GENPREX, INC.

Dell Medical Center, Health Discovery Building

17011601 Trinity Street, Building B, Suite 3.322, Austin, TX 78712

NOTICE OF ANNUAL SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On October 1, 2018January 27, 2020

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2018 annualspecial meeting of stockholders (the “Annual“Special Meeting”) of Genprex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The meeting will be held on Monday, October 1, 2018January 27, 2020 at 10:2:30 a.m.p.m. (local time) at the offices of W2O Group, 507 CallesDell Medical School, Health Discovery Building at 1601 Trinity Street, Bldg B, Suite 112,HDB 4.110, Austin, TX 78702, for the following purposes:

These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.78712.

The record date for the Annual Meeting is August 21, 2018. Only stockholders of recordwho held stock at the close of business on thatthe record date, December 11, 2019, may vote at the meeting orSpecial Meeting, including any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you wish to attend the Special Meeting in person, you must RSVP by marking the appropriate box on the proxy card or by contacting the Company by January 24, 2020, by telephone at 512-537-7997. In order to be admitted into the Special Meeting, your name must appear on the attendance list and you must present government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license).

By OrderAt the Special Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon:

The accompanying Proxy Statement more fully describes the details of the business to be conducted at the Special Meeting. After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has unanimously approved the proposal and recommends that you vote FOR the proposal described in the Proxy Statement.

We look forward to seeing you at the Special Meeting.

Austin, Texas

August 29, 2018December 23, 2019

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE VOTE VIA THE INTERNET OR OVER THE TELEPHONE AS INSTRUCTED IN THE ENCLOSED PROXY STATEMENT AND ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING. EVEN IF YOU HAVE VOTED BY PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN A PROXY CARD ISSUED IN YOUR NAME FROM THAT INTERMEDIARY.

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

GENPREX, INC.

Dell Medical School, Health Discovery Building

17011601 Trinity Street, Building B, Suite 3.322, Austin, TX 78712

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2018 ANNUAL SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On October 1, 2018January 27, 2020

The Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and form of proxy are first being mailed on or about August 29, 2018 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE “QUESTION AND ANSWER” FORMAT BELOW IS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD READ THIS ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTINGThis Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Genprex, Inc. (“Genprex” or the “Company”) for use at the special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), to be held at Dell Medical School, Health Discovery Building at 1601 Trinity Street, Bldg B, Suite HDB 4.110, Austin, TX 78712 on January 27, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. local time. This Proxy Statement is being mailed to our stockholders on or about December 26, 2019.

How do I attendFor a proxy to be effective, it must be properly executed and received prior to the Annual Meeting?Special Meeting. Each proxy properly tendered will, unless otherwise directed by the stockholder, be voted FOR the proposals described in this Proxy Statement and at the discretion of the proxy holder(s) with regard to all other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

The meetingCompany will be held on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. (local time) atpay all of the officescosts of W2O Group, 507 Calles Street, Suite 112, Austin, TX  78702. Information on howsoliciting proxies. We will provide copies of our proxy materials to vote in person at the Annual Meeting is discussed below.brokerage firms, fiduciaries and custodians for forwarding to beneficial owners who request printed copies of these materials and will reimburse these persons for their costs of forwarding these materials. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or personal solicitation; however, we will not pay them additional compensation for any of these services.

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?Shares Outstanding and Voting Rights

Only stockholdersholders of record of our Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) at the close of business on August 21, 2018 will beDecember 11, 2019 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. On this record date, there were 15,037,944the Record Date, 19,263,841 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding andoutstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote heldon all matters to be voted upon at the Special Meeting. The presence, in person or by 132proxy, of the holders of record.

Stockholdera majority of Record: Shares Registered in Your Namethe outstanding shares on the Record Date will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Special Meeting and any adjournment thereof.

If,Persons who hold shares of our Common Stock directly on August 21, 2018, your shares were registered directly in your name with Genprex’s transfer agent, V Stock Transfer, LLC, then you arethe Record Date (“record holders”) must return a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may voteproxy card or attend the Special Meeting in person at the Annual Meeting orin order to vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the proxy card that may be mailed to you, or vote by proxy over the telephone or on the internet as instructed below to ensure your vote is counted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered inproposal. Persons who hold shares of our Common Stock indirectly on the Name of a Broker or Bank

If, on August 21, 2018, your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account atRecord Date through a brokerage firm, bank dealer or other financial institution (“beneficial holders”) must return a voting instruction form to have their shares voted on their behalf. Brokerage firms, banks or other financial institutions that do not receive voting instructions from beneficial holders may either vote these shares on behalf of the beneficial holders on certain “routine” matters or return a proxy leaving these shares un-voted (a “broker non-vote”).

Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will be counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but will not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of votes cast on a given proposal. The required vote for the proposal to be acted upon at the Special Meeting is described below:

Proposal No. 1 — Approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock, at a ratio of not less than 1-for-2 and not greater than 1-for-60, with the exact ratio and effective time of the reverse stock split to be determined by the Board of Directors (the “Reverse Stock Split”). This proposal must be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. As a result, abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have the same effect as a vote against such proposal.

We encourage you to vote by proxy, whether via telephone, through the Internet or mailing an executed proxy card. By voting in advance of the Special Meeting, this ensures that your shares will be voted and reduces the likelihood that the Company will be forced to incur additional expenses soliciting proxies for the Special Meeting. Any record holder of our Common Stock may attend the Special Meeting in person and may revoke the enclosed form of proxy at any time by:

Beneficial holders of our Common Stock who wish to change or revoke their voting instructions should contact their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution for information on how to do so. Beneficial holders who wish to attend the Special Meeting and vote in person should contact their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution holding shares of our Common Stock on their behalf in order to obtain a “legal proxy,” which will allow them to both attend the Special Meeting and vote in person. Without a legal proxy, beneficial holders cannot vote at the Special Meeting because their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution may have already voted (or returned a broker non-vote) on their behalf.

PROPOSAL 1

THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL

General

Our Board has unanimously approved, and recommended that our stockholders approve, an amendment of our Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”), to effect a reverse stock split at a ratio of not less than 1-for-2 and not greater than 1-for-60 (the “Reverse Stock Split”), with the final decision of whether to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split, the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, and the exact ratio of the Reverse Stock Split to be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion and without further action by the stockholders.

If the stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split, and the Board decides to implement it, the Reverse Stock Split will become effective as of 12:01 a.m. Central Time on a date to be determined by the Board that will be specified in the Certificate of Amendment (the “Effective Time”). If the Board does not decide to implement the Reverse Stock Split within twelve months from the date of the Special Meeting, the authority granted in this proposal to implement the Reverse Stock Split will terminate.

The Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of Common Stock simultaneously and uniformly, and each stockholder will hold the same percentage of Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as that stockholder held immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split, except for immaterial adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares as described below. The Reverse Stock Split will not change the par value of our Common Stock and will not reduce the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split will also affect outstanding options and warrants, as described in “Principal Effects of Reverse Stock Split on Outstanding Equity Awards, Warrants, and Equity Plans” below.

Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

The principal reason for the Reverse Stock Split is to increase the per share trading price of our Common Stock in order to help ensure a share price high enough to satisfy the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, although there can be no assurance that the trading price of our Common Stock would be maintained at such level or that we will be able to maintain the listing of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

As previously reported, on September 10, 2019, we received written notice (the “Notification Letter”) from the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying us that we were not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirements set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, because the bid price of our Common Stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share for the 30 consecutive trading days prior to the date of the Notification Letter. The Notification Letter indicated that we were provided an initial period of 180 calendar days (until March 9, 2020) in which to regain compliance by maintaining a closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days.

If we do not regain compliance by that date, we could be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify for the additional compliance period, we would have to meet the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market, except for the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and we would need to provide written notice of our intention to cure the deficiency during the additional compliance period. On June 30, 2019, we notified Nasdaq that we were not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) which requires that our audit committee be composed of at least three independent members. Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(4), we have until the earlier of our next annual meeting of stockholders or one year from the occurrence of the event that caused the failure to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A); provided, however, that if our next annual meeting of stockholders occurs no later than 180 days following the event that caused the vacancy, we shall instead have 180 days from such event to regain compliance. If we are not eligible for the additional compliance period or if it appears to Nasdaq that we will not be able to cure the deficiency or if Nasdaq exercises its discretion to not provide such additional compliance period, our common stock will be subject to delisting. At that time, we could appeal the Nasdaq delisting determination to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel.

In the event that we do not regain compliance, Nasdaq may commence delisting proceedings and our Common Stock will trade, if at all, on the over-the counter market, such as the OTC Bulletin Board or OTCQX or OTCQB markets, which could adversely impact us by, among other things, reducing the liquidity and market price of our Common Stock, reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our Common Stock, limiting our ability to issue additional securities in the future and limiting our ability to fund our operations.

If we do not regain compliance by the expiration of the compliance period (or the additional compliance period, if applicable), we expect that the Nasdaq staff will provide written notice that our Common Stock is subject to delisting. The Board has considered the potential harm to the Company and our stockholders if Nasdaq were to delist our Common Stock. Delisting from Nasdaq would likely adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing through the public or private sale of equity securities and would significantly affect the ability of investors to trade our securities. Delisting would also likely negatively affect the value and liquidity of our Common Stock because alternative markets, such as the OTC Bulletin Board and the pink sheets, are generally considered to be less efficient markets than Nasdaq.

In addition, we believe that the low per share market price of our Common Stock impairs its marketability to and acceptance by institutional investors and other members of the investing public and creates a negative impression of the Company. Theoretically, decreasing the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding should not, by itself, affect the marketability of the shares, the type of investor who would be interested in acquiring them, or our reputation in the financial community. In practice, however, many investors, brokerage firms and market makers consider low-priced stocks as unduly speculative in nature and, as a matter of policy, avoid investment and trading in such stocks. Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide coverage of lower priced stocks. The presence of these factors may be adversely affecting, and may continue to adversely affect, not only the pricing of our Common Stock but also its trading liquidity. In addition, these factors may affect our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of stock.

Further, we believe that a higher stock price could help us attract and retain employees and other service providers. We believe that some potential employees and service providers are less likely to work for a company with a low stock price, regardless of the size of the company’s market capitalization. If the Reverse Stock Split successfully increases the per share price of our common stock, we believe this increase will enhance our ability to attract and retain employees and service providers.

We hope that the decrease in the number of shares of our outstanding Common Stock as a consequence of the Reverse Stock Split, and the anticipated increase in the price per share, will encourage greater interest in our Common Stock by the financial community, business development partners and the investing public, help us attract and retain employees and other service providers, help us raise additional capital through the sale of stock in the future if needed, and possibly promote greater liquidity for our stockholders with respect to those shares presently held by them. However, the possibility also exists that liquidity may be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares which would be outstanding if the Reverse Stock Split is effected, particularly if the price per share of our Common Stock begins a declining trend after the Reverse Stock Split is effected.

The Board believes that stockholder adoption of a range of reverse stock split ratios (as opposed to adoption of a single reverse stock split ratio or a set of fixed ratios) provides maximum flexibility to achieve the purposes of a reverse stock split and, therefore, is in the best interests of the Company. In determining a ratio following the receipt of stockholder adoption, the Board (or any authorized committee of the Board) may consider, among other things, factors such as:

The Board reserves the right to elect to abandon the Reverse Stock Split, notwithstanding stockholder adoption thereof, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Stock Split is no longer needed to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements or is no longer in the best interests of the Company.

Reverse Stock Split Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation

If the Reverse Stock Split is approved, subsection A of Article IV of our Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

A.     The Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of stock which the Company is authorized to issue is 210,000,000 shares. 200,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, each having a par value of $0.001. 10,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, each having a par value of $0.001. Upon the effectiveness of this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each [whole number of shares, as determined by the Board], of Common Stock issued and outstanding at such time shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder thereof, be combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The par value of the Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split shall remain $0.001 per share. No fractional shares shall be issued, and, in lieu thereof, the Corporation shall pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the fair market value of a share of Common Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors. Each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (an “Old Certificate”) shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by the Old Certificate shall have been combined, subject to the elimination of fractional share interests as described above.

The Certificate of Amendment attached hereto as Appendix A reflects the changes that will be implemented to our Charter if the Reverse Stock Split is approved.

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

If the stockholders approve the proposal to authorize the Board to implement the Reverse Stock Split and the Board implements the Reverse Stock Split, we will amend the existing provision of Article IV of our Certificate of Incorporation in the manner set forth above.

By approving this amendment, stockholders will approve the combination of any whole number of shares of Common Stock between and including two (2) and sixty (60), with the exact number to be determined by the Board, into one (1) share. The Certificate of Amendment to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware will include only that number determined by the Board to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. In accordance with these resolutions, the Board will not implement any amendment providing for a different split ratio.

As explained above, the Reverse Stock Split will be effected simultaneously for all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and the exchange ratio will be the same for all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split will affect all of our stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests in the Company, except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split results in any of our stockholders receiving a cash payment in lieu of owning a fractional share, as described in the section titled “Fractional Shares” below. Common Stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the Company’s continuing obligations under the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Following the Reverse Stock Split, our Common Stock will continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “GNPX,” although it would receive a new CUSIP number.

Upon effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock that are not issued or outstanding will increase substantially, because the proposed amendment will not reduce the number of authorized shares, while it will reduce the number of outstanding shares by a factor of between and including two and sixty, depending on the exchange ratio selected by the Board.

The shares that are authorized but unissued after the Reverse Stock Split will be available for issuance, and, if we issue these shares, the ownership interest of holders of our Common Stock may be diluted. We may issue such shares to raise capital and/or as consideration in acquiring other businesses or establishing strategic relationships with other companies. Such acquisitions or strategic relationships may be effected using shares of common stock or other securities convertible into common stock and/or by using capital that may need to be raised by selling such securities. We do not have any agreement, arrangement or understanding at this time with respect to any specific transaction or acquisition for which the newly unissued authorized shares would be issued. 

Procedure for Effecting Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Stock Certificates

If the Reverse Stock Split is approved by the Company’s stockholders, and if at such time the Board still believes that a reverse stock split is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, the Board will determine the ratio of the reverse stock split to be implemented. The Reverse Stock Split will become effective as of the Effective Time. The Board will determine the exact timing of the filing of the Certificate of Amendment based on its evaluation as to when the filing would be the most advantageous to the Company and its stockholders. If the Board does not decide to implement the Reverse Stock Split within twelve months from the date of the Special Meeting, the authority granted in this proposal to implement the Reverse Stock Split will terminate.

Except as described below under the section titled “Fractional Shares,” at the Effective Time, each whole number of issued and outstanding pre-Reverse Stock Split shares that the Board has determined will be combined into one post-Reverse Stock Split share, will, automatically and without any further action on the part of our stockholders, be combined into and become one share of Common Stock, and each certificate which, immediately prior to the effective time represented pre-Reverse Stock Split shares, will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-Reverse Stock Split shares.

Fractional Shares

No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders of record at the Effective Time of the Reverse Stock Split who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of pre-Reverse Stock Split shares not evenly divisible by the number of pre-Reverse Stock Split shares for which each post-Reverse Stock Split share is to be exchanged, will, in lieu of a fractional share, be entitled, upon surrender to the exchange agent of certificate(s) representing such pre-Reverse Stock Split shares, to a cash payment in lieu thereof. The cash payment will equal the fraction to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the average of the closing prices (as adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split) of our Common Stock, as reported by Nasdaq, during the ten consecutive trading days ending on the trading day that is the second day immediately prior to the date on which the Reverse Stock Split becomes effective.

Stockholders should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various jurisdictions where stockholders reside, 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, stockholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds may have to seek to obtain them directly from the state to which they were paid.

Risks Associated with the Reverse Stock Split

We cannot predict whether the Reverse Stock Split will increase the market price for our Common Stock. Additionally, the market price of our Common Stock will also be based on our performance and other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. Further, there are a number of risks associated with the Reverse Stock Split, including:

Book-Entry Shares

If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, stockholders who hold uncertificated shares (i.e., shares held in book-entry form and not represented by a physical stock certificate), either as direct or beneficial owners, will have their holdings electronically adjusted automatically by our transfer agent (and, for beneficial owners, by their brokers or banks that hold in “street name” for their benefit, as the case may be) to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who hold uncertificated shares as direct owners will be sent a statement of holding from our transfer agent that indicates the number of post-Reverse Stock Split shares of our Common Stock owned in book-entry form.

Certificated Shares

As soon as practicable after the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, stockholders will be notified that the Reverse Stock Split has been effected. We expect that our transfer agent will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of pre-Reverse Stock Split shares will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing pre-Reverse Stock Split shares in exchange for certificates representing post-Reverse Stock Split shares in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by us or our exchange agent. No new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. Any pre-Reverse Stock Split shares submitted for transfer, whether pursuant to a sale or other disposition, or otherwise, will automatically be exchanged for post-Reverse Stock Split shares. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.

Principal Effects of Reverse Stock Split on Outstanding Equity Awards, Warrants, and Equity Plans

As of December 11, 2019, there were:

When the Reverse Stock Split becomes effective, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such rights will be reduced to between and including one-half and one-sixtieth the number currently covered, and the exercise or conversion price per share will be increased to between and including two and sixty times the current exercise or conversion price, resulting in the same aggregate price being required to be paid therefor upon exercise or conversion thereof as was required immediately preceding the Reverse Stock Split.

In addition, the number of shares of Common Stock and number of shares of Common Stock subject to stock options or similar organization,rights authorized under the Company’s equity incentive plan and employee stock purchase plan will automatically be proportionately adjusted for the reverse stock split ratio, such that fewer shares will be subject to such plans. Further, the per share exercise price under such plans will automatically be proportionately adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split.

Accounting Matters

The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the common stock capital account on our balance sheet. However, because the par value of our Common Stock will remain unchanged at the effective time of the split, the components that make up the common stock capital account will change by offsetting amounts. Depending on the size of the Reverse Stock Split the Board decides to implement, the stated capital component will be reduced proportionately based upon the Reverse Stock Split and the additional paid-in capital component will be increased with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Immediately after the Reverse Stock Split, the per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will be increased because there will be fewer shares of common stock outstanding. All historic share and per share amounts in our financial statements and related footnotes will be adjusted accordingly for the Reverse Stock Split.

Effect on Par Value

The proposed amendment to our Charter will not affect the par value of our Common Stock, which will remain at $0.001 per share.

No Going Private Transaction

Notwithstanding the decrease in the number of outstanding shares following the proposed Reverse Stock Split, our 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 Exchange Act.

Potential Anti-Takeover Effect

Although the increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect (for example, by permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of the Board or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of the Company with another company), the Reverse Stock Split proposal is not being proposed in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate shares of our Common Stock or obtain control of the Company, nor is it part of a plan by management to recommend a series of similar amendments to the Board and stockholders. Other than the Reverse Stock Split proposal, the Board does not currently contemplate recommending the adoption of any other actions that could be construed to affect the ability of third parties to take over or change control of the Company.

No Dissenters’ Appraisal Rights

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company’s stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split, and the Company will not independently provide stockholders with any such right.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

The following is not intended as tax or legal advice. Each holder should seek advice based on his, her or its particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split generally applicable to beneficial holders of shares of our Common Stock. This summary addresses only such stockholders who hold their pre-Reverse Stock Split shares as capital assets and will hold the post-Reverse Stock Split shares as capital assets. This discussion does not address all United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to particular stockholders in light of their individual circumstances or to stockholders that are subject to special rules, such as financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, and foreign stockholders. The following summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder, judicial decisions and current administrative rulings, as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. Tax consequences under state, local, foreign, and other laws are not addressed herein. Each stockholder should consult his, her or its tax advisor as to the particular facts and circumstances which may be unique to such stockholder and also as to any estate, gift, state, local or foreign tax considerations arising out of the Reverse Stock Split.

Exchange Pursuant to Reverse Stock Split

No gain or loss will be recognized by a stockholder upon such stockholder’s exchange of pre-Reverse Stock Split shares for post-Reverse Stock Split shares pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of fractional shares, further described in “Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares” below. The aggregate tax basis of the post-Reverse Stock Split shares received in the Reverse Stock Split, including any fractional share deemed to have been received, will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-Reverse Stock Split shares exchanged therefor, and the holding period of the post-Reverse Stock Split shares will include the holding period of the pre-Reverse Stock Split shares.

Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares

A holder of pre-Reverse Stock Split shares that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of post-Reverse Stock Split shares should generally be treated as having received such fractional share pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and then as having exchanged such fractional share for cash in a redemption by the Company. The amount of any gain or loss should be equal to the difference between the ratable portion of the tax basis of the pre-Reverse Stock Split shares exchanged in the Reverse Stock Split that is allocated to such fractional share and the cash received in lieu thereof. In general, any such gain or loss will constitute a long-term capital gain or loss if the holder’s holding period for such pre-Reverse Stock Split shares exceeds one year at the time of the Reverse Stock Split. Deductibility of capital losses by holders is subject to limitations.

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers

Our directors and executive officers have no substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our Common Stock.

Reservation of Right to Abandon Reverse Stock Split

We reserve the right to not file the Certificate of Amendment and to abandon any Reverse Stock Split without further action by our stockholders at any time before the effectiveness of the filing with the Secretary of the State of Delaware of the Certificate of Amendment, even if the authority to effect these amendments is approved by our stockholders at the Special Meeting. By voting in favor of the Reverse Stock Split, you are expressly also authorizing the Board to delay, not proceed with, and abandon, the Reverse Stock Split and the Certificate of Amendment if it should so decide, in its sole discretion, that such actions are in the best interests of our stockholders.

Recommendation

The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the Certificate of Amendment so as to effect the Reverse Stock Split.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock entitled to vote on the matter either in person or by proxy is required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split of our Common Stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will thus count as votes AGAINST the Reverse Stock Split.

Holders of proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement will vote the proxies received by them as directed on the proxy card or, if no direction is made, then FOR the Reverse Stock Split.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of December 11, 2019 by:

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to our common stock. Shares of our common stock subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or vested, or exercisable or subject to vesting within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options or warrants  for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of that person but not for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise noted, the persons and entities in this table have sole voting and investing power with respect to all of the shares held in “street name” and this Proxy Statement and a voting instruction card are being forwardedof our common stock beneficially owned by them, subject to you by that organization.community property laws, where applicable. The

organization holding your account information is considered to be the stockholdernot necessarily indicative of recordbeneficial ownership for any other purpose, including for purposes of voting atSection 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.Securities Act.

What am I voting on?

There are three matters scheduled for a vote:

What if another

OTHER BUSINESS

We know of no other matters to be submitted to a vote of stockholders at the Special Meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting?

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. IfSpecial Meeting or any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting,adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanyingenclosed proxy card to vote on those mattersthe shares they represent in accordance with their best judgment.

How doesIn order for any stockholder to nominate a candidate or to submit a proposal for other business to be acted upon at a given annual meeting, he or she must provide timely written notice to our corporate Secretary in the Board of Directors recommend I vote on the proposals?form prescribed by our Bylaws, as described below.

The Board recommends a vote:

How do I vote?

With respect to the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal, you may either vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. With respect to the election of Mr. Friedman as the Class I director on the Board of Directors, you may either vote “For” Mr. Friedman to the Board or you may “Withhold” your vote for him. With respect to the ratification of the selection of Daszkal Bolton as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are as follows:STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registeredproposals intended to be included in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting, vote by2020 annual meeting proxy over the telephone, vote by proxy through the internet or vote by proxy using the proxy card enclosed with this Proxy Statement. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.

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 brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other agent, you should have received voting instructions from that organization rather than from Genprex. Simply follow the voting instructions provided by the organization to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the internet as instructed by your broker or bank. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

How many votes do I have?

On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the close of business on August 21, 2018.

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, through the internet or in person at the 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” the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal, “For” the election of David E. Friedman as the Class I director and “For” the ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors of Daszkal Bolton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firmSecretary of the Company no later than January 2, 2020, or otherwise as permitted by applicable law. The form and substance of these proposals must satisfy the requirements established by the Company’s Bylaws and the SEC, and the timing for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.  Ifsubmission of any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder (onesuch proposals may be subject to change as a result 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 heldchanges in street name and I do not provide my broker or bank with voting instructions, what happens?

If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the particular proposal is considered to be a “routine” matter under applicable rules. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote uninstructed shares with respect to matters that are considered to be routine under applicable rules, but not with respect to non-routine matters. Under applicableSEC rules and interpretations, non-routine matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, including the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal and elections of directors (even if not contested). Accordingly, without your instructions your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposal 1 or Proposal 2, but may vote your shares on Proposal 3.

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 agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other agent.

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

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

What if I Receive More Than One Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Form?

If you hold your shares in multiple accounts or registrations, or in both registered and street name, you will receive a proxy card or voting instructions form for each account. Please sign, date and return all proxy cards you receive from the Company. If you choose to vote by proxy via the telephone or the internet, please vote once for each proxy card you receive. Only your latest dated proxy for each account will be voted.

What if I have questions about my Genprex shares or need to change my mailing address?

You may contact our transfer agent, V Stock Transfer, LLC, by telephone at (855) 9VSTOCK or, or by email at info@vstocktransfer.com if you have questions about your Company shares or need to change your mailing address.

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:

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

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

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

To be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting, your proposal must be submitted in writing by December 28, 2018.regulations.

If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) that is not to be included in the Company’s proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting, you must do so not later than the close of business 90 days, nor earlier than the close of business 120 days, prior to the first anniversary of the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting.between February 11, 2020 and March 12, 2020. In the event the date of the 20192020 annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 30 days after such anniversary date, notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. You are also advised to review the Company’s amended and restated bylaws, which contain additional requirements relating to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

Proposals should be addressed to:

Genprex, Inc.

Attn: Corporate Secretary

Dell Medical School, Health Discovery Building

1701 Trinity Street, Suite 3.322

Austin, TX 78712

What are “broker non-votes”?

When a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other agent holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed to be non-routine under applicable rules, the broker or nominee cannot vote the shares. These unvoted shares are counted as “broker non-votes.”

How are votes counted and how many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will tabulate the votes at the Annual Meeting and will separately count:

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter is required to approve the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal.  In addition, for Nasdaq purposes, the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal requires approval by a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, provided that the investors in the Private Placement shall not be entitled to vote either the Shares owned by them or the Warrant Shares underlying Warrants owned by them, which are the Shares and Warrants to purchase our common stock that were issued to the investors pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement. If you mark your proxy as “Abstain” on the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal, or if you give specific instructions that no vote be cast on any specific matter, the shares represented by that proxy will not be voted on that matter, but will count in determining whether a quorum is present. Broker non-votes have no effect toward the vote total for the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal.  Abstentions will have the effect of an “Against” vote on the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal because abstentions are considered shares entitled to vote on this proposal.  With respect to the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal, if a stockholder is a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, such stockholder’s bank, broker or other nominee will not be permitted to vote such stockholder’s shares on the approval of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal unless the bank or broker receives voting instructions from such stockholder.

For the election of directors, the nominees receiving the most “For” votes from the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected.  The only nominee for Class I director to be considered at the Annual Meeting is Mr. Friedman. Only votes “For” will affect the outcome of Proposal 2.

To be approved, the ratification of the selection of Daszkal Bolton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect.

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 agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other agent.

What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold the Annual Meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the Annual Meeting in person or represented by proxy.

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

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 with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.

PROPOSAL 1

NASDAQ 20% ISSUANCE PROPOSAL

Private Placement

On May 9, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 828,500 shares of our common stock (the “Shares”) at a purchase price of $12.07 per share (the “Per Share Purchase Price”) and warrants to purchase up to 621,376 shares of our common stock (the “Warrants”) with an initial exercise price equal to $15.62 per share (the “Exercise Price”), in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) in accordance with a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) entered into with certain institutional and accredited investors (collectively, the “Purchasers”) on May 6, 2018. The Per Share Purchase Price and the Exercise Price were subject to adjustment as described below. The total consideration paid to us in the Private Placement was approximately $10,000,000. When issued, the Warrants were exercisable on the earlier of six months from the issuance date or the date of effectiveness of the registration statement registering the underlying shares for resale, in each case subject to ownership limitations, and expire five years from such date. The Warrants are exercisable on a cashless basis six months after the issuance date if there is then no effective registration statement registering the resale of the shares underlying the Warrants. The $10,000,000 purchase price paid by the Purchasers on May 9, 2018 represents the entire purchase price that will be paid by the Purchasers for the Shares and the Warrants, even if additional Shares are issued and additional Warrant Shares become issuable following a Triggering Event discussed below. If the Warrants are exercised in full on a cash basis, we will receive an additional $9,705,893.

We engaged Maxim Group, LLC (“Maxim”) as our exclusive placement agent in connection with the Private Placement. Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. served as an advisor in connection with the transaction.

When the Shares and Warrants were issued, the Per Share Purchase Price of the Shares, the Exercise Price of the Warrants and the number of Warrant Shares were subject to adjustment based on the lowest volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) for the three trading days (the “VWAP Calculation”) immediately following each of the following events (“Triggering Events”): (i) the date that a registration statement covering the resale of the Shares issued in the Private Placement has been declared effective by the SEC, (ii) if a registration statement covering all Shares issued in the Private Placement is not declared effective, then the date that the Shares can be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and (iii) if later than the dates set forth in (i) and (ii), then the date that our stockholders approve the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal.  Following a Triggering Event, the Per Share Purchase Price for the Shares would automatically be reduced, if applicable, to 85% of the

lowest of the three VWAPs in the VWAP Calculation, and we would be required to issue to the Purchasers additional Shares to reflect the adjustment to the Per Share Purchase Price so that the total number of Shares issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement would equal $10,000,000 divided by the Per Share Purchase Price, as adjusted; provided that the Per Share Purchase Price could not be reduced to less than $4.25 per Share and could not be adjusted upward.   In addition, following a Triggering Event, the Exercise Price of the Warrants would automatically be reduced, if applicable, to 110% of the lowest of the three VWAPs in the VWAP Calculation; provided, that in no event would the Exercise Price for the Warrants be reduced to less than $4.25 or increased as a result of an adjustment.  In the event the Exercise Price of the Warrants were adjusted, then the total number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants would be increased so that the total exercise price payable to exercise the Warrants after the adjustment is equal to the total exercise price payable to exercise the Warrants before such adjustment. As a result, the maximum number of securities that could be issued under the Securities Purchase Agreement is 2,352,940 Shares and Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,283,740 Warrant Shares, based on an adjusted Per Share Purchase Price of $4.25 per share and a Warrant Exercise Price of $4.25 per share.  

On May 22, 2018, our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-225090) (the “Registration Statement”) was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, to register the resale of up to 2,352,940 Shares and up to 2,283,740 Warrant Shares. On July 26, 2018, the Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC. As a result of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Warrants became exercisable on July 26, 2018, subject to ownership limitations. The Per Share Purchase Price and the Warrant Exercise Price were both adjusted to $4.25 per share, based on a VWAP of $3.5299 on July 27, 2018. On August 1, 2018, pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Warrants, we issued to the Purchasers an aggregate of 1,174,440 additional Shares, and the Warrants became exercisable for a total of 2,283,740 Warrant Shares, with an exercise price equal to $4.25 per Warrant Share. An additional 350,000 Shares (i.e., the difference between 2,352,940 Shares and the sum of the Shares issued on May 9, 2018 and August 1, 2018) are issuable to one of the Purchasers in the Private Placement upon the request of such Purchaser under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

Until stockholder approval of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal is obtained, the total number of Shares issuable pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, plus the total number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, shall not exceed 19.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately before the closing of the Private Placement. The 828,500 Shares initially issued to the Purchaser under the Securities Purchase Agreement and the 1,174,440 Shares issued on August 1, 2018 following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, together constitute 13.29% of the number of shares of our common stock that were outstanding immediately before the closing of the Private Placement.

The securities issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulation promulgated thereunder, including Regulation D.

Registration Rights

In connection with the Private Placement, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Purchasers. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we agreed to prepare and file a registration statement (the “Resale Registration Statement”) with the SEC by May 21, 2018 for purposes of registering the resale by the Purchasers of up to 2,352,940 Shares and up to 2,283,740 Warrant Shares. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause the Resale Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC by June 25, 2018 (or July 10, 2018 in the event of a full review by the SEC).

The Registration Rights Agreement includes provisions for liquidated damages for failure to meet the specified filing and effectiveness deadlines or keep the Resale Registration Statement effective, subject to certain

permitted exceptions. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, we have agreed to keep the Resale Registration Statement effective at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all of the securities covered by such registration statement without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the Securities Act or (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all of the securities covered by the Resale Registration Statement.

On May 10, 2018, we filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K”) that described the terms of the Private Placement.  We filed as exhibits 4.1, 10.1 and 10.2 to the Form 8-K the form of Warrant, the Securities Purchase Agreement and the form of Registration Rights Agreement.  We refer you to the Form 8-K and the exhibits thereto for a further description of the Private Placement.

The Registration Statement was deemed filed on May 22, 2018, and was declared effective by the SEC on July 26, 2018.

Nasdaq Rule 5635(d)

Nasdaq Rule 5635(d) requires stockholder approval prior to an issuance of securities in connection with a transaction other than a public offering involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by a company of common stock equal to 20% or more of the common stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance for less than the greater of book and market value of our common stock as of the time of execution of the definitive agreement with respect to such transaction. The provisions in (i) the Securities Purchase Agreement that prevent the issuance of Shares if such issuance will result in such holders beneficially owning in excess of 19.99% of our common stock (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”) prior to stockholder approval and (ii) the Warrants that prevent exercise of the Warrants prior to stockholder approval to the extent the issuance of Warrant Shares pursuant to such exercise, when combined with the issuances of Shares pursuant to the Securities Agreement, would be in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, are both required under Nasdaq Rule 5635(d). We are seeking stockholder approval for the sale and issuance of such Shares and Warrant Shares in connection with the Private Placement pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5635(d) without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

Consequences if Stockholder Approval is Not Obtained

If we do not obtain approval of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal at the Annual Meeting, we are obligated under the Securities Purchase Agreement to call a stockholder meeting every four months thereafter to seek approval of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal from our stockholders until the earlier of the date such approval is obtained or the Warrants are no longer outstanding.  In addition, so long as any Warrants are outstanding, we may not issue any capital stock or equity instruments in a capital raising transaction until we obtain stockholder approval of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal.  If we do not obtain stockholder approval, the maximum number of shares that will be issuable pursuant to the Private Placement will not exceed 2,605,697 shares, which equals 19.99% of the number of outstanding shares of our common stock on May 5, 2018.

Description of Proposal

We are seeking stockholder approval as required by Nasdaq Rule 5635(d) (as described above) to enable the us to issue a number of shares our common stock in connection with the Private Placement that exceeds 20% of the number of shares of our common stock that were outstanding before the Private Placement, which shares include the Shares issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, consisting of:

Related Parties

Except for the sale and issuance of the Shares and the Warrants, the participants in the Private Placement have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years, other than Maxim, which served as the placement agent for the Private Placement, and Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc., which was the underwriter of our initial public offering and served as an advisor for the Private Placement.  As compensation for serving as placement agent for the Private Placement, we paid to Maxim a fee of $700,000 and reimbursed Maxim’s related expenses.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter, excluding shares acquired in the Private Placement under the Securities Purchase Agreement, is necessary under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(e)(4) to approve the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal. Broker non-votes will not affect whether this proposal is approved, but abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal.

In accordance with applicable Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, holders of the shares of our common stock purchased in the Private Placement are not entitled to vote such shares on the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal.

Prior to the closing of the Private Placement, and as a condition to such closing, certain of our stockholders entered into voting agreements with the Purchasers. As of immediately prior to the closing of the Private Placement, the stockholders executing the voting agreements owned approximately 62% of our total issued and outstanding common stock. Pursuant to the voting agreements, the stockholder signatories agreed to vote all shares of our common stock owned by them in favor of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal.

Potential Effects of this Proposal

The issuance of the shares of our common stock which are the subject of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal will result in an increase in the number of shares of common stock outstanding. This will result in a decrease to the respective ownership and voting percentage interests of stockholders prior to the Private Placement. The market value of our Company and our future earnings may be reduced.

In addition, as described above under “Registration Rights,” we have registered the securities issued in the Private Placement, which includes a total of 4,636,680 shares of our common stock, consisting of a maximum of 2,352,940 Shares issued or issuable pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and 2,283,740 Warrant Shares that could become issuable upon exercise of Warrants. The release of up to 4,636,680 freely traded shares onto the market, or the perception that such shares will or could come onto the market, has had and could have an adverse effect on the trading price of our stock.

We have broad discretion to use the net proceeds to us from the sale of such shares, including the proceeds received upon exercise of the Warrants, and you will be relying solely on the judgment of our Board of Directors and management regarding the application of these proceeds. Our use of the proceeds may not improve our operating results or increase the value of your investment.

For your consideration of the Nasdaq 20% Issuance Proposal, a description of the material terms of the Private Placement is set forth in this proxy statement to provide you with basic information concerning the Private Placement. However, the description above is not a substitute for reviewing the full text of the referenced documents, which were attached as exhibits to our Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on May 10, 2018.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR”

THE APPROVAL OF THE NASDAQ 20% ISSUANCE PROPOSAL.

PROPOSAL 2

ELECTION OF CLASS I DIRECTOR

Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Each class consists of one-third of the total number of directors, and each class has a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy in 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 the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified.

The Board presently has three members. There is one Class I director, David E. Friedman, whose term of office expires in 2018. Proxies may not be voted for a greater number of persons than the one nominee, Mr. Friedman, named in this proxy statement. Mr. Friedman, a current director of the Company, was recommended for nomination to the Board at the Annual Meeting by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board. If elected at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Friedman would serve until the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been duly elected and qualified, or, if sooner, until his death, resignation or removal. It is the Company’s policy to invite directors and nominees for director to attend the Annual Meeting.

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Accordingly, the nominee receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. The only nominee for Class I director to be considered at the Annual Meeting is Mr. Friedman. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of Mr. Friedman. If Mr. Friedman becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, shares that would have been voted for that nominee will instead will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by the Company. Mr. Friedman has agreed to serve if elected. The Company’s management has no reason to believe that Mr. Friedman will be unable to serve.

Nominee

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 the Company’s 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 Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee views as critical to effective functioning of the Board. The biographies below include information, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, regarding the specific and particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each director or nominee that led the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to believe that that nominee should continue to serve on the Board. However, each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may have a variety of reasons why he believes a particular person would be an appropriate nominee for the Board, and these views may differ from the views of other members.

Nominee for Election for a Three-Year Term Expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting

David E. Friedman, 55, has served as a member of our Board since August 2012. Since August 2010, Mr. Friedman has served as a partner of TCG Group Holdings, an Austin, Texas based SEC-registered investment advisor to separately-managed institutional and private client accounts. In addition, since January 2012, Mr. Friedman has served as a managing partner of ACM Investment Management, which manages hedge fund assets acquired from KeyCorp, the bank holding company parent of KeyBank. From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Friedman served as the Chief Operating Officer of Austin Capital Management, which was owned by KeyCorp, where he led the company’s non-investment functions, including all legal, finance, investor relations, technology and operations teams. Before joining Austin Capital, Mr. Friedman was a Director on the Global Prime Brokerage desk of Citigroup in New York, and an associate at the law firm of Proskauer Rose in its New York headquarters. Mr. Friedman received his BS in management from Tulane University and his JD from Duke University School of Law. He is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and holds FINRA Series 4, 7, 24 and 63 securities registrations.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board believe that Mr. Friedman’s unique and valuable mix of high-level and relevant finance, legal and operations experience makes him a well-rounded business leader and a valuable member of our Board.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF MR. FRIEDMAN

AS THE CLASS I DIRECTOR.

Director Continuing in Office Until the 2019 Annual Meeting

Robert W. Pearson, 56, has served as a member of our Board since July 2012. In June 2009, Mr. Pearson joined W2O Group, a global network of complementary marketing, communications, research and development firms, and has held a number of senior positions at W2O Group, including Chief Technology Officer, President and since February 2017, Vice Chair and Chief Innovation Officer. From March 2012 to February 2017, Mr. Pearson served as President of W2O, and from June 2009 to March 2012 as its Chief Technology & Media Officer. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Pearson served as Dell Inc.’s Vice President, Communities and Conversations, and before that as its Vice President, Corporate Group Communications. From 2003 to 2006, Mr. Pearson served as Head of Global Corporate Communications and as Head of Global Pharma Communications at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where he also served on the Pharma Executive Committee. Before joining Novartis, Mr. Pearson served as President, The Americas and Chair, Healthcare Practice for GCI Group, a global public relations consultancy, and was responsible for creating and building the firm’s global healthcare practice. Mr. Pearson previously served as Vice President of Media and Public Affairs at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, or RPR (now Sanofi-Aventis) and worked at RPR and Ciba-Geigy in communications and pharmaceutical field sales. Mr. Pearson holds a BA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board believe that Mr. Pearson’s senior management experience at international pharmaceutical companies and public relations/ investor relations firms, as well as with start-up businesses, and his knowledge and personal contacts in the pharmaceutical industry, and his business management acumen, make him a valuable member of our Board.

Director Continuing in Office Until the 2020 Annual Meeting

J. Rodney Varner, 61, is a co-founder of Genprex and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, and as a member of our Board and as Chairman of our Board since August 2012. Mr. Varner also served as our President until April 10, 2018. Mr. Varner served as a partner of the law firm Wilson & Varner, LLP, since 1991. Mr. Varner has more than thirty-five years of legal experience with large and small law firms, and as outside general counsel of a Nasdaq listed company. Mr. Varner has represented for-profit and non-profit companies at the Board or senior management levels in a wide variety of contractual, business, tax and securities matters, including technology transfers, licensing, collaboration and research agreements, clinical trial contracts, pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturing and process development contracts, state and federal grants, including NIH and SBA grants, corporate governance and fiduciary issues, and real estate matters. Mr. Varner served as counsel in company formation, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, other business transactions, protection of trade secrets and other intellectual property, real estate, and business litigation. Mr. Varner is a member of the State Bar of Texas and has been admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States Tax Court. Mr. Varner received his BBA, with high honors, from Texas A&M University and his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board believe that Mr. Varner’s broad legal experience, as well as his position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Independence of the Board of Directors

Under the listing requirements and rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, independent directors must constitute a majority of a listed company’s Board within 12 months after its initial public offering. In addition, the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market require that, subject to specified exceptions and phase-in periods following its initial public offering, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and governance committee be independent, and that a listed company’s audit committee must have at least three members and a listed company’s compensation committee must have at least two members. Under the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

We intend to rely on the phase-in rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market with respect to the independence of our Board and the Audit Committee. In accordance with these phase-in provisions, our Board and the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees have at least two independent members, and all members will be independent within one year of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the initial public offering of our common stock.

Audit committee members must also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, or Rule 10A-3. To be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of a company’s audit committee, the company’s Board or any other board committee: (1) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries; or (2) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.

Our Board has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board has determined that other than Rodney Varner, our CEO who serves on the Board as the Chairman, each of our directors does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the listing requirements and rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market and under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. In making this determination, our Board considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Chief Executive Officer, Rodney Varner, also currently serves as the Chairman of our Board. The Board does not currently have a lead independent director. We believe that the leadership structure of our Board is appropriate at the present time, in light of the small size of our Board. We believe that the fact that two of the three members of the Board are independent reinforces the independence of the Board in its oversight of our business and affairs, and provides for objective evaluation and oversight of management’s performance, as well as management accountability. In addition, we have a separate chair for each committee of the Board. The chair of each committee is expected to report to the Board from time to time, or whenever so requested by the Board, on the activities of his committee in fulfilling its responsibilities as detailed in its respective charter or specify any shortcomings should that be the case.

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

The Audit Committee of our Board is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk management processes on behalf of our Board. Going forward, we expect that the Audit Committee will receive reports from management on at least a quarterly basis regarding our assessment of risks. In addition, the Audit Committee reports regularly to our Board, which also considers our risk profile. The Audit Committee and our Board focus on the most significant risks we face and our general risk management strategies. While our Board oversees our risk management, management is responsible for day-to-day risk management team processes.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Board met three times and acted by unanimous written consent four times during 2017. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board during 2017. The Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not meet in 2017.

INFORMATION REGARDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On September 25, 2017, in anticipation of our initial public offering, which occurred on March 29, 2018, our Board established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. Our Board may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committee are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our Board.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee consists of David Friedman and Robert Pearson. The chair of our Audit Committee is Mr. Friedman, who our Board has determined is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by the SEC rules implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and possesses financial sophistication, as defined under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. Our Board has also determined that each member of our Audit Committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with applicable requirements. In arriving at these determinations, the Board has examined each Audit Committee member’s scope of experience and the nature of their experience in the corporate finance sector. The Board has adopted a written Audit Committee charter that is available to stockholders on the Company’s website at www.genprex.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Audit Committee did not meet during the year ended December 31, 2017.

The responsibilities of our Audit Committee include:

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors*

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 with management of the Company.  The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's 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, 2017.

David E. Friedman (Chair)

Robert W. Pearson

* 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 Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee consists of David Friedman and Robert Pearson. The chair of our Compensation Committee is Mr. Pearson. The Board has adopted a written Compensation Committee charter that is available to stockholders on the Company’s website at www.genprex.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Compensation Committee did not meet during the year ended December 31, 2017.

The responsibilities of our Compensation Committee include:

Compensation Committee Processes and Procedures

The Compensation Committee discusses and makes recommendations to the Board for annual compensation adjustments, annual bonuses, annual equity awards, and corporate performance objectives. For executives other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee solicits and considers evaluations and recommendations submitted to the Compensation Committee by the Chief Executive Officer.  In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the evaluation of his performance is conducted by the Compensation Committee, which determines recommendations to the Board regarding any adjustments to his compensation as well as awards to be granted. The Chief Executive Officer does not participate in, and is not present during, any deliberations or determinations of the Compensation Committee regarding his compensation or individual performance objectives. For all executives and directors as part of its deliberations, the Compensation Committee may review and consider, as appropriate, materials such as financial reports and projections, operational data, executive and director stock ownership information, company stock performance data, analyses of historical executive compensation levels and current Company-wide compensation levels, compensation data from comparative companies, compensation surveys, and recommendations of any compensation consultant, if applicable.

The charter of the Compensation Committee grants the Compensation Committee full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company. In addition, under its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to obtain, at the expense of the Company, advice and assistance from internal and external legal, accounting or other advisers and other external resources that the Compensation Committee considers necessary or appropriate in the performance of its duties. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility for the oversight of the work of any advisers engaged for the purpose of advising the Compensation Committee.

In 2017, the Company engaged Longnecker & Associates (“Longnecker”) as its compensation consultant. Longnecker was retained to provide an assessment of the Company’s executive and director compensation programs in comparison to executive and director compensation programs at selected publicly-traded peer companies. As part of its engagement, Longnecker was requested by the Compensation Committee to develop the peer group of comparative companies and to perform analyses of compensation levels for that group. Longnecker developed peer group and related recommendations that were presented to the Compensation Committee for its consideration.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of David Friedman and Robert Pearson. The chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is Mr. Friedman. The Board has adopted a written Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter that is available to stockholders on the Company’s website at www.genprex.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not meet during the year ended December 31, 2017.

The responsibilities of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include:

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not set specific criteria for directors but seeks individuals who have the ability to read and understand basic financial statements, the highest personal integrity and ethics, relevant expertise upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management, sufficient time to devote to the affairs of the Company, the ability to exercise sound business judgment and the commitment to rigorously represent the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may modify these qualifications from time to time.  Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context of the current composition of the Board, the operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of stockholders.  In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers diversity, age, skills and such other factors as it deems appropriate to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and capability.

In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews these directors’ overall service to the Company during their terms, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance and any other relationships and transactions that might impair the directors’ independence. In the case of new director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determines whether the nominee is independent for Nasdaq purposes, which determination is based upon applicable Nasdaq listing standards, applicable SEC rules and regulations and the advice of counsel, if necessary.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then uses its network of

contacts to compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee conducts any appropriate and necessary inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates after considering the function and needs of the Board.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets to discuss and consider the candidates’ qualifications and then selects candidates for recommendation to the Board by majority vote.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates based on whether or not the candidate was recommended by a stockholder. Stockholders who wish to recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to become nominees for election to the Board may do so by delivering a written recommendation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at the following address: c/o Genprex, Inc., Dell Medical School, Health Discovery Building, 1701 Trinity Street, Suite 3.322, Austin, TX 78712, Attn: Secretary,  no later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. In the event the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 30 days after such anniversary date, notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Submissions must include the name and address of the Company stockholder on whose behalf the submission is made; the number of Company shares that are owned beneficially by such stockholder as of the date of the submission; the full name of the proposed candidate; a description of the proposed candidate’s business experience for at least the previous five years; complete biographical information for the proposed candidate; and a description of the proposed candidate’s qualifications as a director. Any such submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board has adopted a formal process by which stockholders may communicate with the Board or any of its directors. Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board may do so by sending written communications addressed to the Secretary of Genprex, Inc., Dell Medical School, Health Discovery Building, 1701 Trinity Street, Suite 3.322, Austin, TX 78712. These communications will be reviewed by the Secretary of Genprex, who will determine whether the communication is appropriate for presentation to the Board or the relevant director. The purpose of this screening is to allow the Board to avoid having to consider irrelevant or inappropriate communications (such as advertisements, solicitations and hostile communications).

PROPOSAL 3

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected Daszkal Bolton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 and has further directed that management submit the selection of its independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Daszkal Bolton has audited the Company’s financial statements since 2012. Representatives of Daszkal Bolton are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.

Neither the Company’s amended and restated bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of Daszkal Bolton as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of Daszkal Bolton to the stockholders

for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of Daszkal Bolton.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table sets forth the fees billed by Daszkal Bolton LLP for audit, audit-related, tax and all other services rendered for 2017 and 2016:

Audit Fees.    Audit fees consist of fees billed for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the review of the interim consolidated financial statements, and related services that are normally provided in connection with registration statements, including the registration statement for our initial public offering. Included in the 2017 audit fees is $31,100 of fees billed in connection with our initial public offering in April 2018.

Tax Fees.    Tax fees consist of aggregate fees for tax compliance and tax advice, including the review and preparation of our various jurisdictions' income tax returns.

The Board of Directors pre-approved all services performed.

In connection with the audit of the 2017 financial statements, the Company entered into an engagement agreement with Daszkal Bolton, LLP that sets forth the terms on which Daszkal Bolton would perform audit services for the Company. That agreement is subject to alternative dispute resolution procedures.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Daszkal Bolton. The policy generally pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services and tax services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of the Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, explicit, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service.

The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committee’s members, but the decision must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by Daszkal Bolton is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR”

THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DASZKAL BOLTON LLP

AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

J. Rodney Varner is a co-founder of Genprex and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, and as a member of our Board and as Chairman of our Board since August 2012. For additional information about Mr. Varner’s experience and education, see above under “Director Continuing in Office until the 2020 Annual Meeting.”

Julien L. Pham, MD, MPH, 41, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since October 2016 and as our President since April 10, 2018. In March 2013, Dr. Pham co-founded RubiconMD, a healthcare IT company that connects primary care providers to specialists for additional guidance and opinions on medical cases, and served as its Chief Medical Officer from March 2013 to September 2016. Prior to co-founding RubiconMD, Dr. Pham served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he joined as a fellow in July 2008 and became an Associate Physician in the Division of Nephrology in August 2011. Dr. Pham has over fifteen years of leadership experience in clinical settings and in emerging medical technology companies. During this time, he has held various research and teaching positions including Chief Residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, and has received multiple awards including excellence in teaching awards from AOA and Harvard Medical School. He is a board-certified internal medicine doctor and nephrologist. Dr. Pham has received NIH research funding for translational research while at Harvard Medical School, and he has published in basic science, translational, and health policy fields. He holds a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from University of Washington and received his MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine and his MPH at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Ryan M. Confer 37, has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2016. From December 2013 through September 2016, he served as our Chief Operating and Financial Officer, and from June 2011 to December 2013 as our business Manager. Mr. Confer has served us in a variety of strategic, operations, and finance capacities since our inception in 2009 both as a consultant through his own firm, Confer Capital, Inc., and as an employee. Mr. Confer has over ten years of executive experience in planning, launching, developing, and growing emerging technology companies and has served in the chief operating and chief financial roles for non-profit and for-profit entities since 2008. Mr. Confer has also served as an international business development consultant for the University of Texas at Austin’s IC2 Institute, where he focused on evaluating the commercialization potential of nascent technologies in domestic and international markets applicable to technology incubator programs associated with the University. Mr. Confer holds a BS in finance and legal studies from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and an MS in technology commercialization from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Each of Mr. Varner, Dr. Pham and Mr. Confer is currently a full-time employee of Genprex. Mr. Varner spends fewer than 10 hours per month on duties relating to Wilson & Varner, LLP; Dr. Pham spends fewer than 10 hours per month in continuing medical practice to comply with licensing requirements; and Mr. Confer spends fewer than 10 hours per month providing financial consulting services to other companies that are not competitive with us.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company’s directors, executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company with the SEC. Officers, directors and stockholders holding more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Company are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Company was not subject to the requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information available to us with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 1, 2018, by:

The table lists applicable percentage ownership based on 15,037,944 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 1, 2018. Options and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of August1, 2018, are deemed to be beneficially owned by the persons holding these options for the purpose of computing percentage ownership of that person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing any other person’s ownership percentage.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as noted by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe, based on the information provided to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.

Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each person or entity listed in the table is c/o Genprex, Inc., Dell Medical School, Health Discovery Building, 1701 Trinity Street, Suite 3.322, Austin, Texas 78712.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2017, which consist of our principal executive officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers, are:

Summary Compensation Table

Annual Base Salary

The base salary of our named executive officers is generally determined and approved periodically or in connection with the commencement of employment of the executive, by our Board. As of December 31, 2017, base salaries for our named executive officers, which became effective as of October 1, 2016 for Mr. Varner and Mr. Confer, and as of October 23, 2016 for Dr. Pham, are provided below.

Bonus Compensation

From time to time our Board or Compensation Committee may approve bonuses for our named executive officers based on individual performance, company performance or as otherwise determined appropriate. In 2017, our executive officers were not entitled to any target or minimum bonus and no specific performance goals or bonus program were established for our named executive officers.

Pursuant to Mr. Varner’s employment agreement, he is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon the achievement of performance objectives mutually agreed between Mr. Varner and the Board.

Pursuant to Dr. Pham’s amended and restated employment agreement, he is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon the achievement of performance objectives mutually agreed between Dr. Pham and the Board. The amount of the bonus for 2018 is up to 33.33% of Dr. Pham’s then-current base salary; the amount of the bonus after 2018 will be determined by the Board.

Pursuant to Mr. Confer’s employment agreement, he is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon the achievement of performance objectives mutually agreed between Mr. Confer and the Board.

Equity-Based Incentive Awards

Our equity-based incentive awards are designed to align our interests and those of our stockholders with those of our employees and consultants, including our named executive officers. The Board is responsible for approving equity grants. Stock awards in exchange for services were the only form of equity awards we granted to our named executive officers in 2017.

We have historically used stock options as an incentive for long-term compensation to our named executive officers because they are able to profit from stock options only if our stock price increases relative to the stock option’s exercise price, which exercise price is set at no less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. We may grant equity awards at such times as our Board determines appropriate. Our executives generally are awarded an initial grant in the form of a stock option in connection with their commencement of employment with us. Additional grants may be made periodically in order to specifically incentivize executives with respect to achieving certain corporate goals or to reward executives for exceptional performance.

Prior to the initial public offering of our common stock, we granted all stock options pursuant to our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. Following our initial public offering, we will grant equity incentive awards under the terms of our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.

All options are granted with an exercise price per share that is no less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant of such award. Our stock option awards generally vest over a four-year period and may be subject to acceleration of vesting and exercisability under certain termination and change in control events. See “—Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.”

In May 2017, the Board granted an award of 73,526 shares of common stock to Mr. Confer in consideration of past services. Each of these shares had a value of $5.29 per share and was fully vested on the date of grant.

Agreements with Named Executive Officers

Employment Agreement with Rodney Varner

We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Varner, our Chief Executive Officer, which became effective in April 2018, following the closing of the initial public offering of our common stock. Mr. Varner’s employment under the agreement is at will and may be terminated at any time by us or by him. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Varner is initially entitled to receive an annual base salary of $350,000. The agreement provides that the Company may pay Mr. Varner a bonus as described above under “—Bonus Compensation” and provides that the Company may grant to Mr. Varner options to purchase shares of common stock.

The agreement provides that during the term of Mr. Varner’s employment with us and for one year after the termination of his employment, Mr. Varner will not encourage any of our employees or consultants to leave Genprex and will not compete or assist others to compete with us.

If, prior to a change of control, we terminate Mr. Varner’s employment without cause or if Mr. Varner resigns for good reason, and Mr. Varner delivers to us a signed settlement agreement and general release of claims, we are obligated to pay Mr. Varner: (i) a severance payment equal to 18 months of Mr. Varner’s base salary then in effect; (ii) a payment equal to Mr. Varner’s then applicable annual target bonus, calculated at full attainment; (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premium payments made by Mr. Varner for the 12 months following such termination; and (iv) acceleration as to 100% of Mr. Varner’s unvested equity awards from us, subject in the case of (i) and (ii) to our having at least $5 million in cash or cash equivalents and a net worth of at least $5 million on the date of termination.

If, within 12 months following a change of control, Mr. Varner’s employment is terminated without cause or Mr. Varner resigns for good reason, and he delivers to us a signed settlement agreement and general release of claims, we are obligated to pay Mr. Varner: (i) a severance payment equal to 18 months of Mr. Varner’s base salary then in effect; (ii) a payment equal to Mr. Varner’s then applicable target bonus for 18 months, calculated at full attainment; (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premium payments made by Mr. Varner for the 18 months following such termination; and (iv) acceleration as to 100% of Mr. Varner’s unvested equity awards from us, subject in the case of (i) and (ii) to our having at least $5 million in cash or cash equivalents and a net worth of at least $5 million on the date of termination.

For the purposes of Mr. Varner’s employment agreement, “cause” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a determination by our Board that Mr. Varner’s performance is unsatisfactory after there has been delivered to him a written demand for performance which describes the specific deficiencies in his performance and the specific manner in which his performance must be improved, and which provides 30 business days from the date of notice to remedy such performance deficiencies; (ii) Mr. Varner’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude which our Board reasonably finds has had or will have a detrimental effect on our reputation or business; (iii) Mr. Varner’s engaging in an act of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his employment obligations and duties that materially harms us; (iv) Mr. Varner’s committing an act of fraud against, material misconduct or willful misappropriation of property belonging to us; or (v) Mr. Varner’s material breach of his confidentiality, invention assignment and noncompetition agreement with us or of any other unauthorized misuse of our trade secrets or proprietary information.

For purposes of Mr. Varner’s employment agreement, “good reason” means the occurrence of any of the following taken without Mr. Varner’s written consent and conditioned on (a) his providing us with notice of the basis for such resignation for good reason, (b) our failure to cure the event constituting good reason within 30 days after notice and (c) his termination of his employment within 30 days following the expiration of the cure period: (i) a material change in Mr. Varner’s position, titles, offices or duties; (ii) an assignment of any significant duties to Mr. Varner that are inconsistent with his positions or offices held under his employment agreement; (iii) a decrease in Mr. Varner’s then current annual base salary by more than 10% (other than in connection with a general decrease in the salary of all of our other similarly situated employees); or (iv) the relocation of Mr. Varner to a facility or a location more than 50 miles from his then current location.

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Julien L. Pham, MD, MPH

On May 23, 2018, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Julien L. Pham, MD, MPH, our President and Chief Operating Officer. This employment agreement amended and restated the employment agreement we had entered into with Dr. Pham in October 2016.

Dr. Pham’s employment under the agreement is at will and may be terminated at any time by us or by him. Under the terms of the agreement, Dr. Pham is initially entitled to receive an annual base salary of $325,000. Dr. Pham is also entitled to receive a bonus upon the achievement of performance objectives agreed upon between our Board and Dr. Pham. The amount of the bonus for 2018 is up to 33.33% of Dr. Pham’s then-current base salary; the amount of the bonus after 2018 will be determined by our Board.

On May 23, 2018, we granted Dr. Pham options to purchase an aggregate of 659,346 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $9.80 per share. One-half of the options (the “Time Based Options”) vest based on Dr. Pham’s continued employment, with one-third of these options vesting on May 23, 2019, and the remaining two-thirds vesting in equal quarterly installments over the following two years.  The other one-half of the options vest based on achievement, within time periods specified by our Board, of performance goals specified by our Board.

The agreement provides that during the term of Dr. Pham’s employment with us and for one year after the termination of his employment, Dr. Pham will not encourage any of our employees or consultants to leave Genprex and will not compete or assist others to compete with us.

If, prior to a change of control, we terminate Dr. Pham’s employment without cause or if Dr. Pham resigns for good reason, and Dr. Pham delivers to us a signed settlement agreement and general release of claims, we are obligated to pay Dr. Pham: (i) a severance payment equal to 12 months of Dr. Pham’s base salary then in effect; (ii) a payment equal to Dr. Pham’s then applicable annual target bonus, calculated at full attainment; (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premium payments made by Dr. Pham for the 12 months following such termination; and (iv) acceleration as to 100% of Dr. Pham’s Time Based Options, subject in the case of (i) and (ii) to our having at least $5 million in cash or cash equivalents and a net worth of at least $5 million on the date of termination.

If, within 12 months following a change of control, Dr. Pham’s employment is terminated without cause or Dr. Pham resigns for good reason, and he delivers to us a signed settlement agreement and general release of claims, we are obligated to pay Dr. Pham: (i) a severance payment equal to 12 months of Dr. Pham’s base salary then in effect; (ii) a payment equal to Dr. Pham’s then applicable annual target bonus, calculated at full attainment; (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premium payments made by Dr. Pham for the 12 months following such termination; and (iv) acceleration as to 100% of Dr. Pham’s unvested equity awards from us, subject in the case of (i) and (ii) to our having at least $5 million in cash or cash equivalents and a net worth of at least $5 million on the date of termination.

For the purposes of Dr. Pham’s employment agreement, “cause” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a determination by our Board that Dr. Pham’s performance is unsatisfactory after there has been delivered to him a written demand for performance which describes the specific deficiencies in his performance and the specific manner in which his performance must be improved, and which provides 30 business days from the date of notice to remedy such performance deficiencies; (ii) Dr. Pham’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude which our Board reasonably finds has had or will have a detrimental effect on our reputation or business; (iii) Dr. Pham’s engaging in an act of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his employment obligations and duties that materially harms us; (iv) Dr. Pham’s committing an act of fraud against, material misconduct or willful misappropriation of property belonging to us; or (v) Dr. Pham’s material breach of his confidentiality, invention assignment and noncompetition agreement with us or of any other unauthorized misuse of our trade secrets or proprietary information.

For purposes of Dr. Pham’s employment agreement, “good reason” means the occurrence of any of the following taken without Dr. Pham’s written consent and conditioned on (a) his providing us with notice of the basis for such resignation for good reason, (b) our failure to cure the event constituting good reason within 30 days after notice and (c) his termination of his employment within 30 days following the expiration of the cure period: (i) a material change in Dr. Pham’s position, titles, offices or duties other than as provided in the agreement; (ii) an assignment of any significant duties to Dr. Pham that are inconsistent with his positions or offices held under his employment agreement; (iii) a decrease in Dr. Pham’s then current annual base salary (other than in connection with a general decrease in the salary of all of our other similarly situated employees); or (iv) the requirement that Dr. Pham relocate his personal residence to a location more than 50 miles from his then current residence.

Employment Agreement with Ryan Confer

We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Confer, our Chief Financial Officer, which became effective in April 2018, following the closing of the initial public offering of our common stock. Mr. Confer’s employment under the agreement is at will and may be terminated at any time by us or by him. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Confer is initially entitled to receive an annual base salary of $240,000. The agreement provides that the Company may pay Mr. Confer a bonus as described above under “—Bonus

Compensation” and provides that the Company may grant to Mr. Confer options to purchase shares of common stock.

The agreement provides that during the term of Mr. Confer’s employment with us and for one year after the termination of his employment, Mr. Confer will not encourage any of our employees or consultants to leave Genprex and will not compete or assist others to compete with us.

If we terminate Mr. Confer’ employment without cause or if Mr. Confer resigns for good reason, and Mr. Confer delivers to us a signed settlement agreement and general release of claims, we are obligated to pay Mr. Confer: (i) a severance payment equal to 12 months of Mr. Confer’ base salary then in effect; (ii) a payment equal to Mr. Confer’s then applicable annual target bonus, calculated at full attainment; (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premium payments made by Mr. Confer for the 12 months following such termination; and (iv) acceleration as to 100% of Mr. Confer’s unvested equity awards from us, subject in the case of (i) and (ii) to our having at least $5 million in cash or cash equivalents and a net worth of at least $5 million on the date of termination.

For the purposes of Mr. Confer’s employment agreement, “cause” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a determination by our Board that Mr. Confer’s performance is unsatisfactory after there has been delivered to him a written demand for performance which describes the specific deficiencies in his performance and the specific manner in which his performance must be improved, and which provides 30 business days from the date of notice to remedy such performance deficiencies; (ii) Mr. Confer’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude which our Board reasonably finds has had or will have a detrimental effect on our reputation or business; (iii) Mr. Confer’s engaging in an act of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his employment obligations and duties that materially harms us; (iv) Mr. Confer’s committing an act of fraud against, material misconduct or willful misappropriation of property belonging to us; or (v) Mr. Confer’s material breach of his confidentiality, invention assignment and noncompetition agreement with us or of any other unauthorized misuse of our trade secrets or proprietary information.

For purposes of Mr. Confer’s employment agreement, “good reason” means the occurrence of any of the following taken without Mr. Confer’s written consent and conditioned on (a) his providing us with notice of the basis for such resignation for good reason, (b) our failure to cure the event constituting good reason within 30 days after notice and (c) his termination of his employment within 30 days following the expiration of the cure period: (i) a material change in Mr. Confer’s position, titles, offices or duties; (ii) an assignment of any significant duties to Mr. Confer that are inconsistent with his positions or offices held under his employment agreement; (iii) a decrease in Mr. Confer’s then current annual base salary by more than 10% (other than in connection with a general decrease in the salary of all of our other similarly situated employees); or (iv) the relocation of Mr. Confer to a facility or a location more than 50 miles from his then current location.

Any potential payments and benefits due upon a qualifying termination of employment or a change in control are further described below under “—Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control

Regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer’s service terminates, each named executive officer is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of service, including unpaid salary. In addition, each Mr. Varner, Dr. Pham and Mr. Confer is entitled to receive certain benefits upon our termination of his employment without cause or his resignation for good reason, and Mr. Varner is entitled to receive certain additional benefits upon such a termination or resignation within 12 months after a change of control, all as provided above under “—Agreements with Named Executive Officers.”

Each of our named executive officers holds stock options that were granted subject to the general terms and termination and change in control provisions of our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and, beginning in April 2018, our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. A description of the termination and change in control provisions in our 2009 Plan and 2018 Plan and applicable to the stock options granted to our named executive officers is provided below under “—Equity Benefit Plans” and “—Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End” and above under “—Equity-Based Incentive Awards.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity awards granted to our named executive officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

Option Repricings

We did not engage in any repricings or other modifications or cancellations of any of our named executive officers’ outstanding equity awards during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Perquisites, Health, Welfare and Retirement Benefits

Our named executive officers, during their employment with us, are eligible to participate in our employee benefit plans, including our medical, dental, vision, employee whole life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans, in each case on the same basis as all of our other employees. We do not provide a 401(k) plan to our employees at this time.

We generally do not provide perquisites or personal benefits to our named executive officers, except in limited circumstances. We do, however, pay the premiums for medical, dental, vision, employee whole life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for all of our employees, including our named executive officers. Our Board may elect to adopt qualified or nonqualified benefit plans in the future if it determines that doing so is in our best interests.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We do not maintain nonqualified defined contribution plans or other nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Our Board may elect to provide our officers and other employees with nonqualified defined contribution or other nonqualified deferred compensation benefits in the future if it determines that doing so is in our best interests.

Equity Benefit Plans

2018 Equity Incentive Plan

The 2018 Equity Incentive Plan became effective upon the closing of the initial public offering of our common stock. After such date, no further grants will be made under the 2009 Plan.

Stock Awards. The 2018 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, or ISOs, nonstatutory stock options, or NSOs, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance based stock awards, and other forms of equity compensation, which we refer to collectively as stock awards. Additionally, the 2018 Plan provides for the grant of performance cash awards. ISOs may be granted only to employees. All other awards may be granted to employees, including officers, and to non-employee directors and consultants of us and our affiliates.

Share Reserve. Initially, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to stock awards under the 2018 Plan is 6,788,749 shares, which is the sum of (1) 3,605,037 new shares, plus (2) 554,963 shares reserved for issuance under our 2009 Plan at the time our 2018 Plan became effective, plus (3) up to 2,628,749 shares subject to outstanding stock options or other stock awards that would have otherwise returned to our 2009 Plan (such as upon the expiration or termination of a stock award prior to vesting). Additionally, the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2018 Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2019 and continuing through and including January 1, 2028, by 5% of the total number of shares of our capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares determined by our Board. The maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs under our 2018 Plan is 8,320,000 shares.

No person may be granted stock awards covering more than 1,040,000 shares of our common stock under our 2018 Plan during any calendar year pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights and other stock awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least 100% of the fair market value on the date the stock award is granted. Additionally, no person may be granted in a calendar year a performance stock award covering more than 2,080,000 shares or a performance cash award having a maximum value in excess of $2,000,000. Such limitations are designed to help assure that any deductions to which we would otherwise be entitled with respect to such awards will not be subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid to any covered executive officer imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. In addition, the maximum number of shares of our common stock subject to stock awards granted under the 2018 Plan during any one calendar year to any non-employee director will not exceed $1,000,000 in total value, or, with respect to the calendar year in which a non-employee director is first appointed or elected to our Board, $2,000,000.

If a stock award granted under the 2018 Plan expires or otherwise terminates for any reason prior to exercise or settlement, the shares of our common stock not acquired pursuant to the stock award again will become available for subsequent issuance under the 2018 Plan. In addition, the following types of shares under the 2018 Plan may become available for the grant of new stock awards under the 2018 Plan: (1) shares that are forfeited to or repurchased by us prior to becoming fully vested; (2) shares withheld to satisfy income or employment withholding taxes; or (3) shares used to pay the exercise or purchase price of a stock award. Shares issued under the 2018 Plan may be previously unissued shares or reacquired shares bought by us on the open market. As of the date hereof, no awards have been granted and no shares of our common stock have been issued under the 2018 Plan.

Administration. Our Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to administer the 2018 Plan. Our Board may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than officers) to be recipients of certain stock awards, and (2) determine the number of shares of common stock to be subject to such stock awards. Subject to the terms of the 2018 Plan, our Board or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the plan administrator, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting schedule applicable to a stock award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administrator will also determine the exercise price, strike price or purchase price of awards granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award.

The plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2018 Plan. Subject to the terms of our 2018 Plan, the plan administrator has the authority to reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding stock award, cancel any outstanding stock award in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.

Stock Options. ISOs and NSOs are granted pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the 2018 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2018 Plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2018 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. Unless the terms of an optionholder’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the option following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our insider trading policy. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability or death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, all options generally terminate immediately upon the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (3) the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the optionholder, (4) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO, and (5) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.

Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic relations order. An optionholder may designate a beneficiary, however, who may exercise the option following the optionholder’s death.

Tax Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans and the stock plans of any of our affiliates may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant, and (2) the term of the ISO does not exceed five years from the date of grant.

Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards are granted pursuant to restricted stock award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. Restricted stock awards may be granted in consideration for (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) services rendered to us or our affiliates, or (3) any other form of legal consideration. Common stock acquired under a restricted stock award may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in our favor in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the plan administrator. A restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such terms and conditions as set by the plan administrator. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock that has not vested will be forfeited or repurchased by us upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for any reason.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted stock unit awards are granted pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. Restricted stock unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate by the plan administrator, or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable

award agreement, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for any reason.

Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights are granted pursuant to stock appreciation grant agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, we will pay the participant an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess of the per share fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise over the strike price, multiplied by (2) the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2018 Plan vests at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock appreciation rights granted under the 2018 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. Unless the terms of a participant’s stock appreciation right agreement provides otherwise, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause, disability or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The stock appreciation right term may be further extended in the event that exercise of the stock appreciation right following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws. If a participant’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases due to disability or death, or a participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, stock appreciation rights generally terminate immediately upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Performance Awards. The 2018 Plan permits the grant of performance-based stock and cash awards that may qualify as performance-based compensation that is not subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid to a covered executive officer imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. To help assure that the compensation attributable to performance-based awards will so qualify, our Compensation Committee can structure such awards so that stock or cash will be issued or paid pursuant to such award only after the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period.

The performance goals that may be selected include one or more of the following: (1) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (2) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (3) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (4) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and legal settlements; (5) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements and other income (expense); (6) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income (expense) and stock-based compensation; (7) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income (expense), stock-based compensation and changes in deferred revenue; (8) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, legal settlements, other income (expense), stock-based compensation, other non-cash expenses and changes in deferred revenue; (9) total stockholder return; (10) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (11) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (12) stock price; (13) margin (including gross margin); (14) income (before or after taxes); (15) operating income; (16) operating income after taxes; (17) pre-tax profit; (18) operating cash flow; (19) sales or revenue targets; (20) increases in revenue or product revenue; (21) expenses and cost reduction goals; (22) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (23) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (24) market share; (25) cash flow; (26) cash flow per share; (27) cash balance; (28) cash burn; (29) cash collections; (30) share price performance; (31) debt reduction; (32) implementation or completion of projects or processes (including, without limitation, discovery of a preclinical drug candidate, recommendation of a drug candidate to enter a clinical trial, clinical trial initiation, clinical trial enrollment and dates, clinical trial results, regulatory filing submissions (such as IND, BLA and NDA), regulatory filing acceptances, regulatory or advisory committee interactions, regulatory approvals, and product supply); (33) stockholders’ equity; (34) capital expenditures; (35) financings; (36) operating profit or net operating profit; (37) workforce diversity; (38) growth of net income or operating income; (39) employee retention; (40) initiation of studies by specific dates; (41) budget management; (42) submission to, or approval by, a regulatory body (including, but not limited to the FDA) of an applicable filing or a product; (43) regulatory milestones; (44) progress of internal research or development programs; (45) progress of partnered programs; (46) partner satisfaction; (47) timely

completion of clinical trials; (48) milestones related to research development (including, but not limited to, preclinical and clinical studies), product development and manufacturing; (49) expansion of sales in additional geographies or markets; (50) research progress, including the development of programs; (51) strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property; (52) filing of patent applications and granting of patents; and (53) and to the extent that an award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected by our Board.

The performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise (1) in the award agreement at the time the award is granted or (2) in any other document setting forth the performance goals at the time the goals are established, we will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals as follows: (a) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (b) to exclude exchange rate effects; (c) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (d) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (e) to exclude the effects of any “items of an unusual nature or of infrequency of occurrence or non-recurring items” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (f) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (g) to assume that any business divested by us achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; (h) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (i) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under our bonus plans; (j) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; (k) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles; (l) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item; and (m) to exclude the effects of the timing of acceptance for review and/or approval of submissions to the FDA or any other regulatory body. In addition, we retain the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of the goals. The performance goals may differ from participant to participant and from award to award.

Other Stock Awards. The plan administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our common stock. The plan administrator will set the number of shares under the stock award and all other terms and conditions of such awards.

Changes to Capital Structure. In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2018 Plan, (2) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (3) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs, (4) the class and maximum number of shares subject to stock awards that can be granted to any person in a calendar year (as established under the 2018 Plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code), and (5) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions (or a change in control, as described below), the plan administrator has the discretion to take any of the following actions with respect to stock awards:

Our plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in the same manner.

Under the 2018 Plan, a corporate transaction is generally the consummation of (1) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation, or (4) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

Change in Control. In addition to the above, the plan administrator may provide, in an individual award agreement or in any other written agreement between a participant and us that the stock award will be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the event of a change in control. Under the 2018 Plan, a change in control is generally (1) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction; (2) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity (or its parent); (3) a consummated sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our assets; (4) a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, except for a liquidation into a parent corporation; or (5) when a majority of our Board becomes comprised of individuals who were not serving on our Board on the date of adoption of the 2018 Plan, or the incumbent board, or whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the incumbent board then still in office.

Amendment and Termination. Our Board has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our 2018 Plan, provided that such action does not impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. No ISOs may be granted after the 10th anniversary of the date our Board adopted our 2018 Plan.

2009 Equity Incentive Plan

Our Board and our stockholders approved our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan in November 2009. The 2009 Plan was subsequently amended by our Board and stockholders, most recently in August 2012. As of February 28, 2018, there were 554,963 shares remaining available for the grant of stock awards under our 2009 Plan and there were outstanding stock options covering a total of 2,628,749 shares that were granted under our 2009 Plan.

No additional awards will be granted under the 2009 Plan, and all outstanding awards granted under the 2009 Plan that are repurchased, forfeited, expire or are canceled will become available for grant under the 2018 Plan in accordance with its terms.

Stock awards. The 2009 Plan provides for the grant of ISOs, NSOs, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards and other stock awards, or collectively, stock awards. With the exception of ISOs, all stock awards may be granted to employees, including officers, and to our non-employee directors and consultants and those of our affiliates. ISOs may be granted only to employees. We have only granted stock options under the 2009 Plan.

Share Reserve. The aggregate number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2009 Plan is 2,628,749.

If a stock award granted under the 2009 Plan is forfeited to us or repurchased by us because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for vesting, such shares will become available for subsequent issuance

under the 2018 Plan. In addition, shares withheld to satisfy income or employment withholding taxes and shares used to pay the exercise price of a stock option will become available for the grant of new stock awards under the 2018 Plan. Shares issued under the 2009 Plan may be authorized but unissued or reacquired common stock.

Administration. Our Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to administer the 2009 Plan. Subject to the terms of the 2009 Plan, our Board or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the plan administrator, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting schedule applicable to a stock award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administrator will also determine the exercise price, strike price or purchase price of awards granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award.

The plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2009 Plan. Subject to the terms of our 2009 Plan, the plan administrator has the authority to reduce the exercise price of any outstanding stock option, cancel any outstanding stock option in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.

Stock Options. ISOs and NSOs are granted pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the 2009 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2009 Plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2009 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. Unless the terms of an optionholder’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability or death, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service, with respect to employee optionholders. The option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the option following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months following the date of death. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months following the cessation of service. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be as determined by the plan administrator.

Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

Tax Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant, and (2) the option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

Changes to Capital Structure. In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (a) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2009 Plan, (b) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs, and (c) the class and number of shares and price per share of stock subject to all outstanding stock awards.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of a change in control, unless otherwise provided in a stock award or other written agreement between us and the holder of a stock award, each stock award will be treated as the plan administrator determines, arranging for the assumption or substitution of a stock award by a successor entity. If the successor entity does not assume or substitute for the stock award, the vesting and exercisability, if applicable, of the stock award will accelerate in full.

Our plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards or portions thereof or all holders of stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in the same manner.

Under the 2009 Plan, a change in control is generally the occurrence of (1) any transaction or series of related transactions in which in excess of 50% of our voting power is transferred; (2) the replacement of a majority of the members of our Board during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of our Board prior to the date of such appointment or election; or (3) the acquisition by a third party of our assets that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of our assets immediately prior to such acquisition.

Change in Control. The plan administrator may provide, in an individual award agreement or in any other written agreement between a participant and us that the stock award will be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the event of a change in control.

Amendment and Termination. Our Board has the authority to amend, alter, suspend, or terminate our 2009 Plan, provided that such action does not impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent.

2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP, will become effective when the Board determines to make this benefit available to employees. The purpose of the ESPP is to retain the services of new employees and secure the services of new and existing employees while providing incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success and that of our affiliates.

Share Reserve. The ESPP authorizes the issuance of 208,050 shares of our common stock pursuant to purchase rights granted to our employees or to employees of any of our designated affiliates. The number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year, beginning on January 1, 2019 and continuing through and including January 1, 2028 by 2% of the total number of shares of our capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares determined by our Board. The ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. As of the date hereof, no shares of our common stock have been purchased under the ESPP.

Administration. Our Board has delegated its authority to administer the ESPP to our Compensation Committee. The ESPP is implemented through a series of offerings of purchase rights to eligible employees. Under the ESPP, we may specify offerings with durations of not more than 27 months, and may specify shorter purchase periods within each offering. Each offering will have one or more purchase dates on which shares of our common stock will be purchased for employees participating in the offering. An offering may be terminated under certain circumstances.

Payroll Deductions. Generally, all regular employees, including executive officers, employed by us or by any of our designated affiliates, may participate in the ESPP and may contribute, normally through payroll deductions, up to 15% of their earnings for the purchase of our common stock under the ESPP. Unless otherwise determined by our Board, common stock will be purchased for accounts of employees participating in the ESPP at a price per share equal to the lower of (a) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first date of an offering or (b) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of purchase.

Limitations. Employees may have to satisfy one or more of the following service requirements before participating in the ESPP, as determined by our Board: (a) customarily employed for more than 20 hours per week,

(b) customarily employed for more than five months per calendar year or (c) continuous employment with us or one of our affiliates for a period of time (not to exceed two years). No employee may purchase shares under the ESPP at a rate in excess of $25,000 worth of our common stock based on the fair market value per share of our common stock at the beginning of an offering for each year such a purchase right is outstanding. Finally, no employee will be eligible for the grant of any purchase rights under the ESPP if immediately after such rights are granted, such employee has voting power over 5% or more of our outstanding capital stock measured by vote or value pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code.

Changes to Capital Structure. In the event that there occurs a change in our capital structure through such actions as a stock split, merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or similar transaction, the Board will make appropriate adjustments to (a) the class and number of shares reserved under the ESPP, (b) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (c) the class and number of shares and purchase price of all outstanding offerings and purchase rights and (d) the class and number of shares that are the subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing offering.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of certain significant corporate transactions, including the consummation of: (1) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) the sale or other disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction where we do not survive the transaction, and (4) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction, any then-outstanding rights to purchase our stock under the ESPP may be assumed, continued or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) elects not to assume, continue or substitute for such purchase rights, then the participants’ accumulated payroll contributions will be used to purchase shares of our common stock within 10 business days prior to such corporate transaction, and such purchase rights will terminate immediately after such purchase.

Plan Amendments, Termination. Our Board has the authority to amend or terminate our ESPP, provided that, except in certain circumstances, any such amendment or termination may not materially impair any outstanding purchase rights without the holder’s consent. We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to our ESPP as required by applicable law or listing requirements.

Director Compensation

Prior to our initial public offering, we have not paid cash compensation to any of our non-employee directors for service on our Board. As set forth below, we did pay equity compensation to our non-employee directors in 2016 for service on our Board.

We have reimbursed and will continue to reimburse all of our non-employee directors for their travel, lodging and other reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board and committees of our Board.

As of December 31, 2017, the aggregate number of shares outstanding under all options to purchase our common stock held by our non-employee directors were: Mr. Friedman: 307,111; and Mr. Pearson: 307,111.

Our Board adopted a new compensation policy in September 2017 that was amended in April 2018 and became effective upon the completion of the initial public offering of our common stock and will be applicable to all of our non-employee directors. This compensation policy provides that each such non-employee director may receive any of the following compensation elements for service on our Board:

Each of the option grants described above will vest and become exercisable subject to the director’s continuous service to us, provided that each option will vest in full upon a change in control (as defined under our 2018 Plan). The term of each option will be 10 years, subject to earlier termination as provided in the 2018 Plan. The options will be granted under our 2018 Plan, the terms of which are described in more detail above under “—Equity Benefit Plans—2018 Equity Incentive Plan.”

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2015 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded 1% of the average of our total assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change in control and other arrangements, which are described under “Executive Officer and Director Compensation.”

Issuances of Securities to Domecq Sebastian, LLC

In April 2016, we issued an option to purchase 161,396 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $0.96 per share, to Domecq Sebastian, LLC, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities which is affiliated with David Nance, a former director and officer who is now deceased, in exchange for services provided by that entity.

Loan from Domecq Sebastian, LLC

On December 8, 2017, we received a loan from Domecq Sebastian, LLC in the amount of $200,000 and executed a Promissory Note under which we agreed to repay the loan on or before March 31, 2018, with interest at a rate of 15% per annum. The note carried a 18% default interest on amounts paid after the maturity date. We repaid this note in April 2018 with a portion of the proceeds of the initial public offering of our common stock.

Purchase of Shares in Our Initial Public Offering by Christy Mallinson Nance

Christy Mallinson Nance, who holds voting and dispositive power over the securities held by Domecq Sebastian, LLC, purchased an aggregate of 50,000 shares of our common stock in our initial public offering.

Issuances of Securities to Jack A. Roth, MD, FACS

Pursuant to a Consulting Agreement between us and Jack A. Roth, MD, FACS, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities and the Chairman of our SMA Board, we issue to Dr. Roth shares of our common stock each year. We issue these shares to Dr. Roth at the beginning of each calendar quarter. Under this arrangement, we issued to Dr. Roth an aggregate of 133,683 shares of our common stock in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017 and another 66,842 shares of our common stock in 2018.

Purchase of Shares in Our Initial Public Offering by JREG Investments, Ltd.

JREG Investments, Ltd., an affiliate of Dr. Roth, purchased an aggregate of 40,000 shares of our common stock in our initial public offering.

Issuances of Securities to Viet-An Hoan Ly

Stock

From February 2015 to December 31, 2017, we entered into a series of subscription agreements with various investment funds affiliated with Viet-An Hoan Ly, who is, together with his affiliated investment funds, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities, pursuant to which we issued and sold to such entities an aggregate of 687,621 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $5.29 per share, and received gross proceeds of approximately $3.6 million.

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

In July 2015, an entity affiliated with Mr. Ly exercised a warrant that we had issued to a different entity in December 2013 and that had been transferred to the entity affiliated with Mr. Ly in December 2013. The warrant was exercisable for 66,841 shares of our common stock, with an exercise price of $2.59 per share, and was exercised in full in February 2016.

In November 2016, we issued to Mr. Ly a warrant exercisable for an aggregate of 542,656 shares of our common stock, with an exercise price of $5.29 per share. The purchase price of the warrant was $8,119. That warrant is currently exercisable, expires on November 1, 2026, and is currently outstanding.

In July 2018, we issued (a) a warrant to purchase 425,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share to Cancer Revolution, LLC, and (b) a warrant to purchase 144,352 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share to Inception Capital Management, LLC, each of which is an entity affiliated with Mr. Ly, in conjunction with past and future services provided to us. . These warrants are not exercisable before September 24, 2018.

Options to Purchase Common Stock

In April 2016, we granted to Mr. Ly an option to purchase 56,815 shares of our common stock, with an exercise price of $0.96 per share. This option was fully vested at the time of grant and is currently outstanding.

Loan from Viet-An Hoan Ly

On March 9, 2018, we received a loan from Viet Ly in the amount of $25,000 and executed a Promissory Note under which we agreed to repay the loan on or before June 9, 2018, with no interest rate if paid prior to maturity and a rate of 10% per annum if not paid on maturity. We have repaid this note with a portion of the proceeds of the initial public offering of our common stock.

Services Provided by Confer Capital, Inc.

We paid $65,000 in 2016 to Confer Capital, Inc., an entity affiliated with Ryan Confer, our Chief Financial Officer. Confer Capital, Inc. provided strategic, financial, and executive managerial services to us at times when Ryan Confer was not our employee.

Royalty Payments to Introgen Research Institute, Inc.

Pursuant to an Amended Collaboration and Assignment Agreement dated July 1, 2011 between us and Introgen Research Institute, Inc., or IRI (the “2011 IRI Collaboration Agreement”), we are obligated to IRI a royalty of 1% of net sales of licensed products and 1% of certain other payments received by us, with respect to intellectual property owned by MD Anderson and licensed to us by IRI. This royalty obligation continues for 21 years after the later of the termination of the MD Anderson License Agreement and the termination of the Technology Sublicense Agreement. IRI is affiliated with Rodney Varner, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of our Board. We made no payments under the 2011 IRI Collaboration Agreement in 2016 or 2017.

Loan from Rodney Varner

On March 28, 2018, we received a loan from Rodney Varner in the amount of $45,000 and executed a Promissory Note under which we agreed to repay the loan on or before April 6, 2018, with no interest rate if paid

prior to maturity and a rate of 10% per annum if not paid on maturity. We repaid this note prior to the maturity date with a portion of the proceeds from the initial public offering of our common stock.

Purchase of Shares in Our Initial Public Offering by Rodney Varner

Mr. Varner purchased an aggregate of 10,000 shares of our common stock in our initial public offering.

Employment and Consulting Arrangements

In August 2018, we entered into a consulting agreement with Viet-An Hoan Ly, pursuant to which we agreed to pay Mr. Ly $175,000 per year, which amount may vary as determined by Mr. Ly and us, for strategic consulting services.

In May 2018, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Julien Pham, our President and Chief Operating Officer. This agreement amended and restated an employment agreement we entered into with Dr. Pham in October 2016. The amended and restated employment agreement is described in the section titled “Executive Officer and Director Compensation.”

In April 2018, we entered into an employment agreement with each of Rodney Varner, our Chief Executive Officer and Ryan Confer, our Chief Financial Officer, each of which employment agreements became effective upon the closing of the initial public offering of our common stock. These agreements are described in the section titled “Executive Officer and Director Compensation.”

Pursuant to a Consulting Agreement dated November 5, 2009, we pay to Jack A. Roth, MD, FACS, annual cash fees at the highest amount which is consistent with the policies of MD Anderson, increased annually by a percentage equal to the automatic cost of living adjustment set forth for Social Security. Under this arrangement, we paid Dr. Roth an aggregate of $185,826 in 2015, $192,191 in 2016 and $197,192 in 2017.

Stock Options Granted to Executive Officers and Directors

We have granted stock options and shares of our common stock to our executive officers.

In April 2016, we granted Rodney Varner an option to purchase 645,572 shares of common stock and we granted to each of Ryan Confer, David Friedman and Robert Pearson an option to purchase 161,396 shares of common stock, each at an exercise price of $0.96 per share. Each option was fully vested on the date of grant.

In November 2016, we granted Julien Pham an option to purchase 162,800 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $5.29 per share. The option vests at a rate of 1/48 of the shares subject to the option each month following October 26, 2016.

Also in November 2016, we granted Ryan Confer an option to purchase 86,894 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $5.29 per share. Each option was fully vested on the date of grant.

In May 2017, we granted an award of 73,526 shares of common stock to Ryan Confer in consideration of past services. Each of these shares had a value of $5.29 per share and was fully vested on the date of grant.

In May 2018, we granted Julien Pham an option to purchase 659,346 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $9.80 per share. One-half of the options (the “Time Based Options”) vest based on Dr. Pham’s continued employment, with one-third of these options vesting on May 23, 2019, and the remaining two-thirds vesting in equal quarterly installments over the following two years.  The other one-half of the options vest based on achievement, within time periods specified by our Board, of performance goals specified by our Board.

Also in May 2018, we granted Ryan Confer an option to purchase 327,236 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $9.80 per share. The options vest based on Mr. Confer’s continued employment, with one-third of these options vesting on May 23, 2018, and the remaining two-thirds vesting in equal quarterly installments over the following three years. 

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered, and intend to continue to enter, into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.

Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons

We have adopted a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related-person transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, a “related-person transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related person” are participants involving an amount that exceeds the lesser of $120,000 and one percent of the average of our total assets for our last two completed fiscal years.

Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions under this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director, nominee to become a director or a holder of more than five percent of our common stock, including any of their immediate family members and affiliates, including entities owned or controlled by such persons.

Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our Audit Committee (or, where review by our Audit Committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board) for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, all of the parties thereto, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the purpose of the transaction, the material facts, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available, an assessment of whether the terms are comparable to the terms available from unrelated third parties and management’s recommendation. To identify related-person transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-person transactions, our Audit Committee or another independent body of our Board takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

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

HOUSEHOLDINGDELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS

If you and other residents at your mailing address own shares of the Company’s common stock through a broker or other nominee, you may have elected to receive only one copy of this proxy statement and the Company’s Annual Report. If you and other residents at your mailing address own shares of common stock in your own names, you may have received only one copy of this proxy statement and the Annual Report, unless you provided the Company’s transfer agent with contrary instructions. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce the Company’s printing and postage costs. You may promptly obtain an additional copy of this proxy statement, enclosed proxy card and our Annual Report by sending a written request to Genprex, Inc., attention Secretary, Dell Medical Center, Health Discovery Building, 17011601 Trinity Street, Building B, Suite 3.322, Austin TX 78712 or by calling us at (512) 537-7997. If you hold your shares through a broker or other nominee and wish to discontinue householding or

to change your householding election, you may do so by contacting your broker. If you hold shares in your own name and wish to discontinue householding or change your householding election, you may do so by contacting V Stock Transfer, LLC, by telephone at (855) 9VSTOCK.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration atAPPENDICES

EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN

THE ENCLOSED PROXY.

Appendix A

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF GENPREX, INC.

Genprex, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intentionGeneral Corporation Law of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.State of Delaware (the “Delaware General Corporation Law”), hereby certifies as follows:

By Order ofFIRST:

That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Corporation to execute and file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (this “Amendment”) to combine each [whole number of shares, as determined by the Board] outstanding shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock.

SECOND:

That this Amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Corporation.

THIRD:

That upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, is hereby amended such that subsection A of Article IV is amended and restated in its entirety to read as set forth below, with no changes to be made to the subsequent sections of Article IV:

A.

The Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of stock which the Company is authorized to issue is 210,000,000 shares. 200,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, each having a par value of $0.001. 10,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, each having a par value of $0.001. Upon the effectiveness of this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each [whole number of shares, as determined by the Board], of Common Stock issued and outstanding at such time shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder thereof, be combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The par value of the Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split shall remain $0.001 per share. No fractional shares shall be issued, and, in lieu thereof, the Corporation shall pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the fair market value of a share of Common Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors. Each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (an “Old Certificate”) shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by the Old Certificate shall have been combined, subject to the elimination of fractional share interests as described above.

FOURTH:

This Amendment shall be effective as of a date to be determined by the Board, at 12:01 a.m., Central Time (the “Effective Time”).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by J. Rodney Varner, its Chief Executive Officer, this ____ day of _____________, 202__.

	GENPREX, INC.
/s/
	By:
	Name:	J. Rodney Varner
Rodney Varner
Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

August 29, 2018

 

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EVENT # CLIENT # PROXY TABULATOR FOR Genprex, Inc. P.O. BOX 8016 CARY, NC 27512-9903 The undersigned hereby appoints Rodney Varner and Ryan Confer, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorneys of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation, and authorizes each of them to vote all the shares of capital stock of Genprex, Inc. that the undersigned is entitled to vote at said meeting and any adjournment thereof upon the matters specified and upon such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof, conferring authority upon such true and lawful attorneys to vote in their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and revoking any proxy heretofore given. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEE IN PROPOSAL 2 AND FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 3.All votes must be received by 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, September 30, 2018. MAIL OR • Mark, sign and date your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form. • Detach your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form. • Return your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form in the postage-paid envelope provided. OR Go To www.proxypush.com/GNPX • Cast your vote online. • View meeting documents. • Use any touch-tone telephone. • Have your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form ready. • Follow the simple recorded instructions. 866-356-9132 INTERNET TELEPHONE VOTE BY: Annual Meeting of Genprex, Inc. to be held on Monday, October 1, 2018 for Holders as of August 21, 2018 This proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors Please separate carefully at the perforation and return just this portion in the envelope provided. 4: To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting. 3: To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Daszkal Bolton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. Date: Monday, October 1, 2018 Time: 10:30 A.M. (Central Daylight Time) Place: W2O Group, 507 Calles Street, Suite 112, Austin, TX 78702 See Voting Instruction on Reverse Side. ANNUAL MEETING OF GENPREX, INC. Please Sign Here Please Date Above Please Sign Here Please Date Above Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on your stock certificate. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy. Authorized Signatures - This section must be completed for your Instructions to be executed. To attend the meeting and vote your shares in person, please mark this box. For For For For Against Abstain For Against Abstain Directors Recommend Withhold 01 David E. Friedman Please make your marks like this: Use dark black pencil or pen only The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR proposal 1, FOR the Election of the Director in proposal 2 and FOR proposal 3. 2: Election of Director 1: To approve, for purposes of complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the issuance by the Company of shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of the private placement financing transaction contemplated by a Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 6, 2018, between the Company and each of the investors named therein, and the other documents and agreements related thereto, without giving effect to the caps on issuing shares contained therein. For Call

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Revocable Proxy — Genprex, Inc. Annual Meeting of Stockholders Monday, October 1, 2018 10:30 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors The undersigned appoints Rodney Varner and Ryan Confer, each with full power of substitution, to act as proxies for the undersigned, and to vote all shares of common stock of Genprex, Inc. that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Monday, October 1, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the offices of W2O group at 507 Calles Street, Suite 112, Austin, Texas 78702, and any and all adjournments thereof, as set forth below. This proxy is revocable and will be voted as directed. However, if no instructions are specified, the proxy will be voted FOR the election of the director nominee specified in Proposal 2 and FOR Proposals 1 and 3. (CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE) Please separate carefully at the perforation and return just this portion in the envelope provided.