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

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 1)

 

Filed by the Registrant

 

File by a Party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

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

 Definitive Proxy Statement

 

Definitive Proxy StatementAdditional Materials

 

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

SUN BIOPHARMA, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

(5)

Total fee paid:

 

Fee previously paid with preliminary materials

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

 

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

(3)

Filing Party:

 

(4)

Date Filed:

  

 

April 16, 2018

Dear Stockholder:

The Board of Directors of Sun BioPharma, Inc. joins us in extending an invitation to attend our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), to be held on May 22, 2018, at the offices of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, commencing at 2:30 p.m. local time. On or about April 16, 2018, a full set of proxy materials will be mailed to each stockholder.

It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting whether or not you plan to attend in person. Please vote electronically over the Internet or, if you request and receive a paper copy of the proxy card by mail, you may vote by Internet or telephone or by returning your signed proxy card in the envelope provided. If you do attend the Annual Meeting and desire to vote in person, you may do so by following the procedures described in the proxy statement even if you have previously sent a proxy.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, it is our pleasure to express our appreciation for your continued support.

We hope that you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Michael T. Cullen /s/ David B. Kaysen 
Michael T. Cullen, M.D., M.B.A.     David B. Kaysen
Executive Chairman of the Board   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

SUN BIOPHARMA, INC.
712 Vista Boulevard #305
Waconia, Minnesota55387

 

NOTICE OFCONSENT SOLICITATION


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 22, 2018


 

To the Stockholders of Sun BioPharma, Inc.:

 

Notice is hereby given to stockholdersthat the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Sun BioPharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), that we are seekingwill be held on May 22, 2018, at the written consentsoffices of stockholders holding a majority of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of August 9, 2017 (the “Record Date”), acting in lieu of a meeting, to authorize and approveFaegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, commencing at 2:30 p.m. local time, for the following proposal (the “Proposal”):purposes:

1.

Election of two Class II directors.

2.

Ratify the selection of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

Act on any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of Sun BioPharma, Inc., as amended from time to time, to effect a reverse stock split of the company’s common stock at a ratio of one-for-ten (1:10) and reduce the shares authorized for issuance by 50%, with such reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares to be effective at such date and time, if at all, as determined by the board of directors of the company in its sole discretion.

On July 17, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the reverse stock split, reduction in authorized shares and the corresponding amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation referenced in the Proposal and determined to solicit the required votes of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 29, 2018, the Record Daterecord date for the meeting set by the Board of Directors, are entitled to consent to the Proposal.

This Notice of Consent Solicitation is being issued by the Company and is intended to be dispatched on or about August 24, 2017 to allnotice of the holders of common stock as ofAnnual Meeting and may vote at the Record Date.We are not holding a meeting of stockholders in connection with the Proposal. The Consent Solicitation Statement on the following pages further describes the matter presented to stockholders for consent.Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

 

TheBy Order of the Board requests that you sign, date and return the Consent included asAppendix A to theConsent Solicitation Statement in the enclosed envelope (or by facsimile or via the internet) as soon as possible.of Directors,

/s/ David B. Kaysen

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

/s/ Scott Kellen

Scott Kellen
Chief Financial Officer andSecretary

Minneapolis, MinnesotaDavid B. Kaysen
August 22, 2017Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote as soon as possible. If you attend the meeting, you may vote your shares in person if you wish, whether or not you submit a proxy in advance of the meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE
AVAILABILITY OF CONSENT SOLICITATIONPROXY MATERIALS FOR THE

STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 22, 2018
 

The NoticeOur Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Consent Solicitation, Consent Solicitation Statement,Stockholders and form of Consentour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, are availablein the investors section on the Company's website at http:https://www.sunbiopharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sun-BioPharma-Notice-of-Consent-Solicitation.pdf.www.rdgir.com/sun-biopharma-inc.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING1
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF CLASS I DIRECTORS 6
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 9
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT11
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION13

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 

14
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 15

PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

19

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE   

20
OTHER MATTERS    20
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS     20
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   20

i

SUN BIOPHARMA, INC.
712 Vista Boulevard #305
Waconia, Minnesota55387

 


CONSENT SOLICITATION
PROXY STATEMENT


 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Sun BioPharma, Inc. (our “Company”) is requestingsoliciting proxies for use at the approval, by written consent in lieuAnnual Meeting of a meeting (each, a “Consent”),Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018, and at any adjournment or postponement of the following proposal (the “Proposal”):

To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of Sun BioPharma, Inc., as amended from time to time, to effect a reverse stock split of the company’s common stock at a ratio of one-for-ten (1:10) and reduce the shares authorized for issuance by 50%, with such reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares to be effective at such date and time, if at all, as determined by the board of directors of the company in its sole discretion.

On July 17, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the reverse stock split, reduction in authorized shares and corresponding amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation (collectively, the “Amendment”) referenced in the Proposal and determined to solicit the required votes of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 9, 2017 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to consent to the Proposal.meeting.

 

The primary purposeAnnual Meeting will be held at the offices of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Registration for the reverse stock split is to enable us to meet the required minimum bid price standard required to list our common stock on a national securities exchange, such asAnnual Meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m., local time. The NASDAQ Capital Market or NYSE MKT. Our common stock is currently traded on the over-the-counter markets through the OTCQB marketplace. Historically, the over-the-counter markets have been relatively thinly traded and lack the liquidity that could be provided by a national securities exchange.

Annual Meeting will commence at 2:30 p.m., local time. This solicitation is being made primarily by mail. However,mail; however, we also may use our officers, directors and employees (without providing them with additional compensation) to solicit proxies from stockholders in person or by telephone, email, facsimile or letter. Distribution of this consent solicitationproxy statement and the Consentsproxy card is scheduled to begin on or about August 24, 2017.

We are not holding a meeting of stockholders in connection with the Proposal described herein. This Consent Solicitation Statement describes the matter that is presented to stockholders for approval. Approval of the Proposal requires receipt of affirmative Consents from the holders of a majority of our shares of common stock outstanding as the Record Date (the “Majority Stockholders”). There are no rights of appraisal or similar rights of dissenters with respect to the Proposal.April 16, 2018.

 

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we are providing access to our consent solicitation materials, consisting of the Notice of Consent Solicitation, this Consent Solicitation Statement, and the Consent both by sending you this full set of materials and by notifying you of the availability of the materials on the Internet. You may access the consent solicitation materialsin the investors section on the Company's website at http://www.sunbiopharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sun-BioPharma-Notice-of-Consent-Solicitation.pdf.

To be counted toward approval of the Proposal, your Consent must be received within 60 days from the date of the earliest dated and delivered Consent(s). Under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), the failure to timely deliver a Consent will have the same effect as a vote against the Proposal.

The Board requests that you sign, date and return the Consent included asAppendixA to this Consent Solicitation Statement in the enclosed envelope (or submit your consent by facsimile or via the internet) as soon as possible. A form of the Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State to implement the reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares is included asAppendix B.


You may revoke your written Consent at any time prior to the time that we have received a sufficient number of Consents to approve the Proposal. A revocation may be in any written form validly signed and dated by you, as long as it clearly states that the Consent previously given is no longer effective. Any such revocation should be sent to us at Sun BioPharma, Inc., c/o VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598.

Our Board of Directors believes that certain large holders of our common stock, our executive officers and our directors hold enough shares that they may provide sufficient Consents to approve the Proposal, although there has been no formal agreement with respect thereto. As of the Record Date, 8,844,896 shares (approximately 24.1%) of our outstanding shares of common stock are believed to be controlled and beneficially owned by our officers and directors, and 11,095,406 shares (approximately 30.2%) of our outstanding shares of common stock are believed to be controlled and beneficially owned by holders of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THECONSENT SOLICITATION

The following questions and answers are intended to respond to questions frequently asked by the holders of our common stock concerning the actions approved by our Board of Directors. These questions do not, and are not intended to, address all the questions that may be important to you. You should carefully read the entire Consent Solicitation Statement, as well as its appendices and the documents incorporated by reference herein. ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

Q:

Why did I receive this proxy statement?Consent Solicitation Statement?

 

A:

The Board of Directors is soliciting your Consent toproxy for use at the ProposalAnnual Meeting because you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on August 9, 2017,March 29, 2018, the record date for the consent solicitation,Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”), and, therefore, are entitled to notice of the consent solicitationAnnual Meeting and may Consent tovote at the Proposal.Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

 

Q:

What is a proxy?

A:

A proxy is your legal designation of another person or persons to vote on your behalf. By completing and returning the enclosed proxy card or voting in accordance with the instructions set forth therein, you are giving David B. Kaysen and Scott Kellen, the proxy holders, the authority to vote your shares of common stock at the Annual Meeting in the manner you indicate. If you do not give direction with respect to any nominee or other proposal, the proxy holders will vote your shares as recommended by the Board of Directors. The proxy holders are authorized to vote in their discretion if other matters are properly submitted at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments thereof.

Q:

Who can vote?

A:

You can vote if you were a stockholder at the close of business on the Record Date. On that date, there were a total of 4,093,852 shares of our common stock outstanding, which shares were held by 199 record holders. This proxy statement and any accompanying proxy card, along with the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, were first made available to you beginning on or about April 16, 2018. This proxy statement summarizes the information you need to complete and submit your proxy or to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Q:

Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

A:

All stockholders as of the Record Date, or their duly appointed proxy holders, may attend the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares in street name, then you must request a legal proxy from your broker or nominee to attend or vote at the Annual Meeting.


Q:

What Whoproposals is entitledam I being asked to consent to the Proposalvote ?on?

 

A:

All holdersYou are voting on:

Proposal 1 – Election of our common stock astwo Class II directors.

Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Record Date. Asselection of August 9, 2017, there were 36,704,639 shares ofCherry Bekaert LLP as our common stock issued and outstanding.independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

 

Q:

How does the What amBoard of Directors recommend Ibeing asked to consent to? vote on the proposals?

 

A:

YouThe Board is soliciting your proxy and recommends you vote:

FOR each of the Class II director nominees (see Proposal 1); and

FOR the ratification of the selection of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018 (see Proposal 2).

Q:

What constitutes a quorum?

A:

A majority of the voting power, which includes the voting power that is present in person or by proxy, regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, 4,093,852 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and 2,046,927 shares of our common stock constituted a majority of the voting power. If you submit a valid proxy or attend the Annual Meeting, your shares will be counted to determine whether there is a quorum. Broker non-votes and abstentions are being askedalso counted for the purpose of determining a quorum, as discussed below.

Q:

What vote is required to consent toapprove each proposal?

A:

Proposal 1 – Election of two Class II directors - Provided a quorum is present at the following Proposal:Annual Meeting, the two nominees receiving a plurality (i.e., greatest number) of the votes cast for all nominees will be elected, regardless of whether any such nominees receive votes from a majority of the shares represented (in person or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting.

 

To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of Sun BioPharma, Inc., as amended from time to time, to effect a reverse stock splitProposal 2 Ratification of the company’s common stockselection of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 - Provided a quorum is present at a ratiothe Annual Meeting, this proposal will be approved if the number of one-for-ten (1:10) and reduce the shares authorized for issuance by 50%, with such reverse stock split and reductionvotes cast in authorized shares to be effective at such date and time, if at all, as determined by the board of directorsfavor of the companyaction exceeds the number of votes cast in its sole discretion.

The receipt of sufficientConsentsopposition to approve the Proposal will authorize our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, to file a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of the State of Delaware, which would effectuate the reverse stock split and authorized share reduction.proposal.

 

Q:

What is the Board’s recommendationeffect of broker non-votes and abstentions?

A:

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have or does not exercise discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. If a broker returns a “non-vote” proxy indicating a lack of authority to vote on a proposal, then the shares covered by such a “non-vote” proxy will be deemed present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but not present for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to any non-discretionary proposals. Nominees will not have discretionary voting power with respect to any matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, other than the ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of Class II directors, ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm, and any other item properly presented at the Annual Meeting.

A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to a proposal will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum and will be considered present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, but will not be deemed to have been voted in favor of such proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the voting for the election of directors or any of the proposals.


Q:

How will the proxy holders ?vote on any other business brought up at the Annual Meeting?

 

A:

The Board recommends that all stockholders provideBy submitting your proxy, you authorize the proxy holders to use their Consent in supportjudgment to determine how to vote on any other matter brought before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof. We do not know of any other business to be considered at the Proposal.


Q:

What is the purpose of the reverse stock split?Annual Meeting.

 

A:Q:

The primary purpose of the reverse stock split is to enable us to meet the required minimum bid price standard required to list our common stock on a national securities exchange, such as The NASDAQ Capital Market or NYSE MKT. Our common stock is currently traded on the over-the-counter markets through the OTCQB marketplace. Historically, the over-the-counter markets have been relatively thinly traded and lack the liquidity that could be provided by a national securities exchange.

In order to list our common stock on a national securities exchange, among other requirements, our common stock must maintain a minimum closing bid price of $4.00. As of August 2, 2017, the last executed trade price of our common stock, as reported on the OTCQB marketplace, was $1.15 per share. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the bid price of our common stock on the over-the-counter markets ranged between $6.01 and $0.56. We believe that completing the reverse stock split will result in an increase in our per share price that may enable us to apply to “uplist” our shares to a national securities exchange, provided that all of the other minimum requirements for listing on such exchange are satisfied. There can be no assurance that the market price for our common stock will increase in the same proportion as the reverse stock split or, if increased, that such price will be maintained or that it will be sufficient to permit us to apply to “uplist” our shares on a national securities exchange. We have not applied to list our common stock on any national securities exchange, and, even if we satisfy the listing requirements of an exchange, we may not apply to have our common stock listed on any exchange. Even if we do satisfy the requirements and apply for listing, there is no guarantee that our application will be approved. If our common stock is eventually listed on a national securities exchange, we may not be able to satisfy the requirements for continued listing.

Application for or approval of our common stock for listing on a national securities exchange is NOT a condition or requirement for effecting the reverse stock split. Even if the requisite number of stockholder Consents are received to approve the Proposal, our Board will have complete discretion as to whether or not to consummate the reverse stock split.

The proposed Certificate of Amendment to effectuate the reverse stock split is discussed in detail below under the heading “Proposal.” The full text of the proposed Certificate of Amendment is included asAppendixB to this Consent Solicitation Statement.

Q:How do I

What is the purpose of the reduction in authorizedvote my shares?

 

A:

In light of the reverse stock split, our Board believes that the number of shares of our capital stock that is currently authorized would provide significantly more available shares than would be necessary for our reasonably foreseeable needs. Further, because the amount of a Delaware corporation’s franchise tax fees is based on the number of authorized shares of its capital stock, a smaller number of authorized shares will result in an immediate decrease in the Company’s Delaware franchise tax obligations. Accordingly, our Board has approved and recommends that stockholders consent to a reduction in authorized capital stock by 50% to 100 million shares of common stock and 10 million shares of preferred stock.

Q:

When would the reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares become effective?

A:

The consummation of the Amendment will be subject to a final decision by our Board of Directors and certain conditions, including completion of a review of the reverse stock split by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In the event that our Board of Directors determines, in its sole discretion, to effectuate the Amendment, we will file the Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State, which will cause the reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares to become effective as of the date of filing.


Q:

What happens if the Proposal does not receive Consents from a majority of our stockholders?

A:

If the Proposal does not receive Consents from a majority of our stockholders, then we will be unable to effect the reverse stock split and our authorized shares will remain unchanged.

If we do not receive the approval for the reverse stock split, we also will be unlikely to meet the minimum bid price standard required in order to uplist our common stock onto a national securities exchange in the foreseeable future. This may preclude our ability to access capital from certain institutional and other investors who would not invest in an unlisted stock. Certain institutional and other investors also may not be willing to invest in a “penny stock” (an unlisted stock that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share).

Q:

Will there be a meeting of stockholders to consider the Proposal?

A:

No. We will not hold a meeting of stockholders. We are incorporated in the State of Delaware. In accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation and Section 228 of the DGCL, our stockholders are permitted to take action without a meeting if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are given by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

Q:

What vote is required to approve the Proposal?

A:

The Proposal must receive Consents from holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock on the Record Date, which represents 18,352,320 shares.

Q:

What isdifference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

A:

Shares registered in your name. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, you are considered to be, with respect to those shares, a “stockholder of record.” If you are a stockholder of record, you are receiving this Consent Solicitation Statement and the Consent directly.

Shares held in street name. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered to be the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and this Consent Solicitation Statement is being forwarded to you by your broker, bank, trust or nominee, which is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, trust or nominee to provide your Consent or to withhold Consent to the Proposal. Your broker, bank, trust or nominee has enclosed an instruction card for you to use in directing the broker, bank, trust or nominee regarding whether to Consents or to withhold Consent to the Proposal. Your broker, bank, trust or nominee will only be able to vote your shares with respect to the Proposal set forth herein if you have instructed them to provide your Consent. Please instruct your broker, bank, trust or nominee to provide the Consent by returning your completed written Consent or instruction form to your broker, bank, trust or nominee and contact the person responsible for your account to ensure that your vote can be counted. If your broker, bank, trust or nominee permits you to provide instructions via facsimile, the Internet or by telephone, you may instruct them to provide or withhold the Consent that way as well.

Q:

How do Iprovide my Consent?

A:

Shares registered in your name. If you are a stockholder of record, you may providevote your Consentshares of common stock at the Annual Meeting using any of the following methods:

 

Consent CardProxy cardYouThe enclosed proxy card is a means by which a stockholder may Consentauthorize the voting of the stockholder’s shares of common stock at the Annual Meeting. The shares of common stock represented by each properly executed proxy card will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the stockholder’s directions. We urge you to specify your choices by marking the Proposal by signing and datingappropriate boxes on the enclosed Consentproxy card. After you have marked your choices, please sign and mailing itdate the proxy card and mail the proxy card to our stock transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, in the enclosed envelope or via facsimile transmission at the number identified on your proxy card. If you sign and return the Consent.proxy card without specifying your choices, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.

 

 

Internet—If you have Internet access, you may submit your Consentproxy from any location in the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your Consentproxy card with you when you access the website and then follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

 


In person at the Annual Meeting—All stockholders of record as of the Record Date may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy card or vote by internet or telephone ahead of time so that your vote can be counted if you later decide not to attend.

 

SharesYou are a “beneficial owner” of shares held in street“street name,. If you are” rather than a beneficial or street name holder,stockholder of record,” if your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, and this Consent Solicitation Statementproxy statement and the accompanying notice were forwarded to you by that organization. YouAs a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, trust or other nominee how to provide or withhold the Consentvote your shares. You may vote by proxy by completing the voting instruction form provided by your custodian. Since a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank, trustee, or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting.

 

Q:

What ifCan I do not return the Consentrevoke or fail to provide instructions tochange my custodian?vote?

 

A:

BecauseYou can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Proposal requires the written ConsentAnnual Meeting by:

Submitting a new proxy with a more recent date than that of the holders offirst proxy given before 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2018, by following the Internet voting instructions;

Completing, signing, dating and returning a majoritynew proxy card to us, which must be received by us before the time of the outstanding sharesAnnual Meeting; or

If you are a registered stockholder, by attending the meeting in person and delivering a proper written notice of our common stock,revocation of your failure to respondproxy.


Attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy. Unless you decide to vote your shares in person, you should revoke your prior proxy in the same way you initially submitted it – that is, by Internet, facsimile or mail.

Q:

Who will havecount the same effect as voting AGAINST the Proposal.votes?

 

Q:A:

Can I vote againstAll proxies submitted will be tabulated by our transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC. All shares voted by stockholders of record present in person at the Proposal?2018 Annual meeting will be aggregated with the proxies reported by VStock Transfer, LLC by our Corporate Secretary, or his designee, who will also act as inspector of election for the Annual Meeting.

 

A:Q:

We are not holding a meeting of our stockholders, so there will be no FOR or AGAINST vote. However, because each Proposal requires the affirmative Consents of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock, simply not delivering an executed Consent or instructions to your broker, bank, trust or nominee in favor of the Proposal will have the same effect as aIs my vote AGAINST the Proposal if it were being considered at a meeting of stockholders.confidential?

 

Q:A:

All proxies and all vote tabulations that identify an individual stockholder are confidential. Your vote will not be disclosed except:

To allow our independent proxy tabulator to tabulate the vote;

To allow the inspector of election to certify the results of the vote; and

To meet applicable legal requirements.

Q:

What shares are included on my proxy?

A:

Your proxy will represent all shares registered to your account in the same social security number and address.

Q:

What happens if I donCant vote shares that I revokemy Consent after I have delivered it?own?

 

A:

Shares registered in your name. If you do not vote shares that are registered in your name by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy through the Internet, facsimile or mail as described on the proxy card, your shares will not be counted in determining the presence of a stockholderquorum or in determining the outcome of record, then you may revoke your Consentthe vote on the proposals presented at any time prior to the time that we receive a sufficient number of Consents to approve the Proposal. A revocation may be in any written form validly signed and dated by you, as long as it clearly states that the Consent previously given is no longer effective. The revocation should be sent to us at Sun BioPharma, Inc., c/o VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598.Annual Meeting.

 

Shares held in street name. If you arehold shares through a beneficial or street name holder,broker, you will receive voting instructions from your broker. If you do not submit voting instructions to your broker and your broker does not have discretion to vote your shares are heldon a particular matter, then your shares will not be counted in determining the nameoutcome of athe vote on that matter at the Annual Meeting. See “What is the effect of broker bank, trust ornon-votes and abstentions?” as described above. Your broker will not have discretion to vote your shares for any matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting other nominee as a custodian, andthan the ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, it is important that you should follow theprovide voting instructions provided byto your broker bank, trust or other nominee, provided that such revocation is made priorfor the matters to be voted upon at the time that we receive a sufficient number of written Consents to approve the Proposal set forth herein.Annual Meeting.

 

Q:

By what date does the Company need to receive a sufficient number of ConsentsWhat if I do not specify how I want my shares voted??

 

A:

Under Section 228(c)If you are a registered stockholder and submit a signed proxy card or submit your proxy by Internet or telephone but do not specify how you want to vote your shares on a particular matter, we will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the DGCL,Board of Directors as set forth above with respect to matters described in the Consents will remain in effect until a sufficient number of Consents are received by us to take the actions proposed herein. However, such Consents will not remain effective if Consents of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock on the Record Date are not received within 60 days of the earliest dated Consent delivered.proxy statement.

 

Q:

Is myConsentconfidential?

If any matters not described in the proxy statement are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will use their own judgment to determine how to vote your shares. If the Annual Meeting is adjourned, the proxy holders can vote your shares on the new meeting date as well, unless you have revoked your proxy instructions, as described under Can I revoke or change my vote?


 

A:Q:

All Consents and all tabulations that identify an individual stockholder are confidential. Your Consent will not be disclosed except to allow tabulation of the shares covered by valid Consents; and to meet applicable legal requirements.

Q:

What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?Consent?

 

A:

Your shares are most likelyprobably registered in more than one account. You should follow voting instructions for all Consents thatproxy cards you receive.

 


Q:

How many votes can I cast?

 

Q:A:

You are entitled to one vote per share on all matters presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Our stockholders do not have a right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors or otherwise.

Q:

When are How is thisstockholderconsent proposals and nominees due for the solicitation being conducted?2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders?

 

A:

If you want to submit a stockholder proposal or nominee for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you must submit the proposal in writing to our Secretary at Sun BioPharma, Inc., 712 Vista Boulevard #305, Waconia, Minnesota 55387, so it is received by the relevant date set forth below under “Submission of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations.”

Q:

How is this proxy solicitation being conducted?

A:

We will pay the cost of soliciting Consents.proxies. In addition to solicitation by the use of the mails, certain of our directors, officers and employees may solicit Consentsproxies by telephone, email or personal contact, and have requested brokerage firms and custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of our stock and maywill reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so forwarding such materials. To effectuate the Amendment we will pay all necessary expenses associated with filing of the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and submission of the proposed reverse stock split to FINRA for its review.

 


PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF CLASS II DIRECTORS

Our business is overseen by a Board of Directors divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, and directors typically are elected to a designated class for a term of three years. The Board has fixed at two the number of directors to be elected to the Board at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Based upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated Michael T. Cullen, M.D., M.B.A. and D. Robert Schemel to stand for election for three-year terms. Proxies solicited by the Board will, unless otherwise directed, be voted to elect the nominees named below. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the current members of our Board of Directors:

Name

Age

Position(s)

Michael T. Cullen

72

Executive Chairman of the Board and Director

Suzanne Gagnon

61

Chief Medical Officer and Director

Dalvir S. Gill

60

Director

David B. Kaysen

68

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Jeffrey S. Mathiesen

57

Director

J. Robert Paulson, Jr.

61

Director

Paul W. Schaffer

75

Director

D. Robert Schemel

63

Director

The Board of Directors has fixed at two the number of directors to be elected to the Board at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Based upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated Michael T. Cullen, M.D., M.B.A. and D. Robert Schemel to stand for election for three-year terms. Proxies solicited by the Board will, unless otherwise directed, be voted to elect the nominees named below.

Nominees for Class II Directors – Terms Expiring in 2021

Each of the nominees named below are current directors of our Company and each nominee has indicated a willingness to serve as a director for the term to which he or she is elected, but in case any nominee is not a candidate at the meeting for any reason, the proxy holders named in our form of proxy may vote for a substitute nominee in their discretion or our Board of Directors may recommend that the number of directors to be elected be reduced. The following table sets forth certain information regarding each director nominee:

Michael T. Cullen, M.D., M.B.A., has served as Executive Chairman of the board and as a director of our Company since the effective time of the Merger. Dr. Cullen brings 30 years of pharmaceutical experience to our Company, including expertise in working with development-stage companies in planning, designing and advancing drug candidates from preclinical through clinical development. Dr. Cullen co-founded SBR in November 2011 and had continuously served as Chairman its board of directors since that date. He previously served as its Chief Executive Officer and President of SBR from November 2011 to June 2015. Dr. Cullen provided due diligence consulting to the pharmaceutical industry from 2009 to 2011, after one year in transition consulting to Eisai Co., Ltd. He developed several oncology drugs as Chief Medical Officer for MGI Pharma Inc. from 2000 to 2008, and previously at G.D. Searle, SunPharm Corporation, and as Vice President for Clinical Consulting at IBAH Inc., the world’s fifth largest contract research organization, where he provided consulting services on business strategy, creating development plans, regulatory matters and designing clinical trials for several development stage companies in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Cullen was also a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of IDD Medical, a pharmaceutical start-up company. Dr. Cullen joined 3M Pharmaceuticals in 1988 and contributed to the development of cardiovascular, rheumatology pulmonary and immune-response modification drugs. Over the course of his career Dr. Cullen has been instrumental in obtaining the approval of ten drugs, including three (3) since 2004: Aloxi®, Dacogen® and Lusedra®. Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Cullen practiced from 1977 to 1988 at Owatonna Clinic, Owatonna, MN, where he served as president. Dr. Cullen earned his MD and BS degrees from the University of Minnesota and his MBA from the University of St. Thomas and completed his residency and Board certification in Internal Medicine through the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Wilmington, NC.


 

D. Robert SchemelPROPOSAL has served as a director since the effective time of the Merger. Mr. Schemel had previously served as a director of SBR since March 2012. Mr. Schemel has over 39 years’ experience in the agriculture industry. From 1973-2005, Mr. Schemel owned and operated a farming operation in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, building a 5,000-acre operation producing corn, soybeans and sugar beets. Mr. Schemel has extensive experience in serving on boards of directors. From 1992-1996 he served as a board member for ValAdCo and then from 1996-2003 he served as the Chairman of the Board for Phenix Biocomposites. We believe that Mr. Schemel brings business insight and leadership as well as significant experience in the development and growth of early stage companies.

 

HoldersClass I Directors – Terms Expiring in 2020

Suzanne Gagnon, M.D., has served as our Chief Medical Officer and as a director of common stockour Company since September 4, 2015. Dr. Gagnon had previously served as a director of Sun BioPharma Research, Inc. (“SBR”), a former affiliate of the Company, since June 2015 and as ofits Chief Medical Officer since January 2015. Previously, Dr. Gagnon served as the Record Date are requestedLead Clinical Consultant to approve the following Proposal:

To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of Sun BioPharma, Inc., as amended from timeCompany. Prior to time, to effect a reverse stock split of the company’s common stock at a ratio of one-for-ten (1:10) and reduce the shares authorizedworking for issuance by 50%, with such reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares to be effective at such date and time, if at all, as determined by the board of directors of the company in its sole discretion.

On July 17, 2017, our Board adopted a resolution declaring the reverse stock split, reduction in authorized shares, and corresponding Amendment to be advisable and in the best interests of the Company, Dr. Gagnon was the President of Gagnon Consulting LLC from July 2014 through December 2014 consulting on medical, safety and its stockholdersregulatory matters. From December 2001 through July 2014, Dr. Gagnon had acted as the Chief Medical Officer for three companies, ICON Clinical Research, Nupathe, Inc. and directing that the reverse stock split, reduction in authorized shares, and Amendment be submitted to stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon for their approval.

The Board currently intends to effect the reverse stock split in order to increase the per share trading price of our common stock, which is currently trading on the over-the-counter markets, primarily through the OTCQB marketplace, to a level sufficiently above the minimum bid price standard required for initial listing on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE MKT. The reduction in authorized shares is intended to reduce our state tax obligations while retaining our ability to issue additional shares, as appropriate.

Provided that we receive stockholder approval of the Proposal, the reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares would become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The exact timing of the filing of the Certificate of Amendment will be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, based upon its evaluation of when such action will be advantageous to the Company and our stockholders.

The Board reserves the right, notwithstanding any approval of the Proposal by the stockholders, and without further action by our stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Amendment if, at any time prior to filing the Certificate of Amendment, the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that either the reverse stock split or the reduction in authorized shares is no longer in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, or for any other reason.

A principal effect of the reverse stock split will be to decrease the number of outstanding shares of our common stock by approximately 90% from 36,704,639 to approximately 3,670,400. Except for de minimis adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares as described below, the reverse stock split will not have any dilutive effect on our stockholders, since each stockholder would hold the same percentage of our common stock outstanding immediately following the reverse stock split as such stockholder held immediately prior to the reverse stock split. The relative voting and other rights that accompany the shares of common stock would not be affected by the reverse stock split.

Although the reverse stock split will not have any dilutive effect on our stockholders, the reverse stock split would reduce our outstanding shares of common stock by approximately 90% while the authorized capital shares would be only reduced by 50%. The resulting authorized and unissued shares of capital stock available after the reverse split could give our Board the authority to issue additional shares which would result in greater proportionate dilution to existing stockholders than would have been possible given the authorized and unissued shares available prior to filing the Amendment.

Reasons for theProposalIdis, Inc.

 

As noted above,David B. Kaysen has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of our Company since September 4, 2015. Mr. Kaysen had previously served as the Board’s primary objective in proposing the reverse stock split isPresident of SBR since August 2015 and as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of SBR since July 2015. Prior to enablejoining the Company, Mr. Kaysen was a self-employed medical technology consultant since April 2013. Mr. Kaysen previously was the President, Chief Executive Officer and a board member of Uroplasty, Inc. (now Cogentix Medical, Inc.), a publicly traded medical device company, from May 2006 through April 2013. Prior to raisethat, Mr. Kaysen served as President and CEO and as a director of Diametrics Medical, a publicly traded diagnostics company, and Rehabilicare Inc. (now Compex Technologies), a publicly traded neuromodulation medical device company. Mr. Kaysen holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the per share trading priceUniversity of Minnesota.

Paul W. Schaffer has served as a director since September 4, 2015. Mr. Schaffer had previously served as a director of SBR since January 2014. Mr. Schaffer graduated from Minnesota Pharmacy School in 1966. He owned and operated a compounding pharmacy, Bloomington Drug, for 42 years. Mr. Schaffer is an experienced biotech investor. We believe that Mr. Schaffer brings a wealth of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing to the Board of Directors, as well as knowledge of regulations and issues facing pharmaceutical companies.

Class III Directors –Terms Expiring in 2019

Dalvir S. Gill, Ph.D. has served as a director of our common stock, which is currently tradingCompany since March 2016. Mr. Gill has served as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of TransCelerate BioPharma, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on improving the over-the-counter markets, primarily throughhealth of people around the OTCQB marketplace,world by simplifying and enhancing the research and development of innovative new therapies since January 2013. Previously, he was the President of Phase II-IV Drug Development at PharmaNet-i3, an international contract research organization, from July to allow for an applicationDecember 2012. Dr. Gill earned his B.Sc. in Applied Biology from the University of Hertfordshire and his Ph.D. in Pathobiology from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, University of London. He also holds a diploma in the health economics of pharmaceuticals from the executive program of the Stockholm School of Economics. Dr. Gill has more than 25 years of drug development experience. We believe that Dr. Gill brings strategic insight and leadership and a wealth of experience in the pharmaceutical industry to uplist our common stock on a national securities exchange, provided that at the time we submit our listing application, we satisfy the other listing criteria. Upon receiving stockholder approval, the Board may, in its sole discretion, fileof Directors, as well as knowledge of the Certificate of Amendmentregulatory and clinical requirements associated with the Secretarydevelopment of Statenew drug compounds.

Jeffrey S. Mathiesen has served as a director of our Company since September 2015. He has served as Chief Financial Officer of Gemphire Therapeutics Inc., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company since January 2015. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Sunshine Heart, Inc., a publicly traded medical device company, from March 2011 to January 2015. From December 2005 to April 2010, Mr. Mathiesen served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Zareba Systems, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of medical products, perimeter fencing and security systems that was purchased by Woodstream Corporation in April 2010. Mr. Mathiesen has held executive positions with publicly traded companies dating back to 1993, including vice president and chief financial officer positions. Mr. Mathiesen also serves as a director of NeuroOne, Inc., a publicly traded medical device company. Mr. Mathiesen holds a B.S. in Accounting from the StateUniversity of Delaware. Thereafter,South Dakota and is also a Certified Public Accountant. We believe that Mr. Mathiesen brings financial insight and leadership and a wealth of experience in capital markets to the Board may, in its sole discretion, seek to obtain approval for listing on a national securities exchange.of Directors, as well as knowledge of public company accounting and financial reporting requirements.

 


 

Our Board believes that the reverse stock split, and any resulting increase in the per share price of our common stock, likely would enhance the acceptability and marketability of our common stock to the financial community and investing public allowing current shareholders to benefit from greater liquidity and improve the Company’s access to capital. Many institutional investors have policies prohibiting them from holding lower-priced stocks in their portfolios, which reduces the number of potential buyers of our common stock. Additionally, analysts at many brokerage firms are reluctant to recommend lower-priced stocks to their clients or monitor the activity of lower-priced stocks. Brokerage houses frequently have internal practices and policies that discourage individual brokers from dealing in lower-priced stocks, particularly stocks categorized as “penny stocks. “Further, because brokers’ commissions on lower-priced stock generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher priced stock, investors in lower-priced stocks pay transaction costs which are a higher percentage of their total share value, which may limit the willingness of individual investors and institutions to purchase our common stock.

In light of the reverse stock split, our Board believes that the number of shares of our capital stock that is currently authorized (200 million shares of common stock and 20 million shares of preferred stock) would provide more available shares than would likely be required for our reasonably foreseeable needs. Our Board is mindful of the potential negative effects of a large number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. The availability of a substantial number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock could, under certain circumstances, discourage or make more difficult efforts to obtain control of our Company. Further, because the amount of a Delaware corporation’s franchise tax fees is based on the number of authorized shares of its capital stock. Reducing the authorized shares of our capital stock will have the immediate effect of reducing our Delaware franchise tax obligations. Our Board believes the number of shares of common stock should be reduced by 50% to 100 million shares, and the number of shares of authorized preferred stock should be similarly reduced to 10 million shares.

Our Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations and execute its current business plans, including completing the current Phase 1 clinical trial, planning for required future trials and pursuing regulatory approvals in the United States, the European Union and other international markets. We have been successful in the past in obtaining the necessary capital to support our operations principally through the sale of convertible debt and equity securities and we intend to seek additional financing through similar means before the end of the fiscal year. However, we have no current plans, agreements or arrangements, written or oral, to issue any of the authorized shares of capital stock that will be availableJ. Robert Paulson, Jr., J.D., M.B.A. has served as a result of the reverse stock split, if the Proposal is approved. If and when we do seek additional financing, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain it under commercially reasonable terms and conditions, or at all. That risk would increase if our clinical data is inconclusive or not positive or economic conditions worsen in the market as a whole or in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology markets individually.

Neither our Board nor the Company has proposed the reverse stock split or reduction in authorized shares in response to any effort, nor are we aware of any such effort, to accumulate our shares of common stock or obtain control of the Company, nor is it a plan by management to recommend a series of similar actions to our Board or our stockholders. Further, the Board does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Further, the Board is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire controldirector of our Company orsince September 2015. Mr. Paulson has served as President, CEO, and a director of NxThera, Inc., a venture-funded medical device company developing a novel convective water vapor energy system to pursuetreat a “going private transaction.”variety of endourological conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer since 2009. Previously, he was President, CEO and a director of Restore Medical Inc. from 2005 until its acquisition by Medtronic in July 2008. He was CFO and VP of Global Marketing for Endocardial Solutions, which was acquired by St. Jude Medical in 2005. Before that, he was the Sr. VP/General Manager of Advanced Bionics, and held several executive positions with Medtronic, including VP/General Manager of the Surgical Navigation Technologies business, VP Corporate Strategy, and Director of Corporate Development. Mr. Paulson has held senior positions in marketing, corporate development, legal and finance at General Mills, and practiced corporate, M&A and securities law with the Minneapolis law firm of Lindquist & Vennum. He has served as a director of Veran Medical since 2008, and is a former director of Ablation Frontiers, Vascular Solutions and Medical CV. We believe that Mr. Paulson brings strategic insight and leadership and a wealth of experience in healthcare to the Board of Directors, as well as knowledge of capital markets and early stage companies.

 

We do not believe that our officers or directors have interests in the Proposal that are different from or greater than those of any other of our stockholders.Required Vote and Board Recommendation

 

Directors are elected by a plurality of votes present and entitled to vote. Provided that a quorum is present, the two nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. The votes cannot be cast for a greater number of persons than two.

Potential DisadvantagesThe Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the nominees for Class ProposalII Directors listed above.

 

While we believe that the reverse stock split would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, we cannot assure you that the reverse stock split, by itself, will be sufficient to allow us to accomplish our objective to obtain a listing on a national securities exchange. While we expect that the reduction in the number of outstanding shares of common stock will increase the market price of our common stock, we cannot assure you that after the reverse stock split the market price of our common stock will increase proportionately to reflect the ratio of the reverse stock split, that the market price of our common stock will not decrease to its pre-split level, that our market capitalization will be equal to the market capitalization before the reverse stock split or that we will satisfy the other listing criteria or will be able to obtain a listing on any national securities exchange, or to maintain such listing for any meaningful period of time.

The price of our common stock is dependent upon many factors, including the results of our clinical trials, business and financial performance, general market conditions and prospects for future success. If the per share market price does not increase proportionately as a result of the reverse stock split, then the value of our Company as measured by our market capitalization will be reduced, perhaps significantly.


 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

In accordance with applicable laws and our bylaws, the business and affairs of the Company are governed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The numbersystem of shares held by each individual stockholder would be reduced if the reverse stock splitgovernance practices we follow is implemented. This may also reduce the number of stockholders who hold more than a “round lot,” or 100 shares. This has two disadvantages. For example, decreasingset forth in our number of round lot shareholders may impair our ability to comply with the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, which requires companies applying for listing to have at least 300 round lot stockholders. Additionally, the transaction costs to stockholders selling “odd lots” are typically higher on a per share basis. Consequently, the reverse stock split could increase the transaction costs to existing stockholderscorporate governance guidelines and in the event they wishcharters of each of the committees of the Board of Directors. The corporate governance guidelines set forth the practices our board will follow with respect to sell all orits duties, committee matters, director qualifications and selection process, director compensation, director share ownership, director orientation and continuing education, executive evaluation, management succession and annual evaluation of the Board of Directors and committees. We also have adopted a portioncode of their shares.

Although our Board believes thatbusiness conduct and ethics relating to the decrease in the number of sharesconduct of our common stock outstanding as a consequencebusiness by our employees, officers and directors. The corporate governance documents of the reverse stock splitCompany are reviewed periodically to ensure effective and the anticipated increase in the market price of our common stock would likely encourage interest in our common stockefficient governance and promote greater liquidity for our stockholders, such liquidity could also be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares outstanding after the reverse stock split. As a result, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our common stock will increase following the reverse stock split or that the market price of our common stock will not decrease in the future.

Our Board believes that 100 million authorized shares of common stock will be sufficient for our expected purposes for the foreseeable future. However, these expectations could turn out to be wrong and we may require additional authorized shares sooner than we expect. In that case, we would be required to obtain the approval of our stockholders to effect an increase to our authorized shares. Any such increase to our authorized shares may require us to solicit consents or proxies and hold a vote at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders. The stockholder meeting process can be costly and time-consuming and is subject to a variety of SEC rules that implement waiting periods throughout the process, which could prevent us from obtaining any increase to our authorized sharescompliance in a timely manner. Moreover, our stockholders may not approve any proposal to increase our authorized shares. Either of these outcomes could cause us to forego opportunities that we believe to be valuable or prevent us from using equity for compensation or other corporate purposes, which could limit our flexibility and prospects.

Effecting theAmendmentmanner with all laws.

 

Upon receiptCorporate governance information, including the corporate governance guidelines, committee charters and the code of stockholder approval forbusiness conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees is posted on our website atwww.sunbiopharma.com under the Proposal, if“Investors” page. We plan to post to our website at the address described above any future amendments or waivers to our code of ethics and business conduct.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Board of Directors is led by our Executive Chairman, Michael T. Cullen. As Executive Chairman, Dr. Cullen (a) has the responsibility to call and preside over meetings of our Board concludes,of Directors, (b) preside over our annual meetings, (c) has primary responsibility in its sole discretion,setting board agendas in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer, (d) has the ability to represent us with external stakeholders if approved by our Board of Directors, and (e) has the responsibility to seek input from other independent directors, facilitate discussions among the independent directors, and communicate such viewpoints to our Chief Executive Officer. We believe that it isthis leadership structure (a) enhances the functionality of our Board of Directors, (b) strengthens communications between the board and our Chief Executive Officer, and (c) strengthens our board’s independence from management. In addition, this structure allows our Chief Executive Officer, David B. Kaysen, to focus his efforts on running our business and managing us in the best interests of our Companystockholders. Our Board of Directors believes that its current structure is the appropriate one at this time.

Nominating Process and Board Diversity

The Nominating and Governance Committee generally identifies director candidates based upon suggestions from current directors and senior management, recommendations by stockholders or use of a director search firm. Stockholders who wish to suggest qualified candidates may write to the attention of the chairman of our Nominating and Governance Committee at Sun BioPharma, Inc., 712 Vista Boulevard #305, Waconia, Minnesota 55387. All recommendations should state in detail the qualifications of such person for consideration by the committee and should be accompanied by an indication of the recommended person’s willingness to serve if elected. The committee will consider candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner that it considers all director candidates.

Candidates for director are reviewed in the context of the current composition of our Board of Directors, our operations and the long-term interests of our stockholders. We do not have a policy regarding the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees.

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors has with us, either directly or indirectly. Based on this review, our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Gill, Mathiesen, Paulson, Schaffer and Schemel are “independent directors” as defined under the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, which we have voluntarily adopted as our standard for director independence.


Communications with our Board of Directors

You may contact our Board of Directors or any director by mail addressed to effect the reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares, thenattention of our Board of Directors or the Certificate of Amendmentspecific director identified by name or title, at 712 Vista Boulevard #305, Waconia, Minnesota 55387. All communications will be filed withsubmitted to our Board of Directors or the Secretaryspecified director on a periodic basis.

Board Meetings and Attendance

Our Board of StateDirectors, held nine meetings during 2017. Each director attended at least 75% of the Statemeetings of Delaware. The actual timingour Board of Directors and the committees on which he or she served held during their service as a director or member of the filingcommittee in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Director Attendance at Annual Meeting

We do not have a formal policy regarding attendance of directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. Five directors were present at our annual meeting of stockholders held in 2017.

Committees of the CertificateBoard of Amendment will be determined by our Board. Notwithstanding stockholder approval, if at any time priorDirectors

Our Board of Directors has established three standing committees: Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance. The membership of each committee is as follows:

 

 

Committees

 

 

Director 

Audit

 

Compensation

 

Nominating and

Governance

 

Independent

Directors

Michael T. Cullen

 

 

 

  

Suzanne Gagnon

 

 

 

  

Dalvir S. Gill

 

 

 

Member

 

 ✓

David B. Kaysen

 

 

 

  

Jeffrey S. Mathiesen

 

Chair

 

 

Member

 

 ✓

J. Robert Paulson, Jr.

 

 

Member

 

Chair

 

 ✓

Paul W. Schaffer

 

Member

 

Member

 

 

 ✓

D. Robert Schemel

 

Member

 

Chair

 

 

 ✓

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee’s primary functions, among others, are to: (a) assist the Board of Directors in discharging its statutory and fiduciary responsibilities with regard to the filingaudits of the Certificate of Amendment, the Board deems the reverse stock split or reduction in authorized shares to no longer be in the best interestsbooks and records of our Company and the monitoring of its accounting and financial reporting practices; (b) carry on appropriate oversight to determine that our Company and its subsidiaries have adequate administrative and internal accounting controls and that they are operating in accordance with prescribed procedures and codes of conduct; and (c) independently review our Company’s financial information that is distributed to stockholders and the Board may abandon this effort, without further action by our stockholders.general public. The reverse stock split will be effective as of the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such time and date as may be specified in the Certificate of Amendment (the “Effective Time”).

Upon the filing of the Certificate of Amendment, without further actionAudit Committee held four meetings during 2017. The Audit Committee has a charter, which is available on our part or on the part our stockholders, the outstanding shares of common stock held by stockholders of record as of the Effective Time would be converted into a lesser number of shares of common stock based on the a reverse stock split ratio of one-for-ten (1:10)website at www.sunbiopharma.com. For example, if you presently hold 10,000 shares of our common stock, you would hold 1,000 shares of our common stock following the reverse stock split.

Effect of theAmendmenton Registration, Voting Rights and Authorized Shares

 

The reverse stock split will affect all stockholders equally and will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate equity interest in the Company. NoneAll of the rights currently accruing to holders of our common stock will be affected by the reverse stock split. If and when our Board elects to effect the reverse stock split, the principal effect will be to proportionately decrease the number of outstanding shares of our common stock based on the split ratio.

Proportionate voting rights and other rightsmembers of the holders of our common stock will not be affected byAudit Committee meet the reverse stock split, other than as a resultrequirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the treatmentSEC. Our Board of fractional sharesDirectors has determined that Jeffrey S. Mathiesen is qualified to serve as described below. For example, a holder of 2%an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined under the applicable rules of the voting powerSEC. Each member of the outstanding sharesAudit Committee satisfies the independence requirements of our common stock immediately prior to the effectivenessRule 10A-3(b)(1) of the reverse stock split will generally continue to hold 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock after the reverse stock split. The number of stockholders of record will not be affected by the reverse stock split.Securities Exchange Act.

 


 

The Amendment, in connection with the reverse stock split, would also reduce the number of authorized shares of our capital stock as follows: the authorized number of shares of our common stock and preferred stock will be reduced by 50% to 100 million and 10 million, respectively. As a result, the proportion of shares owned by our stockholders relative to the number of shares authorized for issuance will decrease, and the resulting authorized and unissued shares of common stock available for issuance after the reverse split may be used at such times and for such purposes as our Board may deem advisable without further action by our stockholders, except as required by applicable laws and regulations. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, our stockholders do not have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any of our unissued shares.

Our Company will need to obtain additional funds to continue its operations and execute its current business plans, including completing the current Phase 1 clinical trial, planning for required future trials and pursuing regulatory approvals in the United States, the European Union and other international markets. We have been successful in the past in obtaining the necessary capital to support our operations principally through the sale of convertible debt and equity securities and we intend to seek additional financing through similar means before the end of the fiscal year. However, we have no current plans, agreements or arrangements, written or oral, to issue any of the authorized shares of capital stock that will be available as a result of the reverse stock split, if the Proposal is approved. If and when we do seek additional financing, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain it under commercially reasonable terms and conditions, or at all. That risk would increase if our clinical data is inconclusive or not positive or economic conditions worsen in the market as a whole or in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology markets individually.

Effects of the Reverse Stock Split on Issued and Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

At the time that the reverse stock split is effectuated, shares of our common stock issued and outstanding will be proportionately decreased based on the split ratio. Ten shares of existing common stock will be combined into one new share of common stock. The number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding will therefore be reduced. For example, as of August 2, 2017, we had 36,704,639 shares of common stock outstanding. Without giving effect to any fractional shares that may be eliminated as a part of the reverse stock split, approximately 3,670,463 shares of common stock would be outstanding after giving effect to the reverse stock split. However, as described below, holders of common stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the reverse stock split will receive a cash payment in lieu of such fractional share. These cash payments will reduce the number of post-reverse stock split shares of our common stock outstanding and, to the extent there are currently stockholders who would otherwise receive less than one share of common stock after the reverse stock split, may also reduce the number of holders of our common stock.

Effect on Par Value and Loss per Share

The par value per share of the common stock will remain unchanged at $0.001 per share after the reverse stock split. As a result, on the Effective Time of the reverse stock split the stated capital on our balance sheet, which is the number of shares outstanding multipliedcharter adopted by the $0.001 par value, will be reduced proportionately, based on the split ratio, from its present amount and the additional paid-in capital account will be increased by the amount that the stated capital is reduced.

After the reverse stock split, net income or loss per share and other per share amounts will be increased proportionally because there will be fewer shares of our common stock outstanding. In future financial statements, net income or loss per share and other per share amounts for periods ending before the reverse stock split would be recast to give retroactive effect to the reverse stock split.

Effect on the Companys Equity Incentive Plans

As of the Record Date, we had approximately 3,896,000 shares subject to stock options under our 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) and 2,943,600 shares subject to stock options under our 2011 Stock Option Plan (the “2011 Plan”).

Under the 2016 Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has sole discretion to determine(the “Board”), as amended, the appropriate adjustment toAudit Committee assists the awards outstanding inBoard with fulfilling its oversight responsibility regarding the event of a stock split. Should the reverse stock split be effectuated, the numberquality and class of shares underlying shares authorized to be granted or granted and the price per share payable upon exercise of an award, as applicable, would be equitably adjusted to reflect such changes. The Board has approved proportionate adjustments to the number of shares underlying awards outstanding and available for issuance and proportionate adjustments to the exercise price relating to any such awards.

Under the 2011 Plan, the outstanding awards granted thereunder are automatically adjusted in the event of a stock split. Should the reverse stock split be effectuated, the number of shares underlying awards granted under the 2011 Plan, and the price per share payable upon exercise of such an awards would be equitably adjusted to reflect such changes.


Accordingly, if the Proposal is approved by stockholders, upon the filingintegrity of the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of Stateaccounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the State of Delaware, the number of all outstanding equity awards, the number of shares available for issuance and the exercise price relating to all outstanding equity awards under the 2016 Plan and 2011 Plan will be proportionately adjusted using the split ratio and fractional shares, if any, will be truncated.

The Compensation Committee is also authorized to effect any other changes necessary, desirable or appropriate to give effect to the reverse stock split, including any applicable technical, conforming changes to our 2016 Plan or 2011 Plan. For example, the 11,104,000 shares that remained available for issuance under the 2016 Plan as of the Record Date would be adjusted to 1,110,400 shares, subject to increase as and when awards made under such Plan expire or are forfeited and are returned per the terms of the 2016 Plan. In addition, under that example, the exercise price per share for each outstanding stock option would be increased by ten times, such that upon an exercise, the aggregate exercise price payable by the optionee to the Company would remain the same. For illustrative purposes only, an outstanding stock option for 10,000 shares of common stock, exercisable at $1.00 per share, would be adjusted into an option exercisable for 1,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share.

Effect on our OutstandingWarrantsCompany.

If the reverse stock split is effectuated, the number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased upon exercise of outstanding warrants and the exercise prices for these securities will be ratably adjusted in accordance with their terms as of the Effective Time. Thus, if the reverse stock split is effectuated, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of any outstanding warrant will automatically be reduced in the same ratio as the reduction in the number of shares of outstanding common stock. Correspondingly, the per share exercise price will be increased in direct proportion to the stock split ratio, so that the aggregate dollar amount payable for the purchase of the shares underlying warrants will remain unchanged.

Effect on our OutstandingConvertible Promissory Notes

Our convertible notes are convertible into shares of common stock or other securities of the Company upon the occurrence of a Qualified Financing, including the sale of equity securities or a strategic partnership, raising gross proceeds of at least $2.0 million on or before the maturity of the 2017 Notes or upon the request of a holder of any 2017 Note at a fixed conversion rate of $1.01 per share. If the reverse stock split is effectuated, holders of the convertible notes retain the right to convert at a conversion price determined by applying a discount to the price of the common stock or securities sold in the Qualified Financing. As such the number of shares of our common stock into which the convertible notes may be converted in connection with a Qualified Financing would be unaffected by the reverse stock split. However, the fixed conversion price which may be elected by holders of the convertible notes will be increased in direct proportion to the stock split ratio.

Effect on Registration and Stock Trading

Our common stock is currently registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. If our common stock becomes listed on a national securities exchange, we would file a short form registration statement for our common stock to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. We currently do not intend to seek any change in our status as a reporting company for federal securities law purposes, either before or after the reverse stock split, except to have our common stock moved from a registration pursuant to Section 12(g) to Section 12(b) under the Exchange Act.

Effect on Registered and Beneficial Holders

Upon completion of the reverse stock split, if you hold registered shares of pre-split common stock in a book-entry form, you do not need to take any action to receive your shares of post-split common stock in registered book-entry form. On or after the Effective Time, the Company’s transfer agent may be instructed to send a transaction statement to your address of record as soon as practicable after the Effective Time indicating the number of shares of post-split common stock you hold.


If any stockholders of record hold their shares of our Common stock in certificate form, upon completion of the reverse stock split they may receive a transmittal letter from the Company’s transfer agent after the effective time of the reverse stock split. The transmittal letter would be accompanied by instructions specifying how to exchange your certificate representing the pre-split common stock for a statement of holding or a certificate of post-split common stock. No service charges, brokerage commissions or transfer taxes shall be payable by any holder of any pre-split certificate, except that if any post-split certificate is to be issued in a name other than that in which the pre-split certificate(s) are registered, it will be a condition of such issuance that (1) the person requesting such issuance must pay to us any applicable transfer taxes or establish to our satisfaction that such taxes have been paid or are not payable, (2) the transfer complies with all applicable federal and state securities laws, and (3) the surrendered certificate is properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer. Stockholders will not have to pay any service charges in connection with the exchange of their certificates.

Stockholders who hold shares in street name through a nominee (such as a bank, broker or trust) will be treated in the same manner as stockholders whose shares are registered in their names, and nominees will be instructed to effect the reverse stock split for their beneficial holders. However, nominees may have different procedures and stockholders holding shares in street name should contact their nominees.

Fractional Shares

The Company does not intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the reverse stock split. Holders of record of our common stock who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold, as of a date prior to the Effective Time, a number of shares of our common stock not evenly divisible by 10 will be entitled to a cash payment in lieu thereof. The cash payment will equal the product obtained by multiplying (a) the most recent sale price per share of the Common Stock as reported by OTC Markets Group, Inc. as of the date of the Effective Time, by (b) the fraction of one share owned by the stockholder. The ownership of a fractional interest will not give the holder thereof any voting, dividend or other rights except to receive payment therefor as described herein.

Holders of our common stock should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various jurisdictions where our stockholders reside, where we are domiciled and where the funds will be deposited, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after the Effective Time may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction. Thereafter, holders of our common stock otherwise entitled to receive such funds may have to seek to obtain them directly from the state to which they were paid.

As of the Record Date, we had 185 holders of record of our common stock (although we have significantly more beneficial holders). We do not expect the reverse stock split to result in a significant reduction in the number of record holders.

Anti-Takeover and Dilutive Effects

The purpose of reducing our authorized common stock by only 50% after the reverse stock split is to reduce our potential Delaware franchise tax obligation while preserving sufficient authorized shares to facilitate our ability to raise additional capital to support our operations. The reduction in our authorized common stock is not to intended to establish any barriers to a change of control or acquisition of our Company. The shares of common stock that are authorized but unissued provide our Board with flexibility to effect, among other transactions, public or private financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and the granting of equity incentive awards. However, these authorized but unissued shares may also be used by our Board, consistent with and subject to its fiduciary duties, to deter future attempts to gain control of us or make such actions more expensive and less desirable.

 

In addition, givendischarging its duties, the Audit Committee:

(1)

reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements included in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 with management;

(2)

discussed with Cherry Bekaert LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards;

(3)

received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Cherry Bekaert LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Cherry Bekaert LLP’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee discussed with Cherry Bekaert LLP their independence from management and the Company; and

(4)

has considered whether the provision of services by Cherry Bekaert LLP not related to the audit of the financial statements referred to above and to the reviews of the interim financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q are compatible with maintaining Cherry Bekaert LLP’s independence, and has determined that they are compatible and do not impact Cherry Bekaert LLP’s independence.

Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the reverse stock split reduces our outstanding shares of common stock by approximately 90% while the authorized capital shares would be only reduced by 50%, the resulting authorized and unissued shares of capital stock available after the reverse split may give our Board the authority to issue additional shares which would result in greater proportionate dilution to existing stockholders than would have been possible given the authorized and unissued shares available prior to filing the Amendment. Our Board may issue shares of our capital stock from time to time without delay or further action by the stockholders except as may be required by applicable law or exchange rules. The reverse stock split is not being recommended in response to any specific effort of which we are aware to obtain control of us, nor does our Board have any present intent to use the authorized but unissued common stock to impede a takeover attempt. There are no plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into any arrangements that have material anti-takeover effects.


No Appraisal Rights

Under the DGCL, our stockholders are not entitled to appraisal or dissenter’s rights with respect to the reverse stock split, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.

Financial Information

Our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes filed with ourbe included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, (our “Annual Report”), are incorporated herein by reference.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and accompanying notes filed with our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and for the period ended June 30, 2017 (our “Quarterly Reports”), are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7 of Part II of our Annual Report “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2 of Part I of our Quarterly Reports “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” are incorporated herein by reference.

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split that may be relevant to (i) holders of our common stock that hold such stock as a capital asset for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) to us. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof, all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect, resulting in U.S. federal income tax consequences that may differ from those discussed below. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to such holders in light of their particular circumstances or to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation: (i) holders subject to the alternative minimum tax; (ii) banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions; (iii) tax-exempt organizations; (iv) dealers in securities or commodities; (v) regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts; (vi) partnerships (or other flow-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their partners or members); (vii) traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings; (viii) U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar; (ix) persons holding our common stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction; (x) persons who acquire shares of our common stock in connection with employment or other performance of services; or (xi) U.S. expatriates. In addition, this summary does not address the tax consequences arising under the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction and U.S. federal tax consequences other than U.S. federal income taxation. If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a holder that is a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.

We have not sought, and will not seek, an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split and there can be no assurance the IRS will not challenge the statements and conclusions set forth below or that a court would not sustain any such challenge. EACH HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSULT SUCH HOLDER’S TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT TO SUCH HOLDER.


For purposes of the discussion below, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is: (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States; (2) a corporation (including any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof; (3) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (4) a trust, the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and as to which one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or that has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner (other than a partnership) of shares of our common stock who is not a U.S. Holder.

U.S. Holders

The reverse stock split should constitute a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. Holder generally should not recognize gain or loss upon the reverse stock split, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock, as discussed below. A U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of our common stock received pursuant to the reverse stock split should equal the aggregate tax basis of the shares of our common stock surrendered (excluding any portion of such basis that is allocated to any fractional share of our common stock), and such U.S. Holder’s holding period (i.e. acquired date) in the shares of our common stock received should include the holding period in the shares of our common stock surrendered. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of the shares of our common stock surrendered to the shares of our common stock received pursuant to the reverse stock split. Holders of shares of our common stock acquired on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of the tax basis and holding period of such shares.

A U.S. Holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock pursuant to the reverse stock split should recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the shares of our common stock surrendered that is allocated to such fractional share of our common stock. Such capital gain or loss should be long term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common stock surrendered exceeded one year at the Effective Time. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates also may be subject to a federal Medicare contribution tax.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.Information returns generally will be required to be filed with the IRS with respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock pursuant to the reverse stock split in the case of certain U.S. Holders. In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to a backup withholding tax (at the current applicable rate of 28%) on the payment of such cash if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers (in the case of individuals, their social security number) in the manner required or otherwise fail to comply with applicable backup withholding tax rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.Securities and Exchange Commission.

Non-U.S. Holders

Non-U.S. Holders who exchange shares of our common stock pursuant to the reverse stock split generally should be subject to tax in the manner described above under “U.S. Holders,” except that any capital gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder as a result of receiving cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless:

 

 

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who holds our common stock as a capital asset, is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the reverse stock split and meets certain other conditions;Audit Committee:


 

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. (or, if certain income tax treaties apply, is attributable to a Non-U.S. Holder’s permanent establishment in the U.S.); orJeffrey S. Mathiesen (Chair)

 

D. Robert Schemel

we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period ending on the Effective Time, or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held the shares of our common stock. We do not believe that we have been, currently are, or will become, a United States real property holding corporation.Paul W. Schaffer

 

Individual Non-U.S. Holders who are subjectCompensation Committee

The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to U.S. federal income tax becauseour Board of Directors on an annual basis the goals and objectives relevant to the annual compensation of our executive officers in light of their respective performance evaluations. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for administering our 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, including approval of individual grants of stock options and other awards. The Compensation Committee held six meetings during 2017. The Compensation Committee has a charter, which is available on our website at www.sunbiopharma.com.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee is primarily responsible for identifying individuals qualified to serve as members of our Board of Directors, recommending individuals to our Board of Directors for nomination as directors and committee membership, reviewing the compensation paid to our non-employee directors and recommending adjustments in director compensation, as necessary, in addition to overseeing the annual evaluation of our Board of Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee held one meeting during 2017. The Nominating and Governance Committee has a charter that is available on our website at www.sunbiopharma.com.


Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

One of the key functions of our Board of Directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. The Board of Directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board of Directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our Board of Directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure and our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Our Nominating and Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance practices, including whether they are presentsuccessful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

The following is a summary of transactions since January 1, 2016 to which our Company has been a party and in which the amount involved exceeded $8,000, which is approximately 1% of the average of our total assets as of the ends of our last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers, or beneficial holders of more than 5% of our capital stock had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than the compensation arrangements that are described under the heading “Executive Compensation: Employment Agreements” below.

Our Chief Medical Officer, Suzanne Gagnon, is also a member of our Board of Directors. We are party to an employment agreement with Dr. Gagnon in substantially the same form as the employment agreements with the Executives described above under the heading “Executive Compensation: Employment Agreements.” Dr. Gagnon is eligible to participate in the United Statesother compensation and benefit programs generally available to our employees. Her employment agreement also includes customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. During 2016 and 2017, Dr. Gagnon received compensation from the Company amounting to $177,000 and $195,000, respectively. Under her employment agreement in effect for 183 days or more during2016, Dr. Gagnon was entitled to receive an initial annualized base salary equal to $360,000. Her employment agreement was amended to reduce her annualized base salary to $270,000, effective as of October 1, 2017. Dr. Gagnon’s employment agreement, as amended, would have entitled her to a potential payment equal to $385,046, which amount was based on the yearamount of the reverse stock split will be taxed on gain recognizedcompensation that she had accrued prior to September 30, 2017, as a result of receiving cashany change of control of Qualified Offering (described further below) occurring on or before June 30, 2018. However, Dr. Gagnon waived all right to receive the potential payment pursuant to a waiver and third amendment to her employment agreement that became effective in lieuFebruary 2018.

Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers and Indemnification

Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of the directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify and advance expenses to the directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law or, if applicable, pursuant to indemnification agreements. They further provide that we may choose to indemnify other employees or agents of our Company from time to time. The Delaware General Corporation Law and the bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in connection with their services to our Company, regardless of whether the bylaws permit indemnification. We maintain a fractional sharedirectors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.

At present there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of common atthe current or former directors or officers as to which indemnification is required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a flat rate of 30% or such lower rateclaim for indemnification.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. Other Non-U.S. Holders subjectpermitted to U.S. federal income taxdirectors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.


Related Person Transaction Approval Policy

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written policy regarding transactions with related persons, which we refer to as our related party transaction approval policy. Our related party transaction approval policy requires that any executive officer proposing to enter into a transaction with a “related party” generally must promptly disclose to our Audit Committee the proposed transaction and all material facts with respect thereto. In reviewing a transaction, our Audit Committee will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including (1) the commercial reasonableness of the terms, (2) the benefit and perceived benefits, or lack thereof, to gain recognized asus, (3) the opportunity costs of alternate transactions and (4) the materiality and character of the related party’s interest, and the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related party.

Our Audit Committee will not approve or ratify a resultrelated party transaction unless it determines that, upon consideration of receiving cash in lieuall relevant information, the transaction is beneficial to our Company and stockholders and the terms of a fractional share of common stock generallythe transaction are fair to our Company. No related party transaction will be taxed on such gainconsummated without the approval or ratification of our Audit Committee. It will be our policy that a director will recuse him- or herself from any vote relating to a proposed or actual related party transaction in the same manner as ifwhich they were U.S. Holders and, in the casehave an interest. Under our related party transaction approval policy, a “related party” includes any of foreign corporations, may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to paymentour directors, director nominees, executive officers, any beneficial owner of cash in lieu of a fractional sharemore than 5% of our common stock and any immediate family member of any of the foregoing. Related party transactions exempt from our policy include transactions available to a Non-U.S. Holder pursuant toall of our employees and stockholders on the reverse stock split ifsame terms and transactions between us and the Non-U.S. Holder certifies under penalties of perjuryrelated party that, it is a Non-U.S. Holder and neither we nor the transfer agent has actual knowledge to the contrary. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In certain circumstanceswhen aggregated with the amount of cash paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in lieuall other transactions between us and the related party or its affiliates, involved less than one percent of a fractional sharethe average of our common stock,Company’s total assets at yearend for the name and address of the beneficial owner and the amount, if any, of tax withheld may be reported to the IRS.last two completed fiscal years.

 

TextCompensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of Proposed Amendment; Effectivenessthe members of the Compensation Committee nor any director nominee proposed to become a member of the Compensation Committee is or has at any time during the last completed fiscal year been an officer or employee of our Company. None of our executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors or as a member of the compensation or similar committee, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who served on our Board of Directors during the last completed fiscal year.

 

The textNone of the proposed Certificatemembers of Amendmentthe Compensation Committee is set forth inAppendix B to this Consent Solicitation Statement. If and when effected byor has at any time during the last completed fiscal year been an officer or employee of our Company. None of our executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors, or as a member of the compensation or similar committee, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who served on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee during the Certificate of Amendment will become effective upon its filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.last completed fiscal year.

 

DIRECTVote RequiredOR COMPENSATION

Directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for serving on our Board of Directors. During 2017, our Company reimbursed non-employee directors for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of our Board of Directors and Board Recommendationits committees. Our non-employee directors received no compensation during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Approval of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock as of the Record Date. The Board recommends all stockholders deliver a Consent in favor of the Proposal in order to effect the reverse stock split and reduction in authorized shares as soon as possible.


 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock as of August 2, 2017March 29, 2018 by (i) each of our namedexecutivenamed executive officers; (ii) each of our directors; (iii) all of our executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group; and (iv) each other beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock. Ownership percentages are based on 36,704,6394,093,852 shares of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the same date.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. To our knowledge and subject to applicable community property laws, each of the holders of stock listed below has sole voting and investment power as to the stock ownedunlessowned unless otherwise noted. The table below includes the number of shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60 days from August 2, 2017.March 29, 2018. Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each director or officer listed in the table is c/o Sun BioPharma, Inc., 712 Vista Blvd #305, Waconia, Minnesota 55387.

 

Name

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

  

Percentage of

Outstanding Shares

 

Executive Officers and Directors

        

Michael T. Cullen

  4,397,014(a)  11.7%

David B. Kaysen

  592,750(b)  1.6%

Scott Kellen

  267,750(c)  * 

Suzanne Gagnon

  911,250(d)  2.5%

Dalvir S. Gill

  156,000(e)  * 

Jeffrey S. Mathiesen

  156,000(e)  * 

J. Robert Paulson, Jr.

  156,000(e)  * 

Paul W. Schaffer

  1,400,144(f)(g)  3.8%

D. Robert Schemel

  3,876,836(h)  10.5%

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

  11,913,744(i)  30.0%
         

Ryan R. Gilbertson

  6,153,899(j)(g)  16.3%
1675 Neal Ave
Delano, MN 55328
        

Paul M. Herron

  2,454,860(k)  6.7%
105 Cypress Lagoon Court
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
        

Douglas M. Polinsky

  2,002,723(l)(g)  5.4%
328 Barry Ave S. #210
Wayzata, MN 55391
        

Clifford F. McCurdy, III

  1,840,000   5.0%

15625 West Hwy 318

Williston, FL 326961

        

Name

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

 

Percentage of Outstanding

Shares

 

Executive Officers and Directors

        

Michael T. Cullen

 

453,451

(a)    10.8% 

David B. Kaysen

 

65,525

(b   1.6% 

Scott Kellen

 

 32,525

(c)    *     

Suzanne Gagnon

 

94,875

(d)    2.3% 

Dalvir S. Gill

 

20,800

(e)   *     

Jeffrey S. Mathiesen

 

26,800

(e)(f)   *     

J. Robert Paulson, Jr.

 

20,800

(e)   *     

Paul W. Schaffer

 

149,337

(g)(h)   3.6% 

D. Robert Schemel

 

392,882

(i)   9.5% 

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

 

 1,256,995

(j)   28.2% 
         

Ryan R. Gilbertson
1675 Neal Ave
Delano, MN 55328

 

 604,531

(k)(h)  14.7% 

Paul M. Herron
105 Cypress Lagoon Court
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

 

 245,486

(l)  6.0% 

 


*

Less than 1 percent.

(a)

Includes 1,895,764194,576 shares held by the Cullen Living Trust and 818,75089,375 shares subject to stock options and 25,0007,500 shares subject to warrants.

(b)

Includes 517,75058,025 shares subject to stock options and 25,0002,500 shares subject to warrants.

(c)

Includes 215,25025,275 shares subject to stock options and 17,5002,750 shares subject to warrants.

(d)

Includes 10,0001,000 shares held by the Gagnon Family Trust, 456,25049,375 shares subject to stock options and 15,0001,500 shares subject to warrants.

(e)

Consists of 156,000Includes 20,800 shares subject to stock options.

(f)

Includes 189,0923,000 shares subject to warrants.

(g)

Includes 18,909 shares held by the Paul Shaffer Trust, 216,00030,800 shares subject to stock options, 50,0005,000 shares subject to warrants and an estimated 50,8485,208 shares issuable upon the holder’s election pursuant to a convertible promissory note.

(g)(h)

Upon a “qualified financing,” the convertible promissory note(s) beneficially owned would instead automatically convert into common stock at the foregoing price of $1.01 per share or (if less) a price representing a 33% discount from either (a) the price per share of common stock (if any) offered in such financing or (b) the closing price of issuer common stock on the date the material terms of such financing are first publicly announced, subject to reporting person’sperson's right to elect an alternate conversion into the securities then offered at a 10% discount to the price paid in suchthe financing. Upon a corporate transaction, the convertible promissory note would automatically convert into common stock at a price equal to $30 million divided the number of issuer common stock then outstanding (calculated on a fully-diluted basis).

(h)(i)

Includes 2,826,548282,654 shares held by spouse and 156,00020,800 shares subject to stock options.

(i)(j)

Includes 2,885,500336,050 shares subject to stock options, 132,50022,250 shares subject to warrants and an estimated 50,8485,208 shares issuable upon the holder’s election pursuant to a convertible promissory note.

(j)

(k)

Includes 800,000 shares subject to warrants and 280,00028,000 shares held by Total Depth Foundation. Also includesFoundation and an estimated 203,39120,830 shares issuable upon the holder’s election pursuant to a convertible promissory note held by Northern Capital Partners I, LP., of which Mr. Gilbertson is the chief manager.

(k)

(l)

Includes 414,86041,486 shares held jointly with spouse and 200,00020,000 shares subject to warrants.

(l)Includes 101,705 shares held jointly with spouse and an estimated 152,685 shares issuable upon the holder’s election pursuant to a convertible promissory note.

 


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Base salaries for each of our named executive officers were initially established based on arm’s-length negotiations with the applicable executive. Our Compensation Committee reviews our executive officers’ salaries annually. When negotiating or reviewing base salaries, the Compensation Committee expects to consider market competitiveness based on their market experience, the executive’s expected future contribution to our success and the relative salaries and responsibilities of our other executives. All three of our Company’s continuing executive officers were employed by the Company during the most recent completed fiscal year.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned for fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2016 by our named executive officers:

Name and principal position

 

Fiscal Year

 

Salary
($)

 

Option awards
($)
(a)

 

Total
($)

Michael T. Cullen

 

2017

 

208,000

 

 

208,000

Executive Chairman 

2016

 

199,364

 

145,248

 

344,612

         

David B. Kaysen

 

2017

 

302,500

 

 

302,500

President and
Chief Executive Officer
 

2016

 

248,859

 

1,016,736

 

1,265,595

         

Scott Kellen

 

2017

 

173,333

 

 

173,333

Chief Financial Officer and

Vice President of Finance

 

2016

 

209,046

 

435,744

 

644,790


(a)

The values of option awards in this table represent the fair value of such awards granted during the fiscal year, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718. The assumptions used to determine the valuation of the awards are discussed in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements, included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2017

 

   

Option Awards

Name  

Grant Date

 

Number of

securities

underlying

unexercised options

(#) exercisable

  

Number of securities

underlying

unexercised options

(#) unexercisable

 

Option exercise

price ($)

 

Option expiration

Date

Michael T. Cullen

 

3/5/2015

  80,000      3.18 

3/5/2025

  

12/12/2016

  7,500    7,500(a)    15.10 

12/12/2026

                

David B. Kaysen

 

12/12/2016

  12,500  

 12,500

(a)   15.10 

12/12/2026

  

12/12/2016

  42,400    37,600(b)    15.10 

12/12/2026

                

Scott Kellen

 

12/12/2016

  7,500  

 7,500

(a)   15.10 

12/12/2026

  

12/12/2016

  15,900  

 14,100

(b)    15.10 

12/12/2026


(a)

Scheduled to vest in eight equal installments on the last day of each calendar quarter, starting March 31, 2017.

(b)

Vests proportionately based on cash proceeds received by, or contractually obligated to be remitted to, the Company after June 1, 2016 and before December 31, 2018 from any transaction, excluding certain internal operating-related cash flows.


 

Employment Agreements

We are party to employment agreements with our Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer (collectively, the “Executives”). In addition to the specific terms summarized below, each of the Executives is eligible to participate in the other compensation and benefit programs generally available to our employees, including our other executive officers. Each employment agreement also includes customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants.

In accordance with the employment agreements, the base salary of each Executive is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. The committee may authorize an increase for the applicable year, but may not reduce an Executive’s base salary below its then-current level other than with the Executive’s consent or pursuant to a general wage reduction in respect of substantially all of our executive officers.

In October 2017, we further amended the employment agreements with the Executives. For Dr. Cullen and Mr. Kaysen, the amendments established new annual base salaries representing a 25% reduction from prior levels, each effective as of October 1, 2017. Mr. Kellen’s annual base salary remained unchanged. Each amendment further discontinued the “accrued compensation” provision that had been introduced in earlier amendments to the Executives’ employment agreements.

As a result of the amendments, each of the Executives continued to be eligible to receive a cash payment (each, a “Contingent Payment”) in an amount equal to the amount that previously accumulated under the “accrued compensation” provision through September 30, 2017. The cash payment would have become due upon a change of control (as defined in each employment agreement) or our issuance of equity securities (including any securities that are convertible into or exercisable for equity securities) resulting in gross cash proceeds of $10,000,000 or more (a “Qualified Offering”). If neither a change of control nor a Qualified Offering had occurred on or before June 30, 2018, then the right to cash payment would have been be forfeited.

If, on or before June 30, 2018, the Company had closed an underwritten public offering of its securities that includes shares of common stock (whether or not such offering is a Qualified Offering), including the offering contemplated by this prospectus, then each of the Executives would have, in lieu of cash payment, instead received one or more equity awards under the 2016 Plan. The equity awards would have been in the form of an option to purchase shares of common stock and a potential additional award of shares of common stock. Pursuant to the amendments, each Executive had agreed to automatically waive their rights to the cash payment discussed above in exchange for the equity awards. The number of shares underlying the potential stock option would have been determined at the time the Company closed an underwritten public offering and would have been based on the amount of each Employee’s potential cash payment amount (identified above) divided by the value of an option to purchase a single share of common stock determined using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The exercise price for each option award would have equaled “fair market value” as of the grant date determined in accordance with the 2016 Plan. If the number of shares underlying the option award were limited by the 2016 Plan, then the remainder would have been issued in the form of a stock award.

Effective February 27, 2018, we entered into a Waiver and Third Amendment with each of the Executives, which waived all right to receive the Contingent Payment. These amendment also entitled Dr. Cullen, Mr. Kaysen and Mr. Kellen to new ten-year options under our 2016 Plan to purchase up to 100,000 shares, 50,000 shares, and 25,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, at an exercise price equal to fair market value as of the date of grant.

Executive Chairman

Under his employment agreement, Dr. Cullen was entitled to receive an initial annualized base salary equal to $384,000. As discussed above, Dr. Cullen’s employment agreement was amended to reduce his annualized base salary to $288,000, effective as of October 1, 2017. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dr. Cullen received a portion of his monthly salary in cash and the remainder was accrued between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2017. In lieu of the accrued amount, Dr. Cullen’s employment agreement had entitled him to a Contingent Payment equal to $410,136 as a result of any change of control or Qualified Offering on or before June 30, 2018, as discussed in more detail above. Dr. Cullen waived all right to receive the Contingent Payment in February 2018.


Dr. Cullen is eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target amount equal to no less than 45% of his base salary. Payment of the bonus amount will be subject to achievement of metrics to be established by our Board of Directors and Dr. Cullen’s continued employment with the Company through the end of the applicable cash bonus period. Neither our Board of Directors nor its Compensation Committee established such performance criteria for 2017 and therefore no cash bonus was paid.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Kaysen is entitled to receive an initial annualized base salary equal to $420,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Kaysen received a portion of his monthly salary in cash and the remainder was accrued between March 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. In lieu of the accrued amount, Mr. Kaysen’s employment agreement had entitled him to a Contingent Payment equal to $201,599 as a result of any change of control or Qualified Offering on or before June 30, 2018, as discussed in more detail above. Mr. Kaysen waived all right to receive the Contingent Payment in February 2018.

Mr. Kaysen is eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target amount equal to no less than 60% of his base salary. Payment of the bonus amount will be subject to achievement of metrics to be established by our Board of Directors and Mr. Kaysen’s continued employment with the Company through the end of the applicable cash bonus period. Neither our Board of Directors nor its Compensation Committee established such performance criteria for 2017 and therefore no cash bonus was paid. Mr. Kaysen is also eligible to receive cash bonuses of (i) $260,000 upon the completion of a Qualified Financing and (ii) $36,000 upon the completion of certain other objectives specified in his employment agreement. Mr. Kaysen had satisfied the objectives of the bonus amount of $36,000 during the first quarter of 2016, payment of which has also been deferred until the completion of a Qualified Financing.

In December 2016, Mr. Kaysen received an option to purchase an aggregate of 80,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $15.10 per share. Such option, vests proportionately based on cash proceeds received by, or contractually obligated to be remitted to, the Company after June 1, 2016 and before December 31, 2018 from any transaction, excluding certain internal operating-related cash flows. The performance criteria was 22% satisfied on the date of grant, resulting in vesting of the option as to 17,600 shares. On March 17, 2017, the Compensation Committee certified the further satisfaction of the performance criteria as a result of the sale of convertible promissory notes in February and March 2017 resulting in gross proceeds of $3.1 million. Upon completion of the sale of those convertible promissory notes, the option became exercisable for a total of 42,400 shares or 53% of the total underlying shares.

Chief Financial Officer

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Kellen is entitled to receive an initial annualized base salary equal to $240,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Kellen received a portion of his monthly salary in cash and the remainder was accrued between March 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. In lieu of the accrued amount, Mr. Kaysen’s employment agreement had entitled him to a Contingent Payment equal to $97,208 as a result of any change of control or Qualified Offering on or before June 30, 2018, as discussed in more detail above. Mr. Kellen waived all right to receive the Contingent Payment in February 2018.

Mr. Kellen is eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target amount equal to no less than 40% of his base salary. Payment of the bonus amount will be subject to achievement of metrics to be established by our Board of Directors and Mr. Kellen’s continued employment with the Company through the end of the applicable cash bonus period. Neither our Board of Directors nor its Compensation Committee established such performance criteria for 2017 and therefore no cash bonus was paid.


In December 2016, Mr. Kellen received an option to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $15.10 per share. Such option, vests proportionately based on cash proceeds received by, or contractually obligated to be remitted to, the Company after June 1, 2016 and before December 31, 2018 from any transaction, excluding certain internal operating-related cash flows. The performance criteria was 22% satisfied on the date of grant, resulting in vesting of the option as to 6,600 shares. On March 17, 2017, the Compensation Committee certified the further satisfaction of the performance criteria as a result of the sale of convertible promissory notes in February and March 2017 resulting in gross proceeds of $3.1 million. Upon completion of the sale of those convertible promissory notes, the option became exercisable for a total of 15,900 shares or 53% of the total underlying shares.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

Under their respective employment agreements, if an Executives’ employment is terminated by us for any reason other than for “cause” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement) or by the Executive for “good reason” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement), then the Executive will be eligible to receive an amount equal to his respective annualized salary plus an amount equal to a prorated portion of his cash bonus target for the year in which the termination occurred, in addition to other amounts accrued on or before the date of termination. If any such termination occurs within six months prior or two years after a “change of control” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement), then Dr. Cullen and Mr. Kellen would instead receive an amount equal to his respective annualized salary, plus an amount equal to his full cash bonus target for the year in which the termination occurred. Upon a similar termination, Mr. Kaysen would receive an amount equal to 1.5 times his annualized salary, plus an amount equal to his full cash bonus target.


PROPOSAL 2:
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2018, and the Board of Directors is asking stockholders to ratify that selection. Although current law, rules and regulations, as well as the Audit Committee charter, require our independent registered public accounting firm to be supervised by the Audit Committee and recommended to the Board of Directors for appointment and, if necessary, removal, our Board of Directors considers the selection of an independent registered public accounting firm to be a matter of stockholder concern and considers this proposal to be an opportunity for stockholders to provide direct feedback. Cherry Bekaert LLP has served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2015.

Notwithstanding its selection of Cherry Bekaert LLP, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint another independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of our Company and its stockholders. If the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP is not ratified by our stockholders, the Audit Committee may reconsider whether it should appoint another independent registered public accounting firm. Representatives of Cherry Bekaert LLP are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

Provided that a quorum is present, approval of this proposal will require the number of votes cast in favor to exceed the number of votes cast in opposition.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “SUBMISSION OFFORSTOCKHOLDER” the ratification of the selection of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONSfor 2018.

 

Audit Fees

Cherry Bekaert LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services provided by Cherry Bekaert LLP related to 2017 and 2016:

  

Year Ended

 
  

December 31, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 

Audit Fees(a)

 $134,650  $111,500 

Total

 $134,650  $111,500 


(a)

Reflects the fees approved by Sun BioPharma, Inc. and billed or to be billed by Cherry Bekaert LLP with respect to services performed for the audit for the applicable fiscal year. For 2017, this amount includes $30,000 for services and consents procedures in connection with the filing of a registration statement on Form S-1.

Audit Fees” consisted of fees for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, including audited consolidated financial statements presented in our annual report on Form 10-K, review of the consolidated financial statements presented in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accountants in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements and statutory audits required by non-U.S. jurisdiction.

Pre-approval Policy

The Audit Committee has established a policy governing our use of the services of our independent registered public accountants. Under the policy, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accountants in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the public accountants’ independence. In 2017, all fees identified above under the captions “Audit Fees” that were billed by Cherry Bekaert LLP were approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with SEC requirements.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires that our directors and executive officers file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Directors and executive officers are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our directors and executive officers, all Section 16(a) filing requirements were met for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, except for one Form 4 reporting a common stock option award to Dr. Gagnon.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors is not aware of any matters that are expected to come before the Annual Meeting other than those referred to in this proxy statement. If any other matter should come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote the proxies in accordance with their best judgment.

SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS

Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in the year 20182019 that are requested to be included in the proxy statement for that meeting must be received by us at our principal executive office no later than December 28, 2017.17, 2018. We must receive any other stockholder proposals intended to be presented, and any director nominees for election, at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year 20182019 at our principal executive office no earlier than February 6, 2018January 22, 2019 and no later than March 8, 2018.February 21, 2019. Upon timely receipt of any such proposal we will determine whether or not to include such proposal in the proxy statement and proxy in accordance with applicable regulations governing the solicitation of proxies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Our management knows of no matters other than the foregoing to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, this proxy gives discretionary authority in the event that additional matters should be presented.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Our annual reportsreport on Form 10-K, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including our financial statementsstatement and the notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2017, accompanies the delivery of this proxy statement and a copy of such annual report, as filed with the SEC, areis available on the SEC’s Internet site, www.sec.gov, and our corporate website, www.sunbiaopharma.com, under “Investor Relations.”

 

We will provide a copy of the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and/or the exhibits theretoto the Form 10-K upon written request and payment of specified fees. The written request for such Form 10-K and/or Exhibits should be directed to Scott Kellen, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary at:

 

Sun BioPharma, Inc.

712 Vista Boulevard #305

Waconia, Minnesota 55387

 

Such request must set forth a good faith representation that the requesting party was a holder of record or a beneficial owner of our common stock as of the Record Date.

ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO EXECUTE THE ACCOMPANYING CONSENT AND TO RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. STOCKHOLDERS MAY REVOKE ANY CONSENT IF SO DESIRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE COMPANY RECEIVES SUFFICIENT CONSENTS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL.


Appendix A

Sun BioPharma, Inc.
(Delaware corporation)

WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
IN LIEU OF MEETING

The undersigned, being a holder of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) of Sun BioPharma, Inc.annual report on Form 10-K complete with exhibits and the proxy statement are also available at no cost through the EDGAR database available from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s internet site (www.sec.gov), a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), as of  August 9, 2017, hereby takes the following action, in accordance with Sections 228 and 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, with respect to all shares of Common Stock held by the undersigned and regarding the Proposal set forth below, as the same is described in the Consent Solicitation Statement on Schedule 14A, dated August 22, 2017 (the “Statement”).

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders CONSENT to the following resolutions.

WHEREAS, the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders to amend the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to (a) effect a one-for-ten (1:10) reverse stock split, such that every holder of Common Stock as of the Effective Date (as defined below) will receive one share of Common Stock for every ten shares of Common Stock then held (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and (b) reduce the number of shares of capital stock authorized for issuance by 50% (the “Share Reduction”).

RESOLVED, that the Reverse Stock Split and Share Reduction be, and each hereby is, adopted and approved.

RESOLVED, that the form and substance of the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation in substantially the form set forth inExhibit B to the Statement (the “Certificate of Amendment”), be and hereby is, authorized, approved and adopted in all respects, with such additions, deletions or modifications, not inconsistent herewith, as the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief

RESOLVED, that, at any time prior to the date the Certificate of Amendment becomes effective (the “Effective Date”) the Board may abandon the amendment of the Charter and determine not to file a Certificate of Amendment, even though the amendment may have been approved by the stockholders of the Corporation, if the Board, in its discretion, determines that either (i) the Reverse Stock Split or Share Reduction is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation or its stockholders or (ii) the Conditions can no longer be satisfied.

(Check ONE option below)

☐ CONSENT (FOR)

☐ CONSENT WITHHELD (AGAINST)

INSTRUCTIONS: TO CONSENT OR WITHHOLD CONSENT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX ABOVE. IF NO BOX IS MARKED ABOVE WITH RESPECT TO EACH PROPOSAL, THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE CONSENTED TO THE PROPOSAL.

[Signatures and Instructions for Return on Reverse]https://www.rdgir.com/sun-biopharma-inc.

 


MAIL: Mark, sign and date your Consent and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Sun BioPharma, Inc., c/o VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598.

INTERNET: Visit https://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy and log-on using your control number.

FACSIMILE: Mark, sign and date your Consent and return it via fax to +1 (646) 536-3179.

Dated:

[print name of record stockholder as set forth on stock certificate or in the books of the Corporation]

[signature of record stockholder or person authorized to sign on behalf of record stockholder]

[title or authority of authorized person, if applicable]

[signature, if held jointly]


Appendix B

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
SUN BIOPHARMA, INC.

Sun BioPharma, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

1.

This Certificate of Amendment (the “Certificate of Amendment”) amends the provisions of the corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation adopted by the Certificate of Merger filed with the Secretary of State on May 25, 2016 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

2.

Section 4.1 of Article 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

4.1

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK. The Corporation is authorized to issue one hundred and ten million (110,000,000) shares of capital stock, of which one hundred million (100,000,000) shares will be shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and ten million (10,000,000) shares will be shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each ten (10) shares of Common Stock either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation in treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof, be combined and converted into one (1) share of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares of Common Stock will be entitled to receive cash (without interest or deduction) from the Corporation's transfer agent in lieu of such fractional share interests upon the submission of a transmission letter by a stockholder holding the shares in book-entry form and, where shares are held in certificated form, upon the surrender of the stockholder’s Old Certificates (as defined below), in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the most recent sale price per share of the Common Stock as reported by OTC Markets Group, Inc. as of the date of the Effective Time, by (b) the fraction of one share owned by the stockholder. Each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (“Old Certificates”), will thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by the Old Certificate will have been combined, subject to the elimination of fractional share interests as described above

3.

This amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

4.

All other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation will remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by the authorized officer named below, this ___ day of _________, 2017.

By: 

[SPECIMEN]

Name:

Its:


 

* SPECIMEN *

1 MAIN STREET

ANYWHERE PA 99999-9999

CONSENT

VOTE ON INTERNET

 

Go tohttp://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy

and log-on using the below control number.

 

CONTROL #

 

* SPECIMEN *

CONSENT BY FAX

Mark, sign and date this consent

card and fax it to (646) 536-3179

1 MAIN STREET

ANYWHERE PA 99999-9999   

CONSENTVOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date this consentyour proxy card and

return it in the envelope we have provided.

VOTE IN PERSON

If you would like to vote in person, please attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018 at 2:30 pm Central Time at the offices of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Please Mark, Date, Sign and Return Promptly in the Enclosed Envelope.

 

Notice of Consent SolicitationAnnual Meeting Proxy Card - Sun BioPharma, Inc. Common Stock

 

 

 

DETACH PROXY CARD HERE TO VOTE BY MAIL

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders CONSENT toyou vote FOR all of the following resolutions.director nominees:

(1)     Election of Class IIDirectors:

 

FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW

(except as marked to the contrary below)

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE

FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW

WHEREAS, the Corporation's

INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEES' NAME BELOW:
01 Michael Cullen, M.D., M.B.A                          02 D. Robert Schemel

The Board of Directors (the "Board") has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders to amend the Corporation's certificate of Incorporation (the "Charter") to (a) effect a one-for-ten (1:10) reverse stock split, such that every holder of Common Stock as of the Effective Date (as defined Below) will receive one share of Common Stock for every ten shares of Common Stock then held (the "Reverse Stock Split") and (b) reduce the number of shares of capital stock authorized for issuance by 50% (the " Share Reduction").recommends you vote FOR proposals 2:

 

RESOLVED, that(2)     To ratify the Reverse Stock Split and Share Reduction be, and each hereby is, Adopted and approved.

RESOLVED, thatselection of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the form and substance ofindependent registered public accounting firm for the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B to the Statement (the " Certificate of Amendment"), be and hereby is, authorized, app Executive Officer of the Chief.

RESOLVED, that, at any time prior to the date the Certificate of Amendment becomes effective (the "Effective Date") the Board may abandon the amendment of the Charter and determine not to file a Certificate of Amendment, even though the amendment may have been approved by the Stockholders of the Corporation, if the Board, in its discretion, determines that either (i) the Reverse Stock Split or Share Reduction is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation or its stockholders or (ii) the Conditions can no longer be satisfied.

(Check ONE option below)fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

 

  

 CONSENT (FOR) FOR

  

 CONSENT WITHHELD (AGAINST)AGAINST

  

ABSTAIN

NOTE: If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholder calling for a vote of stockholders, then the shares represented by this proxy may be voted by the proxy holders in accordance with their best judgment.

 

Date

 

Signature

 

Signature, if held jointly

 

 

 

 

 

 

To change the address on your account, please check

the box at right and indicate your new address.  

 

 

* SPECIMEN *

AC:ACCT999

90.00

 

 
 

 

 

Sun BioPharma, Inc.SUN BIOPHARMA, INC.

 

NoticeAnnual Meeting of Consent SolicitationStockholders

 

AugustMay 22, 20172018

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on May 22, 2018

The Notice, Proxy Statement and Annual Report for 2018 are available at
https://www.rdgir.com/sun-biopharma-inc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUN BIOPHARMA, INC.


THIS CONSENTPROXY ISSOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned, being a holderundersigned hereby appoints David B. Kaysen and Scott Kellen, and each of record ofthem, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes such proxies to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse, all shares of common stock par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of Sun BioPharma, Inc. (the “Corporation”) as of August 9, 2017 (the record date established forthat the purpose of determining the stockholdersundersigned is/are entitled to consent hereto), hereby takesvote at the following action,Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018, located at the offices of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota and any adjournment or postponement thereof upon matters set forth in the proxy statement and, in their discretion, upon any other business as may properly come before the meeting.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the BylawsBoard of the Corporation, as amended from time to time, and pursuant to Sections 228 and 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, with respect to all shares of Common Stock held by the undersigned with respect to the Proposal set forth below, as the same is described in the Consent Solicitation Statement on Schedule 14A dated August 22, 2017. (the “Statement”)Directors’ recommendations.

 

By signing and returning this Action by Written Consent,Please check here if you plan to attend the undersigned stockholder will be deemed to have voted all sharesAnnual Meeting of capital stock owned by the undersigned in the manner directed above with respect to the proposed amendment. If the undersigned stockholder signs and returns this consent but does not check a box, the undersigned will be deemed to have consented FOR approval of the proposed amendment.Stockholders on May 22, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. (Local Time). ☐

 

The Board of Directors of the Corporation Recommends that stockholders CONSENT to the adoption of the following resolutions:

 

 

(Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)