record Date.

41


Tax Considerations

Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

The Compensation Committee considers the potential impact under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) whereby we can only deduct up to $1.0 million of the compensation we pay to named executive officers each taxable year unless such compensation is “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. The Compensation Committee has determined that any gain related to the exercise of a stock option granted under any of our stockholder-approved stock option plans with an exercise price at least equal to the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant qualifies under the Internal Revenue Code as performance-based compensation and therefore is not subject to the $1.0 million limitation. However, deductibility is not the sole factor used by the Compensation Committee in ascertaining appropriate levels or manner of compensation and corporate objectives may not necessarily align with the requirements for full deductibility under Section 162(m). Accordingly, we may enter into executive officer compensation arrangements under which payments are not deductible under Section 162(m).

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position

 Fiscal
Year
  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation
  Stock
Awards
($)(1)
  Option
Awards
($)(1)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total ($) 
Stephen Aselage,  2015    480,000     302,400    1,202,130    3,453,135     5,437,665  
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (2)  2014    202,170     121,000    1,009,000    7,206,000    12,500(3)   8,550,670  
        
Laura Clague,  2015    353,000     186,680    487,350    1,381,254     2,408,284  
Chief Financial Officer  2014    41,875    25,000(5)     668,980     735,855  
        
Alvin Shih, M.D.  2015    450,000     234,000    487,350    1,381,254     2,552,604  
Executive Vice President of Research and Development  2014    262,500    50,000(4)   118,250    3,165,490      3,596,240  
        
Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.,  2015    425,000     221,000    487,350    1,381,254     2,514,604  
General Counsel  2014    70,833    25,000(5)    945,000      1,040,833  

(1) In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the equity awards granted during 2014 and 2015 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 for stock-based compensation transactions (ASC 718). These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the named executive officer in connection with such equity awards. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 of the audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as amended.

(2) Mr. Aselage was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer in November 2014.

(3) The amount reported represents fees paid to Mr. Aselage as a member of the Board of Directors prior to becoming an employee.

(4) Represents a signing bonus paid to Dr. Shih upon his entering into employment with the Company.

(5) Represents a cash bonus paid related to 2014 performance that was not pre-established or communicated.

42


Grants of Plan Based Awards

The following table presents information regarding the grants of plan-based awards to the NEOs made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:

Name                             

   Grant Date All Other Stock
Awards: No. of
Shares or Units (1)(3)
  All Other Option
Awards: No. of
Securities
Underlying
Options (1)
  Exercise or
Base Price of
Option
Awards (1)
  Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards (2)
 

Stephen Aselage

 7/1/2015                      37,000                          —      —   $1,202,130  
 7/1/2015      150,000   $32.49    $3,453,135  

Laura Clague

 7/1/2015  15,000           $487,350  
 7/1/2015      60,000   $32.49    $1,381,254  

Alvin Shih, M.D.

 7/1/2015  15,000           $487,350  
 7/1/2015      60,000   $32.49    $1,381,254  

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

 7/1/2015  15,000           $487,350  
 7/1/2015      60,000   $32.49    $1,381,254  

(1)All options and RSUs were granted pursuant to the 2015 Plan, with option awards having an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. All option awards are time-based awards, which vest quarterly, on a pro-rata basis, over three years and have a term of ten years.
(2)Reflects the grant date per share Black-Scholes value of $23.02 for option awards and the grant date per share value of $32.49 for RSUs, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718.
(3)Consists of 37,000 PRSUs granted to Mr. Aselage and 15,000 PRSUs granted to each of Ms. Clague, Dr. Shih and Dr. Valeur-Jensen. Half of these PRSUs vest upon the Company achieving $200 million in annual revenues, while the remaining one-half of the PRSUs vest upon the Company filing a New Drug Application with the FDA.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table presents the outstanding equity awards held by each of the NEOs as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

  Option Awards Stock Awards 

Name

 Award Grant
Date
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
 Option
Exercise
Price
  Option
Expiration
Date
 Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#)
  Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested
  Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested (#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested ($)
 

Stephen Aselage

 7/1/2015(1)        12,500       137,500    $32.49   7/1/2025    
 7/1/2015(2)                   37,000   $713,730  
 11/6/2014(3)   300,000    $10.09   11/6/2024    
 12/6/2013  12,000     $8.70   12/6/2023    

Laura Clague

 7/1/2015(1)  5,000    55,000    $32.49   7/1/2025    
 7/1/2015(2)         15,000   $289,350  
 11/17/2014(4)  33,333    66,667    $9.45   11/17/2024    

Alvin Shih, M.D.

 7/1/2015(1)  5,000    55,000    $32.49   7/1/2025    
 7/1/2015(2)         15,000   $289,350  
 5/23/2014(5)         114,999   $2,218,331    

Margaret Valeur- Jensen, Ph.D.

 7/1/2015(1)  5,000    55,000    $32.49   7/1/2025    
 7/1/2015(2)         15,000   $289,350  

43


(1)Represents an option award which vests in equal quarterly installments during the three year period following the date of grant.
(2)Represents PRSUs, half of which vest upon the Company achieving $200 million in annual revenues, while the remaining one-half of the PRSUs vest upon the Company filing a New Drug Application with the FDA. The market value of PRSUs that have not vested is derived by multiplying the number of PRSUs that have not vested as of December 31, 2015 by $19.29, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015.
(3)Such shares vest in four equal quarterly installments starting at the end of the first quarter following the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.
(4)Represents an option award granted in connection with the start of Ms. Clague’s employment with the Company. The shares subject to the option award vest in equal quarterly installments over the three year period following the start of her employment with the Company.
(5)Represents an RSU granted in connection with the start of Dr. Shih’s employment with the Company. The shares subject to the RSU vest in equal quarterly installments over the three year period following the start of his employment with the Company. The market value of RSUs that have not vested is derived by multiplying the number of RSUs that have not vested as of December 31, 2015 by $19.29, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table shows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, certain information regarding option exercises and stock vested during the last fiscal year with respect to the NEOs:

   Option Awards   Stock Awards (1) 

Name

  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
   Value
Realized on
Exercise
   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
   Value
Realized on
Vesting (2)
 

Stephen Aselage

                 —                   —          100,000    $1,902,000  

Laura Clague

                    

Alvin Shih, M.D.

             76,667    $2,098,191  

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

             100,000    $2,100,000  

(1)Information relates to restricted stock units that vested during 2015.
(2)Value is calculated by multiplying the number of shares of stock by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.

The following tables set forth the potential severance benefits payable to the NEOs under certain circumstances, assuming such event occurred on December 31, 2015:

Potential Payment upon Termination Table*

Name

  Severance (1)   Accrued
Compensation (2)
   Stock
Awards (3)
   Medical (4)   Total 

Stephen Aselage

  $1,152,000    $55,385    $2,760,000    $30,002    $3,997,387  

Laura Clague

  $538,500    $16,297    $327,997    $1,673    $884,467  

Alvin Shih, M.D.

  $675,000    $31,160    $1,478,887    $28,420    $2,213,467  

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

  $637,500    $29,429         $9,151    $676,080  

*Reflects a termination without cause or due to a constructive termination, or deemed termination, prior to a change in control.

44


(1)For all NEOs other than our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents executive’s base salary plus their target bonus, as of December 31, 2015, times 1.0, payable in equal installments over the 12-month period following separation and on our normal payroll schedule. For our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents his base salary plus his target bonus, as of December 31, 2015, times 1.5, payable in equal installments over the 18-month period following separation and on our normal payroll schedule.
(2)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2015.
(3)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ‘in-the money’ unvested options and RSUs as of December 31, 2015, that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015 of $19.29. PRSUs were not included as their vesting would not accelerate in connection with a termination without cause or due to a constructive termination, or deemed termination, prior to a change in control.
(4)Medical is comprised of health insurance premiums for the period specified in each executive officer’s employment contract, as discussed further below.

Potential Payment upon Change-in-Control Table*

Name

  Severance (1)   Accrued
Compensation (2)
   Stock
Awards (3)
   Medical (4)   Total 

Stephen Aselage

  $1,536,000    $55,385    $3,473,730    $40,003    $5,105,118  

Laura Clague

  $807,750    $16,297    $945,353    $2,509    $1,771,910  

Alvin Shih, M.D.

  $1,012,500    $31,160    $2,507,681    $42,629    $3,593,970  

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

  $956,250    $29,429    $289,350    $13,727    $1,288,756  

*Reflects benefits to be provided upon a termination without cause, or due to a constructive termination, within a specified time following a change-in-control.
(1)For all NEOs other than our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents executive’s base salary plus their target bonus, as of December 31, 2015, times 1.5, payable in a lump sum within 10 days following the separation date. For our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents his base salary plus his target bonus, as of December 31, 2015, times 2.0, payable in a lump sum within 10 days following the separation date.
(2)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2015.
(3)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ‘in-the money’ unvested options and restricted stock units as of December 31, 2015 that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015 of $19.29.
(4)Medical is comprised of health insurance premiums for the period specified in each executive officer’s employment contract, as discussed further below.

Potential Payment upon Termination by Disability Table*

Name

  Base Salary (1)   Bonus (2)   Accrued
Compensa-
tion (3)
   Stock
Awards (4)
   Medical (5)   Total 

Stephen Aselage

  $720,000    $288,000    $55,385    $2,760,000    $40,003    $3,863,388  

Laura Clague

  $359,000    $179,500    $16,297    $327,997    $2,509    $885,303  

Alvin Shih, M.D.

  $450,000    $225,000    $31,160    $1,478,887    $42,629    $2,227,676  

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

  $425,000    $212,500    $29,429         $13,727    $680,656  

*Reflects a termination due to disability.
(1)For all NEOs other than our Chief Executive Officer, this amount represents executive’s base salary, as of December 31, 2015, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices over the12-month period following separation. For our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents his base salary, as of December 31, 2015, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices over the18-month period following separation.

45


(2)For all NEOs, this amount represents executive’s target bonus, as of December 31, 2015, payable in a lump sum within 10 days of separation.
(3)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2015.
(4)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ���in-the money’ unvested options and restricted stock units as of December 31, 2015 that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015 of $19.29. PRSUs were not included as their vesting would not accelerate in connection with a termination due to disability.
(5)Medical is comprised of health insurance premiums for the period specified in each executive officer’s employment contract, as discussed further below.

Potential Payment upon Termination by Death Table*

Name

  Bonus (1)   Accrued
Compensation (2)
   Stock
Awards (3)
   Total 

Stephen Aselage

  $288,000    $55,385    $356,865    $700,250  

Laura Clague

  $179,500    $16,297    $144,675    $340,472  

Alvin Shih, M.D.

  $225,000    $31,160    $2,363,006    $2,619,166  

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

  $212,500    $29,429    $144,675    $386,604  

*Reflects a termination due to death.
(1)For all NEOs, this amount represents 100% of the executive’s target bonus as of December 31, 2015.
(2)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2015.
(3)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ‘in-the money’ unvested options and restricted stock units as of December 31, 2015 that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015 of $19.29.

Employment Contracts

Aselage Employment Agreement

On March 3, 2015, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Aselage (the “Aselage Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Aselage Employment Agreement, Mr. Aselage will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 60% of his base salary. While Mr. Aselage will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Aselage Employment Agreement provides that in the event of his termination by the Company without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Mr. Aselage will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in equal installments over a period of 18 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Mr. Aselage had continued to render services to the Company for 18 months following his separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Mr. Aselage’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Mr. Aselage will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 2, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 24 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.

46


Shih Employment Agreement

On May 7, 2015, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Dr. Shih (the “Shih Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Shih Employment Agreement, Dr. Shih will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of his base salary. While Dr. Shih will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Shih Employment Agreement provides that in the event of his termination by the Company without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Shih will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Dr. Shih had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following his separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Dr. Shih’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Shih will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.

Clague Employment Agreement

On March 3, 2015, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Ms. Clague (the “Clague Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Clague Employment Agreement, Ms. Clague will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of her base salary. While Ms. Clague will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Clague Employment Agreement provides that in the event of her termination by the Company without cause or in the event of her termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Ms. Clague will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to her annual base salary plus annual target bonus paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and, (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Ms. Clague had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following her separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Ms. Clague’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of her termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Ms. Clague will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to her annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.

Valeur-Jensen Employment Agreement and Retirement and Transition Agreement

On March 3, 2015, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Dr. Valeur-Jensen (the “Valeur-Jensen Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Valeur-Jensen Employment Agreement, Dr. Valeur-Jensen will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of her base salary.

On February 1, 2016, the Company entered into a Retirement and Transition Agreement (the “Transition Agreement”) with Dr. Valeur-Jensen that supersedes and waives certain provisions of the Valeur-

47


Jensen Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Dr. Valeur-Jensen will continue to be employed as General Counsel of the Company through the Company’s hiring and transition to a new General Counsel, but in no event later than December 31, 2016. During such period of employment, Dr. Valeur-Jensen will remain eligible to participate in any Company-sponsored benefit program. Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Dr. Valeur-Jensen will be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus for calendar years 2015 and 2016, each in accordance with the terms of the Valeur-Jensen Employment Agreement; provided, however, that any annual incentive bonus for calendar year 2016 will be pro rated for the number of full calendar months Dr. Valeur-Jensen is employed by the Company during such year. Furthermore, if the Company terminates Dr. Valeur-Jensen’s employment without cause, Dr. Valeur-Jensen shall be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the base salary that otherwise would have been payable to Dr. Valeur-Jensen through December 31, 2016, and (ii) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to Dr. Valeur-Jensen’s target bonus amount for 2016 (provided, that if such termination occurs before Dr. Valeur-Jensen receives her annual incentive bonus for 2015, Dr. Valeur-Jensen shall also receive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to Dr. Valeur-Jensen’s target bonus amount for 2015). Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Dr. Valeur-Jensen waives all rights to receive any severance benefits that are provided for in the Valeur-Jensen Employment Agreement.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION SUMMARY

The following table shows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 certain information with respect to the compensation of all non-employee directors of the Company:

Name

  Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
   Stock
Awards ($)(1) (2)(3)
   Option
Awards ($)(1) (2)(4)
   Total ($) 

Tim Coughlin

  $37,500    $479,200    $676,800    $1,193,500  

Cornelius Golding

  $48,125    $65,180    $184,168    $297,473  

John Kozarich

  $27,292    $472,200    $668,400    $1,167,892  

Gary Lyons

  $80,000    $65,180    $184,168    $329,348  

Jeffrey Meckler

  $86,563    $65,180    $184,168    $335,911  

(1)In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the equity awards.
(2)Awards granted during 2015 are computed in accordance ASC 718. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the director in connection with such equity awards. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 of the audited financial statements in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as amended.
(3)Aggregate number of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2015 is 20,000 for Mr. Coughlin, 15,333 for Mr. Golding, 20,000 for Mr. Kozarich, 15,333 for Mr. Lyons and 15,333 for Mr. Meckler.
(4)Aggregate number of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015 is 40,000 for Mr. Coughlin, 45,000 for Mr. Golding, 40,000 for Mr. Kozarich, 48,000 for Mr. Lyons and 48,000 for Mr. Meckler.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a compensation policy for fiscal 2015 applicable to all of our non- employee directors that provides that each such non-employee director receives the following compensation for service on our Board of Directors:

an annual cash retainer of $45,000;
an additional annual cash retainer of $25,000 for service as chairman of the Board of Directors;
an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000 for service as a member of the Audit Committee ($20,000 for service as the chairman of the Audit Committee), $7,500 for service as a member of the Compensation Committee ($15,000 for service as the chairman of the Compensation Committee), and $5,000 for service as a member of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee ($10,000 for service as the chairman of the Nominating / Corporate Governance committee);
upon first joining our Board of Directors, an automatic initial grant of an option to purchase 16,000 shares of our common stock and 4,000 restricted shares of common stock; and

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for each non-employee director whose term continues on the date of our annual meeting each year, an automatic annual grant of an option to purchase 8,000 shares of our common stock and 2,000 restricted shares of common stock.

Each of the initial equity grants under our director compensation policy described above vests over a three year period following the date of grant, subject to the director continuing to provide services to us during such period. Each of the annual equity grants under our director compensation policy described above vests over a one year period following the date of grant, subject to the director continuing to provide services to us during such period.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

Policies and Procedures

We have adopted a related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related-person transactions.” Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our Audit Committee (or, where review by our Audit Committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board of Directors) for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-person transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-person transactions, our Audit Committee or another independent body of our Board of Directors takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

the risks, costs and benefits to us;
the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;
the terms of the transaction;
the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and
the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from our employees generally.

In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

Except as disclosed below, since December 31, 2014, there has not been, nor is there any proposed transaction where we were or will be a party in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and in which any director, director nominee, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than the compensation agreements and other agreements and transactions which are described in “Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements” and the transactions described below. We believe that the agreements and transactions described below were generally on terms that were comparable to terms we could have obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

Elizabeth Aselage, the daughter of Stephen Aselage, our CEO, is an employee of the Company. For the 2015 fiscal year, Ms. Aselage was paid an aggregate salary and bonus of $76,514, and participated in the Company’s employee benefits plans, which are generally available to all Company employees. Additionally, the Company awarded Ms. Aselage 2,500 stock options in July 2015, with a strike price of $32.49 each and a total grant date fair value of $57,550, calculated in accordance with ASC 718.

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On January 9, 2015, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing Pharmaceuticals AG (“Turing”) pursuant to which we sold Turing our ketamine licenses and assets (the “Assets”) for a purchase price of $1.0 million, and pursuant to which Turing also assumed all future liabilities related to the Assets. At the time of the transaction, Mr. Shkreli, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, was the Chief Executive Officer of Turing.

On February 12, 2015, we, our wholly-owned subsidiary Manchester Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Manchester”) and our other wholly-owned subsidiary Retrophin Therapeutics International, LLC (collectively, the “Sellers”), entered into a purchase agreement with Waldun Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Waldun”) pursuant to which the Sellers sold Waldun their product rights to mecamylamine hydrochloride (also referred to as Vecamyl) (the “Vecamyl Product Rights”) for a purchase price of $0.7 million. Waldun in turn sold the Vecamyl Product Rights to Turing. In connection therewith, on February 12, 2015, we, together with Manchester, entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing, pursuant to which we sold Turing our mecamylamine hydrochloride inventory (the “Inventory”) for a purchase price of $0.3 million, and pursuant to which Turing also assumed certain liabilities related to the Vecamyl Product Rights and the Inventory. At the time of the transaction, Mr. Shkreli, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, was the Chief Executive Officer of Turing.

On February 12, 2015, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Turing pursuant to which we sold Turing our Syntocinon licenses and assets, including related inventory, for a purchase price of $1.1 million, and pursuant to which Turing also assumed certain liabilities related to the Syntocinon licenses and assets. At the time of the transaction, Mr. Shkreli, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, was the Chief Executive Officer of Turing.

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PROPOSAL 4

RATIFICATIONOF SELECTIONOF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and has further directed that management submit the selection of independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Neither the Company’s bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of BDO to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of BDO. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes (if any) are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.

THE BOARDOF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOROF PROPOSAL 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 by BDO. All fees described below were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

     2015     2014 

Audit Fees (1)

    $816,000      $504,300  

Audit Related Fees (2)

     -      $122,000  

Tax Fees (3)

    $257,000       $234,300  

All Other Fees (4)

     -       -  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $1,073,000      $860,600  

(1)Fees for audit services billed or to be billed for fiscal 2015 and 2014 consisted of the annual audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, review of registration statements, the interim reviews of the quarterly consolidated financial statements, and normal, recurring accounting consultations.
(2)Fees for audit related services billed or to be billed for the year ended December 31, 2014 consisted of audits of acquired company financial statements for S-X 3-05 purposes.
(3)Fees for tax services billed or to be billed for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of financial tax planning and consultations and tax compliance.
(4)There were no other fees for professional services rendered by the Company’s independent registered accountants for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Our Audit Committee has established policies and procedures regarding pre-approval of all services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and

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non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, other than de minimis non- audit services, and shall not engage the independent registered public accounting firm to perform the specific non-audit services proscribed by law or regulation. Our Audit Committee preapproved all such audit and permitted non-audit services in 2015.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO and has concluded that the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the firm. All of the services rendered by BDO were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Audit Committee pre-approval policy described above.

During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period preceding BDO’s engagement, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted BDO regarding either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company that BDO concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” or “reportable event” (within the meaning of Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K and Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, respectively).

Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm During 2014

On March 31, 2014, the Audit Committee notified Marcum LLP that it had determined not to engage Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, and accordingly dismissed Marcum LLP effective as of such date. On and effective as of that same date, the Company entered into an engagement letter with BDO, approved by the Audit Committee, and engaged BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Marcum LLP’s reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that each such report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements contained an explanatory statement in respect to uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the subsequent interim period preceding Marcum LLP’s dismissal, there were (i) no “disagreements” (within the meaning of Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K) with Marcum LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Marcum LLP, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the consolidated financial statements of the Company and (ii) except for material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, no “reportable events” (as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K). As disclosed in Item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and Item 9A of the Company’s Transition Report on Form 10-K for the transition period from March 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, the Company’s management and Board of Directors identified certain matters that constituted material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, and such weaknesses were advised by Marcum LLP.

The Company provided Marcum LLP with a copy of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 2014 prior to its filing with the SEC and requested Marcum LLP to furnish to the Company a letter addressed to the SEC stating that it agrees with the statements made above. A copy of Marcum’s letter to the SEC stating that it agrees with the statements made above, dated April 4, 2014, is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 2014.

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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of Annual Meeting materials to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Retrophin, Inc. stockholders will be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. A single set of Annual Meeting materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate set of Annual Meeting materials, please notify your broker or Retrophin, Inc. Direct your written request to Retrophin, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 12255 El Camino Real, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92130. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Annual Meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ Margaret Valeur-Jensen

Margaret Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D.

General Counsel and Secretary

April 4, 2016

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 is available without charge upon written request to: Secretary, Retrophin, Inc., 12255 El Camino Real, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92130.

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Appendix A

RETROPHIN, INC.

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

ADOPTEDBYTHE BOARDOF DIRECTORS: APRIL 16, 2015

APPROVEDBYTHE STOCKHOLDERS: JUNE 8, 2015

AMENDEDBYTHE BOARDOF DIRECTORS: MARCH 21, 2016

AMENDMENT APPROVEDBYTHE STOCKHOLDERS:

1.

General.

(a) Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Retrophin, Inc. 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Prior Plan”). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards may be granted under the Prior Plan. Any unallocated shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of options or issuance or settlement of stock awards not previously granted under the Prior Plan as of 12:01 a.m. Pacific time on the Effective Date (the “Prior Plan’s Available Reserve”) will cease to be available under the Prior Plan at such time and will be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3(a) below) and be then immediately available for issuance pursuant to Stock Awards granted hereunder. In addition, from and after 12:01 a.m. Pacific time on the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan;provided, however, that any shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that (i) expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement; or (ii) are forfeited, cancelled or otherwise returned to the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares (the “Returning Shares”) will immediately be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3(a) below) as and when such shares become Returning Shares, and become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted hereunder. All Awards granted on or after 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the Effective Date will be subject to the terms of this Plan.

(b) Eligible Award Recipients. Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.

(c) Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards, (vi) Performance Stock Awards, (vii) Performance Cash Awards, and (viii) Other Stock Awards.

(d) Purpose. The Plan, through the granting of Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.

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2.

Administration.

(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To determine (A) who will be granted Awards; (B) when and how each Award will be granted; (C) what type of Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, an Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.

(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.

(iv) To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which an Award may be exercised or vest (or at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued).

(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair a Participant’s rights under the Participant’s then-outstanding Award without the Participant’s written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.

(vi)To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or exempt from or compliant with the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, if required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends

A-2


the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as provided in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award without the Participant’s written consent.

(vii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 162(m) of the Code regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to Covered Employees, (B) Section 422 of the Code regarding incentive stock options or (C) Rule 16b-3.

(viii)To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion;provided however, that a Participant’s rights under any Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.

(ix) To appoint such agents as the Board may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

(x) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.

(xi) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

(c) Delegation to Committee.

(i) General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a

A-3


Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Committee may, at any time, abolish the subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

(ii) Section 162(m) and Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two (2) or more Outside Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, or solely of two (2) or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3.

(d) Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one (1) or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Awards, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees;provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(x)(iii) below.

(e) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

(f) Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards. Neither the Board nor any Committee will have the authority to: (i) reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Option, SAR, or other Award under the Plan, or (ii) cancel any outstanding Option, SAR, or other Award that has an exercise price or strike price greater than the current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in exchange for cash or other Stock Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within 12 months prior to such an event.

(g) Minimum Vesting Requirements. Except as provided in Section 9, no Full Value Award will vest until at least twelve (12) months following the date of grant of such Award;provided, however,that up to five percent (5%) of the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)) may be subject to Full Value Awards that do not meet such vesting requirements.

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3.

Shares Subject to the Plan.

(a) Share Reserve.

(i)Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards from and after the Effective Date will not exceed (A) 3,612,710 shares, which number is equal to the sum of (I) 612,710 shares subject to the Prior Plan’s Available Reserve on the Effective Date (II) an additional 1,400,000 shares that were approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 8, 2015, and (III) and additional 1,600,000 new shares,plus(B) the Returning Shares, if any, which become available for grant under the Plan from time to time (such aggregate number of shares described in (A) and (B) above, the “Share Reserve”).

(ii) For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.

(iii) Subject to subsection 3(b), the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by: (i) one (1) share for each share of stock issued pursuant to (A) an Option granted under Section 5, or (B) a Stock Appreciation Right granted under Section 5 with respect to which the strike price is at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant; and (ii) 2.0 shares for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Stock Award or Other Stock Award granted after March 21, 2016.

(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.

(i) Shares Available For Subsequent Issuance.If (A) any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award are not issued because such Stock Award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), or (B) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, such shares will again become available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent (A) there is issued a share of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award that counted as 2.0 shares against the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan (B) any Returning Shares granted under the Prior Plan pursuant to an award other than an option or stock appreciation right, and such share of Common Stock becomes available for issuance under the Plan after March 21, 2016 pursuant to Section 1(a), Section 3(a) or this Section 3(b)(i), then the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall increase by 2.0 shares.

(ii)Shares Not Available For Subsequent Issuance. If any shares subject to a Stock Award are not delivered to a Participant because the Stock Award is

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exercised through a reduction of shares subject to the Stock Award (i.e., “net exercised”), the number of shares that are not delivered to the Participant will not remain available for issuance under the Plan. Also, any shares reacquired by the Company pursuant to Section 8(h) with respect to a Stock Award will not again become available for issuance under the Plan.

(c) Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be 8,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

(d) Section 162(m) Limitations. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, at such time as the Company may be subject to the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, the following limitations will apply.

(i) A maximum of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock subject to Options, SARs and Other Stock Awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date any such Stock Award is granted may be granted to any Participant during any fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any additional Options, SARs or Other Stock Awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Award are granted to any Participant during any fiscal year, compensation attributable to the exercise of such additional Stock Awards will not satisfy the requirements to be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code unless such additional Stock Award is approved by the Company’s stockholders.

(ii) A maximum of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock subject to Performance Stock Awards may be granted to any one Participant during any one fiscal year (whether the grant, vesting or exercise is contingent upon the attainment during the Performance Period of the Performance Goals).

(iii)A maximum of $2,000,000 may be granted as a Performance Cash Award to any one Participant during any one fiscal year.

(e) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

4.

Eligibility.

(a) Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off

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transaction) or (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from or alternatively comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(b) Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

5.

Provisions Relating to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical;provided, however, that each Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.

(b) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

(c) Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or that otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

(i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

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(ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

(iv)if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price;provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or

(v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Award Agreement.

(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.

(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:

(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (and pursuant to Sections 5(e)(ii) and 5(e)(iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. The Board may permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

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(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(iii) Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

(f) Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise the Participant’s Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR will terminate.

(h) Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of

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the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service and be forfeited, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising the Participant’s Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

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(l) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement, in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six (6) months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.

6.

Provisions of Stock Awards Other than Options and SARs.

(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

(ii) Vesting. Shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

(iii) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a

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repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(iv) Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(v) Dividends. A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

(b) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

(ii) Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

(iii) Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

(v) Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of

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Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

(vi) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

(c) Performance Awards.

(i) Performance Stock Awards. A Performance Stock Award is a Stock Award (covering a number of shares not in excess of that set forth in Section 3(d)(ii)) that is payable (including that may be granted, vest or be exercised) contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Stock Award may, but need not, require the Participant’s completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. The length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Committee (or, if not required for compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board), in its sole discretion. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.

(ii) Performance Cash Awards. A Performance Cash Award is a cash award (for a dollar value not in excess of that set forth in Section 3(d)(iii)) that is payable contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Cash Award may also require the Participant’s completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. At the time of grant of a Performance Cash Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Committee (or, if not required for compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board), in its sole discretion. The Board may specify the form of payment of Performance Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for a Participant to have the option for his or her Performance Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Board may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.

(iii) Board Discretion. The Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period.

(iv) Section 162(m) Compliance. Unless otherwise permitted in compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” thereunder, the Committee will establish the Performance Goals applicable to, and the formula for calculating the amount payable under, the Award no later than the earlier of (A) the date ninety (90) days after the commencement of the

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applicable Performance Period, and (B) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, and in any event at a time when the achievement of the applicable Performance Goals remains substantially uncertain. Prior to the payment of any compensation under an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee will certify the extent to which any Performance Goals and any other material terms under such Award have been satisfied (other than in cases where the Performance Goals relate solely to the increase in the value of the Common Stock). Notwithstanding satisfaction or any completion of any Performance Goals, shares subject to Options, cash or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such Performance Goals may be reduced by the Committee on the basis of any further considerations as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine.

(d) Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards granted under Section 5 and this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

7.

Covenants of the Company.

(a) Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.

(b) Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan the authority required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards;provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to

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warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.

8.

Miscellaneous.

(a) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.

(c) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

(d) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

(e) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of the Participant’s services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a

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reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

(f) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

(g) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that the Participant is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

(h) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award;provided, however,that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.

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(i) Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).

(j) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

(k) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.To the extent that the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded and a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount will be made upon a “separation from service” before a date that is six (6) months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death.

(l) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company.

9.

Adjustments upon Changes in Common Stock; Other Corporate Events.

(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum

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number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), (iii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be awarded to any person pursuant to Section 3(d), and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

(b) Dissolution. Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a Dissolution of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such Dissolution, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service,provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the Dissolution is completed but contingent on its completion.

(c) Transactions. The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Transaction. In the event of a Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction, andprovided that the Board may take the actions described in Sections 9(c)(iii) through 9(c)(vi) only if the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not consent to the actions in Sections 9(c)(i) and 9(c)(ii):

(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction);

(ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

(iii)accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective date of the Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Transaction;provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Transaction;

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(iv)arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

(v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration or no consideration as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and

(vi)make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise. For clarity, this payment may be zero ($0) if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.

The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.

(d) Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a termination of Continuous Service in connection with a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

10.

Plan Term; Earlier Termination or Suspension of the Plan.

(a) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Option will be granted after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

(b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan.

11.

Effective Date of Plan.

This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.

12.

Choice of Law.

The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

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13.

Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

(a)“Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

(b)“Award” means a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award.

(c)“Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award.

(d)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e)“Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

(f)“Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Participant’s commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or other act of dishonesty that could reflect adversely on the integrity, character or reputation of the Company, or that would cause harm to its customer relations, operations or business prospects; (ii) the Participant’s breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company; (iii) the Participant’s violation or threatening to violate a restrictive covenant agreement, such as a non-compete, non-solicit, or non-disclosure agreement, between a Participant and the Company; (iv) the Participant’s unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information or trade secrets; (v) the Participant’s violation of any lawful policies or rules of the Company, including any applicable code of conduct; (vi) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea ofnolo contendere to, any felony if such conviction or plea (a) results in such Person’s imprisonment, (b) could reflect adversely on the integrity, character or reputation of the Company or (c) would cause harm to the Company’s customer relations, operations or business prospects; (vii) the Participant’s failure to reasonably cooperate in any investigation or proceeding concerning the Company; or (viii) the Participant’s neglect or misconduct in the performance of the Participant’s duties and responsibilities, provided that he or she did not cure such neglect or misconduct within ten (10) days after the Company gave written notice of such neglect or misconduct to such Participant. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous

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Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

(g)“Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i)any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;

(ii)there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

(iii)there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

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(iv)individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement;provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.

(h)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

(i)“Committee” means a committee of one (1) or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

(j)“Common Stock means the common stock of the Company.

(k)“Company” means Retrophin, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(l)“Consultant means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.

(m)“Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service;provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether

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Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

(n)“Corporate Transaction means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(ii)a sale or other disposition of at least ninety percent (90%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;

(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

(iv)a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

(o)“Covered Employee” will have the meaning provided in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.

(p)“Director” means a member of the Board.

(q)“Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

(r)“Dissolution means when the Company, after having executed a certificate of dissolution with the State of Delaware, has completely wound up its affairs. Conversion of the Company into a Limited Liability Company (or any other pass- through entity) will not be considered a “Dissolution” for purposes of the Plan.

(s)“Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan document, which is the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held in calendar year 2015 provided the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at such meeting.

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(t)“Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

(u)“Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

(v)“Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(w)“Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

(x)“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

(iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.

(y)“Full Value Award” means a Stock Award that is not an Option or SAR with respect to which the exercise or strike price is at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date of grant.

(z)“Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

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(aa)“Non-Employee Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

(bb)“Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted pursuant to Section 5 that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(cc)“Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(dd)“Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

(ee)“Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(ff)“Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

(gg)“Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(d).

(hh)“Other Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(ii)“Outside Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee of the Company or an “affiliated corporation” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a former employee of the Company or an “affiliated corporation” who receives compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the taxable year, has not been an officer of the Company or an “affiliated corporation,” and does not receive remuneration from the Company or an “affiliated corporation,” either directly or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a Director, or (ii) is otherwise considered an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(jj)“Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement,

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understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

(kk)“Participant” means a person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

(ll)“Performance Cash Award” means an award of cash granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(ii).

(mm)“Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: (1) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (2) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (3) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (4) total stockholder return; (5) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (6) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (7) stock price; (8) margin (including gross margin); (9) income (before or after taxes); (10) operating income; (11) operating income after taxes; (12) pre-tax profit; (13) operating cash flow; (14) sales or revenue targets; (15) increases in revenue or product revenue; (16) expenses and cost reduction goals; (17) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (18) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (19) market share; (20) cash flow; (21) cash flow per share; (22) share price performance; (23) debt reduction; (24) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (25) customer satisfaction; (26) stockholders’ equity; (27) capital expenditures; (28) debt levels; (29) operating profit or net operating profit; (30) workforce diversity; (31) growth of net income or operating income; (32) billings; (33) pre-clinical development related compound goals; (34) financing; (35) regulatory milestones, including approval of a compound; (36) stockholder liquidity; (37) corporate governance and compliance; (38) product commercialization; (39) intellectual property; (40) personnel matters; (41) progress of internal research or clinical programs; (42) progress of partnered programs; (43) implementation or completion of projects and processes; (44) partner satisfaction; (45) budget management; (46) clinical achievements; (47) completing phases of a clinical study (including the treatment phase); (48) announcing or presenting preliminary or final data from clinical studies; in each case, whether on particular timelines or generally; (49) timely completion of clinical trials; (50) submission of INDs and NDAs and other regulatory achievements; (51) partner or collaborator achievements; (52) internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; (53) research progress, including the development of programs; (54) investor relations, analysts and communication; (55) manufacturing achievements (including obtaining particular yields from manufacturing runs and other measurable objectives related to process development activities); (56) strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property; (57) establishing relationships with commercial entities with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Company’s products (including with group purchasing organizations, distributors and other vendors); (58) supply chain achievements (including establishing relationships with manufacturers or suppliers

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of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other component materials and manufacturers of the Company’s products);

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(59) co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; and (60) other measures of performance selected by the Plan Administrator.

Performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. In establishing a performance goal, the Plan Administrator may provide that performance will be appropriately adjusted as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of any “extraordinary items” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles and (12) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item. In addition, our board of directors retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the performance criteria it selects to use for a performance period.
Other Stock Awards
Other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other stock awards under the Amended 2018 Plan. Subject to the terms of the Amended 2018 Plan (including certain minimum vesting requirements (see “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above)), the Plan Administrator will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such other stock awards will be granted, the number of shares of our common stock to be granted and all other terms and conditions of such other stock awards.
Recoup/Clawback
Awards granted under the Amended 2018 Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that we are required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law.
Changes to Capital Structure
In the event of certain capitalization adjustments, the Plan Administrator will appropriately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Amended 2018 Plan; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs; and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding stock awards.
Transaction
In the event of a transaction (as defined in the Amended 2018 Plan and described below), the Plan Administrator may take one or more of the following actions with respect to stock awards, contingent upon the closing or consummation of the transaction, unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the stock award, in any other written agreement between us or one of our affiliates and the participant or in our director compensation policy, or unless otherwise provided by the Plan Administrator at the time of grant of the stock award:
arrange for the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) to assume or continue the stock award or to substitute a similar stock award for the stock award (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to our stockholders pursuant to the transaction);
arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us in respect of our common stock issued pursuant to the stock award to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company);
accelerate the vesting (and, if applicable, the exercisability) of the stock award to a date prior to the effective time of the transaction as determined by the Plan Administrator (or, if the Plan Administrator does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the transaction), with the stock award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the transaction; provided, however, that the Plan Administrator may require participants to complete and deliver to us a notice of exercise before the effective date of a transaction, which is contingent upon the effectiveness of the transaction;
arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the stock award;
cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Plan Administrator may consider appropriate; and
cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the transaction, in exchange for a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Plan Administrator equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of the stock award
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immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction, over (ii) any exercise price payable in connection with such exercise, which payment may be subject to any escrow, holdback, earnout or similar provisions to the same extent and in the same manner as those provisions apply to holders of common stock.
The Plan Administrator is not required to take the same action with respect to all stock awards or portions of stock awards or with respect to all participants. The Plan Administrator may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a stock award.
For purposes of the Amended 2018 Plan, a transaction will be deemed to occur in the event of a corporate transaction or a change in control. A corporate transaction generally means the consummation of (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets, (ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities, (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation, or (iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.
A change of control generally means (i) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction; (ii) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity; (iii) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our consolidated assets; or (iv) when a majority of our board of directors becomes comprised of individuals whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of our board members or their approved successors.
Change in Control
Under the Amended 2018 Plan, a stock award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a termination of service in connection with a change in control (as defined in the Amended 2018 Plan and described below) as may be provided in the participant’s stock award agreement, in any other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates or in our director compensation policy, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.
The acceleration of vesting of an award in the event of a corporate transaction or a change in control event under the 2018 Plan may be viewed as an anti-takeover provision, which may have the effect of discouraging a proposal to acquire or otherwise obtain control of us.
Dissolution
If the Company dissolves, all outstanding stock awards (other than fully vested stock awards and outstanding shares of our common stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or our right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the dissolution, and we may repurchase or reacquire the shares of our common stock subject to our repurchase rights or a forfeiture condition even if the participant is providing service. Our board of directors may provide, in its discretion, that some or all of the outstanding stock awards will become fully vested, exercisable, or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture prior to the completion of the dissolution but contingent on its completion.
Plan Amendments and Termination
The Plan Administrator will have the authority to amend or terminate the Amended 2018 Plan at any time. However, except as otherwise provided in the Amended 2018 Plan or an Awardaward agreement, no amendment or termination of the Amended 2018 Plan may materially impair a participant’s rights under his or her outstanding awards without the participant’s consent. We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the Amended 2018 Plan as required by applicable law and listing requirements. No incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended 2018 Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the 2018 Plan was adopted by our Board.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences to participants and us with respect to participation in the Amended 2018 Plan. This summary is not intended to comply withbe exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any local, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any participant may depend on his or her particular situation, each participant should consult the participant’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired under the Amended 2018 Plan. The Amended 2018 Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.
Nonstatutory Stock Options
Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of an NSO if the stock option is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Upon exercise, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. If the participant is employed by us or one of our affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding taxes. The participant’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to his or her fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock option, and the participant’s capital gain holding period for those shares will begin on that date.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.
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Incentive Stock Options
The Amended 2018 Plan provides for the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, a participant generally is not subject to ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. If the participant holds a share received upon exercise of an ISO for more than two years from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year from the date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to as the required holding period, the difference, if any, between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the participant’s tax basis in that share will be long-term capital gain or loss.
If, however, a participant disposes of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the required holding period, which is referred to as a disqualifying disposition, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. However, if the sales proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale. If the amount realized on a disqualifying disposition exceeds the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the holding period for the share exceeds one year.
For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market value of a share of stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of the stock option generally will be an adjustment included in the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the stock option is exercised. If, however, there is a disqualifying disposition of the share in the year in which the stock option is exercised, there will be no adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to that share. In computing alternative minimum taxable income, the tax basis of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO is increased by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to that share for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year the stock option is exercised.
We are not allowed a tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO after the required holding period. If there is a disqualifying disposition of a share, however, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant, subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and provided that either the employee includes that amount in income or we timely satisfy our reporting requirements with respect to that amount.
Restricted Stock Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock.
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock award.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock unit award structured to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. To comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the stock subject to a restricted stock unit award may generally only be delivered upon one of the following events: a fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death, disability or a change in control. If delivery occurs on another date, unless the restricted stock unit award otherwise complies with or qualifies for an exception to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (including delivery upon achievement of a performance goal), in addition to the tax treatment described above, the recipient will owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock unit award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized when the stock is delivered.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock unit award.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Generally, if a stock appreciation right is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the stock or cash received upon such exercise. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation right. 
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Section 162(m) Limitations
Compensation of persons who are “covered employees” of the Company is subject to the tax deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code. The exemption from Section 162(m)’s deduction limit for performance-based compensation has been repealed, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, such that compensation paid to our covered employees in excess of $1 million will not be deductible unless it qualifies for transition relief applicable to certain arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017.
New Plan Benefits
Amended 2018 Plan
Name and PositionDollar value
Number of
shares
Eric Dube, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(1)(1)
Christopher Cline
Chief Financial Officer
(1)(1)
Peter Heerma Chief Commercial Officer(1)(1)
Jula Inrig, M.D. Chief Medical Officer(1)(1)
William E. Rote, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Development
(1)(1)
Laura Clague
Former Chief Financial Officer
(1)(1)
All current executive officers as a group(1)(1)
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group(2)108,000(2)
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group(1)(1)
(1)Awards granted under the Amended 2018 Plan to our executive officers and other employees are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended 2018 Plan, and our Board and our Compensation Committee have not granted any awards under the Amended 2018 Plan subject to stockholder approval of this Proposal 2. Accordingly, the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to our executive officers and other employees under the Amended 2018 Plan, as well as the benefits or amounts which would have been received by or allocated to our executive officers and other employees for fiscal year 2018 if the Amended 2018 Plan had been in effect, are not determinable.
(2)Awards granted under the Amended 2018 Plan to our non-employee directors are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended 2018 Plan. Pursuant to our compensation policy for non-employee directors, however, each of our current non-employee directors is eligible to receive an annual retainer of $50,000 for serving on the Board and, if applicable, an additional annual retainer of $35,000 for serving as the Chair of the Board, an additional annual retainer of $10,000 for service as a member of the Audit Committee ($20,000 for serving as the Chair of the Audit Committee), an additional annual retainer of $7,500 for serving as a member of the Compensation Committee ($15,000 for serving as the Chair of the Compensation Committee), an additional annual retainer of $5,000 for serving as a member of the Nominating /Corporate Governance Committee ($12,000 for serving as the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) and an additional annual retainer of $5,000 for serving as a member of the Science and Medical Technology Committee ($10,000 for serving as the Chair of the Science and Technology Committee) for each calendar year, provided that the non-employee director continues his or her service as a non-employee director (or Chair of the Board or member or Chair of a committee, as applicable) during such calendar year. A non-employee director may elect to receive the value of such retainers in the form of stock options. The number of shares subject to each option grant is determined on the basis of the “fair value” of our common stock using a Black-Scholes or binominal valuation model, in each case on the date of grant and, therefore, is not determinable at this time. Pursuant to our compensation policy for non-employee directors, any non-employee director who is first elected to the Board will be granted an option to purchase 15,750 shares of our common stock and 5,250 restricted stock units on the date of his or her initial election to the Board. In addition, on the date of each annual meeting, each person who has served as a non-employee director since at least the date that is six (6) months prior to the date of such annual meeting and continues to serve as a non-employee member of the Board of Directors following such annual meeting will be granted a stock option to purchase 9,000 shares of our common stock and 3,000 restricted stock units. All option grants will have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Each initial grant for a non-employee director will vest over a three year period, and each annual grant for a non-employee director will vest over a one year period, in each case subject to the director’s continuing service on our Board of Directors. After the date of the annual meeting, any such awards will be granted under the Amended 2018 Plan if this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders. For additional information regarding our compensation policy for non-employee directors, see the “Director Compensation” section below.
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Plan Benefits
The following table shows, for each of the individuals and the various groups indicated, the number of shares of our common stock underlying awards that have been granted (even if not currently outstanding) under the 2018 Plan since its approval by our stockholders in 2018 and through March 21, 2023.
Name and principal positionNumber of awards granted (#)
Eric Dube, Ph.D.
   President and Chief Executive Officer
1,311,168 
Laura Clague
   Former Chief Financial Officer
290,700 
Christopher Cline
   Chief Financial Officer
207,590 
Peter Heerma
   Chief Commercial Officer
294,040 
Jula Inrig, M.D.
   Chief Medical Officer
89,500 
William E. Rote, Ph.D.
   Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Development
408,040 
All current executive officers as a group (6 persons)2,722,378 
All current non-executive directors as a group (9 persons)482,500 
Each nominee for director (10 persons):
Roy Baynes58,500 
Suzanne Bruhn45,000 
Timothy Coughlin58,500 
Eric Dube— 
Gary Lyons58,500 
Jeffrey Meckler58,500 
John A. Orwin58,500 
Sandra Poole53,500 
Ron Squarer58,500 
Ruth Williams-Brinkley33,000 
Each associate of any director, executive officer or nominee (0 persons)— 
Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of awards (1 person)1,311,168 
All employees, including all current non-executive officers, as a group (424 persons)6,986,367 
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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes our compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2022:
Plan CategoryNumber of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)(1)
Number of securities remaining available for issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders10,071,241 (2)$21.69 4,778,374 (3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders2,361,938 (4)$20.83 — 
Total12,433,179 $21.56 4,778,374 (3)
(1)Weighted-average exercise price does not include restricted stock units and performance stock units as there is no exercise price for such units.
(2)Includes stock options to purchase 8,415,478 shares of our common stock. Also includes (i) 1,498,715 restricted stock unit awards with no exercise price and (ii) 157,048 shares issuable pursuant to Performance Restricted Stock Units that were outstanding as of December 31, 2022, representing achievement of performance goals at target levels (100%).
(3)Represents 3,651,196 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2018 Plan and 1,127,178 shares reserved for issuance under our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 2017 ESPP, which became effective on May 17, 2017. As of December 31, 2022, 752,822 shares have been issued under the 2017 ESPP.
(4)Includes inducement stock options to purchase 1,516,944 shares of our common stock reserved for inducement awards. Also includes 844,994 restricted stock unit awards with no exercise price.
Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
Stockholders are requested in this Proposal 2 to approve the Amended 2018 Plan described above. Approval of this Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as "Against" votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved. The Amended 2018 Plan will not go into effect unless it is approved by our stockholders. A copy of the Amended 2018 Plan is appended to this proxy statement as Appendix A, which stockholders are urged to read. The description of the Amended 2018 Plan in this Proposal 2 is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Amended 2018 Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2
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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, our stockholders are entitled to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules. At the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders indicated their preference that the Company solicit a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay vote,” every year. The Board of Directors has adopted a policy that is consistent with that preference. In accordance with that policy, this year, the Company is again asking the stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules.
This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Company’s named executive officers and the related practices described in this proxy statement. The compensation of the Company’s named executive officers subject to the vote is disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and related compensation tables contained in this proxy statement. Compensation of the Company’s named executive officers is designed to enable the Company to attract and retain talented and experienced executives to lead the Company successfully in a competitive environment.
Summary of the Company’s Executive Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) bases its executive compensation decisions on a number of objectives which include aligning management incentives with interests of stockholders, providing competitive compensation, appropriately balancing compensation risk in the context of the Company’s business strategy and meeting evolving compensation governance standards. The philosophy of the Compensation Committee in establishing the Company’s compensation policy for executive officers as well as all other employees is to:
align compensation plans with both short-term and long-term goals and objectives of the Company and stockholder interests;
attract and retain highly skilled individuals by offering compensation that compares favorably to other employers who are competing for available employees;
incentivize employees through a mix of base salary, bonus amounts based on achievement of defined corporate goals and long-term equity awards to generate returns for stockholders; and
pay for performance by ensuring that an ever increasing percentage of an individual’s compensation is performance-based as they progress to higher levels within the Company.
As discussed below in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we believe that we have adopted a compensation philosophy that provides strong alignment between executive pay and performance based on strategic goals designed to provide both near-term and long-term growth in stockholder value.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors is asking the stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote “For” the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and related compensation tables, are hereby APPROVED.”
Because the vote is advisory, it is not binding on the Board of Directors or the Company. Nevertheless, the views expressed by the stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to management and the Board of Directors and, accordingly, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements.
Vote Required
Advisory approval of this proposal requires the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. Unless the Board of Directors decides to modify its policy regarding the frequency of soliciting say-on-pay advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executives, the next scheduled say-on-pay vote will be at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 3
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following is biographical information about our executive officers as of April 13, 2023.

NameAgeCurrent Position(s)
Eric Dube, Ph.D.50President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Christopher Cline39Chief Financial Officer
Peter Heerma52Chief Commercial Officer
Jula Inrig, M.D.48Chief Medical Officer
Elizabeth E. Reed52Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
William E. Rote, Ph.D.60Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Development

The following is certain biographical information describing the business experience of each of our executive officers who is not a director. Dr. Dube’s biographical information can be found in Proposal 1.
Christopher Cline has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September 2022. Mr. Cline brings more than 15 years of industry experience in investor relations, corporate communications, and financial strategy, planning and analysis to the chief financial officer position. Previously, Mr. Cline served as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at the Company. Since joining the Company in 2014, Mr. Cline has been responsible for leading engagement with the investment community, as well as building a developed corporate communications infrastructure and strategy. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cline was a member of the global investor relations group at Elan Corporation, plc, and the financial planning and analysis group at Phase Forward. Mr. Cline is a CFA charter holder and holds a degree in finance from the Williams College of Business at Xavier University.
Peter Heerma has served as Chief Commercial Officer of the Company since October 2019. Previously, Mr. Heerma served as Global Product General Manager for oncology and cardiovascular products at Amgen Inc., a biotechnology company, from December 2015 to September 2019. From December 2003 until November 2015, Mr. Heerma held roles of increasing responsibility at Abbott Laboratories (“Abbott”), and following Abbott’s spin-off of AbbVie, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, at AbbVie. These roles included Senior Director of Portfolio Strategy for hepatology and nephrology, Senior Director and Asset Team Lead for HCV, diabetic nephropathy, and neuroscience development projects (all AbbVie), Director of Commercial Strategy Renal Care, International Marketing Director, Business Unit Manager of hospital products, and Product Manager for obesity and cardiovascular products (all Abbott). Mr. Heerma holds a Master of Science in European business administration and business law from the Lund University in Sweden and a Bachelor of Science in retail management and marketing from Stenden University in the Netherlands.
Jula Inrig has served as Chief Medical Officer of the Company since January 2022. Previously, Dr. Inrig served as Global Head of the Renal Center of Excellence at IQVIA, a global provider of analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services to the life sciences industry, from September 2017 to December 2021, where she helped develop the design, execution and strategy of clinical trials leading to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approvals in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and diabetic kidney disease. From August 2012 to March 2015 Dr. Inrig served as Medical Director, and then as Senior Medical Director from April 2015 to December 2021 and was responsible for the execution of numerous global clinical trials, including pivotal phase 3 trials in FSGS, IgAN and lupus nephritis. From March 2013 to January 2018 Dr. Inrig served on the board of directors for the Kidney Health Initiative, a public-private partnership with the FDA, working to improve the development of therapies for patients with kidney disease. Dr. Inrig has authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and editorials and is currently a member of several professional medical societies. Dr. Inrig is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine and has served on the faculty at the University of California, Irvine, and as an adjunct in the Department of Medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Inrig holds a B.A. from California State University, Sacramento, and received her M.D. from Loma Linda University and completed her internal medicine residency, her nephrology fellowship and Masters of Health Science at Duke University.
Elizabeth E. Reed has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company since January 2017. Previously, Ms. Reed served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Celladon Corporation, a publicly traded biotechnology company, from June 2014 to March 2016 and served as a legal consultant for companies in the life sciences industry from 2013 to June 2014 and again during 2016. From 2001 to 2012, Ms. Reed led the legal function at Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, including serving as Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary until Anadys’ acquisition by Roche. Prior to Anadys, Ms. Reed was an attorney with the law firms Cooley LLP and Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP. Ms. Reed is a member of the State Bar of California and received her B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and holds a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
William E. Rote has served as Senior Vice President of Research & Development of the Company since February 2017. Previously, Dr. Rote led clinical development at Ardea Biosciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca, serving as Vice President, Clinical Development from September 2014 to July 2016. From 2003 to 2014, Dr. Rote held numerous positions of increasing responsibility at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, including Vice President, Site Head for Research & Development from September 2012 to July 2014, Vice President, Research & Product Development from January 2010 to September 2012, and Vice President, Corporate Development, New Ventures, from 2007 to 2010, among others. Prior to Amylin, Dr. Rote served as Executive Director, Development of Corvas International, a biopharmaceutical company. He
27


earned both his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and B.S. in Pre-Medicine from Pennsylvania State University, and received postdoctoral training from the University of Michigan.
Our executive officers are elected by our Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our executive compensation program for 2022 and certain elements of the 2023 program. It provides qualitative information on the factors relevant to these decisions and the manner in which compensation is awarded to the following individuals who are our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) for 2022:
President and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Dube, Ph.D.;
Chief Financial Officer, Christopher Cline;
Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Heerma;
Chief Medical Officer, Jula Inrig, M.D.;
SVP, Research & Development, William E. Rote, Ph.D.; and
Former Chief Financial Officer, Laura Clague
Executive Summary
Business Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Diego, California, focused on identifying, developing and delivering life-changing therapies to people living with rare kidney, liver, and metabolic diseases. Our approach centers on our innovative pipeline targeting rare diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Our lead candidate, FILSPARITM (sparsentan), was granted accelerated approval by the FDA in February 2023 to reduce proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression, and is in late-stage development for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).Both IgAN and FSGS are rare kidney disorders that often lead to end-stage kidney disease. We are also developing pegtibatinase (TVT-058) for the treatment of classical homocystinuria, a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in a pivotal enzyme essential to the body. Our early research efforts include partnering with patient advocacy groups and government researchers to identify potential therapeutics for Alagille syndrome, a condition with no approved treatment options. In addition, we continue to evaluate potential opportunities to expand our pipeline and approved products through licenses and acquisitions of products in areas that will serve rare patients with serious unmet medical need and that we believe offer attractive growth characteristics. Our research and development efforts are at the forefront of our mission to address the unmet needs of patients and we support this innovation by reinvesting revenues from our commercialized products, FILSPARITM (sparsentan), Chenodal®, Cholbam®, Thiola® and Thiola EC®. We are committed to ensuring broad access, educational and diagnostic support for patients.
2022 Corporate Performance Highlights
2022 was a year of strong execution for the Company. In March 2022, we submitted a New Drug Application (“NDA”) to the FDA for accelerated approval of sparsentan in IgAN, leading to our receipt of the accelerated approval described above in February 2023. During 2022 we also achieved our launch readiness milestones for sparsentan, including the expansion of our commercial organization with a continued focus on rare renal expertise and readying the supply and distribution infrastructure, which efforts have supported the recent launch of sparsentan following the February 2023 accelerated approval. Together with CSL Vifor, our collaborator for sparsentan in the European market, we submitted a Marketing Authorisation Application (“MAA”) in 2022, with a review decision for potential conditional marketing authorization (“CMA”) expected during the second half of 2023. During the year, we also continued to focus on our clinical execution as we continued to progress the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 studies of sparsentan for the treatment of IgAN (the “PROTECT Study”), and for the treatment of FSGS (the “DUPLEX Study”), setting the stage for the top-line data read-outs of the two-year confirmatory endpoints from each study anticipated in 2023, to potentially support traditional approval in IgAN and FSGS, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we completed enrollment of the sixth and final cohort in the ongoing Phase 1/2 COMPOSE Study of pegtibatinase in homocystinuria, or HCU, and we made further progress with the enrollment in the ongoing Phase 3 trial of chenodal to support a potential future NDA submission for CTX. Also in 2022, we continued to serve patients with our commercial products and reported net product sales of approximately $201M. We managed our budget to our strategic priorities and in March 2022 closed a convertible note offering, which included the refinancing of most of our convertible notes due in 2025 at a lower interest rate. As we grew the organization’s employee base by approximately 52% during the year in anticipation of the launch of sparsentan, we continued our focus on maintaining our culture with our continued emphasis on quality and employee wellness, as well as furthering our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the company and the rare disease community.
Upon the year-end assessment of 2022, taking into account the goal achievement, including over-achievement of several of the goals, and also factoring in the fact that ultimately the FDA determined that we would not be able to submit an NDA for sparsentan in FSGS under the accelerated approval pathway but rather would need to wait until 2023 for the two-year confirmatory endpoint read-out to further a potential regulatory submission, the Compensation Committee, with input from the other independent members of the Board of Directors, concluded that we had achieved our corporate objectives for fiscal 2022 at the 105% level.
Compensation Program Highlights
Pay for Performance/At Risk Pay
A significant portion of our CEO’s and other executive officers’ compensation is at risk; this includes cash incentives, stock options and vesting of previously granted performance restricted stock units (“PSUs”).

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Independent Compensation Consultant and Analysis
The Compensation Committee engages an independent compensation consultant to analyze the competitive landscape and make recommendations regarding the compensation of our executive officers.
2022 "Say on Pay" Results
At our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we sought an advisory vote from our stockholders regarding the compensation of our named executive officers, as we do on an annual basis. The 2022 “say-on-pay” proposal was approved, with approximately 69% of the votes cast supporting the proposal (compared to over 97% for the prior year). Based on certain proxy advisory firms’ ratings, vote recommendations and proxy reports last year, and based on feedback from stockholders, we believe the low support for the “say-on-pay’ proposal was attributable primarily to the Transition Agreement that we entered into in 2021 with our then-current Chief Medical Officer, Noah Rosenberg, M.D. in connection with his transition at the end of 2021 to an advisor role (the terms of which were previously disclosed in 2021 and in our proxy statement filed in April 2022). The Transition Agreement provided Dr. Rosenberg with separation benefits in connection with the transition that were substantially consistent with the severance benefits provided for under Dr. Rosenberg’s employment agreement and the transition arrangement was designed to provide continuity and support from Dr. Rosenberg through the chief medical officer transition and the sparsentan NDA and MAA submissions during 2022.
Following the filing of our 2022 proxy statement, we conducted outreach engagement efforts to stockholders representing over 80% of our shares outstanding, including to our 25 largest stockholders (as of December 31, 2021) and discussed the Transition Agreement, as well as other proxy related items, with stockholders representing approximately 18% of the shares held by such 25 largest stockholders. Our Company representation at these meetings varied by meeting, but generally included our head of Investor Relations, our CFO, our General Counsel and a member of our Compensation Committee.
Due to the lower than desired “say-on-pay” advisory vote outcome at the Annual Meeting, we conducted an additional stockholder outreach effort offering discussions around the “say-on-pay” results and aimed at soliciting feedback from stockholders related to our governance and executive compensation practices so that we could better understand our stockholders’ views on executive compensation and be responsive to the outcome of the 2022 “say-on-pay” proposal. As part of this outreach program, we contacted 16 institutional investment firms, which included our top holders other than those who we had otherwise already had recent normal course engagement with. These firms represented approximately 56% of our outstanding shares as of September 30, 2022. Three of these firms requested meetings as part of this engagement effort and we held video conference meetings with each of them, representing approximately 10% of our outstanding shares. Each of these meetings was attended by governance representatives from the institutional investment firm, members of our executive management team and where requested, a member of our Compensation Committee. Feedback from this outreach affirmed that the negative say on pay votes were attributable to the severance arrangement with our former chief medical officer and there was general alignment that the Company’s executive compensation practices are consistent with industry standards and align the interests of employees and stockholders. With respect to our former chief medical officer’s severance arrangement, we discussed the extraordinary circumstances at the time the transition arrangement was entered into whereby the Company was on the cusp of the planned sparsentan NDA and MAA submissions and that the Compensation Committee had determined it to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to ensure the continued availability and support of our former chief medical officer to the extent needed for the NDA and MAA submissions, and we heard from the investors we engaged with an appreciation of greater insight into the circumstances leading to the transition arrangement and an openness to consider executive transitions’ particular circumstances when evaluating “say-on-pay” proposals. Following feedback from the investors, the Committee confirmed its view that such severance benefits would not be provided in the future, absent extraordinary circumstances. And as has been our practice, individual decisions will be determined by what we believe is in the best interests of stockholders under the circumstances at that time.
In addition, over the course of 2022, we had direct engagement with investors representing approximately 73% of the shares held by our 20 largest stockholders as of December 31, 2022 (representing approximately 52% of our total shares outstanding), in addition to engagement with a significant number of stockholders with lesser holdings. We believe that effective corporate governance includes regular, constructive conversations with our stockholders and we welcome their input on our governance and compensation practices as part of our regular ongoing stockholder engagement efforts.
In evaluating our compensation practices during fiscal 2022 and in early 2023, we were mindful that notwithstanding the lower than desired “say-on-pay” vote, other than dissatisfaction with the severance arrangement for our former chief medical officer, we have not heard from our stockholders concerns about our compensation practices or our philosophy of linking compensation to our operating and organizational objectives and the enhancement of stockholder value. As a result, the Compensation Committee retained our general approach to executive compensation, and continued to apply the same general principles and philosophy as in the prior fiscal year in determining executive compensation. The Committee will continue to consider stockholder concerns and feedback in the future.
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the Company’s compensation policies and also provides Board level oversight of the Company’s Human Capital initiatives, as described above under Board of Directors and Corporate Governance, Compensation Committee. From January until May 2022, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Orwin, Coughlin, Lyons and Dr. Bruhn, and from May 2022 onward consisted of Messrs. Orwin and Coughlin, Dr. Bruhn and Ms. Williams-Brinkley. As discussed in greater detail below, the Compensation Committee takes into consideration peer groups, survey data and advice from independent compensation consultants when setting our compensation structure and compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee’s complete roles and responsibilities are set forth in a written charter which was adopted by the Board of Directors and is available atwww.travere.com. Some of the significant compensation related roles and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include:
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reviewing and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding) corporate performance goals and objectives, which shall support and reinforce the Company’s long-term strategic goals, relevant to the Company’s compensation plans and programs;
evaluating and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding) the compensation plans and programs advisable for the Company, as well as the modification or termination of existing plans and programs;
evaluating (including, if it deems appropriate, with the input of some or all of the other members of the Board of Directors) risks associated with and potential consequences of the Company’s compensation policies and practices, as applicable to all employees of the Company, and assessing whether risks and consequences arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices for its employees, as may be mitigated by any other compensation policies and practices, are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company;
establishing policies with respect to equity compensation arrangements, with the objective of appropriately balancing the perceived value of equity compensation and the dilutive and other costs of that compensation to the Company;
establishing policies for allocating between long-term and currently paid out compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation and the factors used in deciding between the various forms of compensation;
establishing elements of corporate performance for purposes of increasing or decreasing compensation;
oversee and monitor the Company’s initiatives, strategies and policies related to human capital management within the Company’s workforce, including with respect to policies on diversity and inclusion, workplace environment and safety, and corporate culture;
reviewing regional and industry-wide compensation practices and trends to assess the propriety, adequacy and competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation programs among comparable companies in the Company’s industry; however, the Committee shall exercise independent judgment in determining the appropriate levels and types of compensation to be paid;
periodically reviewing and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding) the adequacy of director compensation;
reviewing and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding) the terms of any employment agreements, severance arrangements, change-of-control protections and any other compensatory arrangements (including, without limitation, any material perquisites and any other form of compensation) for the Company’s officers, including reviewing and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding) any payments, compensation or other awards under such agreements and arrangements;
evaluating the efficacy of the Company’s compensation policy and strategy in achieving expected benefits to the Company and otherwise furthering the Committee’s policies; and
reviewing and considering the results of any advisory vote on executive compensation, as applicable.
Compensation Philosophy and Overall Compensation Determination Process
In order to create value for our stockholders, we believe it is critical to attract, motivate and retain key executive talent by providing competitive compensation packages. Accordingly, we design our executive compensation programs to attract, motivate and retain executives with the skills and expertise to execute our business plans, and reward those executives fairly over time for actions consistent with creating long-term stockholder value. The market for talented individuals in the life sciences industry is highly competitive. Our compensation philosophy for executive officers provides that compensation should be structured such that between base salary and cash incentives, a meaningful portion of the executive officer’s total cash compensation is at risk. Non-cash long-term equity compensation for executive officers should be designed to reward and retain key employees as well as motivate executive officers to increase long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee believes that this approach provides an appropriate blend of short-term and long-term incentives to maximize stockholder value.
The implementation of the compensation philosophy is carried out under the supervision of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee uses the services of an independent compensation consultant who is retained by, and reports directly to, the Compensation Committee. The compensation for our CEO, as well as the other executive officers, is approved by the Compensation Committee, with our CEO’s compensation generally being approved in consultation with our other independent directors. Management, under guidelines and procedures approved by the Compensation Committee, determines the compensation of our other employees. In setting compensation for our other executive officers, the Compensation Committee solicits the input of our CEO who recommends to the Compensation Committee the base salary, target cash incentives and long-term equity award components of compensation to be awarded to our executive officers for the new fiscal year, as well as performance-based compensation payouts for the prior fiscal year. The Compensation Committee remains solely responsible for making the final decisions on compensation for all of our executive officers. Our executive officers are not present during deliberations or decisions regarding their own compensation packages, nor do they participate in approving any portion of their own or other executive officers’ compensation packages.
The Compensation Committee meets approximately six times per year. In the first quarter of the year, the performance of each executive officer for the prior year and peer group compensation data are reviewed by the Compensation Committee, and base salary adjustments and cash incentive payouts are discussed and approved. Also, during the first quarter of the year, Company-wide performance goals for the then current year are discussed with the Board of Directors and approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. In the first half of the year, annual
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equity grants to each executive officer are discussed and approved. From 2017 through 2019, these annual equity grants were approved in May of each year. Since 2020, the annual equity grants have been approved in January, in conjunction with the year-end performance assessment and overall compensation review. At mid-year meetings the Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s compensation philosophy, policies and procedures. Meetings in the fourth quarter of the year generally focus on preliminary assessment of Company goal achievement for the year, selection of the peer group for the following year, a review and discussion of proposed draft corporate goals for the upcoming year and the structure of executive officer performance reviews.
Compensation Consultants and Peer Group
The Compensation Committee uses the services of an independent compensation consultant who is retained by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee selected Human Capital Solutions practice, formerly known as Radford, at Aon plc (“Aon”), as a third-party compensation consultant to assist the Compensation Committee in establishing 2022 and 2023 overall compensation levels. Aon conducted analyses and provided advice on, among other things, the appropriate peer group, executive compensation for our executive officers and compensation trends in the life sciences industry.
In 2022, the cost of Aon’s consulting services directly related to compensation committee support was approximately $150,000. In addition, in 2022, our human resources department participated in various human resources and compensation surveys and obtained general benchmarking survey data from Human Capital Solutions at a cost of approximately $25,000 and also engaged Aon for certain employee rewards advisory services at a cost of approximately $75,000 as well as analysis and calculation support for the new pay vs. performance disclosure in an amount of approximately $60,000 for such services performed during 2022.
Management also engaged with the Commercial Risk Solutions group of Aon plc for various insurance-related products and insurance brokerage services. The aggregate Aon revenue from these additional services in 2022 (not related to Aon’s Compensation Committee consulting services) was approximately $530,000. Although the Compensation Committee was aware of the nature of the services performed by Aon affiliates and the non-executive employee compensation survey data, employee rewards advisory services and pay vs. performance disclosure support provided by Aon, the Compensation Committee did not review and approve such services, surveys and insurance premiums and policies, as those were reviewed and approved by management in the ordinary course of business.
Aon maintains certain policies and practices to protect the independence of the executive compensation consultants engaged by the Compensation Committee. In particular, Aon provides an annual update to the Compensation Committee on the financial relationship between Aon and the Company, and provides written assurances that, within Aon, the Human Capital Solutions consultants who perform executive compensation services for the Compensation Committee have compensation determined separately from Aon’s other lines of business and from the other services it provides to the Company. These safeguards were designed to help ensure that the Compensation Committee’s executive compensation consultants continued to fulfill their role in providing independent, objective advice.
In light of the foregoing, the Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Aon pursuant to SEC rules and Nasdaq listing standards and concluded that there was no conflict of interest that would prevent Aon from independently advising the Compensation Committee.
In order to evaluate the Company’s competitive position in the industry related to executive officer compensation, the Compensation Committee has historically reviewed and analyzed the compensation packages, including base salary levels, cash incentive awards and equity awards, offered by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies within a designated peer group, and with data from Aon’s Global Life Sciences Survey for similarly sized companies. The Compensation Committee believes selection of a broad peer group on an annual basis provides the best long-term trend data for companies that compete with the Company for talent. The peer group is established annually by the Compensation Committee based on the advice of its independent compensation consultant taking into consideration various factors including size, market capitalization, location to key biotech talent hubs, and comparable stage of development.
For equity awards granted and cash based compensation paid for 2022, the peer group consisted of: Anika Therapeutics (ANIK), Collegium Pharmaceutical (COLL), Corcept Therapeutics (CORT), Eagle Pharmaceuticals (EGRX), Enanta Pharmaceuticals (ENTA), Flexion Therapeutics (FLXN), Heron Therapeutics (HRTX), ImmunoGen (IMGN), Insmed (INSM), Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT), Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND), Omeros Corporation (OMER), Pacira BioSciences (PCRX), PTC Therapeutics (PTCT), Rigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL), Sorrento Therapeutics (SRNE), Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN), Vanda Pharmaceuticals (VNDA), and Vericel Corporation (VCEL). For 2023, the Compensation Committee, with input from Aon, approved the peer group consisting of: Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD), Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals (ARWR), Collegium Pharmaceutical (COLL), Corcept Therapeutics (CORT), Dynavax Technologies (DVAX), Eagle Pharmaceuticals (EGRX), Enanta Pharmaceuticals (ENTA), ImmunoGen (IMGN), Insmed (INSM), Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT), Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD), Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND), Pacira BioSciences (PCRX), PTC Therapeutics (PTCT), Sorrento Therapeutics (SRNE), Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN), Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE), Vanda Pharmaceuticals (VNDA), and Vericel Corporation (VCEL). The Committee utilizes the peer group data, with input from Aon, to determine appropriate levels of cash and equity compensation, as well as to compare compensation structures and programs among similarly situated companies.
Components of Compensation
The Company’s compensation program for executive officers consists of: base salary, cash incentives, long-term equity awards, retirement benefits as provided under the Company’s 401(k) plan, severance agreements and other benefits. The Company uses the peer group established by the Compensation Committee as a guideline for establishing base salaries, cash incentives and long-term equity award components of compensation. The CEO annually reviews the performance of each executive officer (other than himself) and reports the results of the reviews to the Compensation Committee. The independent members of the Board of Directors, in consultation with the Compensation Committee, annually review
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the performance of the CEO.
The Compensation Committee considers each executive officer’s performance, contribution to goals, responsibilities, experience, qualifications, and where in the competitive range the executive officer compares to the Company’s identified peer group when determining the appropriate compensation for each executive officer. The Compensation Committee considers each component of compensation independently and therefore there is no direct correlation between any of the components. Each compensation component is described below.
Base Salary
The base salary is designed to provide a fixed and predictable level of compensation for our executive officers and to compensate executive officers competitively at levels necessary to attract and retain qualified executives in the life sciences industry. As a general matter, the base salary for each executive officer is based on the scope of each executive officer’s responsibilities, as well as their qualifications, breadth of experience, performance record and depth of applicable functional expertise. The base salary is established and adjusted to be within the range of the applicable peer group, enabling the Company to attract, motivate, reward and retain highly skilled executives. Base salaries of the executive officers are reviewed by the Compensation Committee annually in light of Company goal attainment, executive officer performance and peer group data. Year-to-year adjustments to each executive officer’s base salary are based upon sustained superior performance, changes in the general level of base salaries of persons in comparable positions within our industry, and the average merit salary increase for such year for all employees of the Company established by the Compensation Committee, as well as other factors the Compensation Committee judges to be pertinent during an assessment period. In making base salary decisions, the Compensation Committee exercises its judgment to determine the appropriate weight to be given to each of these factors. Adjustments may also be made during the fiscal year for promotions, highly urgent retention reasons, superior performance in response to changed or challenging circumstances, and similar special circumstances.
In January 2022, our Compensation Committee reviewed and determined the 2022 base salaries for each of the NEOs as set forth in the table below, taking into account the factors relevant for setting salaries as described above. With respect to approving the salary increase for Dr. Dube set forth in the table below, the Compensation Committee took into account Dr. Dube’s continued strong performance during 2021, as well as market data and the desired increased positioning for Dr. Dube’s CEO compensation package since his appointment in January 2019. Specifically, the Compensation Committee recognized that despite a 6% increase for 2020 and a 7% increase for 2021, Dr. Dube’s salary remained below the 50th percentile compared to peer companies during 2021. In recognition of the strong leadership and performance Dr. Dube had demonstrated over the prior three years since his appointment as CEO, the Compensation Committee determined that it was warranted to move Dr. Dube’s total direct compensation in 2022 to approximately the 60th percentile of peer company CEOs and as part of such adjustment approved the 2022 base salary for Dr. Dube described below. For the other executive officers, the Compensation Committee also reviewed performance and compensation positioning relative to peer group market data and approved merit increases for each of the remaining NEOs and salary adjustments where needed to better align with peer group market data.
Named Executive Officer2021 Base Salary2022 Base Salary% Change from 2021 Base Salary
Eric Dube, Ph.D.$710,000 $750,000 5.63 %
Christopher Cline*N/A$430,000 N/A
Peter Heerma$422,280 $456,000 7.99 %
Jula Inrig, M.D.N/A$445,000 N/A
William E. Rote, Ph.D.$461,440 $471,000 2.07 %
Laura Clague$452,709 $471,000 4.04 %
*Mr. Cline was promoted and appointed as Chief Financial Officer effective September 1, 2022 and in connection with his promotion and appointment as Chief Financial Officer, his annual base salary was set at $430,000 following review and approval by our Compensation Committee, with input and market data provided by Aon.
In January 2023, our Compensation Committee reviewed and determined the 2023 base salaries for each of the NEOs as set forth in the table below, taking into account the factors relevant for setting salaries as described above. With respect to approving the salary increase for Dr. Dube set forth in the table below, the Compensation Committee took into account Dr. Dube’s continued strong performance during 2022, as well as market data and the desired positioning for Dr. Dube’s CEO compensation package. With the evolution of the Company’s peer group from 2022 to 2023, it was desired to position Dr. Dube’s total direct compensation for 2023 at approximately the 50th percentile of peer companies. For the other executive officers, the Compensation Committee also reviewed performance and compensation positioning relative to peer group market data and approved merit increases for each of the remaining NEOs and salary adjustments where needed to better align with peer group market data, particularly with respect to Dr. Inrig and Messrs. Cline and Heerma. Ms. Clague served as our Chief Financial Officer until September 1, 2022, at which time she transitioned to a non-officer position and remained employed by the Company through March 31, 2023 to assist with an orderly CFO transition.
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Named Executive Officer2022 Base Salary2023 Base Salary% Change from 2022 Base Salary
Eric Dube, Ph.D.$750,000 $800,000 6.67 %
Christopher Cline$430,000 $470,000 9.30 %
Peter Heerma$456,000 $490,000 7.46 %
Jula Inrig, M.D.$445,000 $490,000 10.11 %
William E. Rote, Ph.D.$471,000 $490,000 4.03 %
Laura Clague*$471,000 N/AN/A
*During the time Ms. Clague served as Chief Financial Officer her base salary was $471,000, and upon her transition to a non-officer role Ms. Clague received a reduced base salary equal to approximately 70% of her prior base salary.
Cash Incentives
The Compensation Committee’s philosophy in establishing the Company’s cash incentive program is to provide a mix of compensation between base salary and total cash compensation such that a meaningful portion of the total target cash compensation is at risk for executive officers each year. The cash incentive program, including corporate goals and target payouts, are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee annually. The corporate goals are prepared in an interactive process between management and the Board of Directors based on the Company’s business plan and budget for the year. Cash incentive payments are linked to the attainment of overall corporate goals. The Compensation Committee establishes the target and maximum potential amount of each executive officer’s cash incentive payment annually.
In January 2022, the Compensation Committee approved the adoption of the Company’s 2022 Executive Officer Annual Bonus Plan (the “2022 Bonus Plan”) for the executive officers of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Bonus Plan, the target bonus percentage was set at 75% of base salary for the Company’s CEO and 50% of base salary for the other executive officers.
The amount paid to our CEO, as well as to our other executive officers, under the 2022 Bonus Plan was based entirely on the determination by the Compensation Committee or the Board of the achievement by the Company of corporate performance goals. The amounts paid under the 2022 Bonus Plan were based on the determination by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors of the achievement of the 2022 corporate performance goals at the 105% level. Based on actual performance during 2022, the Compensation Committee was permitted, in its sole discretion, to increase or decrease the amounts paid under the 2022 Bonus Plan within a range between 0% and 150%. Both the target and maximum target percentages set forth in the 2022 Bonus Plan were consistent with the applicable peer group data for the CEO as well as the other executive officers.
Under the 2022 Bonus Plan, an executive officer must be an employee of the Company on the date the cash incentive is actually paid in order to receive the cash incentive. An employee who becomes an executive officer during the fiscal year may be eligible for a pro-rated cash incentive at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, generally provided the executive officer has been employed a minimum of three months during the calendar year. The Compensation Committee believes that the performance goals established for incentives do not encourage excessive risk taking or have potential for encouraging behavior that may impact the Company negatively in future years.
The corporate performance goals under the Bonus Plan for 2022 related to (i) pipeline progression targets, including internal enrollment milestones, development milestones and progression of the NDAs and MAA for the sparsentan program; (ii) launch planning, infrastructure and supply for sparsentan in the United States; (iii) continued execution of the DUPLEX and PROTECT Studies toward the confirmatory endpoint readouts in 2023; (iv) pipeline diversification, including further regulatory progress and alignment with the FDA on a pivotal study design for pegtibatinase; (v) potential additional business development activities; (vi) pipeline enablement, including the optimization of pegtibatinase clinical supply for pivotal phase of development; (vii) managing our budget to our strategic priorities and continued revenue generation; (viii) maintaining a robust quality culture and a strong organizational culture; and (ix) supporting diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization, as well as within the rare disease community. The Compensation Committee did not assign formal weightings to the corporate performance goals under the 2022 Bonus Plan.
In January 2023, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the other independent members of the Board of Directors, determined that the overall corporate performance goal achievement for 2022 was at the 105% level. The basis for such determination included:
The successful submission and acceptance by the FDA of the NDA for sparsentan in IgaN under the accelerated approval pathway;
Together with our collaborator CSL Vifor, the successful submission and acceptance by the EMA of the MAA for sparsentan in IgaN under the conditional marketing authorization pathway in Europe;
Continued progress with the conduct of the PROTECT Study in support of the top-line data readout from the two-year confirmatory endpoint, anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2023;
Continued progress with the conduct of the DUPLEX Study, in support of the top-line data readout from the two-year confirmatory endpoint, anticipated in the second quarter of 2023. Recognition that the Company was prepared to submit an NDA for accelerated approval under Subpart H if supported by FDA. However, FDA requested that we wait until completion of DUPLEX in 2023 in support of a potential NDA submission for traditional approval;
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Achievement of full enrollment in the ongoing Phase 1/2 COMPOSE Study of pegtibatinase in HCU, setting us on track to generate results in 2023, as well as the productive regulatory engagements we had during 2022 around a proposed pivotal Phase 3 program and the receipt of Breakthrough Therapy Designation in 2022;
During 2022 we also achieved full enrollment in the Restore Study, setting us on track to generate top-line results in the second half of 2023 to potentially support a future potential CTX indication for chenodal;
The continued commercial performance of our approved products, resulting in 2022 net product sales of approximately $201 million;
Continued progress on our CMC/technical operations initiatives for our products and product candidates, including maintaining product inventory levels;
The successful management of our budget to our strategic priorities, including the March 2022 closing of the registered underwritten public offering of $316 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029, with a net $95 million increase to the Company’s cash position, after retiring the majority of the 2.50% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2025;
the transaction we entered into with PharmaKrysto Limited in March 2022, pursuant to which we are collaborating on discovery efforts for a potential new small molecule therapeutic as a treatment for cystinuria, and we obtained an option to acquire all of the outstanding shares of PharmaKrysto;
Continued focus on maintaining our culture as we grew our employee base by approximately 52% during 2022, including the growth of our commercial organization, with our sales representatives averaging more than 20 years in pharmaceutical sales including over five years of experience in rare disease and our commercial management and operations team averaging more than 15 years of pharmaceutical experience focused on specialty and rare disease; and
Strong culture measured by favorable survey results, and maintaining a focus on quality and employee wellness. Achieved increased employee diversity with the expansion. DEIB survey launched to identify areas to further strengthen culture. First GCP inspection completed in June with no major findings.
Based on these achievements and considerations, the Compensation Committee concluded that the overall corporate goal achievement for 2022 was at a 105% level. Accordingly, in January 2023, the Compensation Committee approved incentive payouts for our NEOs under the 2022 Bonus Plan as described below:
Named Executive Officer2022 Target Bonus %Actual Bonus %2022 Bonus Payment
Eric Dube, Ph.D.75 %78.75 %$590,625 
Christopher Cline50 %52.50 %$225,750 
Peter Heerma50 %52.50 %$239,400 
Jula Inrig, M.D.50 %52.50 %$233,625 
William E. Rote, Ph.D.50 %52.50 %$247,275 
Laura Clague*50 %52.50 %$222,600 
*Ms. Clague’s 2022 Bonus Payment was calculated based on 50% of her blended salary (including her reduced salary equal to approximately 70% of her prior 2022 Chief Financial Officer base salary upon transitioning to a non-officer role effective September 1.)
Ms. Clague transitioned to a non-officer role in September 2022, and in connection therewith became eligible to receive a bonus for 2022 under the terms of her Retirement and Transition Agreement. Under the terms of the Retirement and Transition Agreement, Ms. Clague received a reduced salary during the transition period and is eligible for a pro rata bonus for 2023 performance at a reduced target percentage of the reduced salary. Ms. Clague was not eligible for any additional equity grants following the announcement of her retirement and did not and will not receive any cash severance or retirement payments. In consideration for the transition services and support of Ms. Clague, the Retirement and Transition Agreement provides for the continued vesting and exercisability of her outstanding equity (other than any PSUs), as described more fully in this proxy statement under the Section titled “Employment Contracts”.Ms. Clague’s retirement and transition agreement arrangement was put in place following the Compensation Committee’s consideration of the following factors: Ms. Clague had served as Chief Financial Officer since 2014 and was responsible for building the Company’s current finance function and played a key role in leading the Company through the re-building period of 2014/2015, and in consideration for the terms of the Retirement and Transition Agreement, Ms. Clague agreed to serve in an advisor role to our new Chief Financial Officer, Chris Cline, until March 31, 2023 in support of an orderly transition.
In December 2022, the Compensation Committee approved the adoption of the 2023 Travere Therapeutics, Inc. Executive Officer Annual Bonus Plan (the “2023 Bonus Plan”) for the Company’s executive officers. The assigned target bonus percentage for each other participant in the 2023 Bonus Plan did not change from the 2022 Bonus Plan, and the 2023 targets are substantially similar to the applicable peer group data for both the Chief Executive Officer and for the other executive officers. The amount payable to the Chief Executive Officer, as well as to the other executive officers, under the 2023 Bonus Plan will be based entirely on the determination by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors of the achievement by the Company of corporate performance goals.
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Depending on actual corporate performance during 2023, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors may, in their sole discretion, determine a corporate goal achievement percentage under the 2023 Bonus Plan within a range between 0% and 150%. There is a minimum Corporate Performance required of 40% for any payment under the 2023 Bonus Plan to be considered.
The corporate performance goals under the 2023 Bonus Plan relate primarily to the following:
Manage our cash and budget to support our strategic priorities with the evolution of our revenues;
The successful launch of sparsentan for IgAN in the United States;
On-time data readouts for the DUPLEX and PROTECT Studies; sNDA submitted for FSGS if data supportive;
Clinical development objectives;
Potential additional business development activities;
Optimization of supply of our product candidates;
Maintain our culture;
Robust Quality and Compliance Culture; and
Continued support of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within the Company and the rare disease community.
The Compensation Committee did not assign specific weightings to the corporate performance goals under the 2023 Bonus Plan. The corporate performance goals under the 2023 Bonus Plan are designed to enhance shareholder value and the long-term success of the Company.
Long-Term Equity Awards
The Compensation Committee provides the Company’s executive officers with long-term incentive compensation through grants of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and except for the annual grants made in January 2022, PSUs under the Company’s equity compensation plans. These equity-based programs create a strong link to the Company’s long-term financial performance, create an ownership culture and closely align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes that these grants directly motivate an executive officer to maximize long-term stockholder value and serve as an effective tool for incentivizing and retaining those executive officers who are most responsible for influencing stockholder value. The grants also utilize vesting periods, either performance-based or time-based, that encourage key executive officers to continue in the employ of the Company. The Compensation Committee considers each grant subjectively, considering factors such as the individual performance of the executive officer, the anticipated contribution of the executive officer to the attainment of the Company’s long-term strategic performance goals, and the ability of such grants to retain and motivate key executive officers. The equity awards for each year are set to be competitive with the applicable peer group to enable the Company to attract, motivate, and retain highly skilled executive officers. Long-term incentives granted in prior years are also taken into consideration as it relates to their retention value for the executive officers, but generally play a limited role in current year determinations.
Although the Company has no official policy in this respect, it has been the Company’s practice to make equity-based awards to our executive officers on an annual basis. In 2018, the Compensation Committee approved the application of a standard vesting schedule for both new hire and annual employee stock option grants, with such grants having a one-year cliff vest for 25% of the option award with the remaining 75% of the option award vesting monthly over the remaining three years. Additionally, all stock option awards are priced based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. In 2018, the Compensation Committee implemented a practice of providing a portion of the annual time-based equity grants in the form of RSUs that vest on an annual basis, ratably, over four years. For 2022, approximately 25% of the executive officers’ annual equity grants were provided in the form of RSUs, 25% were provided in the form of PSUs, and approximately 50% provided in the form of stock options, with the RSUs and stock options vesting pursuant to the above-described vesting schedule, and the PSU grants vesting upon achievement of certain corporate objectives. Annual equity-based awards to our executive officers are reviewed by the Compensation Committee in light of Company goal attainment, executive officer performance evaluations and peer group data.
The Compensation Committee also considers the Company’s annual burn rate of equity grants as compared to industry standards when determining the long-term equity component of compensation. Burn rate is defined as the number of shares underlying equity grants for a given year divided by the total shares outstanding at the end of that same year.
2022 Annual Grants
In January 2022, the Compensation Committee approved annual stock option awards and RSUs for the Company’s eligible executive officers. The equity-based awards were determined based on the Company’s 2021 performance, each executive officer’s individual performance, each executive officer’s contribution to long-term strategic and performance goals and market data, as well as retention and motivation of the executive officers. The individual grants of stock options and RSUs to the NEOs were: for Dr. Dube, 169,552 stock options, 37,848 RSUs and 37,848 PSUs; and for Ms. Clague, Dr. Rote and Mr. Heerma, 39,360 stock options, 9,840 RSUs and 9,840 PSUs each. Dr. Inrig joined the Company in January 2022, at which time she received her hire grant of 80,000 stock options and 20,000 RSUs, and therefore was not eligible for the annual grants approved in January 2022. Mr. Cline was appointed as Chief Financial Officer effective September 1, 2022 and in connection with that appointment, received a one-time grant of the following, each with a grant date of September 1, 2022: 48,000 stock options, 5,000 RSUs and 9,840 PSUs. In approving this promotion grant for Mr. Cline, the Compensation Committee took into account the following: market data from Aon for peer company Chief Financial Officers, Mr. Cline’s prior equity grants during his tenure with the Company, Mr. Cline’s current and expected future contributions, the scope of the Chief Financial Officer role, internal equity and the amounts necessary to achieve a level of equity holdings commensurate with the
36


position. With respect to the 2022 annual equity grants made to the executive officers, the Compensation Committee determined that the use of stock options, which vest over four years with 25% vesting after one year and the remainder vesting monthly over the following three years, RSUs which vest annually over a four-year period, and PSUs, which vest upon achievement of certain corporate objectives, in each case contingent on continuous services through the vesting date, were the appropriate equity compensation vehicles. The PSUs granted in 2022 as part of the annual equity grant vest upon achievement of specified clinical/regulatory and commercial milestones; provided, however, that in no event will such PSUs vest prior to the 12-month anniversary of their date of grant. In addition, the PSUs granted in 2022 as part of the annual equity grant will expire five years from the date of grant to the extent the specified performance milestones are not achieved by such date. In late 2021, the Compensation Committee, with data provided by Aon, conducted an analysis to assess the financial and retention value of outstanding equity held by each of the executive officers, coupled with an assessment of the competitive labor landscape during such period and an acknowledgment that the executive officers of the Company had not been eligible to participate in certain recognition and retentive benefit programs introduced for the other employees of the Company during 2021. Following such analysis and assessment, in January 2022, in connection with the annual executive compensation review, the Compensation Committee approved an additional PSU grant for each of the executive officers other than Dr. Dube in the amount of 8,000 PSUs. Vesting of these PSU awards is contingent on the achievement of important ongoing development objectives related to the Company’s development programs; provided, however, that in no event will such PSUs vest prior to the 24-month anniversary of their date of grant. In addition, the special PSUs granted in 2022 will expire four years from the date of grant if the specified performance milestones are not achieved by such date. With respect to Dr. Dube, the Committee determined to address the additional recognition and retentive award solely in the form of additional stock options, with market data input provided by Aon. As a result of this assessment, the annual long-term equity award for Dr. Dube was structured to target the 50th percentile and to be delivered via 50% in stock options, 25% in RSUs and 25% in PSUs, consistent with the other executive officers, with the difference between the 50th and 60th percentiles delivered via additional stock options, to arrive at the total stock option grant number of 169,552 shares, as described above.
2023 Annual Grants
In January 2023, the Compensation Committee considered the factors outlined above with respect to the 2022 year-end performance and compensation review, and approved stock option awards, RSUs and PSUs for the Company’s eligible executive officers. The equity based awards were determined based on the Company’s 2022 performance, each executive officer’s individual performance, each executive officer’s contribution to long-term strategic and performance goals and market data, as well as retention and motivation of the executive officers. For the 2023 annual grants the Committee determined to target the 50th percentile to be delivered via 50% in stock options, 37.5% in RSUs and 12.5% in PSUs. The individual grants of stock options, RSUs and PSUs to the NEOs were: 54,500 stock options, 20,250 RSUs, and 6,750 PSUs for each of Messrs. Cline and Heerma and Drs. Inrig and Rote; and 260,000 stock options, 97,500 RSUs and 32,500 PSUs for Dr. Dube. Ms. Clague did not receive an equity grant in 2023 due to the change in her status. Dr. Dube’s 2023 equity award was granted as a result of the Compensation Committee’s and Board’s assessment of Dr. Dube’s strong contribution to the Company’s performance during 2022, a review of long-term incentive compensation paid to other peer group CEOs (based on market data provided by Aon) and an analysis of the retentive value of Dr. Dube’s current equity holdings. The Compensation Committee determined with respect to the 2023 equity grants made to the executive officers that the use of stock options, which vest over four years with 25% vesting after one year and the remainder vesting monthly over the following three years, RSUs which vest annually over a four-year period, and PSUs, which vest upon achievement of certain corporate objectives, in each case contingent on continuous service through the vesting date, were the appropriate equity compensation vehicles. Vesting of the PSUs was designed to require significant effort and success over time for the executive officers to realize any value from these grants. If the performance based vesting criteria are achieved, we believe significant shareholder value will be created. The PSUs granted in 2023 vest upon achievement of a specified clinical/regulatory milestone; provided, however, that in no event will such PSUs vest prior to the 12-month anniversary of their date of grant. In addition, the PSUs granted in 2023 as part of the annual equity grant will expire four years from the date of grant to the extent the specified performance milestone is not achieved by such date.
Retirement Benefits
The terms of the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) provide for executive officer and broad-based employee participation on the same general terms. Under the 401(k) Plan, all Company employees are eligible to receive discretionary matching contributions from the Company that have three-year vesting, based on the terms of the 401(k) Plan. The Company’s matching contribution to the 401(k) Plan is 50% of eligible participant contributions up to 7% of earnings, subject to applicable federal limits. Beginning in 2022, the Company also matches the over 50 “catch-up” contributions, subject to the foregoing limit.
Other Benefits
Executive officers are eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans on the same terms as all other full-time employees. These plans include medical, dental and life insurance. Executive officers are eligible for four weeks of vacation.
Severance Benefits
Executive officers are eligible to receive severance benefits in connection with terminations of employment as more fully described below in Employment Contracts. The Compensation Committee believes that the executive officer severance arrangements reflect current market standards and severance benefits competitive with those provided by our peer group. The Compensation Committee believes that in order to continue to retain the services of our key executive officers, it is important to provide them with some income and benefit protection against an involuntary termination of employment.
The Compensation Committee further believes that in order to continue to retain the services of our key executive officers and focus their efforts on stockholder interests when considering strategic alternatives, it is important to provide them with enhanced income and benefit protection against loss of employment in connection with a change of control of the Company and thereby align the interests of our stockholders and our executive
37


officers. These benefits are triggered upon a job loss or constructive termination in connection with a change of control, rather than solely in the event of a change of control, because we believe that our executive officers are materially harmed only if a change of control results in our executive officers’ involuntary loss of employment, reduced responsibilities, reduced compensation, or other adverse change in the nature of the employment relationship.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
As noted above under Board of Directors and Corporate Governance, Stock Ownership Guidelines, we have adopted minimum stock ownership guidelines for our Board and our executive officers. With respect to our Chief Executive Officer, the Stock Ownership Guidelines provide that, within a five-year period commencing in April 2021, our Chief Executive Officer will hold Company equity, taking into account in-the-money vested stock options net of exercise price and estimated tax withholdings, with a value equal to at least 3x his annual base salary. During his four-year tenure to date, Dr. Dube has made steady progress toward this ownership goal. With respect to our executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Stock Ownership Guidelines provide that, within a five-year period commencing in April 2022 or, if later, such individual’s appointment as an executive officer of the Company, each such executive officer will hold Company equity, taking into account in-the-money vested stock options net of exercise price and estimated tax withholdings, with a value equal to at least 1x their annual base salary.
Equity Trading Policies and Procedures
The Company has policies and procedures to prohibit direct or indirect participation by employees of the Company in transactions involving trading activities in Company common stock which by their aggressive or speculative nature may give rise to an appearance of impropriety. Such prohibited activities would include the purchase of put or call options, or the writing of such options as well as short sales, hedging transactions such as “cashless” collars, forward sales, equity swaps and other related arrangement which may indirectly involve short-sale and any other transactions designed for profit from short-term movement in the Company’s stock price.
We are not aware of any transactions involving pledging or margining Company common stock by employees or directors as of the Record Date.
Tax Considerations
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”), compensation paid to each of the Company’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year is generally non-deductible unless the compensation qualifies for certain grandfathered exceptions (including the “performance-based compensation” exception) for certain compensation paid pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 and not materially modified on or after such date.
Although the Compensation Committee will continue to consider tax implications as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee also looks at other factors in making its decisions and retains the flexibility to provide compensation for the Company’s named executive officers in a manner consistent with the goals of the Company’s executive compensation program and the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, which may include providing for compensation that is not deductible by the Company due to the deduction limit under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee also retains the flexibility to modify compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from the deduction limit under Section 162(m) if it determines that such modifications are consistent with the Company’s business needs.
Compensation Committee Report*
The Compensation Committee of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Mr. Orwin
Dr. Bruhn
Mr. Coughlin
Ms. Williams-Brinkley
*The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

38


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position
Fiscal
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
 
Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation
($)
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
Option
Awards
($)(1)
All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total ($)
Eric Dube, Ph.D.2022746,667 — 590,625 2,081,640 2,321,557 13,001 (2)5,753,490 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director2021708,021 — 553,800 1,539,149 2,926,180 11,860 (3)5,739,010 
2020660,938 — 457,125 1,546,000 2,772,090 11,726 (4)5,447,879 
Laura Clague (5)2022422,476 — 222,600 761,200 538,929 18,138 (6)1,963,343 
Former Chief Financial Officer2021452,072 — 271,625 403,200 791,194 16,580 (7)1,934,671 
2020436,801 — 254,239 432,880 508,217 16,577 (8)1,648,714 
Christopher Cline (9)2022397,204 — 225,750 671,310 1,019,974 11,408 (10)2,325,646 
Chief Financial Officer
Peter Heerma2022453,190 — 239,400 761,200 538,929 13,028 (11)2,005,747 
Chief Commercial Officer2021421,685 — 253,368 403,200 791,194 11,529 (12)1,880,976 
2020407,667 87,500 (13)232,050 278,280 508,217 18,576 (14)1,532,290 
Jula Inrig, M.D. (15)2022445,000 125,000 (16)233,625 832,000 1,218,864 12,304 (17)2,866,793 
Chief Medical Officer
William E. Rote, Ph.D.2022470,204 — 247,275 761,200 538,929 15,773 (18)2,033,381 
Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Development2021460,881 — 276,864 403,200 791,194 14,601 (19)1,946,740 
2020447,474 — 254,800 432,880 508,217 14,303 (20)1,657,674 
_______________________
(1)In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the equity awards granted during 2020, 2021 and 2022 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 for stock-based compensation transactions (ASC 718). The grant date fair value reported for PSUs reflects the probable achievement of performance conditions applicable to the PSUs as of the grant date. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the named executive officer in connection with such equity awards. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 of the audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
(2)Represents $1,041 in gifts, $1,710 for Group Term Life Insurance and $10,250 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(3)Represents $400 in gifts, $1,710 for Group Term Life Insurance and $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(4)Represents $228 in gifts, $1,710 for Group Term Life Insurance, $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match and $38 in COVID insurance rebates.
(5)Ms. Clague stepped down from her position as Chief Financial Officer effective as of August 31, 2022. Through March 31, 2023, Ms. Clague continued to serve as an employee of the Company. During this transition period, Ms. Clague received a reduced base salary equal to approximately 70% of her prior base salary and remained eligible to receive her annual cash bonus payment for 2022. Ms. Clague also remains eligible to participate in the Company's cash incentive bonus program for 2023 on a pro rata basis, as determined by the Board and/or its Compensation Committee, with a reduced target bonus percentage of 40%.
(6)Represents $640 in gifts, $6,823 for Group Term Life Insurance and $10,675 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(7)Represents $296 in gifts, $6,534 for Group Term Life Insurance and $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(8)Represents $6,797 for Group Term Life Insurance, $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match and $30 in COVID insurance rebates.
(9)Mr. Cline was appointed Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 1, 2022.
(10)Represents $461 in gifts, $697 for Group Term Life Insurance and $10,250 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(11)Represents $611 in gifts, $1,742 for Group Term Life Insurance and $10,675 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(12)Represents $400 in gifts, $1,379 for Group Term Life Insurance and $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(13)Represents a cash signing bonus paid to Mr. Heerma upon his entering into employment with the Company.
(14)Represents $7,043 of travel expenses paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Heerma, $339 in gifts, $1,378 for Group Term Life Insurance and $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match and $66 in COVID insurance rebates.
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(15)Dr. Inrig was appointed Chief Medical Officer on January 4, 2022.
(16)Represents a cash signing bonus paid to Dr. Inrig upon her entering into employment with the Company.
(17)Represents $542 in gifts, $1,512 for Group Term Life Insurance and $10,250 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(18)Represents $573 in gifts, $4,525 for Group Term Life Insurance and $10,675 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(19)Represents $481 in gifts, $4,370 for Group Term Life Insurance and $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match.
(20)Represents $122 in gifts, $4,365 for Group Term Life Insurance, $9,750 for the Company's 401(k) match and $66 in COVID insurance rebates.

Grants of Plan Based Awards
The following table presents information regarding the grants of plan-based awards to the NEOs made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022:
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
All Other 
Stock Awards: No. of Shares or Units
(#)
All Other 
Option Awards:
No. of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
Exercise 
or Base 
Price of Option Awards
($)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)
NameGrant DateThreshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Eric Dube, Ph.D.N/A(1)$562,500 $843,750 
1/31/2022169,552 $27.50 $2,321,557 (3)(4)
1/31/2022(2)37,848 (2)$1,040,820 (5)
1/31/202237,848 $1,040,820 (5)
Laura ClagueN/A(1)$235,500 $353,250 
1/31/202239,360 $27.50 $538,929 (3)(4)
1/31/2022(2)8,000 (2)$220,000 (5)
1/31/2022(2)9,840 (2)$270,600 (5)
1/31/20229,840 $270,600 (5)
Christopher ClineN/A(1)$215,000 $322,500 
1/31/202217,500 $27.50 $239,615 (3)(4)
1/31/20228,750 $240,625 (5)
4/10/20225,000 $28.55 $74,610 (6)
4/10/2022500 $14,275 (7)
9/1/202248,000 $28.06 $705,749 (8)
9/1/2022(2)9,840 (2)$276,110 (9)
9/1/20225,000 $140,300 (9)
Peter HeermaN/A(1)$228,000 $342,000 
1/31/202239,360 $27.50 $538,929 (3)(4)
1/31/2022(2)8,000 (2)$220,000 (5)
1/31/2022(2)9,840 (2)$270,600 (5)
1/31/20229,840 $270,600 (5)
Jula Inrig, M.D.N/A(1)$222,500 $333,750 
1/1/202280,000 $30.60 $1,218,864 (10)
1/1/202220,000 $612,000 (11)
1/31/2022(2)8,000 (2)$220,000 (5)
William E. Rote, Ph.D.N/A(1)$235,500 $353,250 
1/31/202239,360 $27.50 $538,929 (3)(4)
1/31/2022(2)8,000 (2)$220,000 (5)
1/31/2022(2)9,840 (2)$270,600 (5)
1/31/20229,840 $270,600 (5)
____________________________
(1)Amounts reported represent the potential short-term incentive compensation amounts payable for our 2022 fiscal year under our cash incentive program. The amounts reported represent each NEO’s target and maximum possible payments for 2022. Because actual payments to the NEOs could range from 0% to 150% of their target bonus, no threshold payment amount has been established for the NEOs. The actual short-term incentive bonus amount earned by each NEO for 2022 is reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table above.
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(2)Amounts reported represent PSUs, which are subject to performance and time-based vesting conditions, as described above in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Components of Compensation—Long-Term Equity Awards” section. PSUs vest at target only; no threshold or maximum amounts have been established for the NEO's.
(3)The options and RSUs were granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan, with option awards having an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The option award is a time-based award, one quarter of which vests on the one year anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining three quarters vesting in equal monthly installments over the next three years. The option awards have a term of ten years.
(4)Reflects the grant date per share Black-Scholes value of $13.69 for option awards, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718.
(5)Reflects the grant date per share value of $27.50 for RSUs, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718, and consists of 37,848 PSUs and 37,848 RSUs granted to Dr. Dube; 17,840 PSUs and 9,840 RSUs granted to Ms. Clague; 8,750 RSUs granted to Mr. Cline; 17,840 PSUs and 9,840 RSUs granted to Mr. Heerma; 8,000 PSUs granted to Dr. Inrig and 17,840 PSUs and 9,840 RSUs granted to Dr. Rote.
(6)Reflects the grant date per share Black-Scholes value of $14.92 for option awards, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718.
(7)Reflects the grant date per share value of $28.55 for RSUs, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718, and consists of 500 RSUs granted to Mr. Cline.
(8)Reflects the grant date per share Black-Scholes value of $14.70 for option awards, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718.
(9)Reflects the grant date per share value of $28.06 for RSUs, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718, and consists of 9,840 PSUs and 5,000 RSUs granted to Mr. Cline.
(10)Reflects the grant date per share Black-Scholes value of $15.24 for option awards, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718.
(11)Reflects the grant date per share value of $30.60 for RSUs, which was calculated in accordance with ASC 718, and consists of 20,000 RSUs granted to Dr. Inrig.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table presents the outstanding equity awards held by each of the NEOs as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
 Option AwardsStock Awards
NameAward Grant DateNumber of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
Option
Exercise
Price
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#)
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested
Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested (#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested ($)
Eric Dube, Ph.D.1/31/2022(1)169,552 $27.50 1/31/2032
1/31/2022(3)37,848 $795,943 
1/31/2022(2)37,848 $795,943 
1/21/2021(1)101,899 110,761 $26.88 1/21/2031
1/21/2021(2)42,945 $903,133 
1/31/2020(1)218,750 81,250 $15.46 1/31/2030
1/31/2020(3)15,000 $315,450 
1/31/2020(2)17,500 $368,025 
1/4/2019(4)391,666 8,334 $23.34 1/4/2029
1/4/2019(2)12,500 $262,875 
Laura Clague1/31/2022(1)39,360 $27.50 1/31/2032
1/31/2022(3)9,840 $206,935 
1/31/2022(3)8,000 $168,240 
1/31/2022(2)9,840 $206,935 
1/21/2021(1)27,552 29,948 $26.88 1/21/2031
1/21/2021(2)11,250 $236,588 
1/31/2020(1)40,104 14,896 $15.46 1/31/2030
1/31/2020(3)5,000 $105,150 
1/31/2020(2)4,500 $94,635 
5/9/2019(1)35,833 4,167 $17.96 5/9/2029
5/9/2019(2)1,500 $31,545 
5/10/2018(1)48,000 — $25.25 5/10/2028
5/17/2017(5)60,000 — $17.44 5/17/2027
5/19/2016(6)60,000 — $16.23 5/19/2026
7/1/2015(6)60,000 — $32.49 7/1/2025
11/17/2014(7)100,000 — $9.45 11/17/2024
Christopher Cline9/1/2022(8)48,000 $28.06 9/1/2032
9/1/2022(3)9,840 $206,935 
9/1/2022(2)5,000 $105,150 
4/10/2022(9)5,000 $28.55 4/10/2032
4/10/2022(2)500 $10,515 
1/31/2022(1)17,500 $27.50 1/31/2032
1/31/2022(2)8,750 $184,013 
1/21/2021(1)7,786 8,464 $26.88 1/21/2031
1/21/2021(2)6,094 $128,157 
1/31/2020(1)9,114 3,386 $15.46 1/31/2030
1/31/2020(2)3,125 $65,719 
5/9/2019(1)8,958 1,042 $17.96 5/9/2029
5/9/2019(2)1,250 $26,288 
5/10/2018(1)12,500 — $25.25 5/10/2028
5/17/2017(5)20,000 — $17.44 5/17/2027
5/19/2016(6)20,000 — $16.23 5/19/2026
7/1/2015(6)15,000 — $32.49 7/1/2025
8/11/2014(10)40,000 — $12.51 8/11/2024
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Peter Heerma1/31/2022(1)39,360 $27.50 1/31/2032
1/31/2022(3)9,840 $206,935 
1/31/2022(3)8,000 $168,240 
1/31/2022(2)9,840 $206,935 
1/21/2021(1)27,552 29,948 $26.88 1/21/2031
1/21/2021(2)11,250 $236,588 
1/31/2020(1)40,104 14,896 $15.46 1/31/2030
1/31/2020(2)4,500 $94,635 
10/1/2019(11)79,166 20,834 $11.25 10/1/2029
10/1/2019(2)8,750 $184,013 
Jula Inrig, M.D.1/31/2022(3)8,000 $168,240 
1/1/2022(12)80,000 $30.60 1/1/2032
1/1/2022(2)20,000 $420,600 
William E. Rote, Ph.D.1/31/2022(1)39,360 $27.50 1/31/2032
1/31/2022(3)9,840 $206,935 
1/31/2022(3)8,000 $168,240 
1/31/2022(2)9,840 $206,935 
1/21/2021(1)27,552 29,948 $26.88 1/21/2031
1/21/2021(2)11,250 $236,588 
1/31/2020(1)40,104 14,896 $15.46 1/31/2030
1/31/2020(3)5,000 $105,150 
1/31/2020(2)4,500 $94,635 
5/9/2019(1)35,833 4,167 $17.96 5/9/2029
5/9/2019(2)1,500 $31,545 
5/10/2018(1)39,000 — $25.25 5/10/2028
2/13/2017(13)60,000 — $20.61 2/13/2027
____________________________
(1)Represents an option award in which one quarter of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant with the remaining three quarters vesting in equal monthly increments over the next three years.
(2)Represents an RSU award in which one quarter of the shares subject to the RSU vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining three quarters will vest in equal annual installments over the next three years. The market value of RSUs that have not vested is derived by multiplying the number of RSUs that have not vested as of December 31, 2022 by $21.03, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2022.
(3)Represents PSUs, which will vest upon the Company’s achievement of specified regulatory milestones and clinical development milestones. The market value of PSUs that have not vested is derived by multiplying the number of PSUs that have not vested as of December 31, 2022 by $21.03, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2022.
(4)Represents an option award granted in connection with the start of Dr. Dube’s employment with the Company. One quarter of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant with the remaining three quarters vesting in equal monthly installments over the next three years.
(5)Represents an option award which vests in equal quarterly installments during the four-year period following the date of grant.
(6)Represents an option award which vests in equal quarterly installments during the three-year period following the date of grant.
(7)Represents an option award granted in connection with the start of Ms. Clague’s employment with the Company. The shares subject to the option award vested in equal quarterly installments over the three-year period following the start of her employment with the Company.
(8)Represents an option award granted in connection with Mr. Cline’s appointment to Chief Financial Officer. One quarter of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant with the remaining three quarters vesting in equal monthly installments over the next three years.
(9)Represents an option award granted as a compensation adjustment in connection with Mr. Cline’s employment with the Company. One quarter of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant with the remaining three quarters vesting in equal monthly installments over the next three years.
(10) Represents an option award granted in connection with the start of Mr. Cline’s employment with the Company. The shares subject to the option award vested in equal quarterly installments over the three-year period following the start of his employment with the Company.
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(11)Represents an option award granted in connection with the start of Mr. Heerma’s employment with the Company. One quarter of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant with the remaining three quarters vesting in equal monthly installments over the next three years.
(12)Represents an option award granted in connection with the start of Dr. Inrig’s employment with the Company. One quarter of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant with the remaining three quarters vesting in equal quarterly increments over the next three years.
(13)Represents an option award granted in connection with the start of Dr. Rote’s employment with the Company. One quarter of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant with the remaining three quarters vesting in equal quarterly increments over the next three years.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
The following table shows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, certain information regarding option exercises and stock vested during the last fiscal year with respect to the NEOs:
 Option AwardsStock Awards (1)
Name
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
Value
Realized on
Exercise
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
Value
Realized on
Vesting (2)
Eric Dube, Ph.D.— — 35,565 $987,910 
Laura Clague— — 17,500 $455,673 
Christopher Cline— — 6,607 $160,848 
Peter Heerma— — 14,750 $380,188 
Jula Inrig, M.D.— — — $— 
William E. Rote, Ph.D.— — 14,125 $365,903 
____________________________
(1)Information relates to RSUs and PSUs that vested during 2022.
(2)Value is calculated by multiplying the number of shares of stock by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
The following tables set forth the potential severance benefits payable to our NEOs under certain circumstances, assuming such event occurred on December 31, 2022:
Potential Payment upon Termination Table*
NameSeverance (1)
Accrued
Compensation (2)
Stock
Awards (3)
Medical (4)Total
Eric Dube, Ph.D.$1,968,751 $47,776 $3,194,917 $18,829 $5,230,273 
Laura Clague (5)$495,000 $48,231 $779,164 $1,224 $1,323,619 
Christopher Cline$645,000 $61,192 $404,298 $— $1,110,490 
Peter Heerma$684,000 $39,155 $1,017,446 $38,387 $1,778,988 
Jula Inrig, M.D.$667,500 $20,710 $273,390 $23,974 $985,574 
William E. Rote, Ph.D.$706,500 $57,675 $779,164 $38,387 $1,581,726 
____________________________
*Reflects a termination without cause or due to a constructive termination, or deemed termination, not in connection with a change in control.
(1)For the NEOs other than our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents the executive’s base salary plus their target bonus, as of December 31, 2022, times 1.0, payable in equal installments over the 12-month period following separation on our normal payroll schedule. For our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents his base salary plus his target bonus, as of December 31, 2022, times 1.5, payable in equal installments over the 18-month period following separation on our normal payroll schedule.
(2)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2022.
(3)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ‘in-the money’ unvested options, RSUs and PSU's as of December 31, 2022, that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2022 of $21.03.
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(4)Medical is comprised of health insurance premiums for the period specified in each executive officer’s employment contract, as discussed further below.
(5)Ms. Clague served as our Chief Financial Officer until August 31, 2022, at which time she transitioned to an executive advisor role. In connection with this transition, we entered into a Retirement and Transition Agreement with Ms. Clague in April 2022, pursuant to which Ms. Clague was not entitled to severance payments under her employment agreement or otherwise as a result of her transition to an executive advisor role or her subsequent termination of employment, which occurred on March 31, 2023. However, if Ms. Clague were terminated without cause during the transition period, she would have been entitled to receive severance payments under her employment agreement as reflected in the table above.
Potential Payment upon Change-in-Control Table*
NameSeverance (1)
Accrued
Compensation (2)
Stock
Awards (3)
Medical (4)Total
Eric Dube, Ph.D.$2,625,001 $47,776 $3,893,933 $25,105 $6,591,815 
Laura Clague (5)$742,501 $48,231 $1,145,791 $1,835 $1,938,358 
Christopher Cline$967,501 $61,192 $748,835 $— $1,777,528 
Peter Heerma$1,026,001 $39,155 $1,384,073 $57,581 $2,506,810 
Jula Inrig, M.D.$1,001,251 $20,710 $588,840 $35,960 $1,646,761 
William E. Rote, Ph.D.$1,059,751 $57,675 $1,145,791 $57,581 $2,320,798 
____________________________
*Reflects benefits to be provided upon a termination without cause, or due to a constructive termination, or upon any termination of employment other than a termination for cause in the case of Ms. Clague in accordance with the terms of her Retirement and Transition Agreement, within (i) for Mr. Rote, the 60 days prior to or 6 months following a change-in-control, (ii) for Ms. Clague, within six months prior to or 12 months following a change-in-control, and (iii) for our other NEOs, the three months prior to or 12 months following change-in-control.
(1)For the NEOs other than our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents the executive’s base salary plus their target bonus, as of December 31, 2022, times 1.5, payable in a lump sum within 10 days following the date of an effective release of claims. For our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents his base salary plus his target bonus, as of December 31, 2022, times 2.0, payable in a lump sum within 10 days following the date of an effective release of claims.
(2)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2022.
(3)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ‘in-the money’ unvested options, RSUs and PSUs as of December 31, 2022 that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2022 of $21.03.
(4)Medical is comprised of health insurance premiums for the period specified in each executive officer’s employment contract, as discussed further below.
(5)Ms. Clague served as our Chief Financial Officer until August 31, 2022, at which time she transitioned to an executive advisor role.
Potential Payment upon Termination by Disability Table*
NameBase Salary (1)Bonus (2)Accrued Compensation (3)
Stock
Awards (4)
Medical (5)Total
Eric Dube, Ph.D.$1,125,000 $562,500 $47,776 $3,194,917 $18,829 $4,949,022 
Laura Clague (6)$330,000 $165,000 $48,231 $779,164 $1,224 $1,323,619 
Christopher Cline$430,000 $215,000 $61,192 $404,298 $— $1,110,490 
Peter Heerma$456,000 $228,000 $39,155 $1,017,446 $38,387 $1,778,988 
Jula Inrig, M.D.$445,000 $222,500 $20,710 $273,390 $23,974 $985,574 
William E. Rote, Ph.D.$471,000 $235,500 $57,675 $779,164 $38,387 $1,581,726 
____________________________
*Reflects a termination due to disability.
(1)For the NEOs other than our Chief Executive Officer, this amount represents the executive’s base salary, as of December 31, 2022, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices over the 12-month period following separation. For our Chief Executive Officer, amount represents his base salary, as of December 31, 2022, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices over the 18-month period following separation.
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(2)For all NEOs, this amount represents executive’s target bonus as of December 31, 2022.
(3)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2022.
(4)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ‘in-the money’ unvested options, RSU's and PSUs as of December 31, 2022 that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2022 of $21.03.
(5)Medical is comprised of health insurance premiums for the period specified in each executive officer’s employment contract, as discussed further below.
(6)Ms. Clague served as our Chief Financial Officer until August 31, 2022, at which time she transitioned to an executive advisor role.
Potential Payment upon Termination by Death Table*
NameBonus (1)
Accrued
Compensation (2)
Stock
Awards (3)
Total
Eric Dube, Ph.D.$562,500 $47,776 $240,962 $851,238 
Laura Clague (4)$165,000 $48,231 $— $213,231 
Christopher Cline$215,000 $61,192 $— $276,192 
Peter Heerma$228,000 $39,155 $— $267,155 
Jula Inrig, M.D.$222,500 $20,710 $— $243,210 
William Rote, Ph.D.$235,500 $57,675 $— $293,175 
____________________________
*Reflects a termination due to death.
(1)For all NEOs, this amount represents 100% of the executive’s target bonus as of December 31, 2022.
(2)Accrued compensation is comprised of vacation pay earned and unpaid as of December 31, 2022.
(3)The amounts in this column represent the intrinsic value of ‘in-the money’ unvested options and restricted stock units as of December 31, 2022 that would vest in accordance with the executive officers’ employment agreements, as discussed further below. Values were derived using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2022 of $21.03. PSUs were not included as their vesting would not accelerate in connection with a termination due to death.
(4)Ms. Clague served as our Chief Financial Officer until August 31, 2022, at which time she transitioned to an executive advisor role.
Employment Contracts
Dube Employment Agreement
On January 4, 2019, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Dr. Dube (the “Dube Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Dube Employment Agreement, Dr. Dube will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 75% of his base salary. While Dr. Dube will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Dube Employment Agreement provides that in the event of his termination by the Company without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Dube will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in equal installments over a period of 18 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Dr. Dube had continued to render services to the Company for 18 months following his separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Dr. Dube's employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Dube will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 2, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 24 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.
Clague Employment Agreement and Retirement and Transition Agreement
On March 3, 2015, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Ms. Clague, as amended on April 11, 2017 (the “Clague Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Clague Employment Agreement, Ms. Clague received an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target last set at 50% of her base salary. While Ms. Clague’s employment was at-will, the Clague Employment Agreement provided that in the event of her termination by the Company without cause or in the event of her termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general
46


release in favor of the Company, Ms. Clague would be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to her annual base salary plus annual target bonus paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and, (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Ms. Clague had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following her separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Ms. Clague’s employment with the Company was terminated without cause or in the event of her termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Ms. Clague would be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to her annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.
On April 19, 2022, the Company and Ms. Clague entered into a Retirement and Transition Agreement in support of Ms. Clague’s then-planned retirement and the planned transition to Christopher Cline as Chief Financial Officer. Pursuant to the Retirement and Transition Agreement, Ms. Clague continued to be employed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer through the Officer Resignation Date, which was August 31, 2022. During the period between the Officer Resignation Date and the Employment Termination Date (as defined below) (the “Transition Period”), Ms. Clague continued to serve as an employee of the Company but no longer had the powers, duties and responsibilities commensurate with the position of Chief Financial Officer. During the Transition Period, Ms. Clague assisted the Company in transitioning her former duties and responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer of the Company to Mr. Cline and provided other services and reasonable transition assistance. Effective as of March 31, 2023 (the “Employment Termination Date”), Ms. Clague’s employment with the Company terminated in accordance with the Retirement and Transition Agreement. Prior to the Transition Period, Ms. Clague continued to receive 2022 Chief Financial Officer current base salary. As provided in the Retirement and Transition Agreement, during the Transition Period Ms. Clague received a reduced base salary equal to approximately 70% of her prior base salary. Ms. Clague remained eligible to receive her annual cash incentive bonus payment for 2022, as determined by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee, and will also remain eligible to participate in the Company’s cash incentive bonus program for 2023 on a pro rata basis, as determined by the Board and/or its Compensation Committee, with a reduced target bonus percentage of 40%.
Pursuant to the Retirement and Transition Agreement, Ms. Clague did not receive any cash severance and was not entitled to any further stock awards or equity grants from the Company, but any stock awards and equity grants previously granted to Ms. Clague continued to vest and become exercisable during the Transition Period in accordance with their terms. The equity awards previously granted to Ms. Clague under, or subject to, the Company’s 2014, 2015 or 2018 Equity Incentive Plans and then held by her, other than certain performance-based restricted stock units granted to Ms. Clague in January 2020 and January 2022 (collectively, the “Covered Awards”), continue to vest and become exercisable following the Employment Termination Date, and any such equity award that is a stock option remains exercisable until three months following the last vesting date with respect to any of the Covered Awards, but no later than the end of the original full term of such stock option. As a condition to receiving the foregoing payments and benefits, Ms. Clague agreed to execute and deliver, on the Employment Termination Date, a general release in favor of the Company and its affiliates.
Cline Employment Agreement
On September 1, 2022, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Cline (the “Cline Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Cline Employment Agreement, Mr. Cline will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of his base salary. While Mr. Cline will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Cline Employment Agreement provides that in the event of his termination by the Company without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Mr. Cline will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and, (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Mr. Cline had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following his separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Mr. Cline’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Mr. Cline will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.
Heerma Employment Agreement
On October 1, 2019, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Heerma (the “Heerma Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Heerma Employment Agreement, Mr. Heerma will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of his base salary. While Mr. Heerma will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Heerma Employment Agreement provides that in the event of his termination by the Company without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Mr. Heerma will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and, (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Mr. Heerma had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following his separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Mr. Heerma's employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release
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against the Company, Mr. Heerma will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.
Inrig Employment Agreement
On January 1, 2022, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Dr. Inrig (the “Inrig Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Inrig Employment Agreement, Dr. Inrig will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of her base salary. While Dr. Inrig will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Inrig Employment Agreement provides that in the event of her termination by the Company without cause or in the event of her termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Inrig will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to her annual base salary plus annual target bonus paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and, (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Dr. Inrig had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following her separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Dr. Inrig’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of her termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Inrig will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to her annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.
Rote Employment Agreement
On February 13, 2017, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Dr. Rote, as amended on April 11, 2017 (the “Rote Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Rote Employment Agreement, Dr. Rote will receive an annual base salary, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, plus a discretionary annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a bonus target currently set at 50% of his base salary. While Dr. Rote will continue to be employed on an at-will basis, the Rote Employment Agreement provides that in the event of his termination by the Company without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Rote will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus paid in equal installments over a period of 12 months, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 12 months and, (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that the amount of shares vested under such stock awards equals the number of shares that would have vested if Dr. Rote had continued to render services to the Company for 12 months following his separation from service. Additionally, in connection with a change in control of the Company, if Dr. Rote’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in the event of his termination due to a constructive termination, in exchange for a general release against the Company, Dr. Rote will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of, among other things, (i) a cash compensation amount equal to his annual base salary plus annual target bonus, multiplied by 1.5, paid in a single lump-sum amount, (ii) payment of the cost of COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and (iii) acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding stock awards such that all outstanding stock awards become fully vested.

CEO Pay Ratio
Pursuant to Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are required to disclose the ratio of our principal executive officer’s annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of our median employee.
During fiscal 2022, the principal executive officer of Travere was our Chief Executive Officer, Eric Dube, Ph.D. For 2022, the annual total compensation for Dr. Dube was $5,753,490. The annual total compensation for our median employee (identified as disclosed below) was $309,128, resulting in a pay ratio of approximately 19:1.
Consistent with the process used to identify our median employee for 2021, for 2022 we identified the median employee as of December 31, 2022 by (i) aggregating for each applicable employee (A) annual base salary for salaried employees, (B) the target bonus for 2022, (C) the estimated fair value of any equity awards granted during 2022 and, (ii) ranking this compensation measure for our employees from lowest to highest. This calculation was performed for all employees of Travere, excluding Dr. Dube. Amounts paid in non-US currencies were converted to USD based on the average annual exchange rate as of December 30, 2022.
The pay ratio reported above is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our internal records and the methodology described above. The SEC rules for identifying the median-compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their employee populations and compensation practices. Therefore, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.


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Item 402(v) Pay Versus Performance
In accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2020, we provide the following disclosure regarding executive compensation for our principle executive officer ("PEO") and Non-PEO NEOs and Company performance for the fiscal years listed below. The Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown.
Required Tabular Disclosure of Pay Versus Performance
The amounts set forth below under the headings “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” and “Average Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEOs” have been calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Use of the term “compensation actually paid” is required by the SEC’s rules and as a result of the calculation methodology required by the SEC, such amounts differ from compensation actually received by the individuals and the compensation decisions described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above.
YearSummary Compensation Table Total for PEO(1)Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(1)(2)(3)Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(1)Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(1)(2)(3)Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment based on:(4)Net Income(5)
(in millions)
Net Product Sales(6)
(in millions)
 Total Shareholder ReturnPeer Group Total Shareholder Return 
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)
2022$5,753,490 $687,242 $2,238,982 $1,118,268 $148.10 $113.65 $(278)$201 
2021$5,739,010 $6,564,795 $2,138,273 $1,957,099 $218.59 $126.45 $(180)$211 
2020$5,447,879 $10,291,743 $1,640,653 $2,924,753 $191.94 $126.42 $(169)$198 
_______________________
(1)Eric Dube was our PEO for each year presented. The individuals comprising the Non-PEO NEOs for each year presented are listed below.
2022: Laura Clague, Christopher Cline, Peter Heerma, Jula Inrig and William E. Rote.
2021: Laura Clague, Elizabeth Reed, Noah Rosenberg and William E. Rote.
2020: Laura Clague, Elizabeth Reed, Noah Rosenberg and William E. Rote.
(2)The amounts shown for Compensation Actually Paid have been calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and do not reflect compensation actually earned, realized, or received by the Company's NEOs. These amounts reflect the Summary Compensation Table total with certain adjustments as described in footnote 3 below.
(3)Compensation Actually Paid is computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K for the PEO and the Non-PEO NEOs as set forth below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Amounts in the Stock Awards and Options Awards column are the total from the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns set forth in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.

YearSummary Compensation Table Total for PEODeduct: Stock Awards and Option Awards for PEOAdd: Total Equity Adjustments for PEOCompensation Actually Paid to PEO
2022$5,753,490 $(4,403,197)$(663,051)$687,242 
2021$5,739,010 $(4,465,329)$5,291,114 $6,564,795 
2020$5,447,879 $(4,318,090)$9,161,954 $10,291,743 
YearAverage Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOsDeduct: Average of Stock Awards and Option Awards for Non-PEO NEOsAdd: Average Equity Adjustments for Non-PEO NEOsAverage Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs
2022$2,238,982 $(1,528,507)$407,793 $1,118,268 
2021$2,138,273 $(1,194,394)$1,013,220 $1,957,099 
2020$1,640,653 $(941,097)$2,225,197 $2,924,753 




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The amounts in the Total Equity Adjustments columns in the tables above are derived from the amounts set forth in the following tables:
YearYear-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for PEOChange in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for PEOVesting-Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year that Vested During Year for PEOChange in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for PEOFair Value of Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for PEOTotal Equity Adjustments for PEO
2022$3,265,565 $(2,562,360)$— $(1,366,256)$— $(663,051)
2021$5,046,221 $1,091,638 $— $(846,745)$— $5,291,114 
2020$7,633,746 $1,437,904 $— $90,304 $— $9,161,954 
YearAverage Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for Non-PEO NEOsAverage Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for Non-PEO NEOsAverage Vesting-Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year that Vested During Year for Non-PEO NEOsAverage Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for Non-PEO NEOsAverage Fair Value of Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for Non-PEO NEOsTotal Average Equity Adjustments for Non-PEO NEOs
2022$1,094,962 $(445,897)$— $(241,272)$— $407,793 
2021$1,135,051 $187,774 $— $(215,606)$(93,999)$1,013,220 
2020$1,662,986 $442,368 $— $119,843 $— $2,225,197 

(4)The Peer Group TSR set forth in this table utilizes the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, which we also utilize in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022. The comparison assumed $100 was invested for the period starting December 31, 2019, through the end of the listed year in the Company and in the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, respectively. Historical stock performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock performance.
(5)The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net loss reflected in the Company's audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year.
(6)We determined net product sales to be the most important financial performance measure used to link Company performance to Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs in 2022. This performance measure may not have been the most important financial performance measure for years 2021 and 2020 and we may determine a different financial performance measure to be the most important financial performance measure in future years.
Required Disclosure of the Relationships Between Compensation Actually Paid and Financial Performance Measures
Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Company Total Shareholder Return ("TSR")
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and the Company's cumulative TSR over the three most recently completed fiscal years.
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Graph 1 - Cumulative TSR.jpg
Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our net income during the three most recently completed fiscal years.
Graph 2 - Net Income.jpg
Description of Relationship Between PEO and Other NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Net Product Sales
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our net product sales during the three most recently completed fiscal years.
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Graph 3 - Net Product Sales.jpg
Description of Relationship Between Company TSR and Peer Group TSR
The following chart compares our cumulative TSR over the three most recently completed fiscal years to that of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index over the same period.
Graph 4 - Peer Group TSR.jpg
Required Tabular List of Most Important Financial Performance Measures
As is the case with many companies of a similar stage in the biotechnology industry, the Company relies less on financial performance goals as compared to non-financial strategic and operational goals with respect to setting compensation for the NEOs. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the only financial performance measure used to link Compensation Actually Paid to our NEOs to company performance was net product sales, which is the company-selected financial measure listed below. For a discussion of the non-financial strategic and operational goals the Company factors into the compensation program for the NEOs, please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above.
Net Product Sales
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All of the information provided above under the "Item 402(v) Pay Versus Performance” heading will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates such information by reference.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION SUMMARY
The following table shows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 certain information with respect to the compensation of all non-employee directors of the Company who served during 2022:
NameFees Earned ($)
(1)
Stock Awards ($)
(2)(3)(4)
Option Awards ($)
(2)(3)(5)
Total ($)
Stephen Aselage (6)$41,250 $3,200,000 $— $3,241,250 
Roy Baynes$65,000 $64,140 $192,420 $321,560 
Suzanne Bruhn (7)$62,500 $64,140 $192,420 $319,060 
Tim Coughlin$77,500 $64,140 $192,420 $334,060 
Gary Lyons$89,375 $64,140 $192,420 $345,935 
Jeffery Meckler$72,000 $64,140 $192,420 $328,560 
John Orwin$65,000 $64,140 $192,420 $321,560 
Sandra Poole$60,000 $64,140 $192,420 $316,560 
Ron Squarer$60,000 $64,140 $192,420 $316,560 
Ruth Williams-Brinkley (8)$53,750 $64,140 $192,420 $310,310 
_______________________
(1)Fees are paid in cash.
(2)In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the equity awards other than for Mr. Aselage. For Mr. Aselage, this column reflects the incremental fair value, as of the modification date in accordance with ASC Topic 718, with respect to the modification of outstanding stock options to extend the post termination exercisability period thereof (as previously disclosed in our proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting) in connection with Mr. Aselage’s retirement from the Board.
(3)Awards granted during 2022 are computed in accordance ASC 718. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the director in connection with such equity awards. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 of the audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
(4)Aggregate number of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2022 was zero for Mr. Aselage, 3,000 for Dr. Baynes, 4,750 for Dr. Bruhn, 3,000 for Mr. Coughlin, 3,000 for Mr. Lyons, 3,000 for Mr. Meckler, 3,000 for Mr. Orwin, 3,000 for Ms. Poole, 3,000 for Mr. Squarer and 6,500 for Ms. Williams-Brinkley.
(5)Aggregate number of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2022 was 558,000 for Mr. Aselage, 71,000 for Dr. Baynes, 33,750 for Dr. Bruhn, 103,000 for Mr. Coughlin, 111,000 for Mr. Lyons, 111,000 for Mr. Meckler, 62,500 for Mr. Orwin, 41,000 for Ms. Poole, 62,500 for Mr. Squarer and 24,750 for Ms. Williams-Brinkley.
(6)Mr. Aselage retired from the Board of Directors on May 11, 2022.
(7)Dr. Bruhn was appointed to the Board of Directors on April 9, 2020.
(8)Ms. Williams-Brinkley was appointed to the Board of Directors on September 14, 2021.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Program
Our Board of Directors adopted a compensation policy for fiscal 2022 applicable to all of our non-employee directors that provided that each such non-employee director received the following compensation for service on our Board of Directors:
an annual cash retainer of $50,000;
an additional annual cash retainer of $35,000 for service as chair of the Board of Directors;
an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000 for service as a member of the Audit Committee ($20,000 for service as the chair of the Audit Committee), $7,500 for service as a member of the Compensation Committee ($15,000 for service as the chair of the Compensation Committee), $5,000 for service as a member of the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee ($12,000 for service as the chair of the Nominating / Corporate Governance committee), and $5,000 for service as a member of the Science and Medical Technology Committee ($10,000 for service as the Chair of the Science and Medical Technology Committee);
upon first joining our Board of Directors, an automatic initial grant of an option to purchase 15,750 shares of our common stock and 5,250 RSUs; and
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for each non-employee director who was serving as a non-employee director as of the date that is six (6) months prior to the date of such annual meeting and who continues to serve as a non-employee director following such annual meeting, an automatic annual grant of an option to purchase 9,000 shares of our common stock and 3,000 restricted shares of common stock.
Each of the initial equity grants under our director compensation policy described above vests over a three year period following the date of grant, subject to the director continuing to provide services to us during such period. Each of the annual equity grants under our director compensation policy described above vests over a one year period following the date of grant, subject to the director continuing to provide services to us during such period. Upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as the same may be amended from time-to-time) in connection with which the service of a non-employee director as a member of the Board ceases, the vesting of all director awards then-held by such non-employee director shall accelerate in full and become 100% vested upon the consummation of such Change in Control.
In March 2023, following the Compensation Committee's annual review of non-employee director compensation and upon the recommendation of the independent compensation consultant and based on market data, our Board of Directors adopted an updated compensation policy applicable to members of the Science and Medical Technology Committee, which resulted in a modest adjustment in the annual cash retainer amount from $5,000 to $7,500 and an increase for the Committee Chair from $10,000 to $15,000. All other cash compensation amounts remained unchanged from 2022. Additionally, the updated compensation policy applicable to all of our non-employee directors resulted in a modest adjustment in the amount of the equity grants from the prior year such that upon joining the Board of Directors, the initial equity grant consists of an option to purchase 20,250 shares of our common stock and 6,750 RSUs; and for each non-employee director who was serving as a non-employee director as of the date that is six (6) months prior to the date of such annual meeting and who continues to serve as a non-employee director following such annual meeting, the automatic annual grant of an option to purchase 13,500 shares of our common stock and 4,500 restricted shares of common stock.
Director Stock Ownership Guidelines
In order to align the interests of the directors with Travere’s stockholders we have adopted a policy whereby each non-employee director should within five years of election to the Board or adoption of the policy own, directly or indirectly, a number of shares of Travere common stock, including in-the-money vested stock options, with a value not less than three times the annual cash retainer paid by Travere to each such non-employee director for service on the Board (not including committee/chair retainers). Thereafter, each director should continue to own at least the same number of shares until he or she is no longer a director.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Policies and Procedures
We have adopted related-person transactions policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related-person transactions.” Under our procedures, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our Audit Committee (or, where review by our Audit Committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board of Directors) for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-person transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-person transactions, our Audit Committee or another independent body of our Board of Directors takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
the risks, costs and benefits to us;
the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;
the terms of the transaction;
the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and
the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from our employees generally.
In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Since January 1, 2022, there has not been, nor is there any proposed transaction where we were or will be a party in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and in which any director, director nominee, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than the compensation agreements and other agreements and transactions which are described in “Employment Contracts" and "Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” and the transactions described below.
Ruth Williams-Brinkley, a member of our Board of Directors who was appointed to our Board in September 2021, currently serves as President of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan for the Mid-Atlantic States, overseeing Kaiser Permanente’s care delivery and health plan operations in Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland, Baltimore and Northern Virginia. The Company has sold certain of its commercial products to Kaiser
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Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals since 2014, via ordinary course, arms' length transactions. Since January 1, 2022 and through February 28, 2023, the Company has recognized gross revenue from sales of the Company’s commercial products to Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals in an aggregate amount of approximately $3.3 million. Also, the Company is party to a Research Agreement with Kaiser Foundation Research Institute, pursuant to which it has made payments in an aggregate amount of approximately $240,000 since January 1, 2022 and through February 28, 2023, the majority of which are pass-through expenses to investigator sites. The Board has determined that Ms. Williams-Brinkley qualifies as independent under Nasdaq listing rules.
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PROPOSAL 4

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP ("EY"), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 and has further directed that management submit such selection of EY as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of EY are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Neither the Company’s bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of EY to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
As previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 11, 2023, on April 6, 2023, the Audit Committee: (i) dismissed BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”), as our independent registered public accounting firm effective as of such date and (ii) having conducted a competitive auditor evaluation and selection process to determine our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, notified EY of its selection as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. BDO had served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm from 2014 through the period ended April 6, 2023. EY was formally engaged on April 12, 2023.
BDO’s audit reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the subsequent interim period through April 6, 2023: (1) there were no “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) with BDO on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO, would have caused BDO to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreements in connection with its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such periods and (2) there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K), except for the disclosure of the following material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as disclosed in Part II, Item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022: we did not design effective controls and procedures to evaluate the accounting for a certain pre-launch inventory contract affecting the timing of recognition of research and development expense. Such material weakness did not result in a restatement of previously issued annual consolidated financial statements or condensed interim consolidated financial statements. This reportable event was discussed among the Company’s management, the Audit Committee and BDO. BDO has been authorized by the Company to respond fully to the inquiries of EY, the successor accountant, including concerning this reportable event.
During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and through April 6, 2023, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with EY regarding: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that EY concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K or a “reportable event” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company has furnished each of BDO and EY with a copy of the disclosures under this Proposal 4. BDO has furnished the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating that it agrees with the above statements, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 12, 2023.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter will be required to ratify the selection of EY. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 4
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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 by BDO USA, LLP ("BDO"). All fees described below were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
20222021
Audit Fees (1)$1,189,268 $1,058,670 
Tax Fees (2)248,921 203,073 
All Other Fees (3)— 
Total$1,438,189 $1,261,743 
_________________________
(1)Fees for audit services billed or to be billed for fiscal 2022 and 2021 consisted of the annual audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting, statutory audits, review of registration statements and acquisition-related matters and the interim reviews of the quarterly consolidated financial statements.
(2)Fees for tax services billed or to be billed for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of financial tax planning and consultations and tax compliance.
(3)There were no other fees for professional services rendered by the Company’s independent registered accountants for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee has established policies and procedures regarding pre-approval of all services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, other than de minimis non-audit services, and shall not engage the independent registered public accounting firm to perform the specific non-audit services proscribed by law or regulation. Our Audit Committee pre-approved all such audit and permitted non-audit services in 2022.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services was compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO and concluded that the provision of such services was compatible with maintaining the independence of the firm. All of the services rendered by BDO were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Audit Committee pre-approval procedures described above.
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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of Annual Meeting materials to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Travere Therapeutics, Inc. stockholders will be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. A single set of Annual Meeting materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate set of Annual Meeting materials, please notify your broker or Travere Therapeutics, Inc. Direct your written request to Travere Therapeutics, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92130. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Annual Meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Elizabeth E. Reed
Elizabeth E. Reed
General Counsel and Secretary
April 13, 2023
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 is available without charge upon written request to: Secretary, Travere Therapeutics, Inc., 3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92130.


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Appendix A
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
Adopted by the Board of Directors: April 1, 2018
Approved by the Stockholders: May 9, 2018
Amended by the Board of Directors: April 1, 2019
Approved by the Stockholders: May 8, 2019
Amended by the Board of Directors: April 8, 2020
Approved by the Stockholders: May 15, 2020
Amended by the Board of Directors: April 6, 2021
Approved by the Stockholders: May 14, 2021
Amended by the Board of Directors: April 1, 2022
Approved by the Stockholders: May 11, 2022
Amended by the Board of Directors: April 13, 2023
Approved by the Stockholders: [May 17, 2023]

1.General.
(a)Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plans. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Travere Therapeutics, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and the Travere Therapeutics, Inc. 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2014 Plan”, and together with the 2015 Plan, the “Prior Plans”). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards may be granted under the Prior Plans. Any unallocated shares remaining available for grant under the Prior Plans as of 12:01 a.m., Pacific Time on the Effective Date (the “Prior Plans’ Available Reserve”) will cease to be available under such Prior Plans at such time and will be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3(a) below) and be then immediately available for grant and issuance pursuant to Stock Awards granted under the Plan. In addition, from and after 12:01 a.m., Pacific Timeon the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plans will remain subject to the terms of such Prior Plans, as applicable; provided, however, that any shares subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plans that (i) expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement, or (ii) are forfeited, cancelled or otherwise returned to the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares (collectively, the “Prior Plans’ Returning Shares”) will immediately be added to the Share Reserve (as further described in Section 3(a) below) as and when such shares become Prior Plans’ Returning Shares and become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted hereunder. All Stock Awards granted on or after 12:01 a.m., Pacific Timeon the Effective Date will be subject to the terms of this Plan.
(b)Eligible Award Recipients. Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan.
(c)Available Stock Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards, (vi) Performance Stock Awards, and (vii) Other Stock Awards.
(d)Purpose. The Plan, through the granting of Stock Awards, is intended to help the Company and any Affiliate secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.
2.Administration.
(a)Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).
(b)Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i)    To determine (A) who will be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award will be granted; (C) what type of Stock Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, a Stock Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.
(ii)    To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Stock Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.
(iii)    To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.
A-1


(iv)    To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which a Stock Award may be exercised or vest (or the time at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).
(v)    To prohibit the exercise of any Option, SAR or other exercisable Stock Award during a period of up to thirty days prior to the consummation of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock including any Transaction, for reasons of administrative convenience.
(vi)    To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair a Participant’s rights under the Participant’s then-outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.
(vii)    To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Stock Awards granted under the Plan compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or exempt from or compliant with the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, if required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, or (E) materially expands the types of Stock Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as provided in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or a Stock Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent.
(viii)    To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 422 of the Code regarding incentive stock options or (B) Rule 16b-3.
(ix)    To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided, however, that a Participant’s rights under any Stock Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Stock Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.
(x)    To appoint such agents as the Board may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.
(xi)    Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Stock Awards.
(xii)    To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Stock Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).
(c)Delegation to Committee.
(i)General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Committee may, at any time, abolish the subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii)Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3.
(d)Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Stock Awards, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Stock Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the
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Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(u)(iii) below.
(e)Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(f)Repricing; Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards. Neither the Board nor any Committee will have the authority to (i) reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Option or SAR under the Plan, or (ii) cancel any outstanding Option or SAR that has an exercise price or strike price greater than the then-current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in exchange for cash or other Stock Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within 12 months prior to such an event.
(g)Minimum Vesting Requirements. Except as provided in Section 9, no Stock Award will vest until at least twelve (12) months following the date of grant of such Stock Award; provided, however, that up to five percent (5%) of the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)) may be subject to Stock Awards that do not meet such vesting requirements.
(h)Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award (other than an Option or SAR), as determined by the Board and contained in the applicable Stock Award Agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested under the terms of such Stock Award Agreement, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of such Stock Award Agreement (including, but not limited to, any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date, if any, such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to a failure to meet any vesting conditions under the terms of such Stock Award Agreement.
3.Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a)Share Reserve.
(i)    Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards from and after the Effective Date will not exceed (A) 15,684,114 shares (which number is the sum of (i) 1,800,000 shares originally approved by the Company’s stockholders in May 2018, (ii) 2,000,000 shares approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May 2019, (iii) 2,400,000 shares approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May 2020, (iv) 3,200,000 shares approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May 2021, (v) 2,000,000 shares approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May 2022, (vi) 2,700,000 shares approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May 2023 and (vii) the number of shares (1,584,114) subject to the Prior Plans’ Available Reserve, plus (B) the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares, if any, which become available for grant under this Plan from time to time (such aggregate number of shares described in (A) and (B) above, the “Share Reserve”).
(ii)    For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(iii)    Subject to Section 3(b), the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be reduced by: (A) one share for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Option or SAR with respect to which the exercise or strike price is at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date of grant; and (B) one share for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award.
(b)Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.
(i)Shares Available For Subsequent Issuance. If (A) any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award are not issued because such Stock Award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), or (B) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, such shares will again become available for issuance under the Plan (collectively, the “2018 Plan Returning Shares”). For each (1) 2018 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award or (2) Prior Plans’ Returning Share subject to a stock award other than an option or stock appreciation right granted under the Prior Plan, with respect to which the exercise or strike price is at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the option or stock appreciation right on the date of grant, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will increase by the share ratio used at time of grant.
(ii)Shares Not Available For Subsequent Issuance. Any shares of Common Stock reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will no longer be available for issuance under the Plan, including any shares subject to a Stock Award that are not delivered to a Participant because such Stock Award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to such Stock Award (i.e., “net exercised”). In addition, any shares reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with a Stock Award or a stock award under a Prior Plan, or any shares repurchased by the Company on the open market
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with the proceeds of the exercise or strike price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or similar award under a Prior Plan will no longer be available for issuance under the Plan.
(c)Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be 8,000,000.
(d)Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
(e)Non-Employee Director Aggregate Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any period commencing on the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a particular year and ending on the day immediately prior to the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the next subsequent year, including Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director, will not exceed (i) $750,000 in total value or (ii) in the event such Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board during such period, $1,250,000 in total value, in each case calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes.
4.Eligibility.
(a)Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction) or (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from or alternatively comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(b)Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.
5.Provisions Relating to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a)Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement.
(b)Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Stock Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award if such Stock Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.
(c)Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or that otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:
(i)    by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;
(ii)    pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii)    by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;
(iv)    if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common
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Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or
(v)    in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.
(d)Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.
(e)Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the restrictions set forth in this Section 5(e) on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement to the contrary, no Option or SAR may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.
(i)Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (and pursuant to Sections 5(e)(ii) and 5(e)(iii) below) and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. Subject to the foregoing paragraph, the Board may permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.
(ii)Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.
(iii)Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.
(f)Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to Section 2(g) and to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.
(g)Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(h)Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate,if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.
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(i)Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(j)Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Participant’s Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR (as applicable) is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(k)Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participant’s Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service and be forfeited, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.
(l)Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Stock Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, in another agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s or Affiliate’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.
6.Provisions of Stock Awards Other than Options and SARs.
(a)Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i)Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii)Vesting. Subject to Section 2(g), shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.
(iii)Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
(iv)Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or a Restricted Stock Award Agreement to the contrary, no Restricted Stock Award may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.
(b)Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time,
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and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i)Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii)Vesting. Subject to Section 2(g), at the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(iii)Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
(iv)Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(v)Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.
(c)Performance Stock Awards.
(i)Performance Stock Awards. A Performance Stock Award is a Stock Award that is payable (including that may be granted, vest or be exercised) contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals. A Performance Stock Award may, but need not, require the Participant’s completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. Subject to Section 2(g), the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Stock Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.
(ii)Discretion. The Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon the attainment of any Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period.
(d)Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price or strike price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards granted under Section 5 and this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan (including, but not limited to, Sections 2(g) and 2(h)), the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.
7.Covenants of the Company.
(a)Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.
(b)Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan the authority required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.
(c)No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising a Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.
8.Miscellaneous.
(a)Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b)Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the
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instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the preparation of the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect terms in the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents.
(c)Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.
(d)No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.
(e)Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company or any Affiliate is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee) after the date of grant of any Stock Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Stock Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Stock Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Stock Award that is so reduced or extended.
(f)Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
(g)Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that the Participant is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.
(h)Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax that may be required to be withheld by law (or such other amount as may be permitted while still avoiding classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.
(i)Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein or in a Stock Award Agreement to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access). By accepting any Stock Award, the Participant consents to receive documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through any on-line electronic system established and maintained by the Board or another third party selected by the Board. The form of delivery of any Common Stock (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.
(j)Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the
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Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company or an Affiliate. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.
(k)Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in a Stock Award Agreement, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Stock Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that the Board determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and, to the extent applicable, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements will be interpreted in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Stock Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded and a Participant holding a Stock Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount will be made upon a “separation from service” before a date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death.
(l)Clawback/Recovery. All Stock Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in a Stock Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.
9.Adjustments upon Changes in Common Stock; Other Corporate Events.
(a)Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
(b)Dissolution. Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a Dissolution of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such Dissolution, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the Dissolution is completed but contingent on its completion.
(c)Transactions. The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Transaction. In the event of a Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction, and provided that the Board may take the actions described in Sections 9(c)(iii) through 9(c)(vi) only if the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not consent to the actions in Sections 9(c)(i) and 9(c)(ii):
(i)    arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction);
(ii)    arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);
(iii)    accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective date of the Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Transaction;
(iv)    arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;
(v)    cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration or no consideration as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and
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(vi)    make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.For clarity, this payment may be zero ($0) if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.
The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.
(d)Appointment of Stockholder Representative. As a condition to the receipt of a Stock Award under this Plan, a Participant will be deemed to have agreed that the Stock Award will be subject to the terms of any provision in the agreement governing a Transaction involving the Company for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on the Participant’s behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.
(e)No Restriction on Right to Undertake Transactions. The grant of any Stock Award under the Plan and the issuance of shares pursuant to any Stock Award does not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, rights or options to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
(f)Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a termination of Continuous Service in connection with a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.
10.Plan Term; Earlier Termination or Suspension of the Plan.
(a)The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Option will be granted afterthe tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(b)No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan.
11.Effective Date of Plan.
This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.
12.Choice of Law.
The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.
13.Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a)Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(b)Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c)Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(d)Causewill have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Participant’s commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or other act of dishonesty that could reflect adversely on the integrity, character or reputation of the Company, or that would cause harm to its customer relations, operations or business prospects; (ii) the Participant’s breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company; (iii) the Participant’s violation or threatening to violate a restrictive covenant agreement, such as a non-compete, non-solicit, or non-disclosure agreement, between a Participant and the Company; (iv) the Participant’s unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information or trade secrets; (v) the Participant’s violation of any lawful policies or rules of the Company, including any applicable code of conduct; (vi) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony if such conviction or plea (a) results in such Person’s imprisonment, (b)
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could reflect adversely on the integrity, character or reputation of the Company or (c) would cause harm to the Company’s customer relations, operations or business prospects; (vii) the Participant’s failure to reasonably cooperate in any investigation or proceeding concerning the Company; or (viii) the Participant’s neglect or misconduct in the performance of the Participant’s duties and responsibilities, provided that he or she did not cure such neglect or misconduct within ten (10) days after the Company gave written notice of such neglect or misconduct to such Participant. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.
(e)Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i)any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;
(ii)there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;
(iii)there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv)individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.
(f)Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(g)Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(h)Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(i)Company” means Travere Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(j)Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.
(k)Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or
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termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, thatif the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s or Affiliate’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.
(l)Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i)    a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(ii)    a sale or other disposition of at least ninety percent (90%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii)    a merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
(iv)    a reverse merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
(m)Director” means a member of the Board.
(n)Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
(o)Dissolutionmeans when the Company, after having executed a certificate of dissolution with the State of Delaware, has completely wound up its affairs. Conversion of the Company into a Limited Liability Company (or any other pass- through entity) will not be considered a “Dissolution” for purposes of the Plan.
(p)Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan document, which is the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held in calendar year 2018, provided the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at such meeting.
(q)Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.
(r)Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(s)Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(t)Exchange Act Personmeans any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.
(u)Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i)    If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.
(ii)    Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the next date for which such quotation exists.
(iii)    In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(v)Full Value Award” means a Stock Award that is not an Option or SAR with respect to which the exercise or strike price is at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date of grant.
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(w)Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(x)Non-Employee Directormeans a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(y)Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted pursuant to Section 5 that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(z)Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(aa)Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(ab)Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ac)Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
(ad)Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(d).
(ae)Other Stock Award Agreementmeans a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(af)Own,Owned,Owner,Ownership” A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(ag)Participant” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.
(ah)Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: (1) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (2) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (3) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (4) total stockholder return; (5) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (6) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (7) stock price; (8) margin (including gross margin); (9) income (before or after taxes); (10) operating income; (11) operating income after taxes; (12) pre-tax profit; (13) operating cash flow; (14) sales or revenue targets; (15) increases in revenue or product revenue; (16) expenses and cost reduction goals; (17) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (18) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (19) market share; (20) cash flow; (21) cash flow per share; (22) share price performance; (23) debt reduction; (24) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (25) customer satisfaction; (26) stockholders’ equity; (27) capital expenditures; (28) debt levels; (29) operating profit or net operating profit; (30) workforce diversity; (31) growth of net income or operating income; (32) billings; (33) pre-clinical development related compound goals; (34) financing; (35) regulatory milestones,including approval of a compound; (36) stockholder liquidity; (37) corporate governance and compliance; (38) product commercialization; (39) intellectual property; (40) personnel matters; (41) progress of internal research or clinical programs; (42) progress of partnered programs; (43) implementation or completion of projects and processes; (44) partner satisfaction;(45)budget management; (46) clinical achievements; (47) completing phases of a clinical study (including the treatment phase); (48) announcing or presenting preliminary or final data from clinical studies; in each case, whether on particular timelines or generally; (49) timely completion of clinical trials; (50) submission of INDs and NDAs and other regulatory achievements; (51) partner or collaborator achievements; (52) internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; (53) research progress, including the development of programs; (54) investor relations, analysts and communication; (55) manufacturing achievements (including obtaining particular yields from manufacturing runs and other measurable objectives related to process development activities); (56) strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property; (57) establishing relationships with commercial entities with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Company’s products (including with group purchasing organizations, distributors and other vendors); (58) supply chain achievements (including establishing relationships with manufacturers or suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other component materials and manufacturers of the Company’s products); (59) co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; and (60) other measures of performance selected by the Board.

(nn)

(ai)Performance Goals”Goals means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/
A-13


or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of any items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles and (12) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item.

(oo)

(aj)Performance Period”Period means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Stock Award or a Performance CashStock Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.

(pp)

(ak)Performance Stock Award”Award means a Stock Award granted under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(i).

(qq)

(al)Plan”Plan means this Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc. 20152018 Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

(rr)

(am)Restricted Stock Award”Award means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

A-27


(ss)

(an)Restricted Stock Award Agreement”Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(tt)

(ao)Restricted Stock Unit Award”Awardmeans a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

(uu)

(ap)Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement”Agreementmeans a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(vv)

(aq)Rule 16b-3”16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

(ww)

(ar)Rule 405”405 means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(xx)

(as)Rule 701” means Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(yy)“Securities Act”Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(zz)

(at)Stock Appreciation Right”Right orSAR”SARmeans a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

(aaa)

(au)Stock Appreciation Right Agreement”Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(bbb)

(av)Stock Award”Award means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Performance Stock Award or any Other Stock Award.

(ccc)

(aw)Stock Award Agreement”Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(ddd)

(ax)Subsidiary”Subsidiary means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent (50%).

(eee)

(ay)Ten Percent Stockholder”Stockholder means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

(fff)

(az)Transaction”Transaction means a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control.

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A-14


PROXY

RETROPHIN,

TRAVERE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 18, 2016

17, 2023

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED

The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Stephen AselageEric M. Dube and Margaret Valeur-Jensen,Elizabeth E. Reed, and each of them, as proxies with full power of substitution, to represent and vote all of the shares which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) in such manner as they, or any of them, may determine on any matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof and to vote on the matters set forth on the reverse side as directed by the undersigned.undersigned (with discretionary authority under Proposal 1 to vote for a substitute nominee if any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve). The Annual Meeting will be held at the Company’sCompany's San Diego office located at 12255 El Camino Real,3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 250,300, San Diego, CACalifornia 92130, on May 18, 2016,17, 2023, at 9:3000 a.m. local time, and at any and all adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxies previously given.


THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, AND “FOR” PROPOSALSPROPOSAL 2, “FOR” PROPOSAL 3 AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 4. THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS NOT KNOWN AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.

THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY

PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED LINE AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 18, 2016

The Proxy Statement and our Annual Report

are available at:http://www.viewproxy.com/retrophin/2016


Please mark your

votes like this

x

THEBOARDOFDIRECTORSRECOMMENDSAVOTE“FOR”ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND “FOR”PROPOSALS2, 3 and 4.

Proposal 1 – To elect six directors to serve for a term of one year.


Nominees:

PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED LINE AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 17, 2023
The Proxy Statement and our Annual Report
are available at: http://www.viewproxy.com/travere/2023






FOR
ALL

WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
FOR ALL

FOR ALL
EXCEPT:

  (01) Stephen Aselage

Please mark your votes 
as in this example
(04) John Kozarichýý

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSAL 2, “FOR” PROPOSAL 3, AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 4.

Proposal 1 – To elect each of the Board's ten nominees for director named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve for a term of one year.
Nominees:FOR
ALL
WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
FOR ALL
FOR ALL
EXCEPT
(01) Roy Baynes
(02) TimSuzanne Bruhn
(03) Timothy
Coughlin


(04) Eric Dube
(05) Gary Lyons

  (03) Cornelius E. Golding

(06) Jeffrey Meckler
(07) John Orwin
(08) Sandra Poole
(09) Ron Squarer
(10) Ruth Williams-Brinkley
¨
¨


¨



DO NOT PRINT IN THIS AREA

(Shareholder Name & Address Data)

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line(s) below.

Proposal 2 – To approve the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, to, among other items, increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,600,000;

¨     FOR¨    AGAINST¨    ABSTAIN

Proposal 3 – To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;

¨     FOR¨    AGAINST¨    ABSTAIN

Proposal 4 – To ratify the selection of BDO USA LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.

¨     FOR
DO NOT PRINT IN THIS AREA
(Shareholder Name & Address Data)
¨    AGAINST
¨    ABSTAIN

To transact other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

I plan to attend the Annual Meeting  ¨

DateProposal 2 – To approve the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,700,000 shares.
☐ FOR☐ AGAINST, 2016☐ ABSTAIN

SignatureProposal 3 – To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.
☐ FOR☐ AGAINST☐ ABSTAIN
SignatureProposal 4 – To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this card. Joint owners should each sign personally. If signing as a fiduciary or attorney, please give your exact title.

CONTROL NUMBER

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST☐ ABSTAIN
To transact other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
LOGO   
I plan to attend the Annual Meeting ☐
Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or corporate officer, please give title as such.
Dated:, 2023
Signature(s) of Stockholder(s)
Title (if applicable)

image0a04.jpg
CONTROL NUMBER




FOLD PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED LINE AND DETACH HERE AND READMAIL IN THE REVERSE SIDEENVELOPE PROVIDED.

As a stockholder of Retrophin,Travere Therapeutics, Inc., you have the option of voting your shares electronically through the Internet or by telephone, eliminating the need to return the proxy card. Your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card. Votes submitted electronically over the Internet or by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 17, 2016.

CONTROL NUMBER

16, 2023.

LOGO     
image1a04.jpg
CONTROL NUMBER

PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

Please have your 11 digit control number ready when voting by Internet or Telephone

LOGO

image2a02.jpg
image3a02.jpg
image4a02.jpg
INTERNET

Vote Your Proxy on the Internet:

Go towww.cesvote.com

www.AALvote.com/TVTX

Have your proxy card available

when you access the above

website. Follow the prompts to

vote your shares.

LOGO

TELEPHONE

Vote Your Proxy by Phone:

Call 1 (888) 693-8683

(866) 804-9616

Use any touch-tone telephone to

vote your proxy. Have your proxy

card available when you call.

Follow the voting instructions to

vote your shares.

LOGO

MAIL

Vote Your Proxy by Mail:

Mark, sign, and date your proxy

card, then detach it, and return it

in the postage-paid envelope

provided.