Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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◻ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
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⌧ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
◻ | Definitive Additional Materials | |
◻ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 | |
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GlycoMimetics, Inc. | ||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) | ||
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Rockville, Maryland 20850
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 19, 20231, 2024
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GlycoMimetics, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Annual Meeting will again be held virtually, through a live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023. You will not be able to attend the meeting in person. The meeting will be held on Friday,Wednesday, May 19, 20231, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern TimeTime. The Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted only via a live audio webcast. A complete list of record stockholders will be available for examination on a reasonably accessible electronic network by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting for a period of ten days ending on the day before the Annual Meeting date. If you would like to view the list, please email us at ir@glycomimetics.com. The meeting will be held for the following purposes:
To elect the |
2. | To ratify the |
3. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in |
To approve an amendment to the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or the Restated Certificate, to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares. |
5. | To approve an amendment to the Restated Certificate to reflect new Delaware law provisions regarding officer exculpation. |
6. | To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting. |
These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.these proxy materials.
YouThe Annual Meeting will be held virtually through a live webcast. Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2024 and their proxy holders will be able to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, submit questions, and vote during the live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023GLYC2024 and entering the 16-digit Control Number foundincluded on your proxy card, voting instruction form, or in the instructions that you received via email. We encourage our stockholders to retain their control numbers from proxy cards or voting instruction forms in order to be able to access the virtual Annual Meeting. Please refer to the additional logistical details and recommendations in the accompanying proxy statement. You may log in beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday,Wednesday, May 19, 2023.1, 2024.
The record date for the Annual Meeting is March 24, 2023.15, 2024. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date and their proxy holders may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Rockville, Maryland
April 21, 20231, 2024
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You are cordially invited to attend the meeting |
GLYCOMIMETICS, INC.
9708 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 20232024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on May 19, 20231, 2024
Proposals | Voting Standard | Board Recommendation |
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Election of directors named in this Proxy Statement | The two nominees receiving the most “FOR” votes of the shares present online or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be elected. | FOR each of the Board’s nominees for director |
Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 | “FOR” votes from a majority of the shares present online or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter is required for approval of this proposal. | FOR |
Advisory approval of the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers | “FOR” votes from a majority of the shares present online or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter is required for approval of this proposal. | FOR |
Amend Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000 | Votes cast “FOR” the proposal at the Annual Meeting must exceed votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal for this proposal to be approved. | FOR |
Amend Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to reflect new Delaware law provisions regarding officer exculpation | “FOR” votes from holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock on the record date. | FOR |
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Why am I receiving these materials?
We have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of GlycoMimetics, Inc. (sometimes referred to as the “Company” or “GlycoMimetics”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 20232024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting virtually to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the virtual meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card, or follow the instructions below to submit your proxy over the telephone or on the Internet.internet.
We intend to maildistribute these proxy materials on or about April 21, 20231, 2024 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held through a livevirtual meeting, which will be conducted entirely online via audio webcast. You may attend, vote and ask questions at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions provided on the proxy card or voting instruction form to log in to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2024. If you are a stockholder of record, you will be asked to provide the 16-digit control number from your proxy card. If you are a beneficial owner of shares (that is, you hold your shares in an account at a bank, broker or other holder of record), follow the instructions from your broker, bank or other agent.
The audio webcast on Friday, May 19, 2023of the Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. OnlineWe encourage you to access the meeting prior to the Annual Meetingstart time. Online check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET. Stockholders will not be ableEastern Time, and you should allow reasonable time for the check-in procedures.
You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting in person.
if you were a stockholder of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2024, the record date, or hold a valid proxy for the meeting. To participate in and/or vote atbe admitted to the virtual Annual Meeting, stockholders should goyou will need to visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023. Stockholders mustGLYC2024 and enter the 16-digit Control Number found next to the label “Control Number” on theiryour proxy card. Stockholders may still vote priorcard or voting instruction form, or in the email sending you the Proxy Statement. If you are a beneficial stockholder, you should contact the bank, broker or other institution where you hold your account well in advance of the meeting if you have questions about obtaining your control number/ proxy to vote.
Whether or not you participate in the Annual Meeting, by internet, telephone or by mail per the instructions on their proxy card. The webcast of the Annual Meeting will be archived for one year after the date of the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023. Instructions on how to connect to the Annual Meeting and participate via the internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023.it is important that you vote your shares.
What if I cannot find my Control Number?
Please note that if you do not have your Control Number and you are a registered stockholder, of record as of the record date, you can call (240) 243-1201 prior to the day of the Annual Meeting and request that your Control Number be provided to you. If you do not have a Control Number, you will still be able to log in as a guest toguest. To view the meeting webcast, by visitingvisit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023GLYC2024 and registeringregister as a guest. However, if you log in as a guest you will not be able to vote your shares during the Annual Meeting.
If you are a beneficial owner, you will need to contact that bank, broker or ask questions duringother holder of record to obtain your Control Number prior to the Annual Meeting.
How do I ask questions of management or the Board?
Questions may be submitted during the Annual Meeting through www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023.GLYC2024. We will post answers to stockholders’ questions received during the Annual Meeting that are relevant to our business on our Investor Relations website shortly afterfollowing the meeting.
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Where can I get technical assistance?
If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in time or meeting time, or you have any questions regarding how to use the virtual meeting platform, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual stockholder meeting log-in page.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 202315, 2024 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If, on March 24, 2023,15, 2024, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti (formerly known as American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,Company), then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote online during the virtual meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card or vote by proxy over the telephone or on the internet as instructed below to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If, on March 24, 2023,15, 2024, your shares were not held in your name but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other similar intermediary,organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that intermediary.organization. The intermediaryorganization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other intermediaryorganization regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You must follow the instructions provided by your brokerage firm, bank, or other similar organization for your bank, broker or other stockholder of record to vote your shares per your instructions. Alternatively, many brokers and banks provide the means to grant proxies or otherwise instruct them to vote your shares by telephone and via the internet, including by providing you with a 16-digit control number via email or on your proxy card or your voting instruction form. If your shares are also invitedheld in an account with a broker, bank or other stockholder of record providing such a service, you may instruct them to attendvote your shares by telephone (by calling the number provided in the proxy materials) or over the internet as instructed by your broker, bank or other stockholder of record. If you did not receive a 16-digit control number via email or on your proxy card or voting instruction form, and you wish to vote prior to or at the virtual Annual Meeting.
WillMeeting, you must follow the instructions from your broker, bank or other stockholder of record, including any requirement to obtain a list ofvalid legal proxy. Many brokers, banks and other stockholders of record be available?
For the ten days ending the day priorallow a beneficial owner to the Annual Meeting,obtain a list of our stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date will be available for examinationvalid legal proxy either online or by anymail, and we recommend that you contact your broker, bank or other stockholder of record for a legally valid purpose at our corporate headquarters during regular business hours. To access the list of stockholders of record beginning on May 8, 2023 and until the Annual Meeting, stockholders should email ir@glycomimetics.com.to do so.
What am I voting on?
There are threefive matters scheduled for a vote:
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● | To approve an amendment to the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or the Restated Certificate, to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares (Proposal 4); and |
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● | To approve an amendment to the Restated Certificate to reflect new Delaware law provisions regarding officer exculpation (Proposal 5). |
What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?
The Board knowsdoes not know of noany other matters that willto be presented for consideration atbrought before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought beforepresented, the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy holders have discretionary authority to vote on those mattersall proxies in accordance with their best judgment. Discretionary authority for them to do so is provided for in the proxy card.
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YouFor Proposal 1, you may either vote “For” all the nominees to the Board of Directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee to the Board that you specify. For each of the other matters to be voted on,Proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting.
The procedures for voting are as follows:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote online at the virtual Annual Meeting, vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, vote by proxy over the telephone or vote by proxy on the internet. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual meeting online, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend virtually and vote during the Annual Meeting even if you have already voted by proxy. This is only required if you want to change your original vote, since votes will not be double counted.
To vote at the meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2024 (you will need the control number printed on your |
Internet and telephone voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available for 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 30, 2024.
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You should mail your signed proxy card sufficiently in advance for it to be received by May 18, 2023.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other similar intermediary,agent, you should have received a voting instruction form with these proxy materials from that intermediaryorganization rather than from GlycoMimetics. Simply completeYou must follow these instructions for your bank, broker or other stockholder of record to vote your shares per your instructions. Alternatively, many brokers and mailbanks provide the means to grant proxies or otherwise instruct them to vote your shares by telephone and via the internet, including by providing you with a 16-digit control number via email or on your proxy card or your voting instruction form to ensure thatform. If your vote is counted. Alternatively,shares are held in an account with a broker, bank or other stockholder of record providing such a service, you may instruct them to vote your shares by telephone (by calling the number provided in the proxy materials) or onover the internetInternet as instructed by your broker, bank or bank. Toother stockholder of record. If you did not receive a 16-digit control number via email or on your proxy card or voting instruction form, and you wish to vote onlineprior to or at the virtual Annual Meeting, you shouldmust follow the instructions provided byfrom your broker, bank or other intermediary,stockholder of record, including any requirement to obtain your 16-digit control number. Many brokers, banks and other stockholders of record allow a beneficial owner to obtain their 16-digit control number either online or by mail, and we recommend that you contact that intermediaryyour broker, bank or other stockholder of record to request a proxy form.do so.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you owned as of March 24, 2023.15, 2024.
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If I am a stockholder of record and I do not vote, or if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote without giving specific voting instructions, what happens?
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by completing your proxy card, by telephone, on the internet or online at the virtual Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as applicable, “For”“FOR” the election of the threetwo nominees for director “For”named in Proposal 1; “FOR” Proposal 2, the ratification of the selectionappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 and “For”2024; “FOR” Proposal 3, the advisory approval of executive compensation.compensation; “FOR” Proposal 4, the amendment to the Restated Certificate to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock; and “FOR” Proposal 5, the amendment to the Restated Certificate to reflect new Delaware law provisions regarding officer exculpation. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
If I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and I do not provide my broker or bank with voting instructions, what happens?
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you do not instruct your broker, bank or other similar intermediaryagent how to vote your shares, your broker, bank or other intermediaryagent may still be able to vote your shares in its discretion. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), brokers, banks and other securities intermediaries that are subject to NYSE rules may use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters considered to be “routine” under NYSE rules, but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. In this regard, we have been advised by NYSE that Proposals 1, 3 and 35 are considered to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules, meaning that your broker may not vote your shares on those proposals in the absence of your voting instructions. However, Proposalwe have been advised by NYSE that Proposals 2 isand 4 will be considered to be a “routine” mattermatters under NYSE rules, meaning that if you do not return voting instructions to your broker by its deadline, your shares may be voted by your broker in its discretion on Proposal 2.Proposals 2 and 4.
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If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and you do not plan to attend the Annual Meeting, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other agent.
IfWhat are “broker non-votes”?
When a beneficial owner of shares held in street name does not give voting instructions to his or her broker, bank or other securities intermediary holding his or her shares as to how to vote on matters deemed to be “non-routine,” the broker, bank or other such agent cannot vote the shares. When there is at least one “routine” matter that the broker, bank or other securities intermediary votes on, the shares that are un-voted on “non-routine” matters are counted as “broker non-votes.” Proposals 2 and 4 are considered to be “routine” matters under NYSE rules, and we therefore expect brokers, banks or other securities intermediaries to vote on those proposals. Proposals 1, 3 and 5 are considered to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules, and we therefore expect broker non-votes to exist in connection with these proposals.
As a reminder, if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other intermediaryagent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other intermediary.agent .
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by email, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. In addition, we have retained Alliance Advisors, LLC, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in solicitation of proxies. We expect to pay Alliance Advisors a fee of approximately $20,000 plus reasonable expenses for these services.
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?
If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on the proxy cards in the proxy materials to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
● | You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date. |
● | You may submit a subsequent proxy by telephone or on the internet. |
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● | You may attend and vote online at the virtual Annual Meeting. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
Your most current proxy card or telephone or internet proxy is the one that is counted.
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Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If your shares are held by your broker, bank or other similar intermediary,agent, you should follow the instructions provided by that intermediary.
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by December 23, 2023, to our Corporate Secretary at 9708 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850. If you wish to nominate an individual for election as a director at, or bring business other than through a stockholder proposal before, the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you must deliver your notice to our Corporate Secretary at the foregoing address between January 20, 2024, and February 19, 2024. In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the our Board’s nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of SEC Rule 14a-19(b). In the event that next year’s annual meeting is scheduled to be held before April 19, 2024, or after June 18, 2024, then you must deliver your notice to our Corporate Secretary at the foregoing address at least 90 days, but not more than 120 days, prior to the date of next year’s annual meeting, or not more than 10 days following the day on which public announcement of the date of next year’s annual meeting is made. Your notice to the Corporate Secretary must set forth information specified in our amended and restated bylaws, including your name and address and the class and number of shares of our stock that you beneficially own.
If you propose to bring business before an annual meeting other than a director nomination, your notice must also include, as to each matter proposed, the following: 1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting that business at the annual meeting; and 2) any material interest you have in that business. If you propose to nominate an individual for election as a director, your notice must also include, as to each person you propose to nominate for election as a director, the following: 1) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person; 2) the principal occupation or employment of the person; 3) the class and number of shares of our stock that are owned of record and beneficially owned by the person; 4) the date or dates on which the shares were acquired and the investment intent of the acquisition; and 5) any other information concerning the person as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of that person as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, including the person’s written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected. We may require any proposed nominee to furnish other information as we may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent director or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack of independence, of the proposed nominee.
For more information, and for more detailed requirements, please refer to our amended and restated bylaws, filed as an exhibit to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 29, 2023.
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will separately count, for Proposal 1, votes “For,” “Withhold” and broker non-votes for each nominee; and with respect to Proposals 2 and 3, votes “For,” “Against,” abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes.
Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for Proposals 2 and 3, and will have the same effect as “Against” votes. Broker non-votes on Proposals 1 and 3 will have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total for any of those proposals.
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What are “broker non-votes”?
A “broker non-vote” occurs when your broker submits a proxy for the meeting with respect to “routine” matters but does not vote on “non-routine” matters because you did not provide voting instructions on these matters. These un-voted shares with respect to the “non-routine” matters are counted as “broker non-votes.” Proposals 1 and 3 are considered to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules, and we therefore expect broker non-votes to exist in connection with these proposals.
As a reminder, if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other intermediary by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other intermediary.
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal? agent.
The following table summarizes the minimumWhat vote needed to approveis required for adoption or approval of each proposal and the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes.how will votes be counted?
Proposal Number | Proposal Description | Vote Required for Approval | Voting Options | Effect of Abstentions or Withhold votes, as applicable | Effect of Broker Non-Votes | Board Recommendation | |||||
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1 | Election of | The |
| No | No Effect | FOR all nominees | |||||
2 | Ratification of the | “ | FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN | Against | Not | FOR | |||||
3 | Advisory approval of the compensation of the Company’s | “ | FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN | Against | No | FOR | |||||
4 |
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| FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN | No effect |
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5 | Amend Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to reflect new Delaware law provisions regarding officer exculpation | “FOR” votes from holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock on the record date. | FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN | Against | Against | FOR |
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*This proposal is considered to be a “routine” matter under NYSE rules. Accordingly, if you hold your shares in street nameWho will count the vote?
A representative of the Company will tabulate the votes and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other intermediary that holds your shares, your broker, bank or other intermediary has discretionary authority under NYSE rules to vote your shares on this proposal.act as the inspector of election for the Annual Meeting.
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present online at the Annual Meeting are present online or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were 64,245,22464,450,385 shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of 32,122,61332,225,193 shares must be present online or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting to have a quorum.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other intermediary) or if you vote online at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, either the chairperson of the Annual Meeting or the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy and entitled to vote may adjourn the meeting to another date.
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If I miss the Annual Meeting, will there be a copy posted online?
Yes, a replay of the virtual meeting webcast will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GLYC2023and remain available for at least one year from the date of the Annual Meeting.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Current Report on Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Current Report on Form 8-K to publish the final results.
What proxy materials are available on the internet?
The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at http://materials.proxyvote.com/38000Q.
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PROPOSAL 1
OurUnder the Restated Certificate and under our bylaws, the Board is divided into three classes. Eachclasses, with only one class consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors being elected in each year and each class hasserving a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majorityThere are currently eight members of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fillBoard. Two of our current directors have a vacancy interm that expires at this Annual Meeting; three of our current directors have a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until that director’s successor is duly elected and qualified.
The Board presently has eight members. There are three directors in the class whose term of office expires in 2023. Each of the nominees listed below is currently a director who was previously elected by our stockholders. If elected at the Annual Meeting, eachCompany’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders; and three of our current directors have a term that expires at the nominees would serve until theCompany’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, andor in each case until a successor has beentheir respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or if sooner, until their earlier death, resignation, or removal.
It is our policy to invite and encourage directors and nominees for director to attend each annual meeting of stockholders. All directors serving as ofUpon the date of the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders were in attendance at that meeting.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present virtually or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Accordingly, the three nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected.Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the three nominees named below. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, shares that would have been voted for that nominee will instead be voted for the election of a substitute nominee that we will propose. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected. Our management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to assemble a board that, as a whole, possesses the appropriate balance of professional and industry knowledge, financial expertise and high-level management experience necessary to oversee and direct our business. To that end, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has identified and evaluated nominees in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition, with the goal of recruiting members who complement and strengthen the skills of other members and who also exhibit integrity, collegiality, sound business judgment and other qualities that the Committee views as critical to the effective functioning of the Board. In an effort to provide a variety of experience and perspective on the Board, the Committee considers criteria for nominees to require the highest personal integrity and ethics and an ability to read and understand financial statements, and also takes into account the relevant expertise, availability, commitment, demonstrated excellence and diversity of its members. The brief biographies below include information, as of the date of this proxy statement, regarding the specific and particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each nominee that led the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committeeto believe that the nominee should continue to serve on the Board. However, each of the membersrecommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has considered and nominated the two incumbent directors listed below, each of whom has previously been elected by our stockholders, for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting.
We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unavailable or, if elected, will decline to serve. In the event that any of these nominees should become unavailable for election due to any presently unforeseen reason, proxies will be voted for a substitute as designated by the Board, or alternatively, the Board may haveleave a varietyvacancy on the Board or reduce the size of reasons why a particular person would be an appropriate nomineethe Board.
The biographies of each of our nominees for election to the Board and these views may differ fromall other directors are set forth below, including the viewsoffices held, other business directorships and the class and term of each director nominee and director. Each of the biographies highlights specific experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that led us to conclude that such person should serve as a director. We believe that, as a whole, our Board possesses the requisite skills and characteristics, leadership traits, work ethic, and independence to provide effective oversight. No director or executive officer is related by blood, marriage, or adoption to any other members.
director or executive officer. No arrangements or understandings exist between any director and any other person pursuant to which such person was selected as a director or nominee.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING AT THE 20262027 ANNUAL MEETING
Patricia Andrews, age 65
Ms. Andrews has served as a member of our Board since 2017. She has served since 2017 as the chief executive officer of Sumitomo Pharma Oncology, Inc. (and its predecessor, Boston Biomedical, Inc.), an oncology drug research and development company, and as an executive officer of its parent company, Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd. Ms. Andrews joined Boston Biomedical in 2013. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Andrews served as the chief commercial officer of Incyte Corporation, a publicly held biopharmaceutical company. From 1991 to 2008, Ms. Andrews served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Pfizer Inc., culminating in her role as a vice president and the general manager of Pfizer’s U.S. Oncology business unit. Ms. Andrews received her B.A. degree from Brown University
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and her M.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan. We believe Ms. Andrews’ qualifications to serve on our Board include her strong leadership and demonstrated management experience within the pharmaceutical industry, including serving as a chief executive officer and a chief commercial officer, as well as her in-depth knowledge of operations and commercial strategy.
Mark Goldberg, M.D., age 68
Dr. Goldberg has served as a member of our Board since 2014. Dr. Goldberg served in a number of capacities of increasing responsibility at Synageva BioPharma Corp., a biopharmaceutical company, between 2011 and 2015, including as Executive Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Strategy. Prior to joining Synageva he served in various management capacities of increasing responsibility at Genzyme Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, from 1996 to 2011, most recently as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Global Therapeutic Head, Oncology and Personalized Genetic Health, and as Chairman of Genzyme’s Early Product Development Board. Prior to working at Genzyme he was a full-time staff physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He still holds an appointment at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Goldberg has also been on the faculty of Harvard Medical School since 1987 and serves as a Lecturer in Medicine (part-time). He is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist. Dr. Goldberg serves on the boards of directors of the public biopharmaceutical companies ImmunoGen, Inc., Blueprint Medicines Corporation and Avacta Group plc. Within the last five years, he also served on the boards of directors of the public biopharmaceutical companies Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. and Idera Pharmaceuticals (now known as Aceragen, Inc.). He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the American Cancer Society since January 2019. Dr. Goldberg received his A.B. from Harvard College and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School. The Board believes that Dr. Goldberg’s prestigious medical background and significant clinical experience allow him to make particularly valuable contributions to our research and development efforts, while his public company board experience provides us with valuable strategic and operational expertise and leadership skills.
Timothy Pearson, age 55
Mr. Pearson has served as a member of our Board since 2014 and as our Chairperson since 2019. Mr. Pearson has served as the chief executive officer of Carrick Therapeutics, a privately held oncology company, since July 2019. Mr. Pearson served as an executive vice president and the chief financial officer of TESARO, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, from 2014 until its acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline in February 2019. He served as an executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Catalyst Health Solutions, a publicly held pharmacy benefit management company, from 2011 until its acquisition by SXC Health Solutions in 2012. Prior to joining Catalyst Health Solutions, Mr. Pearson served as the chief financial officer and executive vice president of MedImmune, Inc. He previously served on the board of directors of Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly held biopharmaceutical company until acquisition by UCB in 2020. Mr. Pearson is a Certified Public Accountant and holds dual B.S. degrees in Business Administration from the University of Delaware and in Accounting from the University of Maryland, University College, as well as an M.S. degree in Finance from Loyola College. As a result of Mr. Pearson’s educational background and professional experiences, the Board believes Mr. Pearson possesses particularly impactful knowledge and experience in accounting and finance; strategic planning and leadership of complex organizations; and human capital management, all of which strengthen the Board’s collective qualifications, skills and experience.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
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DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING
Daniel Junius, age 7071
Mr. Junius has served as a member of our Board since 2016. Mr. Junius served as the president and chief executive officer of ImmunoGen, Inc., formerly a publicly held biotechnology company recently acquired by AbbVie, from 2009 until his retirement in 2016. He also served as ImmunoGen’s president and chief operating officer and acting chief financial officer from July 2008 to December 2008, as an executive vice president and the chief financial officer from 2006 to July 2008, and as a senior vice president and the chief financial officer from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Junius also served as a director of ImmunoGen from 2008 until June 2018. Before joining ImmunoGen, Mr. Junius was an executive vice president and the chief financial officer of New England Business Service, Inc., or NEBS, a business-to-business direct marketing company, from 2002 until its acquisition by Deluxe Corporation in 2004 and a senior vice president and the chief financial officer of NEBS from 1998 to 2002. Prior to NEBS, he was a vice president and the chief financial officer of Nashua Corporation, a manufacturer and marketer of specialty imaging paper and label products and services. He joined Nashua Corporation in 1984 and held financial management positions of increasing responsibility before becoming chief financial officer in 1996. Mr. Junius has served on the board of directors and as chair of the audit committee of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., a publicly held pet healthcare company, since 2014. Mr. Junius holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Boston College and a Mastersmaster’s degree in Management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. The Board believes that Mr. Junius’s extensive experience, including service as chief executive officer and chief financial officer of public companies, in addition to his financial expertise and depth of knowledge of the biopharmaceutical industry, allows him to make valuable contributions to the Board and to bolster the Board’s overall skills and experience.
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Rachel King, age 6364
Ms. King co-founded our company and has served as a member of our Board since our inception in 2003. Ms. King served as our president and chief executive officer from our inception in 2003 until August 2021. Ms. King has served as the interim president and chief executive officer of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) since Novemberfrom October 2022 to March 2024 and has served on its board of directors since 2013,2005, including as chair of the board of BIO from 2013 to 2015. Previously, Ms. King was an Executive in Residence at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), an investment firm, from 2001 to 2003. From 1999 to 2001, Ms. King served as a senior vice president of Novartis Corporation, a pharmaceutical company. Before joining Novartis, Ms. King spent 10 years with Genetic Therapy, Inc., a biotechnology company, where she served in a number of roles as part of the executive team, which included the company’s initial public offering and later acquisition by Novartis. After the acquisition by Novartis, she served as the chief executive officer of Genetic Therapy, which was then a wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary of Novartis. Ms. King previously worked at Alza Corporation, a pharmaceutical and medical systems company that was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson, as well as at Bain and Company, a management consulting firm. Ms. King currently serves on the board of directors of Novavax, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company. Ms. King was appointed by Maryland’s governor as chair of the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board and served in that capacity from 2013 to 2015. She also currently serves on the board of the University of Maryland BioPark. She received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. The Board believes that Ms. King’s detailed knowledge of our company as one of our co-founders and her experience with biotechnology companies prior to founding our company, in addition to her leadership skills, allow her to make valuable contributions to the Board.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Scott Jackson, age 5859
Mr. Jackson has served as a member of our Board since November 2018. Mr. Jackson served as the chief executive officer and as a member of the board of directors of Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2008 until 2016, when the company was acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc. Mr. Jackson has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and has held positions of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing and commercial development at Eli Lilly & Co., SmithKline Beecham, ImClone Systems Inc., Centocor Inc. (a division of Johnson & Johnson), Eximias Pharmaceutical and YM BioSciences. Mr. Jackson currently serves on the board of directors of MacroGenics, Inc., and Spero Therapeutics, Inc., bothand as chairperson of the board of directors of Mural Oncology, plc., all of which are publicly traded pharmaceutical companies. Mr. Jackson also serves on the board of directors of Philabundance, a non-profit
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organization addressing food insecurity in the Philadelphia region. He holds a B.S. in pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. We believe Mr. Jackson’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including service as an executive officer and board member, as well as his management expertise and significant background in business and commercial development, sales and marketing and clinical development, make him highly qualified to serve as a member of our Board.
Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., age 7071
Dr. Koenig has served as a member of our Board since 2017. Dr. Koenig is the co-founder of and has been the president and chief executive officer and a director of MacroGenics, Inc., a publicly held pharmaceutical company, since 2001. Previously, Dr. Koenig served as a senior vice president at MedImmune, Inc., where he participated in the selection and maturation of their product pipeline. From 1984 to 1990, he worked in the Laboratory of Immunoregulation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, where he investigated the immune response to retroviruses and studied the pathogenesis of AIDS. Dr. Koenig served as chairman of the board of directors of Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, or AGTC, a publicly held pharmaceutical company, until its acquisition in November 2022. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the International Biomedical Research Alliance. Dr. Koenig received his A.B. and Ph.D. from Cornell University and his M.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. We believe that Dr. Koenig’s deep experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, specifically in the BioHealth Capital Region of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, his service on committees and boards of local institutions and organizations, and his strategic and operational expertise and leadership skills make him highly qualified to serve as a member of our Board.
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Harout Semerjian, age 5253
Mr. Semerjian has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board since August 2021. Prior to joining our company, he was an independent advisor to private equity firms focused on investments in healthcare companies. He previously served as president and chief executive officer of Immunomedics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, during April and May of 2020. From March 2018 to April 2020, he served as an executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Ipsen Pharma, where he was accountable for that company’s worldwide commercialization and portfolio strategy across oncology, neurosciences and rare diseases. From February 2017 to February 2018, he served as president and head of Ipsen’s Specialty Care International Region & Global Franchises. Mr. Semerjian previously spent 16 years at Novartis Oncology, where he held various worldwide strategic and operational positions, culminating in his last role as a senior vice president and global head for Ribociclib, accountable for worldwide launch preparations. During his tenure at Novartis, Mr. Semerjian worked on numerous launches and commercial activities for various therapies, including Gleevec, Tasigna, Exjade/Jadenu, Promacta, Zometa, and Femara. He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) since October 2023. Mr. Semerjian holds an M.B.A. from Cornell University, an M.B.A. from Queen’s University, Canada, and a B.S. in Biology from the Lebanese American University in Lebanon. The Board believes that Mr. Semerjian’s long-time experience as an executive officer in the pharmaceutical industry and his significant background in commercialization activities provide a valuable contribution to our Board, in addition to his role as our Chief Executive Officer.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
Patricia Andrews, age 66
Ms. Andrews has served as a member of our Board since 2017. Ms. Andrews has served as the chief executive officer of Sumitomo Pharma Oncology, Inc. (and its predecessor, Boston Biomedical, Inc.), an oncology drug research and development company, and as an executive officer of its parent company, Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd. from 2017 until her retirement in July 2023. Ms. Andrews joined Boston Biomedical in 2013. From 2008 to 2012, she served as the chief commercial officer of Incyte Corporation, a publicly held biopharmaceutical company. From 1991 to 2008, Ms. Andrews served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Pfizer Inc., culminating in her role as a vice president and the general manager of Pfizer’s U.S. Oncology business unit. Ms. Andrews serves on the board of Oncolytics Biotech, Inc. Ms. Andrews received her B.A. degree from Brown University and her M.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan. We believe Ms. Andrews’ qualifications to serve on our Board include her strong leadership and demonstrated management experience within the pharmaceutical industry, including serving as a chief executive officer and a chief commercial officer, as well as her in-depth knowledge of operations and commercial strategy.
Mark Goldberg, M.D., age 69
Dr. Goldberg has served as a member of our Board since 2014. Dr. Goldberg served in a number of capacities of increasing responsibility at Synageva BioPharma Corp., a biopharmaceutical company, between 2011 and 2015, including as Executive Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Strategy. Prior to joining Synageva he served in various management capacities of increasing responsibility at Genzyme Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, from 1996 to 2011, most recently as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Global Therapeutic Head, Oncology and Personalized Genetic Health, and as Chairman of Genzyme’s Early Product Development Board. Prior to working at Genzyme, he was a full-time staff physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He still holds an appointment at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Goldberg has also been on the faculty of Harvard Medical School since 1987 and serves as a Lecturer in Medicine (part-time). He is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist. Dr. Goldberg serves on the boards of directors of the public biopharmaceutical companies Blueprint Medicines Corporation and Avacta Group plc. Within the last five years, he also served on the boards of directors of the public biopharmaceutical companies Audentes Therapeutics, Inc., ImmunoGen, Inc. and Idera Pharmaceuticals (now known as Aceragen, Inc.). He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the American Cancer Society since January 2019. Dr. Goldberg received his A.B. from Harvard College and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School. The Board believes that Dr. Goldberg’s prestigious medical background and significant clinical experience allow him to make particularly valuable contributions to our research and development efforts, while his public company board experience provides us with valuable strategic and operational expertise and leadership skills.
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Timothy Pearson, age 56
Mr. Pearson has served as a member of our Board since 2014 and as our Chairperson since 2019. Mr. Pearson has served as the chief executive officer of Carrick Therapeutics, a privately held oncology company, since July 2019. He previously served as executive vice president and the chief financial officer of TESARO, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, from 2014 until its acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline in February 2019. Mr. Pearson was also executive vice president and chief financial officer of Catalyst Health Solutions, a publicly held pharmacy benefit management company, from 2011 until its acquisition by SXC Health Solutions in 2012. Prior to joining Catalyst, Mr. Pearson served as the chief financial officer and executive vice president of MedImmune, Inc. Mr. Pearson also currently serves on the board of Korro Bio, a public company. He previously served on the board of directors of Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc., until it was acquired by UCB in 2020. Mr. Pearson is a Certified Public Accountant and holds dual B.S. degrees in Business Administration from the University of Delaware and in Accounting from the University of Maryland, University College, as well as an M.S. in Finance from Loyola College. As a result of Mr. Pearson’s educational background and professional experiences, the Board believes Mr. Pearson possesses particularly impactful knowledge and experience in accounting and finance; corporate strategy, leadership of complex organizations and human capital management, all of which strengthen the Board’s collective qualifications, skills and experience.
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND CORPORATECERTAIN GOVERNANCE MATTERS
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE POLICIES AND PRACTICES
We are committed to ensuring strong corporate governance practices on behalf of our stockholders, including engaging in efforts when appropriate that are designed to gain insight into our stockholders’ perspectives regarding governance. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, together with the charters of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, establish a framework of policies and practices for our effective governance and are each described in more detail below. The Board and its committees regularly review their governance policies and practices, as well as current developments in corporate governance, and update these documents as deemed appropriate for our company.
The following are highlights of our governance policies and practices:
● | Our Board separates the Chair and Chief Executive Officer roles; |
● | We have historically had high attendance rates at all of our Board and committee meetings; |
● | All Board committees are 100% independent under applicable Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq, listing rules; |
● | We have a policy in place that prohibits our directors, officers and employees from engaging in short sales, transactions in put or call options, hedging transactions, margin accounts or any other inherently speculative transactions with respect to our common stock; |
● | We maintain Corporate Governance Guidelines |
● | We have a robust annual performance evaluation to evaluate the performance of the Board as a whole and each committee of the Board, and the information from these evaluations is used to consider changes in Board and committee processes. |
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Our Board has an independent chairperson, Mr. Pearson, who has authority, among other things, to call and preside over Board meetings, including meetings of the independent directors, to set meeting agendas and to determine materials to be distributed to the Board. Accordingly, the Chair has substantial ability to shape the work of the Board. We believe that separationan effective board of the positionsdirectors should be made up of Chairindividuals who collectively provide an appropriate balance of diverse occupational and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independencepersonal backgrounds and perspectives and who have a range of the Board in its oversight of our businessskills and affairs. In addition, we believe that having an independent chairperson creates an environment that is more conduciveexpertise sufficient to objective evaluationprovide guidance and oversight of management’s performance, increasing management accountabilitywith respect to our strategy and improving the ability of theoperations. Our Board to monitor whether management’s actions are in and our best interestsNominating and Corporate Governance Committee seek individuals with backgrounds and qualities that, when combined with those of our stockholders. Asother directors, enhance our Board’s effectiveness and result in the Board having a result, we believebalance of knowledge, experience, and capability. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates who are recommended by its members, by other Board members, by stockholders, and by management, as well as those identified by third-party search firms retained to assist in identifying and evaluating possible candidates.
In assessing potential candidates, our Board and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider, among other factors, whether the candidate possesses relevant expertise to offer advice and guidance to management, has sufficient time to devote to our affairs, demonstrates excellence in the candidate’s field, has the ability to exercise sound business judgment and is committed to represent the long-term interests of our stockholders.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee appreciates the value of thoughtful Board refreshment, and regularly identifies and considers qualities, skills and other director attributes that having an independent chairperson canwould enhance the effectivenesscomposition of the Board as a whole. However,Board. In the needscase of our company and the individuals availableincumbent directors, including incumbent directors who will be nominees because their terms of office are set to assume these roles may require different outcomes at different times, and the Board believes that retaining flexibility in these decisions is in our best interests. Therefore,expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will periodically review our Board leadership structure and provide recommendationsreviews these directors’ overall service to the Board.
Company during their tenure as a director, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance, and any other relationships and transactions that might impair those directors’ independence.
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NOMINATIONS BY STOCKHOLDERS
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate director candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner in which the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates any other director candidate.
Any recommendation submitted to the Company should be in writing and should include any supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate in support of that recommendation but must include information that would be required under the “advance notice” provisions of our bylaws and rules of the SEC to be included in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such candidate. Stockholders wishing to propose a candidate for consideration may do so by submitting the above information to the attention of our Corporate Secretary. Any such director nominations will be presented to the Board for its consideration. Stockholders must also satisfy the notification, timeliness, consent, and information requirements set forth in our bylaws. These requirements are also described in this Proxy Statement under the section entitled “Stockholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.”
BOARD DIVERSITY
While we do not have a formal diversity policy in place, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the diversity of the Board overall with respect to age, disability, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, military veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and other backgrounds and experiences. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is committed to actively seeking out and will instruct any search firm it engages to identify, individuals who will contribute to the overall diversity of the Board to be included in the pool of candidates from which nominees to the Board are selected. Our Board monitors the mix of skills and experience of its directors to help ensure it has the necessary tools to perform its oversight function effectively. The Board fully appreciates the value of a diversity of viewpoints, background and experiences as important to the selection of directors to enhance the Board’s cognitive diversity and quality of dialogue in its discussions.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, 25% of our directors are women. We believe that our current directors possess diverse professional experiences, skills and backgrounds, in addition to, among other characteristics, high standards of personal and professional ethics and valuable knowledge of our business and our industry.
Below is our Nasdaq Board Diversity Matrix for fiscal 2024. Last year’s Board Diversity Matrix is available in our 2023 proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 21, 2023. The following Board Diversity Matrix sets forth certain self-identified personal demographic characteristics of our directors.
| | | | |
Board Diversity Matrix (as of April 1, 2024) | ||||
Total Number of Directors: 8 | ||||
| Female | Male | Non-Binary | Did Not Disclose |
Part I: Gender Identity | ||||
Directors | 2 | 6 | - | - |
Part II: Demographic Background | ||||
White | 2 | 6** | - | - |
** Includes one director who identifies as Middle Eastern.
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BOARD SKILLS MATRIX
The Board skillsfollowing matrix below depictshighlights the mix of key skills and capabilities that our Board has identified as particularly valuable to the oversightexperiences of our businessdirector nominees and the executioncontinuing directors. This matrix is intended to depict notable areas of our strategy. We believe thisfocus for each director, and not having a mark does not mean that a particular director does not possess that skill or experience. Nominees have developed competencies in these skills matrix highlights the depththrough education, direct experience and breadth of the expertise of the Board.oversight responsibilities. Additional biographical information on each nominee is set out above.
| ||||||||
| Andrews | Goldberg | Jackson | Junius | King | Koenig | Pearson | Semerjian |
Leadership Experience | ||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | ● | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Chief Financial Officer | | | | ● | | | ● | |
Other Executive | ● | ● | ● | | ● | ● | | ● |
Chair/ Lead Director | | |
| | | ● | ● | |
Other Board and Committee Service Experience | ||||||||
Other Public Boards | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | | |
Other Private Boards | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | | ● | |
Audit | ● | ● | ● | | | ● | | |
Compensation | | ● | ● | | ● | ● | ● | |
Nominating/Governance | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | | |
Strategic Experience | ||||||||
Finance / Financial Literacy | ● | | ● | ● | ● | | ● | ● |
Business Development / Partnering | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
M&A | ● | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Capital Raising / Financing | | | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
Sales and Marketing | ● | | ● | | | | | ● |
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | | | | | | ● | ● | ● |
Pharmaceutical Industry | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Commercial Pharmaceutical | ● | | ● | | | | ● | ● |
Clinical Development | ● | ● | ● | | | ● | | ● |
Research & Discovery | ● | ● | | | ● | ● | | ● |
Regulatory | ● | ● | ● | | | | | ● |
Target Disease Space / Customers | ● | ● | ● | | | ● | | ● |
Government Affairs | | | | | ● | | ● | ● |
International Business | | | ● | | | ● | ● | ● |
Legal / Compliance | ● | | | | | | ● | ● |
Human Capital Management | ● | ● | ● | | ● | | ● | ● |
Public / Investor Relations | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Risk Management | | | | ● | | | ● | ● |
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DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND INDEPENDENCE DETERMINATIONS
As required under Nasdaq listing rules,Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that our Board will consist of a majority of independent directors in accordance with applicable Nasdaq listing standards. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines define an “independent” director consistent with the membersNasdaq definition of independence. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Nasdaq listing standards, a director is not independent unless the Board must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined bydetermines that such director does not have a direct or indirect material relationship with us. Members of the Board.Audit Committee and Compensation Committee are subject to the additional independence requirements of applicable SEC rules and Nasdaq listing standards. The Board consults with the Company’s counsel to ensure that the Board’s determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.
Consistent with these considerations, afterOur Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee undertook its annual review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director or anyindependence and made a recommendation to our Board regarding director independence. As a result of his or her family members, and the Company, its senior management and its independent auditors, thethis review, our Board has affirmatively determined that Ms. Andrews, Drs. Goldberg and Koenig, and Messrs. Jackson, Junius and Pearson, representing six of our eight current directors, are “independent directors” as defined under“independent” in accordance with Nasdaq listing rules.standards applicable to boards of directors in general. In making this determination, theaddition, our Board foundhas affirmatively determined that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationshipMs. Andrews and Messrs. Jackson and Junius are “independent” in accordance with us. Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules applicable to audit committee members, and that Dr. Goldberg and Messrs. Jackson and Pearson are “independent” in accordance with Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules applicable to compensation committee members.
Mr. Semerjian is not an independent director by virtue of his employment with us.us as our current Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. King is not an independent director due to her employment with the Companyserving as our Chief Executive Officer within the priorlast three years.
BOARD DIVERSITY MATRIX
| | | | |
Board Diversity Matrix (as of April 21, 2023*) | ||||
Total Number of Directors: 8 | ||||
| Female | Male | Non-Binary | Did Not Disclose |
Part I: Gender Identity | ||||
Directors | 2 | 6 | - | - |
Part II: Demographic Background | ||||
White | 2 | 6** | - | - |
* Our Board Diversity Matrixmaintains the flexibility to determine whether the roles of Chair and CEO should be combined or separated, based on what it believes is in the best interests of the Company at a given point in time. The Board believes that this flexibility is in the best interest of the Company at this time and that a one-size-fits-all approach to corporate governance, with a mandated independent Chair, would not result in better governance or oversight.
At this time, our Board is led by Mr. Pearson, an independent, non-executive Chair. Our Board believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders for Mr. Pearson to continue to serve as Chair of April 11, 2022 can be foundthe Board. Mr. Pearson possesses significant knowledge and experience in our proxy statementindustry and a deep understanding of our strategic objectives, all of which will continue to benefit us during the year ahead. Our Board believes that separation of the positions of the Chair and CEO reinforces the independence of the Board in its oversight of our business and affairs. In addition, our Board believes that having an independent Chair creates an environment that is more conducive to the Board’s objective evaluation and oversight of management’s performance, increasing management accountability, and improving the ability of the Board to monitor whether management’s actions are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, including with respect to evaluating whether steps management is taking to manage risks are appropriate for us. Mr. Pearson’s responsibility is to ensure that our Board functions properly and to work with our CEO to set the 2022 annual meetingBoard’s agenda. Accordingly, he has substantial ability to shape the work of the Board. We expect him to facilitate communications among our directors and between the Board and senior management. While Mr. Pearson provides independent leadership, he also works closely with our CEO to ensure that our directors receive the information that they need to perform their responsibilities, including discussing and providing critical review of the matters that come before the Board and assessing management’s performance. As a result, we believe that such separation can enhance the effectiveness of our Board as a whole. We believe that the leadership structure of our Board is appropriate and enhances its ability to effectively carry out its roles and responsibilities on behalf of our stockholders.
of stockholders filed with the SEC on April 11, 2022.
** Includes one director who identifies as Middle Eastern.
ROLE OF THE BOARD IN RISK OVERSIGHT
One of the Board’s key functions is informed oversight of our
While senior management has primary responsibility for managing risk, management process. The Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through various standinghas responsibility for risk oversight with specific risk areas delegated to relevant Board committees who report on their deliberations to the full Board. The specific risk areas of focus for the Board that address risks inherent in their respective areasand each of oversight. In particular, our Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, including a determination of the nature and level of risk appropriate for our company. The Board also oversees and monitors environmental and social risk management. 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 related to matters involving our common stock and our operation as a public company, such as compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing rules of Nasdaq. Audit Committee responsibilities also include oversight of cybersecurity risk management, and, to that end, the Audit Committee typically meets annually with both information technology and business personnel responsible for cybersecurity risk management. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, including whether the guidelinesits committees are successful 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.summarized below. It is the responsibility of the chairperson of each of these committees to report
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of the chairperson of each of the committees to report findings regarding material risk exposures to the Board as quickly as possible. The Board has delegated
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Full Board | ● Oversee our risk governance framework, including an enterprise-wide culture that supports appropriate risk awareness and the identification, escalation, and appropriate management of risk ● Integrity, ethics, and compliance with our Business Code of Ethics and Conduct ● General strategic and commercial risks ● Legal risks such as those arising from litigation, environmental, and intellectual property matters |
Audit Committee | ● Oversee and coordinate with the Company’s external auditors ● Accounting, controls and financial disclosure ● Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to matters involving our operation as a public company ● Cybersecurity risk, including our information security framework, threat assessment, response readiness and training efforts ● Tax and liquidity management |
Compensation Committee | ● Compensation structure and programs ● CEO succession planning ● DE&I initiatives ● Recruitment and retention of talent ● Workplace culture ● Workplace health, safety and well-being |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | ● Governance structures and processes ● Board organization, independence and structure ● Board succession and effectiveness ● Oversee the Company’s ESG initiatives |
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that all directors are expected to Mr. Pearson as the Chair the responsibilityprepare for, attend and participate in all meetings of coordinating between the Board and management with regard tocommittees on which they serve. During 2023, the determination and implementation of responses to any problematic risk management issues.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board met seven times. The Audit Committee held five times duringmeetings, the last fiscal year. Each BoardCompensation Committee held five meetings, and the Nominating and Corporate
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Governance Committee held three meetings in 2023. No member attended 75% or more of the Board attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and of(held during the committees onperiod for which he or she was a director) and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such director served held(held during the portionperiod that such director served).
Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Board members at annual meetings of stockholders, we invite and encourage our directors to attend such meetings. All of our current directors who served at the last fiscal year for which he or shewas a director or committee member.time of our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders attended that meeting.
In connection with each board meeting during 2022, the Company’s independent directors met in executive session at which only independent directors were present.
INFORMATION REGARDINGBOARD COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TheOur Board has anestablished three standing committees—the Audit Committee, athe Compensation Committee, and athe Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table provides membership and meeting information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 for Committee—each of these committees:
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| | | | | | | Nominating and |
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| | | | | | Corporate |
Name | | | Audit |
| Compensation |
| Governance |
Patricia Andrews | | | ● | | | | |
Mark Goldberg, M.D. |
| | | | ● | | ●* |
Scott Jackson | | | ● | | ● | | |
Daniel Junius | | | ●* | | | | ● |
Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D. | | | | | | | ● |
Timothy Pearson |
| | | | ●* | | |
Total meetings in fiscal 2022 | | | 4 | | 3 | | 2 |
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Below iswhich operates under a descriptioncharter that has been approved by our Board. Current copies of eachthe Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charters are posted in the “Corporate Governance” section of these committees.
the “Investors” tab of our website located at www.glycomimetics.com. Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. The Board has determined that each member of each committee meets the applicable Nasdaq rules and regulations regarding “independence” and each member is free of any relationship that would impair his or her individual exercise of independent judgment with regard to the Company.
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Primary Responsibilities | Current Committee Members |
We have adopted a committee charter that details the primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee, including: ● overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes, systems of internal control, financial statement audits, and the integrity of our financial statements; ● evaluating and determining whether to retain the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements; ● assessing the qualifications, performance, and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; ● monitoring the rotation of partners of the independent registered public accounting firm on our audit engagement team as required by law; ● reviewing the results of the audit with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, as well as our annual audited and quarterly financial statements, including management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and risk factors; ● overseeing procedures for receiving, retaining, and investigating complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and confidential and anonymous submissions by employees concerning questionable accounting or auditing matters; ● conferring with management and, where appropriate, external advisors concerning the scope, design, adequacy, and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures; | Daniel Junius (Chair) Patricia Andrews Scott Jackson* |
* As of the Board was established bydate of this Proxy Statement, Mr. Jackson has notified the Board in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Actthat he intends to oversee the Company’s corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements. For this purpose,resign from the Audit Committee performs several functions.prior to the Annual Meeting. The Board will appoint Mr. Pearson to the Audit Committee evaluatesto fill the performance, and assessesvacancy that will result from Mr. Jackson’s departure from the qualifications, of the independent auditors; determines and approves the engagement of the independent auditors; determines whether to retain or terminate the existing independent auditors or to appoint and engage new independent auditors; reviews and approves the retention of the independent auditors to perform any proposed permissible non-audit services; monitors the rotation of partners of the independent auditors on the Company’s audit engagement team as required by law; reviews and approves or rejects transactions between the Company and any related persons; confers with management and the independent auditors regarding the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting; establishes procedures, as required under applicable law, for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and meets to review the Company’s annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor, including a review of
committee.
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the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
The Audit Committee is currently composed of three directors, Messrs. Junius and Jackson and Ms. Andrews. The Audit Committee met fourtimes during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The Board has adopted a written Audit Committee charter that is available to stockholderson our website at www.glycomimetics.com.
The Board reviews the Nasdaq listing rules definition of independence for Audit Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all current and proposed members of our Audit Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Nasdaq listing rules).
The Board has also determined that Ms. Andrews, Mr. Junius and Mr. Jackson each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in applicable SEC rules.The Board made a qualitative assessment of each committee member’s level of knowledge and experience based on a number of factors, including their formal education and expertise with financial and accounting matters.
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors(1)
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 with management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm’s independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
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● reviewing and, if appropriate, approving related party transactions, in accordance with our policies; and ● approving or, as permitted, pre-approving all audit and non-audit related services and fees that the independent registered public accounting firm provide to us.
All members of the Audit Committee are “independent” in accordance with Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules applicable to boards of directors in general and audit committee members in particular. The Board has determined that Ms. Andrews, Mr. Junius and Mr. Jackson each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the applicable SEC rules and that each member of the Audit Committee is financially sophisticated. Report The Report of the Audit Committee is set forth beginning on page 24 of this Proxy Statement. |
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(1) The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
The Compensation Committee of the Board is currently composed of three members, Dr. Goldberg and Messrs. Pearson and Jackson. All members of our Compensation Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(d)(2) of the Nasdaq listing rules). The Compensation Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The Board has adopted a written Compensation Committee charter that is available to stockholders on our website at www.glycomimetics.com.
The Compensation Committee acts on behalf of the Board to review, adopt and oversee our compensation strategy, policies, plans and programs, including: