UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]x
Filed by a Partyparty other than the Registrant [ ]¨
Check the appropriate box:
[ ]
x | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
¨ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
[ ]Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X]Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]Soliciting Material Under § 240.14a-12
Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)all boxes that apply):
[X]No fee required.
[ ]Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
x |
|
|
¨ |
|
|
¨ |
|
|
4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5)Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
|
|
1)Amount previously paid:
2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No:
3)Filing party:
4)Date Filed:
April 13, 2021
c/o Verdolino & Lowey, P.C.
124 Washington Street, Suite 101
Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035
November , 2023
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2021 annual meetinga Special Meeting of stockholders of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. to be held at 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at our principal executive offices located at 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ 07059. As a result of the public health and travel risks and concerns due to COVID-19, we may announce alternative arrangements for the meeting, which may include switching to a virtual meeting format, or changing the time, date or location of the annual meeting. If we take this step, we will announce any changes in advance in a press release available on our website, www.bellerophon.com, and filed as additional proxy materials, and as otherwise required by applicable state law.
Details regarding the annual meeting, the business to be conducted at the annual meeting, and information about Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. that you should consider when you vote your shares are described in this proxy statement.
At the annual meeting, one (1) person will be elected to our Board of Directors. In addition, we will ask stockholders to consider the following proposals:
Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish proxy materials to stockholders over the Internet, we have elected to deliver our proxy materials to the majority of our stockholders over the Internet. This delivery process allows us to provide stockholders with the information they need, while at the same time conserving natural resources and lowering the cost of delivery. On or about April 13, 2020, we will begin sending to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy MaterialsStockholders (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders and our 2020 annual report to stockholders. The Notice also provides instructions on how to vote online or by telephone and includes instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.
We hope you will be able to attend the annual meeting. Whether you plan to attend the annual meeting or not, it is important that you cast your vote either in person or by proxy. You may vote over the Internet as well as by telephone or by mail. When you have finished reading the proxy statement, you are urged to vote in accordance with the instructions set forth in this proxy statement. We encourage you to vote by proxy so that your shares will be represented and voted at the annual meeting, whether or not you can attend.
Thank you for your continued support of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
April 13, 2021
NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TIME:10:00 a.m. EST
DATE:Wednesday, May 26, 2021
PLACE: 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ 07059*
PURPOSES:
*We currently intend to hold the annual meeting in person. However, as a result of the public health and travel concerns that our stockholders may have due to COVID-19, we may announce alternative arrangements for the meeting, which may include switching to a virtual meeting format, or changing the time, date or location of the annual meeting. If we take this step, we will announce any changes in advance in a press release available on our website www.bellerophon.com, and filed as additional proxy materials, and as otherwise required by applicable state law.
WHO MAY VOTE:
You may vote if you were the record owner of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. common stock at the close of business on April 1, 2021 (the "record date"). A list of stockholders of record will be available at the annual meeting and, during the ten days prior to the annual meeting, at our principal executive offices located at 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ 07059.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting. Whether you plan to attend the annual meeting or not, we urge you to vote by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") and submit your proxy by the Internet, telephone or mail in order to ensure the presence of a quorum. On or about April 13, 2021, we will begin sending to our stockholders the Notice containing instructions on how to access our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders and our 2020 annual report to stockholders. The Notice also provides instructions on how to vote online or by telephone and includes instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail. You may change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
3
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 26, 2021
This proxy statement and our 2020 annual report to stockholders are available for viewing, printing and downloading at www.investorvote.com/BLPH. To view these materials, please have available your 16-digit control number(s) that appears on your Notice or proxy card. On this website, you can also elect to receive future distributions of our proxy statements and annual reports to stockholders by electronic delivery.
Additionally, you can find a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes our financial statements, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, at www.sec.gov, or in the “Financial Info” section of the “Investors" section of our website at www.bellerophon.com. You may also obtain from us a printed copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements, free of charge, by sending a written request to: Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ, 07059. Exhibits will be provided upon written request and payment of an appropriate processing fee.
4
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Why is the Company Soliciting My Proxy?
The Board of Directors (the “Board”“Special Meeting”) of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held at a.m., Eastern time, on , 2023 at the offices of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
The purpose of the Special Meeting is to approve the liquidation and dissolution of the Company (the “Dissolution”) and the Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”), which if approved, will authorize the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) to liquidate and dissolve the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution. The Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement on the following pages describe the matters to be presented at the meeting.
The Board carefully reviewed and considered the Plan of Dissolution in light of the financial position of the Company, including its available cash, resources and operations following and in light of the Company’s previously announced review and pursuit of strategic alternatives. The Board determined that the Dissolution was advisable and in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, approved the Dissolution and the Plan of Dissolution and directed that the Plan of Dissolution and the Dissolution be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval. The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the Dissolution Proposal and “FOR” each of other proposals described in the accompanying proxy statement.
More information about the Dissolution, the Plan of Dissolution and the Special Meeting is contained in the accompanying proxy statement. In particular, you should carefully read the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of the proxy statement for a discussion of risks you should consider in evaluating the Dissolution.
It is important that your shares be represented at this meeting to assure the presence of a quorum. Whether or “Bellerophon”not you plan to attend the meeting, we hope that you will have your stock represented by submitting a proxy to vote your shares over the Internet or by telephone as provided in the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card, or by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope, as soon as possible. Your stock will be voted in accordance with the instructions you have given in your proxy.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Peter Fernandes
Chief Executive Officer
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on , 2023
To Our Stockholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at a.m., Eastern time, on , 2023 at the offices of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
At the Special Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the following matters:
1. the approval of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company (the “Dissolution”) and the Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”), which, if approved, will authorize the Board to liquidate and dissolve the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution (the “Dissolution Proposal”); and
2. the approval of an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve the Dissolution Proposal (the “Adjournment Proposal”).
Stockholders of record at the close of business on , 2023 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any postponement, continuation or adjournment thereof. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own.
We urge you to submit a proxy to vote your shares over the Internet or by telephone as provided in the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card, or complete, date, sign and promptly return the enclosed proxy card whether or not you expect to attend the Special Meeting. A postage-prepaid envelope, addressed to Broadridge Financial Solutions, which is serving as proxy tabulator, has been enclosed for your convenience. If you attend the Special Meeting in person you may vote your shares in person even if you have previously submitted a proxy.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Naseem Amin
Chairman of the Board of Directors
November , 2023
Table of Contents
Page
i
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD , 2023
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., also referred to in this proxy statement as the “Company,” “Bellerophon,” “we” or “us,” for use at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held at a.m., Eastern time, on , 2023 at the offices of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, and at any postponement, continuation or adjournment thereof.
This proxy statement and accompanying proxy materials are being mailed to stockholders on or about , 2023.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on , 2023:
This proxy statement is available for viewing, printing and downloading by following the instructions at
www.edocumentview.com/BLPH.
Who is soliciting my vote?
Our board of directors (the “Board”) is soliciting your proxyvote for the Special Meeting.
When is the record date for the Special Meeting?
The Record Date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the 2021 annual meetingSpecial Meeting or any postponement, continuation or adjournment thereof is the close of stockholders tobusiness on , 2023.
How many votes can be held at our principal executive offices, 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ, 07059, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. EST and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting, which we refer to as “the annual meeting.” Bellerophon currently intends to hold the annual meeting in person. However, as a result of the public health and travel concerns that our stockholders may have due to COVID-19, we may announce alternative arrangements for the meeting, which may include switching to a virtual meeting format, or changing the time, date or location of the annual meeting. If we take this step, we will announce any changes in advance in a press release available on our website, www.bellerophon.com, and filed as additional proxy materials, and as otherwise requiredcast by applicable state law. This proxy statement along with the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, summarizes the purposes of the annual meeting and the information you need to know to vote at the annual meeting.all stockholders?
We have made available to you on the Internet or have sent you this proxy statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy card and a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, because you owned
There were shares of Bellerophon’sour common stock, par value $0.01 per share, (the “common stock”)outstanding on the record date. The Company intends to commence distribution of the Notice on or about April 13, 2021.
Why Did I Receive a Notice in the Mail Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials Instead of a Full Set of Proxy Materials?
As permitted by the rules of the SEC, we may furnish our proxy materials to our stockholders by providing access to such documents on the Internet, rather than mailing printed copies of these materials to each stockholder. Most stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they request them. We believe that this process should expedite stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the costs of the annual meeting and help to conserve natural resources. If you received a Notice by mail or electronically, you will not receive a printed or electronic copy of the proxy materials, unless you request one by following the instructions included in the Notice. Instead, the Notice instructs you as to how you may access and reviewRecord Date, all of the proxy materials and submit your proxy on the Internet. If you request a paper copy of the proxy materials, you may authorize the voting of your shares by following the instructions on the proxy card, in addition to the other methods of voting described in this proxy statement.
Who Can Vote?
Only stockholders who owned our common stock at the close of business on April 1, 2021,which are entitled to vote with respect to all matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting. On thisSpecial Meeting. Each stockholder of record date, there were 9,506,419 sharesis entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.held by such stockholder. Our common stock is our only class of voting stock.
You do not need to attend
How is a quorum reached?
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that a majority of the annual meetingoutstanding shares entitled to vote, your shares. Sharespresent in person or represented by valid proxies, received in timeproxy, will constitute a quorum for the annual meeting and not revoked prior to the annual meeting, will be votedtransaction of business at the annual meeting. For instructionsSpecial Meeting. Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), shares that are voted “abstain” and broker “non-votes” (shares held by a broker or nominee that are represented at the meeting, but with respect to which the broker or nominee is not instructed by the beneficial owner of such shares to vote on how to change or revoke your proxy, see “May I Change or Revoke My Proxy?” below.the particular proposal) are counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Special Meeting. If a quorum is not present, the meeting may be adjourned until a quorum is obtained.
How Many Votes Dodo I Have?vote?
Each share
If you are the record holder of our common stock thatyour shares, you own entitlesmay vote in one of four ways. You may submit a proxy to vote over the Internet, by telephone, or by mail or you may vote in person at the Special Meeting.
You may submit a proxy to one vote.
How Do I Vote?
Whethervote over the Internet or by telephone: Follow the instructions included in the Notice or, if you plan to attendreceived printed materials, in the annual meeting or not, we urge youproxy card to vote by proxy. All shares of common stock representedInternet or telephone.
You may submit a proxy to vote by valid proxies that we receive through this solicitation,mail: If you received a proxy card by mail, you can vote by mail by completing, signing, dating and that are not revoked, will be voted in accordance with your instructions onreturning the proxy card or as instructed via Internet or telephone. on the card.
You may specify whether your shares should be voted for or withheld for each nominee for director, whether your shares should be voted for one year, two years,
5
three years or abstain with respect to the frequency of voting on the compensation of our named executive officers and whether your shares should be voted for, against or abstain with respect to each of the other proposals. vote in person: If you properly submitattend the Special Meeting, you may vote by delivering your completed proxy card in person or you may vote by completing a proxy without giving specific voting instructions, your sharesballot. Ballots will be voted in accordance withavailable at the Board’s recommendations as noted below. Voting by proxy will not affect your right to attend the annual meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name through our stock transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), or if you have stock certificates registered in your name, you may vote:
Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 1:00 a.m.until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 26, 2021., 2023 and mailed proxy cards must be received by , 2023 in order to be counted at the Special Meeting. If the Special Meeting is adjourned or postponed, these deadlines may be extended.
The shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted as specified in those proxies. If the shares you own are held in your name and you return a duly executed proxy without specifying how your shares are to be voted, they will be voted as follows in accordance with the recommendations of our Board:
· | FOR the Dissolution Proposal, which includes the approval of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company (the “Dissolution”) and the Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”), which, if approved, will authorize the Board to liquidate and dissolve the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution; and |
· | FOR the Adjournment Proposal, which includes the approval of an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve the Dissolution Proposal. |
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” (held in the name of aby your broker, bank broker or other nominee: If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by your broker, bank or other nominee, you should have received a voting instruction form with these proxy materials from your broker, bank or other nominee rather than from us. The voting deadlines and availability to submit a proxy by telephone or the Internet for beneficial owners of shares will depend on the voting processes of the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares. Therefore, we urge you to carefully review and follow the voting instruction form and any other materials that you receive from that organization. If you hold your shares in multiple accounts, you should submit a proxy to vote your shares as described in each set of proxy materials you receive.
If the shares you own are held in street name, the bank or brokerage firm, as the record holder of record), you will receive instructions from the holder of record. You must follow the instructions of the holder of record in order for your shares, to be voted. Telephone and Internet voting also will be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you planis required to vote your shares in person at the annual meeting, youaccordance with your instructions. You should contactdirect your broker or agenthow to obtainvote the shares held in your account. Under the rules that govern brokers who are voting with respect to shares held by them as nominee, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares only on routine matters. The approval of the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution is considered a legalnon-routine matter. A broker “non-vote” occurs when a broker submits a proxy form but declines to vote on a particular matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. For non-routine matters, broker non-votes will have the effect of voting against that proposal. If you want to approve the Dissolution, you must vote FOR the Dissolution Proposal. If you do not instruct your broker on how to vote your shares with respect to the Dissolution Proposal, your broker will not be able to vote your shares with respect to the Dissolution Proposal, and it will have the effect of a vote against that proposal.
The Adjournment Proposal is considered a routine matter. If you do not instruct your broker on how to vote your shares, your broker will have the discretion to vote your shares with respect to the Adjournment Proposal.
How do I revoke my proxy or broker’s proxy card and bring it to the annual meeting in order to vote.change my vote?
How Does the Board Recommend That I Vote on the Proposals?
The Board recommends that you vote as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If any other matter is presented at the annual meeting, your proxy provides that your shares will be voted by the proxy holder listed in the proxy in accordance with his best judgment. At the time this proxy statement was first made available, we knew of no matters that needed to be acted on at the annual meeting, other than those discussed in this proxy statement.
May I Change or Revoke My Proxy?
If you give usare a stockholder of record on the Record Date for the Special Meeting, you have the power to revoke your proxy you may change or revoke it at any time before your proxy is voted at the annual meeting.Special Meeting. You may change orcan revoke your proxy in any one of the followingfour ways:
· | granting a new, valid proxy |
· | submit a new proxy |
6
Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card must be received by our Corporate Secretary prior to the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting. Such written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card should be delivered to Craig Jalbert at Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. (“V&L”), who will be acting as our Corporate Secretary, or sent to V&L at 124 Washington St., Suite 101, Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035, Attention: Bellerophon Therapeutics.
Your most current vote, whether by telephone, Internet or proxy card is the one that will be counted.
What if I Receive More Than One Notice or Proxy Card?
You may receive more than one Notice or proxy card if you hold shares of our common stock in more than one account, which may be in registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner described above under “How Do I Vote?” for each account to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Will My Shares be Voted if I Do Not Vote?
If your shares are registered in your name or if you have stock certificates, they will not be counted if you do not vote as described above under “How Do I Vote?” If your shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to thea broker, bank broker or other nominee that holds your shares, as described above, theyou must contact such broker, bank broker or other nominee that holdsin order to find out how to change your shares has the authority to vote your unvoted shares only on the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 2 of this proxy statement) without receiving instructions from you. This ensures your shares will be voted at the annual meeting and in the manner you desire. A “broker non-vote” will occur if your broker cannot vote your shares on a particular matter because it has not received instructions from you and does not have discretionary voting authority on that matter or because your broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have discretionary voting authority.vote.
Your bank, broker or other nominee does not have the ability to vote your uninstructed shares in the election of directors. Therefore, if you hold your shares in street name it is critical that you cast your vote if you want your vote to be counted for the election of directors (Proposal 1 of this proxy statement).
What Votevote is Requiredrequired to Approve Each Proposal and How are Votes Counted?adopt each proposal?
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
Is Voting Confidential?
We will keep all the proxies, ballots and voting tabulations private. We only let our Inspectors of Election, Computershare and Assaf Korner, our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, examine these documents. Management will not know how you voted on a specific proposal unless it is necessary to meet legal requirements. We will, however, forward to management any written comments you make, on the proxy card or otherwise provide.
Where Can I Find the Voting Results of the Annual Meeting?
The preliminary voting results will be announced atDissolution Proposal requires the annual meeting, and we will publish preliminary, or final results if available, in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days of the annual meeting. If final results are unavailable at the time we file the Form 8-K, then we will file an amended report on Form 8-K to disclose the final voting results within four business days after the final voting results are known.
What Are the Costs of Soliciting these Proxies?
We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. Our directors and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax or email. We will pay these employees and directors no additional compensation for these services. We will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses.
What Constitutes a Quorum for the Annual Meeting?
The presence, in person or by proxy,affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. With respect to the Dissolution Proposal, abstentions and failures to vote will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.
The Adjournment Proposal requires the approval of a majority in voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively by the holders entitled to vote on the proposal. With respect to the Adjournment Proposal, abstentions will not affect the voting results.
The votes will be counted, tabulated and certified by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), who shall serve as the inspector of elections for the Special Meeting.
Why is the Board recommending approval of the Plan of Dissolution?
The Board carefully reviewed and considered the Plan of Dissolution in light of the financial position of the Company, including our available cash, resources and operations following and in light of our previously announced review and pursuit of strategic alternatives. After due consideration of the options available to the Company, our Board has determined that the Dissolution is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. See “Proposal 1: Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Reasons for the Proposed Dissolution.”
What does the Plan of Dissolution entail?
The Plan of Dissolution provides an outline of the steps for the Dissolution of the Company under Delaware law. The Plan of Dissolution provides that we will file the Certificate of Dissolution following the required stockholder approval; however, the decision of whether or not to proceed with the Dissolution and when to file the Certificate of Dissolution will be made by the Board in its sole discretion.
What will happen if the Dissolution is approved?
If the Dissolution is approved by our stockholders, our Board will have sole discretion to determine if and when (at such time as they deem appropriate following stockholder approval of the Dissolution) to proceed with the Dissolution. If the Board decides to proceed with the Dissolution, we will liquidate any remaining assets, satisfy or make reasonable provisions for our remaining obligations, and make distributions to the stockholders of available proceeds, if any. The Board intends to seek to distribute funds to our stockholders as quickly as possible, as permitted by the DGCL and the Plan of Dissolution, and intends to take all outstandingreasonable actions to optimize the distributable value to our stockholders.
If our Board determines that the Dissolution is not in our best interests or not in the best interests of our stockholders, our Board may direct that the Dissolution be abandoned, or may amend or modify the Plan of Dissolution to the extent permitted by Delaware law without the necessity of further stockholder approval. After the Certificate of Dissolution has been filed, revocation of the Dissolution would require stockholder approval under Delaware law.
Can the Company estimate the distributions that the stockholders would receive in the Dissolution?
We cannot predict with certainty the amount of distributions, if any, to our stockholders. However, based on the information currently available to us and if our stockholders approve the Dissolution, we estimate that the aggregate amount of cash that will be available for distribution to our stockholders in the Dissolution will be in the range between approximately $400,000 and $900,000 and the total amount distributed to stockholders will be in the range between approximately $0.03 and $0.07 per share of common stock. These amounts may be paid in one or more distributions. You may receive substantially less than the amount that we currently estimate that you may receive, or you may receive no distribution at all. Such distributions, if any, will not occur until after the Certificate of Dissolution is filed, and we cannot predict the timing or amount of any such distributions, as uncertainties as to the ultimate amount of our liabilities, the operating costs and amounts to be reserved for claims, obligations and provisions during the liquidation and winding-up process, and the related timing to complete such transactions make it impossible to predict with certainty the actual net cash amount, if any, that will ultimately be available for distribution to stockholders or the timing of any such distributions. Accordingly, you will not know the exact amount of any distribution you may receive as a result of the Plan of Dissolution when you vote on the proposal to approve the Plan of Dissolution.
3
Although we cannot predict the timing or amount of any such distributions, to the extent funds are available for distribution to stockholders, the Board intends to seek to distribute such funds to our stockholders as quickly as possible, as permitted by the DGCL and the Plan of Dissolution, and will take all reasonable actions to optimize the distributable value to our stockholders. See the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Estimated Distributions to Stockholders” beginning on page 10 of this proxy statement for a description of the assumptions underlying and sensitivities of our estimate of the total cash distributions to our stockholders in the Dissolution.
What is the reporting and listing status of the Company?
On July 19, 2023, the Company was notified by the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that, in light of the Company’s previously disclosed workforce reduction plan and focus on exploring strategic alternatives, based upon the Staff’s belief that the Company is a “public shell” as that term is defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5101 and the Company’s non-compliance with the $1.00 bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), the Company would be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market at the opening of business on July 28, 2023 unless the Company timely requests a hearing before a Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) to address the deficiencies and present a plan to regain compliance. On July 26, 2023, the Company requested a hearing before the Panel, which was held on September 21, 2023. On October 2, 2023, the Panel provided an extension for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market subject to certain conditions. On October 12, 2023, the Company notified the Panel that it will not be able to meet the conditions of the Panel’s decision. Accordingly, on October 12, 2023, the Staff notified the Company that it determined to delist the Company’s shares of common stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market and that trading in the Company’s shares will be suspended at the open of trading on Monday October 16, 2023. Thereafter, Nasdaq will file a Form 25 with the SEC to formally delist the Company’s common stock. Nasdaq has not specified the exact date on which the Form 25 will be filed. Following such delisting, our common stock may only trade in the U.S. on the over-the-counter market, which is a less liquid market, if at all.
If the Dissolution is approved by our stockholders and if the Board determines to proceed with the Dissolution, we will close our transfer books at the effective time of the Certificate of Dissolution (the “Effective Time”). After such time, we will not record any further transfers of our common stock, except pursuant to the provisions of a deceased stockholder’s will, intestate succession, or operation of law and we will not issue any new stock certificates, other than replacement certificates. In addition, after the Effective Time, we will not issue any shares of our common stock upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, or restricted stock units. As a result of the closing of our transfer books, it is anticipated that distributions, if any, made in connection with the Dissolution will likely be made pro rata to the same stockholders of record as the stockholders of record as of the Effective Time, and it is anticipated that no further transfers of record ownership of our common stock will occur after the Effective Time.
Additionally, whether or not the Dissolution is approved, we will have an obligation to continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) until we have exited such reporting requirements. The Company plans to initiate steps to exit from certain reporting requirements under the Exchange Act.
However, such process may be protracted and we may be required to continue to file Current Reports on Form 8-K to disclose material events, including those related to the Dissolution. Accordingly, we will continue to incur expenses that will reduce the amount available for distribution, including expenses of complying with public company reporting requirements and paying its service providers, among others.
Do I have appraisal rights in connection with the Dissolution?
None of Delaware law, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or our Amended and Restated Bylaws provides for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with the Dissolution, and we do not intend to independently provide stockholders with any such right.
Are there any risks related to the Dissolution?
Yes. You should carefully review the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this proxy statement for a description of risks related to the Dissolution.
Will I owe any U.S. federal income taxes as a result of the Dissolution?
If the Dissolution is approved and implemented, a stockholder that is a U.S. person generally will recognize gain or loss on a share-by-share basis equal to the difference between (1) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of property, if any, distributed to the stockholder with respect to each share, less any known liabilities assumed by the stockholder or to which the distributed property (if any) is subject, and (2) the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in each share of our common stock. You are urged to read the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Proposed Dissolution” beginning on page 19 of this proxy statement for a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Dissolution, including the ownership of an interest in a liquidating trust, if any.
What will happen to our common stock if the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware?
If the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State, our common stock (if not previously delisted and deregistered) will be delisted from the Nasdaq and deregistered under the Exchange Act. From and after the Effective Time, and subject to applicable law, each holder of shares of our common stock shall cease to have any rights in respect of that stock, except the right to receive distributions, if any, pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution and the DGCL. After the Effective Time, our stock transfer records shall be closed, and we will not record or recognize any transfer of our common stock occurring after the Effective Time, except, in our sole discretion, such transfers occurring by will, intestate succession or operation of law as to which we have received adequate written notice. Under the DGCL, no stockholder shall have any appraisal rights in connection with the Dissolution.
We expect to file the Certificate of Dissolution and for the Dissolution to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the Dissolution is approved by our stockholders; however, the decision of whether or not to proceed with the Dissolution will be made by the Board in its sole discretion. We intend to provide advance notice to our stockholders prior to the closing of our stock transfer records.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information in this proxy statement includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of members of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based, and are generally identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “predicts,” “intends,” “should,” “could,” “continues,” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements in this proxy statement include, but are not limited to:
· | plans and expectations for the Dissolution; |
· | beliefs about the Company’s available options and financial condition; |
· | all statements regarding the tax and accounting consequences of the transactions contemplated by the Dissolution; and |
· | all statements regarding the amount and timing of distributions made to stockholders, if any, in connection with the Dissolution. |
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. We make no representation or warranty (express or implied) about the accuracy of any of the forward-looking statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions involving the judgment of management. Many relevant risks are described under the caption “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this proxy statement, as well as throughout this proxy statement and the incorporated documents, and you should consider these important cautionary factors as you read this document.
The forward-looking statements in this proxy statement involve certain uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to:
· | our ability to complete the Dissolution in a timely manner, or at all; |
· | the timing and amount of cash and other assets available for distribution to our stockholders upon Dissolution; |
· | the impact of business uncertainties in connection with the Dissolution; |
· | the occurrence of any event, change or circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Plan of Dissolution; |
· | the risk that we may have liabilities or obligations about which we are not currently aware; |
· | the risk that the cost of settling our liabilities and contingent obligations could be higher than anticipated; and |
· | other risks and uncertainties described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023 and those risks and uncertainties described in our other reports filed with the SEC, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. |
Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this proxy statement only. In each case, actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking information. We can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. An occurrence of or any material adverse change in one or more of the risk factors or risks and uncertainties referred to in this proxy statement or included in the documents incorporated by reference herein or other periodic reports or other documents or filings filed with or furnished to the SEC from time to time could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Except as required by law, we do not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections or other circumstances affecting such forward-looking statements occurring after the date of this proxy statement.
The following risk factors, together with the other information in this proxy statement and in the “Risk Factors” sections included in the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement (see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference” beginning on page 26 of this proxy statement), should be carefully considered before deciding whether to vote to approve the Dissolution Proposal as described in this proxy statement. In addition, stockholders should keep in mind that the risks described below are not the only risks that are relevant to your voting decision. The risks described below are the risks that we currently believe are the material risks of which our stockholders should be aware. Nonetheless, additional risks that are not presently known to us, or that we currently believe are not material, may also prove to be important. Notably, the Company cautions that trading in the Company’s securities is highly speculative and poses substantial risks.
Trading prices for the Company’s securities may bear little or no relationship to the actual value realized, if any, by holders of the Company’s securities. Accordingly, the Company urges extreme caution with respect to existing and future investments in its securities.
RISKS RELATED TO THE DISSOLUTION
We cannot predict the timing of the distributions to stockholders.
Our current intention is that, if approved by our stockholders, the Certificate of Dissolution would be filed promptly after such approval; however, the decision of whether or not to proceed with the Dissolution will be made by the Board in its sole discretion. No further stockholder approval would be required to effect the Dissolution. However, if the Board determines that the Dissolution is not in our best interest or the best interest of our stockholders, the Board may, in its sole discretion, abandon the Dissolution or may amend or modify the Plan of Dissolution to the extent permitted by Delaware law without the necessity of further stockholder approval. After the Certificate of Dissolution has been filed, revocation of the Dissolution would require stockholder approval under Delaware law.
Under Delaware law, before a dissolved corporation may make any distribution to its stockholders, it must pay or make reasonable provision to pay all of its claims and obligations, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured contractual claims known to the corporation. Furthermore, we may be subject to potential liabilities relating to indemnification obligations, if any, to third parties or to our current and former officers and directors. It might take significant time to resolve these matters, and as a result we are unable to predict the timing of distributions, if any are made, to our stockholders.
We cannot assure you as to the amount of distributions, if any, to be made to our stockholders.
We cannot predict with certainty the amount of distributions, if any, to our stockholders. However, based on the information currently available to us and if our stockholders approve the Dissolution, we estimate that the aggregate amount of cash that will be available for distribution to our stockholders in the Dissolution will be in the range between approximately $400,000 and $900,000 and the total amount distributed to stockholders will be in the range between approximately $0.03 and $0.07 per share of common stock. These estimates do not include cash that may be available for distribution from the proceeds from any sales or our remaining assets, including our intellectual property. Any such amounts may be paid in one or more distributions. Such distributions will not occur until after the Certificate of Dissolution is filed, and we cannot predict the timing or amount of any such distributions, as uncertainties as to the ultimate amount of our liabilities, the operating costs and amounts to be set aside for claims, obligations and provisions during the liquidation and winding-up process, and the related timing to complete such transactions make it impossible to predict with certainty the actual net cash amount that will ultimately be available for distribution to stockholders or the timing of any such distributions. Examples of uncertainties that could reduce the value of distributions to our stockholders include: unanticipated costs relating to the defense, satisfaction or settlement of lawsuits or other claims threatened against us or our directors or officers; amounts necessary to resolve claims of any creditors or other third parties; and delays in the liquidation and dissolution or other winding up process.
In addition, as we wind down, we will continue to incur expenses from operations, including directors’ and officers’ insurance; payments to service providers and any continuing employees or consultants; taxes; legal, accounting and consulting fees and expenses related to our filing obligations with the SEC or in connection with our listing (including our scheduled hearing) on Nasdaq, which will reduce any amounts available for distribution to our stockholders. As a result, we cannot assure you as to any amounts to be distributed to our stockholders if the Board proceeds with the Dissolution. If our stockholders do not approve the Dissolution Proposal, we will not be able to proceed with the Dissolution and no liquidating distributions will be made in connection therewith. See the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Estimated Distributions to Stockholders” beginning on page 10 of this proxy statement for a description of the assumptions underlying and sensitivities of our estimate of the total cash distributions to our stockholders in the Dissolution.
It is the current intent of the Board, assuming approval of the Dissolution, that any cash will first be used to pay our outstanding current liabilities and then will be retained to pay ongoing corporate and administrative costs and expenses associated with winding down the company, liabilities and potential liabilities relating to or arising out of any litigation matters and potential liabilities relating to our indemnification obligations, if any, to our service providers, or to our current and former officers and directors.
The Board will determine, in its sole discretion, the timing of the distribution of the remaining amounts, if any, to our stockholders in the Dissolution. We can provide no assurance as to if or when any such distribution will be made, and we cannot provide any assurance as to the amount to be paid to stockholders in any such distribution, if one is made. Stockholders may receive substantially less than the amount that we currently estimate that they may receive, or they may receive no distribution at all. To the extent funds are available for distribution to stockholders, the Board intends to seek to distribute such funds to our stockholders as quickly as possible, as permitted by the DGCL, and intends to take all reasonable actions to optimize the distributable value to our stockholders.
If our stockholders do not approve the Dissolution Proposal, we would not be able to continue our business operations.
On June 5, 2023, we issued a press release announcing top-line results from our pivotal Phase 3 REBUILD clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of INOpulse® for the treatment of fILD. The trial did not meet its primary endpoint and the secondary endpoints demonstrated minimal difference between the two groups with none approaching statistical significance. Based on these findings, we decided to terminate the REBUILD Phase 3 clinical study and withdraw patients from all of our ongoing INOpulse development programs and disclosed our intention to explore a range of strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, including, but not limited to, a merger, a business combination, a sale of assets or other transaction or a liquidation and dissolution, which we disclosed in a Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2023. In connection with our plan to explore strategic alternatives, we also announced a reduction in force. After an extensive review of strategic alternatives, we have been unable to identify and enter into a viable transaction with a merger partner or purchaser of our company or our assets. If our stockholders do not approve the Dissolution Proposal, the Board will continue to explore what, if any, alternatives are available for the future of the Company in light of its discontinued business activities; however, those alternatives are likely limited to seeking voluntary dissolution at a later time with potentially diminished assets or seeking bankruptcy protection (should our net assets decline to levels that would require such action). It is unlikely that these alternatives would result in greater stockholder value than the proposed Plan of Dissolution and the Dissolution.
The Board may determine not to proceed with the Dissolution.
Even if the Dissolution Proposal is approved by our stockholders, the Board may determine in its sole discretion not to proceed with the Dissolution. If our Board elects to pursue any alternative to the Plan of Dissolution, our stockholders may not receive any of the funds that might otherwise be available for distribution to our stockholders. After the Certificate of Dissolution has been filed, revocation of the Dissolution would require stockholder approval under Delaware law.
Our stockholders may be liable to third parties for part or all of the amount received from us in our liquidating distributions if reserves are inadequate.
If the Dissolution becomes effective, we may establish a contingency reserve designed to satisfy any additional claims and obligations that may arise. Any contingency reserve may not be adequate to cover all of our claims and obligations. Under the DGCL, if we fail to create an adequate contingency reserve for payment of our expenses, claims and obligations, each stockholder could be held liable for payment to our creditors for claims brought prior to or after the expiration of the Survival Period (as defined below) after we file the Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State (or, if we choose the Safe Harbor Procedures (as defined under the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Delaware Law Applicable to Our Dissolution — Payments and Distributions to Claimants and Stockholders — Safe Harbor Procedures under DGCL Sections 280 and 281(a)” beginning on page 13 of this proxy statement), for claims brought prior to the expiration of the Survival Period), up to the lesser of (i) such stockholder’s pro rata share of amounts owed to creditors in excess of the contingency reserve and (ii) the amounts previously received by such stockholder in Dissolution from us and from any liquidating trust or trusts. Accordingly, in such event, a stockholder could be required to return part or all of the distributions previously made to such stockholder, and a stockholder could receive nothing from us under the Plan of Dissolution. Moreover, if a stockholder has paid taxes on amounts previously received, a repayment of all or a portion of such amount could result in a situation in which a stockholder may incur a net tax cost if the repayment of the amount previously distributed does not cause a commensurate reduction in taxes payable in an amount equal to the amount of the taxes paid on amounts previously distributed.
Our stockholders of record will not be able to buy or sell shares of our common stock after we close our stock transfer books on the Effective Time.
If the Board determines to proceed with the Dissolution, we intend to close our stock transfer books and discontinue recording transfers of our common stock at the Effective Time. After we close our stock transfer books, we will not record any further transfers of our common stock on our books except by will, intestate succession or operation of law. Therefore, shares of our common stock will not be freely transferable after the Effective Time. As a result of the closing of the stock transfer books, all liquidating distributions in the Dissolution will likely be made pro rata to the same stockholders of record as the stockholders of record as of the Final Record Date.
We plan to initiate steps to exit from certain reporting requirements under the Exchange Act, which may substantially reduce publicly available information about us. If the exit process is protracted, we will continue to bear the expense of being a public reporting company despite having no source of revenue.
Our common stock is currently registered under the Exchange Act, which requires that we, and our officers and directors with respect to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, comply with certain public reporting and proxy statement requirements thereunder. Compliance with these requirements is costly and time-consuming. We plan to initiate steps to exit from such reporting requirements in order to curtail expenses; however, such process may be protracted and we may be required to continue to file Current Reports on Form 8-K or other reports to disclose material events, including those related to the Dissolution. Accordingly, we will continue to incur expenses that will reduce the amount available for distribution, including expenses of complying with public company reporting requirements and paying its service providers, among others. If our reporting obligations cease, publicly available information about us will be substantially reduced.
Stockholders may not be able to recognize a loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes until they receive a final distribution from us.
As a result of the Dissolution, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a stockholder that is a U.S. person generally will recognize gain or loss on a share-by- share basis equal to the difference between (1) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of property, if any, distributed to the stockholder with respect to each share, less any known liabilities assumed by the stockholder or to which the distributed property (if any) is subject, and (2) the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in each share of our common stock. A liquidating distribution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution may occur at various times and in more than one tax year. Any loss generally will be recognized by a stockholder only in the tax year in which the stockholder receives our final liquidating distribution, and then only if the aggregate value of all liquidating distributions with respect to a share of our common stock is less than the stockholder’s tax basis for that share. Stockholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to them of the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution. See the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Proposed Dissolution” beginning on page 19 of this proxy statement.
The tax treatment of any liquidating distribution may vary from stockholder to stockholder, and the discussions in this proxy statement regarding tax consequences are general in nature.
We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of the Dissolution, and we will not seek an opinion of counsel with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of any liquidating distributions. If any of the anticipated tax consequences described in this proxy statement prove to be incorrect, the result could be increased taxation at the corporate or stockholder level, thus reducing the benefit to our stockholders and us from the Dissolution. Tax considerations applicable to particular stockholders may vary with and be contingent on the stockholder’s individual circumstances. You should consult your own tax advisor for tax advice instead of relying on the discussions of tax consequences in this proxy statement.
PROPOSAL 1 — APPROVAL OF THE DISSOLUTION PURSUANT TO THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION
We are asking you to authorize and approve the Dissolution. Our Board has determined that the Dissolution is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, has approved the Dissolution and has adopted the Plan of Dissolution. The reasons for the Dissolution are described under “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Background of the Proposed Dissolution” beginning on page 11 of this proxy statement. The Dissolution requires approval by the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote at the annual meetingSpecial Meeting that is the subject of this proxy statement. Our Board unanimously recommends that our stockholders authorize the Dissolution.
In general terms, when we dissolve, we will cease conducting our business, wind up our affairs, dispose of our non-cash assets, pay or otherwise provide for our obligations, and distribute our remaining assets, if any, during a post-dissolution period of at least three years, as required by the DGCL. With respect to the Dissolution, we will follow the dissolution and winding-up procedures prescribed by the DGCL, as described in further detail under “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Delaware Law Applicable to Our Dissolution” beginning on page 12 of this proxy statement. Our liquidation, winding up and distribution procedures will be further guided by our Plan of Dissolution, as described in further detail under “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Our Plan of Dissolution” beginning on page 15 of this proxy statement. You should carefully consider the risk factors relating to our complete liquidation and dissolution and described under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to The Dissolution” beginning on page 7 of this proxy statement.
Subject to the requirements of the DGCL and our Plan of Dissolution, as further described below, we will use our existing cash to pay for our winding up procedures, including:
· | income and other taxes; |
· | the costs associated with our Dissolution and winding up over the Survival Period; these costs may include, among others, expenses necessary to the implementation and administration of our Plan of Dissolution and fees and other amounts payable to professional advisors (including legal counsel, financial advisors and others) and to consultants and others assisting us with our Dissolution; |
· | any claims by others against us that we do not reject as part of the dissolution process; |
· | any amounts owed by us under contracts with third parties; |
· | the funding of any reserves or other security we are required to establish, or deem appropriate to establish, to pay for asserted claims (including lawsuits) and possible future claims, as further described below; and |
· | solely to the extent remaining after provision for the above-described payments, liquidating distributions to be made to our stockholders, which distributions may be made from time to time as available and in accordance with the DGCL procedures described below. |
ESTIMATED DISTRIBUTIONS TO STOCKHOLDERS
Based on currently available information, we estimate that we will have in the range between approximately $400,000 and $900,000 of cash that we will be able to distribute to stockholders in connection with the Dissolution, which implies a per share distribution range of $0.03 to $0.07 per share of common stock. Calculating such an estimate is inherently uncertain and requires that we make a number of assumptions regarding future events, many of which are unlikely to ultimately be true. We used the following assumptions when calculating the estimated distributable cash value: (i) approximately $700,000 payable for insurance, (ii) approximately $400,000 payable for wind-down administration services and retainage, (iii) approximately $200,000 payable for legal fees, (iv) approximately $300,000 payable for severance, (v) approximately $400,000 payable for wages, board fees and consultants, (vi) approximately $100,000 payable for accounting fees, (vii) approximately $100,000 payable for disposal of inventory, property and equipment and (viii) approximately $200,000 payable for other general and administrative costs.
Distributions, if any, to our stockholders may be paid in one or more distributions. Such distributions will not occur until after the Certificate of Dissolution is filed, and we cannot predict the timing or amount of any such distributions, as uncertainties as to the ultimate amount of our liabilities, the operating costs and amounts to be set aside for claims, obligations and provisions during the liquidation and winding-up process, and the related timing to complete such transactions make it impossible to predict with certainty the actual net cash amount that will ultimately be available for distribution to stockholders or the timing of any such distributions. Examples of uncertainties that could reduce the value of distributions to our stockholders include: unanticipated costs relating to the defense, satisfaction or settlement of existing or future lawsuits or other claims threatened against us or our officers or directors; amounts necessary to constituteresolve claims of our creditors; and delays in the liquidation and dissolution or other winding up of our subsidiaries due to our inability to settle claims or otherwise.
Our estimate of the anticipated initial distribution amounts is preliminary and many of the factors that are necessary to determine how much, if any, we will be able to distribute to our stockholders in liquidation are subject to change and outside of our control. While we intend to pursue matters related to our liquidation and winding up as quickly as possible if we obtain approval from our stockholders, the timing of many elements of this process after our Dissolution will not be entirely within our control and, therefore, we are unable to estimate when we would be able to begin making any post-Dissolution liquidating distributions to our stockholders. See the section entitled “Risk Factors — Risks Related to The Dissolution” beginning on page 7 of this proxy statement.
The description of the Dissolution contained in this introductory section is general in nature and is subject to various other factors and requirements, as described in greater detail below.
BACKGROUND OF THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION
In the ordinary course from time to time, our Board and management team have evaluated and considered a quorumvariety of financial and strategic opportunities for the Company as part of our long-term strategy to enhance value for our stockholders, including potential acquisitions, divestitures, business combinations and other transactions.
Historically, we were a clinical-stage therapeutics company focused on developing innovative products to address significant unmet medical needs in the treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. Our focus had primarily been the development of our nitric oxide therapy for patients with or at risk of pulmonary hypertension, or PH, using our proprietary pulsatile nitric oxide delivery platform, INOpulse.
On June 5, 2023, we issued a press release announcing top-line results from our pivotal Phase 3 REBUILD clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of INOpulse. The trial did not meet its primary endpoint and the secondary endpoints demonstrated minimal difference between the two groups with none approaching statistical significance. Based on these findings, we decided to terminate the REBUILD Phase 3 clinical study and withdraw patients from all of our ongoing INOpulse development programs and disclosed our intention to explore a range of strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, including, but not limited to, a merger, a business combination, a sale of assets or other transaction or a liquidation and dissolution. We also began implementation of a Board-approved plan to preserve capital, reduce operating costs, and maximize the value of our assets. Consistent with our capital preservation efforts, we reduced our workforce except for certain executive officers and finance personnel required to lead the strategic review process and manage remaining operations.
Our Board and management consulted with advisors relating to the pursuit of a sale or merger of the Company, including a reverse merger. Despite broad canvassing and discussions with multiple potential strategic parties, we were unsuccessful in identifying and entering into agreements for any viable transactions.
In light of the strategic alternatives review, our Board determined that approving the Plan of Dissolution gives our Board the most flexibility in optimizing value for our stockholders and as a result, on October 12, 2023, our Board adopted resolutions approving the Plan of Dissolution and the Dissolution and recommending that our stockholders approve the Plan of Dissolution and the Dissolution.
REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION
The Board believes that the Dissolution is in the Company’s best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. The Board considered and pursued at length potential strategic alternatives available to the Company such as a merger, strategic partnership or other business combination transaction, and, following the results of such review, now believe that pursuing a wind-up of the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution gives our Board the most flexibility in optimizing value for our stockholders.
In making its determination to approve the Dissolution, the Board considered, in addition to other pertinent factors, the fact that the Company currently has no significant remaining business operations or business prospects; the fact that the Company will continue to incur substantial accounting, legal and other expenses associated with being a public company despite having no source of revenue or financing alternatives; and the fact that the Company has conducted an evaluation to identify remaining strategic alternatives involving the Company, such as a merger, strategic partnership or other business combination transaction, that would have a reasonable likelihood of providing value to our stockholders in excess of the amount the stockholders would receive in a liquidation. As a result of its evaluation, the Board concluded that the Dissolution is the preferred strategy among the alternatives now available to the Company and is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Board approved the Dissolution of the Company pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution and recommends that our stockholders approve the Dissolution Proposal.
DELAWARE LAW APPLICABLE TO OUR DISSOLUTION
We are a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and the Dissolution will be governed by the DGCL. The following is a brief summary of some of the DGCL provisions applicable to the Dissolution. The following summary is qualified in its entirely by Sections 275 through 283 of the DGCL, which are attached to this proxy statement as Annex B.
Delaware Law Generally
Authorization of Board and Stockholders. If a corporation’s board of directors deems it advisable that the corporation should dissolve, it may adopt a resolution to that effect by a majority vote of the whole board and notify the corporation’s stockholders entitled to vote on the dissolution of the adoption of the resolution and the calling of a meeting of stockholders to act on the resolution. Our Board has unanimously adopted a resolution approving the Dissolution and the Plan of Dissolution and declaring them advisable and recommending them to our stockholders. The Dissolution must be authorized and approved by the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock on the Record Date entitled to vote on the Dissolution Proposal.
Certificate of Dissolution. If a corporation’s stockholders authorize its dissolution, to consummate the dissolution the corporation must file a certificate of dissolution with the Secretary of State. If our stockholders authorize the Dissolution at the Special Meeting, we intend to file the Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State as soon as practicable after the receipt of such approval. However, the timing of such filing is subject to the discretion of the Board.
Possible Permitted Abandonment of Dissolution. The resolution authorizing a dissolution adopted by a corporation’s board of directors may provide that, notwithstanding authorization of the dissolution by the corporation’s stockholders, the board of directors may abandon the dissolution without further action by the stockholders. While we do not currently foresee any reason that our Board would abandon our proposed Dissolution once it is authorized by our stockholders, to provide our Board with the maximum flexibility to act in the best interests of our stockholders, the resolutions adopted by our Board included language providing the board with the flexibility to abandon the Dissolution without further action of our stockholders at any time prior to the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution.
Time of Dissolution. When a corporation’s certificate of dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State and has become effective, along with the corporation’s tender of all taxes (including Delaware franchise taxes) and fees authorized to be collected by the Secretary of State, the corporation will be dissolved. We refer to the effective time of the Certificate of Dissolution herein as the “Effective Time.”
Continuation of Corporation After Dissolution
A dissolved corporation continues its existence for three years after dissolution, or such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery may direct, for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits and enabling the corporation to settle and close its business, to dispose of and convey its property, to discharge its liabilities and to distribute to its stockholders any remaining assets. A dissolved corporation may not, however, continue the business for which it was organized. Any action, suit or proceeding begun by or against the corporation before or during this survival period does not abate by reason of the dissolution, and for the purpose of any such action, suit or proceeding, the corporation will continue beyond the Survival Period until any related judgments, orders or decrees are fully executed, without the necessity for any special direction by the Delaware Court of Chancery. Our Plan of Dissolution will govern our winding up process after Dissolution. See the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Our Plan of Dissolution” beginning on page 15 of this proxy statement.
Payment and Distribution to Claimants and Stockholders
A dissolved corporation must make provision for the payment (or reservation of funds as security for payment) of claims against the corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the distribution of remaining assets to the corporation’s stockholders. The dissolved corporation may do this by following one of two procedures, as described below.
Safe Harbor Procedures under DGCL Sections 280 and 281(a) (the “Safe Harbor Procedures”)
A dissolved corporation may elect to give notice of its dissolution to persons having a claim against the corporation (other than claims against the corporation in any pending actions, suits or proceedings to which the corporation is a party) (“Current Claimants”) and to persons with contractual claims contingent on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of future events or otherwise conditional or unmatured (“Contingent Contractual Claimants”), and after giving these notices, following the procedures set forth in the DGCL, as described below.
The Plan of Dissolution provides the Board with the discretion to elect to follow the Safe Harbor Procedures rather than the Alternative Procedures.
Current Claimants
Notices and Publication. The notice to Current Claimants must state (1) that all such claims must be presented to the corporation in writing and must contain sufficient information reasonably to inform the corporation of the identity of the claimant and the substance of the claim; (2) the mailing address to which the claim must be sent; (3) the date (the “Claim Date”) by which the claim must be received by the corporation, which must be no earlier than 60 days from the date of the corporation’s notice; (4) that the claim will be barred if not received by the Claim Date; (5) that the corporation may make distributions to other claimants and the corporation’s stockholders without further notice to the Current Claimant; and (6) the aggregate annual meeting. Votes
8
Tableamount of Contentsall distributions made by the corporation to its stockholders for each of the three years before the date of dissolution. The notice must be published at least once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the corporation’s registered agent in Delaware is located and in the corporation’s principal place of business and, in the case of a corporation having $10.0 million or more in total assets at the time of dissolution, at least once in all editions of a daily newspaper with a national circulation. On or before the date of the first publication of the notice, the corporation must also mail a copy of the notice by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to each known claimant of the corporation, including persons with claims asserted against the corporation in a pending action, suit or proceeding to which the corporation is a party.
Effect of Non-Responses to Notices. If the dissolved corporation does not receive a response to the corporation’s notice by the Claim Date from a Current Claimant who was given actual notice according to the foregoing paragraph, then the claimant’s claim will be barred.
Treatment of Responses to Notices. If the dissolved corporation receives a response to the corporation’s notice by the Claim Date, the dissolved corporation may accept or reject, in whole or in part, the claim. If the dissolved corporation rejects a claim, it must mail a notice of the rejection to the Current Claimant by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, within 90 days after receipt of the claim (or, if earlier, at least 150 days before the expiration of the Survival Period). The notice must state that any claim so rejected will be barred if the Current Claimant does not commence an action, suit or proceeding with respect to the claim within 120 days of the date of the rejection.
Effect of Non-Responses to Rejections of Claims. If the dissolved corporation rejects a claim and the Current Claimant does not commence an action suit or proceeding with respect to the claim within the 120-day post- rejection period, then the Current Claimant’s claim will be barred.
Contingent Contractual Claims
Notices. The notice to Contingent Contractual Claimants (persons with contractual claims contingent on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of future events or otherwise conditional or unmatured) must be in substantially the same form and sent and published in the same manner, as notices to Current Claimants and shall request that Contingent Contractual Claimants present their claims in accordance with the terms of such notice.
Responses to Contractual Claimants. If the dissolved corporation receives a response by the date specified in the notice by which the claims from Contingent Contractual Claimants must be received by the corporation, which must be no earlier than 60 days from the date of the corporation’s notice to Contingent Contractual Claimants, the dissolved corporation must offer to the Contingent Contractual Claimant such security as the dissolved corporation determines is sufficient to provide compensation to the claimant if the claim matures. This offer must be mailed to the Contingent Contractual Claimant by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, within 90 days of the dissolved corporation’s receipt of the claim (or, if earlier, at least 150 days before the expiration of the post- dissolution survival period). If the Contingent Contractual Claimant does not deliver to the dissolved corporation a written notice rejecting the offer within 120 days after receipt of the offer for security, the claimant is deemed to have accepted the security as the sole source from which to satisfy the claim against the dissolved corporation.
Determinations by Delaware Court of Chancery
A dissolved corporation that has complied with the Safe Harbor Procedures must petition the Delaware Court of Chancery to determine the amount and form of security that will be (1) reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for any claim against the dissolved corporation that is the subject of a pending action, suit or proceeding to which the dissolved corporation is a party, other than a claim barred pursuant to the Safe Harbor Procedures, (2) sufficient to provide compensation to any Contingent Contractual Claimant who has rejected the dissolved corporation’s offer for security for such person’s claims made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Procedures, and (3) reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for claims that have not been made known to the dissolved corporation or that have not arisen but that, based on facts known to the dissolved corporation, are likely to arise or to become known to the dissolved corporation within five years after the date of dissolution or such longer period of time as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine, not to exceed ten years after the date of dissolution.
Payments and Distributions
If a dissolved corporation has followed the Safe Harbor Procedures, then it will (1) pay the current claims made but not rejected, (2) post the security offered and not rejected for contractual claims that are contingent, conditional or unmatured, (3) post any security ordered by the Delaware Court of Chancery in response to the dissolved corporation’s petition to the court described above, and (4) pay or make provision for all other claims that are mature, known and uncontested or that have been finally determined to be owing by the dissolved corporation. If there are insufficient assets to make these payments and provisions, then they will be satisfied ratably in accordance with legal priorities, to the extent that assets are available.
All remaining assets will be distributed to the dissolved corporation’s stockholders, but not earlier than 150 days after the date of the last notice of rejection given by the dissolved corporation to a Current Claimant pursuant to the Safe Harbor Procedures.
Alternative Procedures under DGCL Section 281(b) (the “Alternative Procedures”)
If a dissolved corporation does not elect to follow the Safe Harbor Procedures, it must adopt a plan of distribution pursuant to which it will (1) pay or make reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured contractual claims known to the corporation, (2) make such provision as will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for any claim against the dissolved corporation that is the subject of a pending action, suit or proceeding to which the dissolved corporation is a party and (3) make such provision as will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for claims that have not been made known to the dissolved corporation or that have not arisen but that, based on facts known to the dissolved corporation, are likely to arise or to become known to the dissolved corporation within ten years after the date of dissolution. If there are insufficient assets to make these payments and provisions, then they will be satisfied ratably in accordance with legal priorities, to the extent assets are available. All remaining assets will be distributed to the dissolved corporation’s stockholders.
The Plan of Dissolution adopted by the Board and proposed to the stockholders for approval constitutes the plan of distribution for purposes of the Alternative Procedures.
Liabilities of Stockholders and Directors
If a dissolved corporation follows either the Safe Harbor Procedures or the Alternative Procedures, then (1) a stockholder of the dissolved corporation’s will not be liable for any claim against the dissolved corporation in an amount in excess of the lesser of (a) the stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim and (b) the amount distributed to the stockholder. If a dissolved corporation follows the Safe Harbor Procedures, then a stockholder of the dissolved corporation will not be liable for any claim against the dissolved corporation on which an action, suit or proceeding is not begun before the expiration of the Survival Period. In no event will the aggregate liability of a stockholder of a dissolved corporation for claims against the dissolved corporation exceed the amount distributed to the stockholder in dissolution. If a dissolved corporation fully complies with either the Safe Harbor Procedures or the Alternative Procedures, then the dissolved corporation’s directors will not be personally liable to the dissolved corporation’s claimants.
Application of These Procedures to Us
We currently plan to elect to follow the Alternative Procedures. However, our Plan of Dissolution specifically permits our Board the discretion to decide to abandon any plans to follow the Alternative Procedures and to follow the Safe Harbor Procedures permitted by Delaware law. If we follow the Safe Harbor Procedures, then the required published notices would be published in a newspaper of general circulation in New Castle County, Delaware (the location of our registered agent), and Foxborough, Massachusetts (the location of our principal place of business). For more information about our liquidation, winding up and distribution procedures, see the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Our Plan of Dissolution” beginning on page 15 of this proxy statement.
OUR PLAN OF DISSOLUTION
The Dissolution will be conducted in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. The following is a summary of our Plan of Dissolution and does not purport to be complete or contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand our Plan of Dissolution more fully, you are urged to read this proxy statement as well as the Plan of Dissolution. Our Plan of Dissolution may be modified, clarified or amended by action by our Board at any time and from time to time, as further described below.
Authorization and Effectiveness
Our Plan of Dissolution will be deemed approved if the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on the Dissolution Proposal have authorized the Plan of Dissolution and the Dissolution and will constitute our authorized plan and will evidence our authority to take all actions described in the Plan of Dissolution. Following the authorization of the Dissolution by our stockholders, at such time as our Board determines to be appropriate, we will file the Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State and ensure that all relevant taxes (including Delaware franchise taxes) and fees are paid. The Effective Time of our Dissolution will be when the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the office of the Secretary of State or such later date and time that is stated in the Certificate of Dissolution.
Survival Period
For three years after the Effective Time (or such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery may direct) (the “Survival Period”), we will continue as a body corporate for the purpose of prosecuting and defending lawsuits (civil, criminal or administrative) by or against us; settling and closing our business; disposing of and conveying our property; discharging our liabilities in accordance with the DGCL; and distributing our remaining assets to our stockholders. We will no longer engage in the development of treatments for cardiopulmonary diseases. We anticipate that distributions, if any, to our stockholders will be made in cash, and may be made at any time, from time to time, in accordance with the DGCL.
General Liquidation, Winding Up and Distribution Process
We intend to elect to follow the Alternative Procedures described under the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Delaware Law Applicable to Our Dissolution — Alternative Procedures under DGCL Section 281(b)” beginning on page 14 of this proxy statement but our Board retains the discretion to opt to dissolve the Company in accordance with the Safe Harbor Procedures.
The Board intends to seek to distribute funds, if any, to our stockholders as quickly as possible, as permitted by the DGCL and the Plan of Dissolution, and intends to take all reasonable actions to optimize the distributable value to our stockholders.
Continuing Employees and Consultants
During the Survival Period, we may retain, hire, employ or contract with employees, consultants, agents, trustees, independent professional advisors (including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors) and others, as the Board may determine, from time to time, to be necessary or advisable to effect the Dissolution as described in our Plan of Dissolution. The Board expects that during the Dissolution, the Company will continue to retain Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. to help with the winding-up activities and administering the Dissolution. The Board also expects that outside legal and financial advisors will continue to advise on and assist with the Dissolution.
After filing the Certificate of Dissolution, the Board expects it will reduce the size of the Board at three or fewer Board seats to save costs.
We may, in the absolute discretion of the Board, pay the Company’s directors, any employees it may hire, consultants, agents and other representatives, compensation or additional compensation above their regular compensation, including pursuant to severance and retention agreements, in money or other property, in recognition of the extraordinary efforts they will be required to undertake in connection with the implementation of the Plan of Dissolution; however, given the Company’s already streamlined operations, the Board does not expect to need to hire any employees or otherwise expand the team of advisors and consultants currently in place.
Sale of Our Remaining Assets
We have a portfolio of patents, know how, trade secrets, and other intellectual property that covers our platform technologies as well as our product discoveries. The Plan of Dissolution contemplates the sale of all of our remaining non-cash assets, including our intellectual property, if and at such time as the Board may approve, without further stockholder approval. The Plan of Dissolution does not specify the manner in which we may sell our assets. Such sales could take the form of sales of individual assets, sales of groups of assets organized by type of asset or otherwise, a single sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or some other form of sale. The assets may be sold to one or more purchasers in one or more transactions over a period of time. It is not anticipated that any further stockholder votes will be solicited with respect to the approval of the specific terms of any particular sales of assets approved by the Board. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell our intellectual property assets on attractive terms, or at all. We do not anticipate amending or supplementing this proxy statement to reflect any such agreement or sale, unless required by applicable law, or selling any additional assets in the future. See the section entitled “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Dissolution” beginning on page 7 of this proxy statement.
Costs and Expenses
We will pay all costs and expenses that the Board may determine from time to time to be necessary or advisable to effect the Dissolution in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution and as may be necessary or advisable to continue our existence and operations. These costs and expenses may include, without limitation, brokerage, agency, professional, consulting and other fees and expenses of persons rendering services to the Company in connection with the matters described in the Plan of Dissolution and costs incurred to comply with contracts to which the Company is a party.
Indemnification
We will continue to indemnify our officers, directors, employees and agents in accordance with, and to the extent required or permitted by, the DGCL, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and any contractual arrangements, whether these arrangements existed before the Dissolution or were entered into after the Dissolution. During the Survival Period, acts and omissions of any indemnified or insured person in connection with the implementation of the Plan of Dissolution will be covered to the same extent that they were covered before the effective time of the Dissolution. The Board is authorized to obtain and maintain insurance as may be necessary to cover the Company’s indemnification obligations, including seeking an extension in time and coverage of our insurance policies currently in effect.
Stockholder Consent
Authorization of the Dissolution by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute approval of all matters described in this proxy statement relating to the Dissolution, including our Plan of Dissolution.
Authorization of the Dissolution by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Company shall constitute the authorization of the sale, exchange or other disposition in liquidation of all of the remaining property and assets of the Company after the effective time of the Dissolution, whether the sale, exchange or other disposition occurs in one transaction or a series of transactions, and shall constitute ratification of any and all contracts for sale, exchange or other disposition that are conditioned on stockholder approval.
Subsidiaries
As part of the Dissolution, we may take actions with respect to our subsidiaries, based on the advice and counsel of our legal and other advisors and in accordance with the requirements of the laws and charter documents governing such subsidiary, to liquidate, dissolve or otherwise wind up such subsidiaries.
Legal Claims
We will defend any claims against us, our officers or directors or our subsidiaries, whether a claim exists before the Effective Time or is brought during the Survival Period, based on advice and counsel of our legal and other advisors and in such manner, at such time and with such costs and expenses as our Board may approve from time to time. During the Survival Period, we may continue to prosecute any claims that we had against others before the Effective Time and may institute any new claims against any person as the Board may determine necessary or advisable to protect the Company and its assets and rights or to implement the Plan of Dissolution. At the Board’s discretion, we may defend, prosecute or settle any lawsuits, as applicable.
Effective Time; Stock of the Company
The Effective Time will be the effective time of the Certificate of Dissolution as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
From and after the Effective Time, and subject to applicable law, each holder of shares of our common stock shall cease to have any rights in respect of that stock, except the right to receive distributions, if any, pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution and the DGCL. After the Effective Time, our stock transfer records shall be closed, and we will not record or recognize any transfer of our common stock occurring after the Effective Time, except, in our sole discretion, such transfers occurring by will, intestate succession or operation of law as to which we have received adequate written notice. We expect the Effective Time to be as soon as reasonably practicable after the Dissolution is approved by our stockholders, and we intend to provide advance notice to our stockholders prior to closing our stock transfer records. No stockholder shall have any appraisal rights in connection with our Dissolution and winding-up. It is anticipated that no further trading of our shares will occur after the Effective Time.
Unclaimed Distributions
If any distribution to a stockholder cannot be made, whether because the stockholder cannot be located, has not surrendered a certificate evidencing ownership of the Company’s common stock or provided other evidence of ownership as required in the Plan of Dissolution or by the Board or for any other reason, the distribution to which the stockholder is otherwise entitled will be transferred, at such time as the final liquidating distribution is made by us, or as soon as practicable after that distribution, to the official of such state or other jurisdiction authorized by applicable law to receive the proceeds of the distribution. The proceeds of such distribution will thereafter be held solely for the benefit of and for ultimate distribution to the stockholder as the sole equitable owner of the distribution and will be treated as abandoned property and escheat to the applicable state or other jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law. The proceeds of any such distribution will not revert to or become the property of us or any other stockholder.
Liquidating Trust
While we do not currently propose transferring our assets to a liquidating trust, we may do so if deemed appropriate by our Board, based on advice of our legal, tax and accounting advisors. We may, for example, transfer assets to a liquidating trust if we are unable to complete the Dissolution within the initial three-years of the Survival Period.
Abandonment, Exceptions, Modifications, Clarifications and Amendments
Notwithstanding the authorization of the Dissolution by our stockholders as described in this proxy statement, our Board will have the right, as permitted by the DGCL, to abandon the Dissolution at any time before the Effective Time and terminate our Plan of Dissolution, without any action by our stockholders, if our Board determines that to do so is in the best interest of us and our stockholders. Without further action by our stockholders, our Board may, to the extent permitted by Delaware law, waive, modify or amend any part of our Plan of Dissolution, and may provide for exceptions to or clarifications of the terms of our Plan of Dissolution. After the Effective Time, revocation of the Dissolution would require stockholder approval under Delaware law.
Contingent Liabilities; Reserves
Under Delaware law, we are required, in connection with the Dissolution, to pay or make reasonable provision for payment of our liabilities and obligations. We will pay all of our expenses (including operating and wind-up expenses to be incurred throughout the Dissolution and wind-up process) and other known, non-contingent liabilities. We have used and anticipate continuing to use cash until the end of the Survival Period for a number of items, including, but not limited to, the following:
· | ongoing operating, reporting and listing expenses; |
· | expenses, including retention amounts, incurred in connection with extending our directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage; |
· | expenses incurred in connection with the Dissolution; |
· | taxes imposed upon us and any of our assets; and |
· | professional, legal, consulting and accounting fees. |
We will maintain a reserve, consisting of cash or other assets that we believe will be adequate for the satisfaction of all of our current unknown, contingent and/or conditional claims and liabilities. We may also take other steps to provide for the satisfaction of the reasonably estimated amount of such claims and liabilities, including acquiring insurance coverage with respect to certain claims and liabilities. We currently estimate that we will maintain a cash reserve in the range between approximately $250,000 and $700,000 of cash for expenses as well as unknown, contingent and/or conditional liabilities during the Survival Period.
The estimated amount of the reserve is based upon certain estimates and assumptions and a review of our estimated operating expenses and future estimated liabilities, including, without limitation, estimated operating costs, directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal, accounting and consulting fees and miscellaneous expenses, and accrued expenses reflected in our financial statements. There can be no assurance that the reserve will be sufficient. If any of our estimates regarding the expenses to be incurred in the liquidation process, including expenses of personnel required and other operating expenses (including legal, accounting and consulting fees) necessary to dissolve and liquidate the Company and the expenses to satisfy outstanding obligations, liabilities and claims during the liquidation process, are inaccurate, we may be required to increase the amount of the reserve. After the liabilities, expenses and obligations for which the reserve is established have been satisfied in full (or determined not to be owed), we will distribute to our stockholders any remaining portion of the reserve.
In the event we fail to create an adequate reserve for the payment of our expenses and liabilities and amounts have been distributed to the stockholders under the Plan of Dissolution, our creditors may be able to pursue claims against our stockholders directly to the extent that they have claims co-extensive with such stockholders’ receipt of liquidating distributions. See the section entitled “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Related to the Dissolution — Our stockholders may be liable to third parties for part or all of the amount received from us in our liquidating distributions if reserves are inadequate” beginning on page 8 of this proxy statement.
If we were held by a court to have failed to make adequate provision for our expenses and liabilities or if the amount required to be paid in respect of such liabilities exceeded the amount available from the reserve and any assets of the liquidating trust or trusts, a creditor of ours could seek an injunction against the making of liquidating distributions under the Plan of Dissolution on the grounds that the amounts to be distributed were needed to provide for the payment of our expenses and liabilities. Any such action could delay or substantially diminish the cash distributions to be made to stockholders under the Plan of Dissolution.
Reporting Requirements
Whether or not the Dissolution is approved, we will have an obligation to continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Exchange Act until we have exited from such reporting requirements. We plan to initiate steps to exit from certain reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. However, such process may be protracted and we may be required to continue to file Current Reports on Form 8-K to disclose material events, including those related to the Dissolution. Accordingly, we will continue to incur expenses that will reduce the amount available for distribution, including expenses of complying with public company reporting requirements and paying its service providers, among others.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Dissolution
After the Effective Time, we expect that our Board (or some subset thereof) and some of our officers will continue in their positions for the purpose of winding up our business and affairs. We expect to compensate these individuals at a level consistent with their compensation level prior to Effective Time.
See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for information regarding the number of shares of common stock owned by our directors and executive officers.
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as Amended, Amended and Restated Bylaws and the DGCL
During the Survival Period, we will continue to be governed by our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, insofar as their terms apply and insofar as necessary or appropriate to implement our Plan of Dissolution. Our Board will continue to have the authority to amend our Amended and Restated Bylaws as it may deem necessary or advisable. To any extent that the provisions of our Plan of Dissolution conflict with any provision of the DGCL, the provisions of the DGCL shall prevail.
Authority of the Board
Our Board, without further action by our stockholders, is authorized to take all actions as they deem necessary or advisable to implement our Plan of Dissolution. All determinations and decisions to be made by our Board will be at the absolute and sole discretion of our Board.
CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the proposed Dissolution to our common stockholders that are U.S. holders (defined below). The following discussion is based on the Code, its legislative history, the Treasury Regulations and published rulings and decisions, all as currently in effect as of the date of this proxy statement, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax considerations under state and local laws, federal laws other than those pertaining to income tax, or non-U.S. tax laws are not addressed in this proxy statement. The following discussion has no binding effect on the IRS or the courts. This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to our stockholders in light of their individual circumstances. The discussion below does not address any U.S. federal income tax consequences to our stockholders who, for U.S. federal tax purposes, are subject to special rules, such as:
· | banks, financial institutions or insurance companies; |
· | tax-exempt entities; |
· | persons who hold shares as part of a straddle, hedge, integrated transaction or conversion transaction; |
· | persons who have been, but are no longer, citizens or residents of the United States; |
· | persons holding shares through an S corporation, partnership or other fiscally transparent entity; |
· | dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies, or other persons who have elected mark-to- market accounting; |
· | grantor trusts; |
· | U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar; |
· | regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts; |
· | persons who hold shares as “qualified small business stock” under Section 1202 of the Code or “section 1244 stock” under Section 1244 of the Code, |
· | persons who are not U.S. holders; |
· | persons who received the shares of our common stock through the exercise of incentive stock options or through the issuance of restricted stock under an equity incentive plan or through a tax qualified retirement plan; or |
· | persons who own (directly or through attribution) five percent or more (by voting power or value) of our common stock. |
Furthermore, this discussion does not apply to holders of options or warrants or stockholders who acquired their shares by exercising options or warrants, nor does it apply to stockholders who received their shares in connection with the performance of services. This discussion assumes that stockholders hold their shares of our common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of common stock of the Company that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:
· | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
· | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
· | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or |
· | a trust, if the trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal tax purposes or if (1) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over its administration and (2) one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all of the substantial decisions of the trust. |
If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK THAT ARE NOT U.S. HOLDERS, INCLUDING PARTNERSHIPS AND PARTNERS IN THOSE PARTNERSHIPS, SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PROPOSED LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to the Company
Until all of our remaining assets have been distributed to our stockholders or a liquidating trust and the liquidation is complete, we will continue to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income, if any, such as interest income. We will recognize gain or loss, if any, upon the sale of any assets held directly by us in connection with our Dissolution in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the fair market value of the consideration received for each asset sold and (2) our adjusted tax basis in the asset sold. We may also recognize income from the liquidation and dissolution of our subsidiaries that will occur as part of the proposed Dissolution. We should not recognize any gain or loss upon the distribution of cash to our stockholders as part of the proposed Dissolution. We currently do not anticipate making distributions of property other than cash to stockholders as part of the proposed Dissolution. If we do make a liquidating distribution to our stockholders of record who are presentproperty other than cash, we generally will recognize gain or loss upon the distribution of the property as if the property were sold to our stockholders for its fair market value on the date of the distribution. Any tax liability resulting from the proposed Dissolution will reduce the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
U.S. holders that receive any distributions made by us pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution will be treated as receiving those amounts as full payment in exchange for their shares of common stock in the Company. A U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss on a share-by-share basis equal to the difference between (1) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of property, if any, distributed to the U.S. holder with respect to each share (including distributions to any liquidating trust, as discussed below), less any known liabilities assumed by the U.S. holder or to which the distributed property (if any) is subject, and (2) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in each share of our common stock. A U.S. holder may determine gain or loss on a block-by-block basis if the U.S. holder holds blocks of our common stock (generally as a result of acquiring a block of common stock at the annual meetingsame time and at the same price). Each U.S. holder must allocate liquidating distributions proportionately to each share of common stock, or, if applicable, each block of common stock, held by the U.S. holder. Liquidating distributions are first applied against, and reduce, the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis with respect to a share or a block before recognizing any gain or loss. A U.S. holder will recognize gain to the extent the aggregate distributions allocated to the share of common stock or, if applicable, block of common stock exceeds the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis with respect to such share or such block. A U.S. holder will recognize loss only to the extent the U.S. holder has an adjusted tax basis with respect to a share or a block after taking into account all liquidating distributions allocated to the share or the block. Any loss can only be recognized in personthe tax year that a U.S. holder receives our final liquidating distribution.
Generally, gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder in connection with the proposed Dissolution will be capital gain or loss, and will be long- term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held a share or block for more than one year or short-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the share or block for one year or less. Certain U.S. holders, including individuals, may qualify for preferential tax rates on long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations. While we do not anticipate distributing any contingent claims to our U.S. holders or a liquidating trust as part of the proposed Dissolution, amounts, if any, received by a U.S. holder upon the resolution of a contingent claim that has been distributed could be considered ordinary income rather than capital gain. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of receiving a contingent claim as part of the proposed Dissolution.
If we effect the proposed Dissolution, we intend to provide U.S. holders and the IRS with statements indicating the amount of cash, and, as applicable, our best estimates of the fair market value of any other property, distributed to our U.S. holders (or transferred to the liquidating trust, as discussed below) at such time and in such manner as required by applicable Treasury Regulations.
Backup Withholding
Distributions to any U.S. holder that fails to provide the appropriate certification in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations generally will be reduced by backup withholding at the rate applicable at the time of the distributions. Backup withholding generally will not apply to payments made to certain exempt recipients, such as corporations. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts that are withheld under backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that certain required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES SUMMARIZED ABOVE ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY APPLY TO THEM.
Votes Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding on the Record Date and entitled to vote on the Dissolution Proposal is required to approve the Dissolution Proposal. Abstentions, broker non-votes, and failures to vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Dissolution Proposal.
Board Recommendation
The Board recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the Dissolution Proposal to approve the Dissolution in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan of Dissolution.
PROPOSAL 2 — APPROVAL OF AN ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
Our stockholders are being asked to consider and vote upon an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve the Dissolution Proposal.
In the Adjournment Proposal, we are asking you to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board to vote in favor of granting discretionary authority to the proxy holders, and each of them individually, to adjourn the Special Meeting, from time to time, to a later date or dates, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies. If the stockholders approve the Adjournment Proposal, we could adjourn the Special Meeting and use the additional time to solicit additional proxies, including the solicitation of proxies from stockholders that have previously voted.
Votes Required
The Adjournment Proposal requires the approval of a majority in voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively by the holders entitled to vote on the proposal. With respect to the Adjournment Proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.will not affect the voting results.
What Happens if a Change to the Annual Meeting is Necessary Due to COVID-19?
We are sensitive to public health and travel risks and concerns related to COVID-19, and may announce alternative arrangements for the annual meeting, which may include switching to a virtual meeting format. If we take this step, we will announce the changes in advance by press release, posted on our website (www.bellerophon.com) and filed as additional proxy materials and as otherwise required by applicable state law. A meeting held solely by remote means will have no impact on stockholders’ ability to provide their proxy by using the internet or telephone or by completing, signing, dating and mailing their proxy card as discussed above. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the annual meeting.Board Recommendation
Attending the Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at our principal executive offices, located at 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ 07059. When you arrive at 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ, 07059, signs will direct you to the appropriate meeting rooms. You need not attend the annual meeting in order to vote. See “How Do I Vote?” above for more information.
Householding of Annual Disclosure Documents
SEC rules concerning the delivery of annual disclosure documents allow us or your broker to send a single Notice or, if applicable, a single set of our proxy materials to any household at which two or more of our stockholders reside, if we or your broker believeBoard recommends that the stockholders are membersvote “FOR” the adjournment of the same family. This practice, referredSpecial Meeting, if necessary, to as “householding,” benefits both you and us, by reducingsolicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the volumetime of duplicate information received at your household and helpingthe Special Meeting to reduce our expenses. The rule applies to our Notices, annual reports, proxy statements and information statements. Once you receive notice from your broker or from us that communications to your address will be “householded,”approve the practice will continue until you are otherwise notified or until you revoke your consent to the practice. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to have access to and utilize separate proxy voting instructions.Dissolution Proposal.
If your household received a single Notice or, if applicable, a single set of proxy materials this year, but you would prefer to receive your own copy, please contact our transfer agent, Computershare, by calling their toll free number, 1-800-736-3001.
If you do not wish to participate in “householding” and would like to receive your own Notice or, if applicable, set of our proxy materials in future years, follow the instructions described below. Conversely, if you share an address with another Bellerophon stockholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single Notice or, if applicable, set of proxy materials, follow these instructions:
Electronic Delivery of Company Stockholder Communications
Most stockholders can elect to view or receive copies of future proxy materials over the Internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail.
9
You can choose this option and save the Company the cost of producing and mailing these documents by:
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information, to the extent known by us or ascertainable from public filings, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 6, 2021October 31, 2023 by:
each of our directors; |
· | each of our NEOs; |
· | all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and |
· | each person, or group of affiliated persons, who is known by us to |
The column entitled “Shares Beneficially Owned” is based on a total of 12,232,648 shares of our common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2023.
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, warrants and restricted stock units that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 6, 2021October 31, 2023 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options 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, to our knowledge, the persons and entities in this table have sole voting and investing power with respect to all of the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
The percentage ownership calculations for beneficial ownership are based on 9,506,419 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 6, 2021.
Except as otherwise set forth below, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., 184 Liberty Corner Road,c/o Verdolino & Lowey, P.C., 124 Washington Street, Suite 302, Warren, NJ 07059.10, Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035.
Shares | of Shares | ||||||
Beneficially | Beneficially | ||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Owned | Owned | |||||
5% Stockholders | |||||||
None. | |||||||
Executive Officers and Directors | |||||||
Peter Fernandes (1) | 110,677 | * | |||||
Parag Shah (2) | 86,175 | * | |||||
Martin Dekker | 25,973 | * | |||||
Naseem Amin (3) | 315,676 | 2.6 | % | ||||
Scott Bruder (4) | 38,212 | * | |||||
Mary Ann Cloyd (5) | 37,757 | * | |||||
All executive officers and directors as a group (6 persons) | 655,727 | 5.2 | % |
| | | | | |
| | Number of | | Percentage |
|
| | Shares | | of Shares |
|
| | Beneficially | | Beneficially |
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
| Owned |
| Owned |
|
5% Stockholders |
|
|
|
| |
New Mountain Entities (1) |
| 609,231 |
| 6.4 | % |
Puissance Life Science Opportunities Fund VI (2) |
| 1,153,846 |
| 12.1 | % |
Executive Officers and Directors |
|
|
|
| |
Fabian Tenenbaum (3) |
| 281,970 |
| 2.9 | % |
Peter Fernandes (4) |
| 31,123 |
| * | |
Assaf Korner (5) |
| 20,411 |
| * | |
Jonathan M. Peacock (6) |
| 281,970 |
| 2.9 | % |
Naseem Amin (7) |
| 207,933 |
| 2.2 | % |
Scott Bruder (8) |
| 9,875 |
| * | |
Mary Ann Cloyd (9) |
| 9,420 |
| * | |
Ted Wang (10) |
| 1,222,056 |
| 12.9 | % |
Crispin Teufel (11) |
| 4,195 |
| * | % |
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons) |
| 2,156,297 |
| 21.4 | % |
|
|
11
Less than 1% of |
Includes |
Includes |
Includes |
12
(4) | Includes 36,966 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days after |
Includes |
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our documents, including this proxy statement, may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you upon written or oral request to Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., c/o 124 Washington Street, Suite 101, Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035. If you want to receive separate copies of the proxy statement or annual report to stockholders in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.
We do not intend to hold future annual meetings of stockholders, including the 2024 annual meeting, if the Plan of Dissolution is approved with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
Our Board does not know of any other matters to be brought before the Special Meeting. If any other matters not mentioned in this proxy statement are properly brought before the meeting, the individuals named in the enclosed proxy intend to use their discretionary voting authority under the proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment on those matters.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These documents may be accessed through the SEC’s electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system, or EDGAR, via electronic means, including the SEC’s home page on the Internet (www.sec.gov).
The BoardSEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of Directors
Our bylaws providethis proxy statement, and information that our business iswe file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated by reference. Such documents are considered to be managed by or under the directiona part of our Board. Our Board is divided into three classes for purposes of election. One class is elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve for a three-year term. Our Board currently consists of seven members, classified into three classesthis proxy statement, effective as follows: (1) Fabian Tenenbaum and Jonathan Peacock constitute a class with a term ending at the 2021 annual meeting; (2) Mary Ann Cloyd and Crispin Teufel constitute a class with a term ending at the 2022 annual meeting and (3) Scott Bruder, Naseem Amin and Ted Wang constitute a class with a term ending at the 2023 annual meeting. On March 25, 2021, Jonathan Peacock notified us that he will not stand for re-election to the Board at the 2021 annual meeting. Mr. Peacock will remain a director of the Company untildate such documents are filed. In the 2021 annual meeting.
Set forthevent of conflicting information in these documents, the information in the latest filed document should be considered correct. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, arewhich we have already filed with the namesSEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the persons nominated as directors and directors whose terms do not expire this year, their ages, their offices inExchange Act, including all filings made after the Company, if any, their principal occupations or employment for at leastdate of the past five years, the length of their tenure as directors and the names of other public companies in which such persons hold or have held directorships during the past five years. Additionally, information about the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to our Board’s conclusion at the time of filing of this proxy statement, that each person listed below should serveexcept as a director is set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
Our Board has reviewed the materialityto any portion of any relationshipfuture report or document that each of our directors has with Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., either directly or indirectly. Based upon this review, our Board has determined that the following members of the Board are “independent directors” as defined by The Nasdaq Stock Market: Mr. Teufel, Drs. Amin and Bruder and Ms. Cloyd.
Fabian Tenenbaum has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board since November 2016. Prior to then, Mr. Tenenbaum served as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer since February 2016. Mr. Tenenbaum joined us from Anterios, Inc. a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of dermatology products, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer from October 2014 to February 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Tenenbaum served as Chief Executive Officer with Syneron Beauty from 2011 to October 2014, and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Syneron Medical from May 2007 to 2011. Prior to Syneron Medical, Mr. Tenenbaum was Vice President Americas for Radiancy, Inc., from 2002 to 2006, and Director, Commercial Operations and Corporate Development at Sunlight Medical, Inc. from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Tenenbaum holds a Bachelor in Medicine (B.Md.) from Ben Gurion University, Israel and an MBA from Columbia Business School. We believe that Mr. Tenenbaum is qualified to serve on our Board because of his management and financial expertise, as well as his position as our Chief Executive Officer.
Naseem Amin has served as a member of our Board since June 2015. Dr. Amin has served as the Chief Executive Officer at GMP-Orphan since June 2017 and has served as the Chairman of Arix Bioscience plc, a global venture capital company focused on investing in life sciences, since April 2020. Dr. Amin had served as the Chief Scientific Officer of Smith and Nephew Plc until 2014. Previously, Dr. Amin was Senior Vice President, Business Development at Biogen Idec from 2005 to 2009 and was with Genzyme Corporation from 1999 to 2005, most recently as Head, International Business Development and where he has also led the clinical development of five currently marketed therapeutic products. Dr. Amin began his career at Baxter Healthcare Corporation, where he served as Director, Medical Marketing and Portfolio Strategy, Renal Division. Dr. Amin is a Venture Partner at Advent Life Sciences, serves as an Advisory Board member for Imperial College, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and serves as Chairman of OPEN-London, a non-profit organization focused on encouraging and mentoring South Asians from Pakistan who are interested in starting entrepreneurial companies. Dr. Amin received his medical degree from the Royal Free School of Medicine, London, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University. We believe that Dr. Amin is qualified to serve on our Board because of his broad industry experience in the Biotech and Medical Device industry.
Scott Bruder has served as a member of our Board since May 2015. Dr. Bruder currently leads the Bruder Consulting & Venture Group with a global team that provides scientific, clinical, regulatory and development strategy services to medical device, regenerative medicine and biotechnology companies, investment banks, venture partners and private equity firms. Since 2011, Dr. Bruder has been an adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, following 13 years as adjunct faculty in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Bruder currently serves on the Board of Directors of Kuros Biosciences AG, a Swiss Exchange listed biotechnology company, where he leads the R&D Committee. Previously, he was the Chairman of the Board of Spinal Elements, a privately held, leading provider of innovative medical devices used during spinal surgical procedures. Dr. Bruder served as the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of Stryker Corporation from 2012 until 2014, and was the Chief Science and Technology Officer for Becton, Dickinson and Company from 2007 until 2012. Previously, Dr. Bruder held a number of senior executive and scientific roles at Johnson & Johnson, Anika Therapeutics and Osiris Therapeutics. Dr. Bruder is a magna cum laude graduate from Brown University with a Sc.B. in Biology, and a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he simultaneously earned an M.D. and a Ph.D. in stem cell biology. We believe that Dr. Bruder is qualified to serve on our Board because of his experience in medical devices, biotechnology, life sciences, and biomedical engineering.
Mary Ann Cloyd has served as a member of our Board since February 2016. Since April 2018 she has served on the board of NCMIC Group, Inc., a mutual insurance and financial services company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Since May 2019 she has served on the board of Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc., a producer and distributor of prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, beverages and snacks, and since March 2021 she has served on the board of Angel Pond Holdings Corporation. From 1990 to 2015, Ms. Cloyd was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), where she served multinational corporate clients in a variety of industries, including the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. She was the Leader of the PwC Center for Board Governance from 2012 to 2015. Ms. Cloyd has also served on both PwC’s
14
Global and U.S. Boards. On the U.S. Board, she chaired the Risk Management, Ethics & Compliance Committee and the Partner Admissions Committee, and on the Global Board, she served on the Risk and Operations Committee and the Clients Committee. Ms. Cloyd previously served on the Board of Trustees of the PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc., and she previously served as President of the Foundation. Ms. Cloyd is also on the Board of the Geffen Playhouse and the Advisory Board of the UCLA Iris Cantor Women’s Center. Ms. Cloyd earned a bachelor of business administration from Baylor University, summa cum laude. We believe that Ms. Cloyd is qualified to serve on our Board because of her experience in finance, senior management and corporate governance.
Dr. Ted Wang has served as a member of our Board since November 2017. Dr. Wang has served as the Chief Investment Officer of Puissance Capital Management LP, of which he was a founder, since January 2015. Prior to that, Dr. Wang was a Partner of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman”), which he joined in 1996 and with which he served in many leadership positions, mostly recently as Co-Head of U.S. Equities Trading and Global Co-Head of One Delta Trading and a member of the Goldman Sachs Risk Committee. Prior to joining Goldman, Dr. Wang co-founded Xeotron Corp., a company specializing in DNA biochips in Texas. Dr. Wang serves on the board of Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., Viewray, Inc. and Tracon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Wang holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Minnesota, an M.B.A. from the University of Texas, Austin, and a B.S. from Fudan University, China. We believe that Dr. Wang is qualified to serve on our Board because of his financial expertise and years of experience.
Crispin Teufel was appointed to our Board effective March 18, 2019. Since 2017, Mr. Teufel has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Lincare Holdings Inc., the leading national provider of respiratory services in the home, and as its Chief Financial Officer since 2013. Mr. Teufel serves on the board of directors of the German-American Chamber of Commerce and was elected as their chairman of the board in November 2020. Mr. Teufel holds an MBA in Economics from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, is a Certified Public Accountant and is a German Tax Advisor under Germany’s Taxation and Ministry of Finance. We believe that Mr. Teufel is qualified to serve on our Board because of his managerial, financial and business experience.
There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
Committees of the Board and Meetings
Meeting Attendance. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, there were six meetings of our Board, and the various committees of the Board met a total of eight times. The Board took four actions by unanimous written consent during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The various committees of the Board took seven actions by unanimous written consent during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and of committees of the Board on which he or she served during fiscal 2020. The Board has adopted a policy under which each member of the Board makes every effort to but is not required to attend each annual meeting of our stockholders. Five directors attended our annual meeting of stockholders held in 2020.deemed filed under such provisions:
Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2020 and took three actions by unanimous written consent. This committee currently has three members, Mary Ann Cloyd (Chairman), Naseem Amin and Crispin Teufel. Our audit committee assists our Board in its oversight of our accounting and financial reporting process and the audits of our financial statements. Our audit committee’s responsibilities include:
15
Our Audit Committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Audit Committee’s written charter and include the authority to retain and terminate the services of our independent registered public accounting firm. All audit and non-audit services to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm must be approved in advance by our audit committee. All members of the Audit Committee satisfy the current independence standards promulgated by the SEC and by The Nasdaq Stock Market, as such standards apply specifically to members of audit committees. The Board has determined that Ms. Cloyd and Mr. Teufel are “audit committee financial experts,” as the SEC has defined that term in Item 407 of Regulation S-K. Please also see the report of the Audit Committee set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.
A copy of the Audit Committee’s written charter is publicly available on our website at www.bellerophon.com.
Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee met three times and took one action by unanimous written consent during fiscal 2020. This committee currently has two members, Crispin Teufel (Chairman) and Scott Bruder. Our Compensation Committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Compensation Committee’s written charter and includes reviewing, approving and making recommendations regarding our compensation policies, practices and procedures to ensure that legal and fiduciary responsibilities of the Board are carried out and that such policies, practices and procedures contribute to our success. Our Compensation Committee also administers our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2015 Plan”). The Compensation Committee is responsible for the determination of the compensation of our chief executive officer, and shall conduct its decision making process with respect to that issue without the chief executive officer present. All members of the Compensation Committee qualify as independent under the definition promulgated by The Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Compensation Committee has adopted the following processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive and director compensation: review and approval of compensation for executive officers and directors during which the chief executive officer may not be present during his or her compensation deliberations and grant options and stock awards under equity-based plans with delegation to one or more executive officers of the power to grant options or stock awards to employees who are not directors or executive officers.
A copy of the Compensation Committee’s written charter is publicly available on our website at www.bellerophon.com.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met one during fiscal 2020 and has three members, Naseem Amin (Chairman), Mary Ann Cloyd and Scott Bruder. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s written charter and include evaluating and making recommendations to the full Board as to the size and composition of the Board and its committees, evaluating and making recommendations as to potential candidates, and evaluating current Board members’ performance. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance qualify as independent under the definition promulgated by The Nasdaq Stock Market.
If a stockholder wishes to nominate a candidate for director who is not to be included in our proxy statement, it must follow the procedures described in our Bylaws and in “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations For Director” at the end of this proxy statement.
16
In addition, under our current corporate governance policies, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider candidates recommended by stockholders as well as from other sources such as other directors or officers, third party search firms or other appropriate sources. For all potential candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider all factors it deems relevant, such as a candidate’s personal integrity and sound judgment, business and professional skills and experience, independence, knowledge of the industry in which we operate, possible conflicts of interest, diversity, the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board, and concern for the long-term interests of the stockholders. In general, persons recommended by stockholders will be considered on the same basis as candidates from other sources. If a stockholder wishes to propose a candidate for consideration as a nominee by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee under our corporate governance policies, it should utilize the "Contact Us" feature on our website at www.bellerophon.com.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to develop a board that reflects diverse backgrounds, experience, expertise, skill sets and viewpoints. We actively seek director candidates who bring diversity of age, gender, nationality, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s written charter is publicly available on the Company’s website at www.bellerophon.com.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Our current Board leadership structure separates the positions of CEO and Chairman of the Board, although we do not have a corporate policy requiring that structure. Until November 2016, Jonathan Peacock served as both our CEO and Chairman of the Board. In November 2016, Mr. Peacock stepped down as CEO but remained as Chairman of the Board and Fabian Tenenbaum became our CEO. The Board believes that this separation is appropriate for the organization at this time because it allows for a division of responsibilities and a sharing of ideas between individuals having different perspectives. Our current CEO, who is also a member of our Board, is primarily responsible for our operations and strategic direction, while our Board Chairman is primarily focused on matters pertaining to corporate governance and management oversight. While the Board believes that this is the most appropriate structure at this time, the Board retains the authority to change the Board structure, including the possibility of combining the CEO and Chairman of the Board positions, if it deems such a change to be appropriate in the future.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors provides leadership to the Board and works with the Board to define its activities and the calendar for fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Chairman of the Board approves the meeting agendas after input from management, facilitates communication among members of the Board and presides at meetings of our Board and stockholders. Mr. Peacock has served as our Chairman of the Board since June 2014. The Chairman of the Board, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, the CEO, and the other members of the Board work in concert to provide oversight of our management and affairs. We believe that the leadership of the Chairman of the Board fosters a culture of open discussion and deliberation, with a thoughtful evaluation of risk, to support our decision-making. Our Board encourages communication among its members and between management and the Board to facilitate productive working relationships. Working with the other members of the Board, the Chairman also works to ensure that there is an appropriate balance and focus among key board responsibilities such as strategic development, review of operations and risk oversight.
The Board is also responsible for oversight of our risk management practices. This oversight is conducted primarily through the Audit Committee of the Board whose responsibilities include overseeing our risk assessment and risk management policies. Due to the effective flow of information between the Board and senior management, identified risks can be effectively communicated and mitigated. Senior management takes an active role in day-to-day risk management.
Stockholder Communications to the Board
Generally, stockholders who have questions or concerns should contact our Investor Relations department at 908-574-4770. However, any stockholders who wish to address questions regarding our business directly with the Board, or any individual director, should direct his or her questions using the “Contact Us” page of our website at www.bellerophon.com. Communications will be distributed to the Board, or to any individual director or directors as
17
appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications. Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board may be excluded, such as:
In addition, any material that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature may be excluded, provided that any communication that is filtered out will be made available to any outside director upon request.
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers, who are also not directors, and key employees as of April 6, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Fernandes has been our Chief Regulatory and Safety Officer since May 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Fernandes was Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs at Ikaria Inc., from October 2012 to May 2015, and in this capacity also led our regulatory group since its inception in February of 2014. Previously, he led Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance for OptiNose, Inc. from October 2010 to September 2012, was Vice President US Drug Regulatory Affairs Respiratory and US DRA Respiratory Franchise Head for Novartis Pharmaceuticals from November 2007 to October 2010. He has also served as the Head of US Development Site and Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Altana Pharma, a subsidiary of Nycomed Inc., and led the US Respiratory and GI Drug Regulatory Affairs group at Boehringer Ingelheim. Mr. Fernandes has an M. Pharm. from the Grant Medical College and a B. Pharm. from the K.M.K. College of Pharmacy, both at the University of Bombay in India.
Assaf Korner joined the Company as our Chief Financial Officer on January 8, 2018. Prior to joining Bellerophon, Mr. Korner served as the Chief Financial Officer of L&R Distributors, a national consumer product distributor, since February 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Korner served as the Chief Financial Officer of Iluminage Beauty, a Joint Venture between Unilever and Syneron Medical, from 2011 through January 2016. Prior to Iluminage Beauty, Mr. Korner held several senior finance roles in Syneron Medical from 2005 through 2011. Prior to Syneron Medical, Mr. Korner served as a Senior Auditor at KPMG. Mr. Korner holds an MBA from Tel-Aviv University, Israel, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Economics from Haifa University, Israel and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Martin Dekker has served as our Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing since January 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Dekker held several positions at Spacelabs Healthcare, a company that develops and manufactures medical devices, from November 1998 to January 2015, most recently as Director of Global Operations Engineering. During his time at Spacelabs Healthcare, Mr. Dekker led and co-designed new products, developed and launched transformative manufacturing technologies and championed cross-functional quality/engineering projects. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Mr. Dekker received a B.S. in electronics from Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
18
Amy Edmonds has served as our Vice President of Clinical Operations and Administration since September 2015 with responsibilities for Clinical Operations and Contracts & Outsourcing. Ms. Edmonds has over twenty years of global Clinical Operations and Training experience. Prior to joining us in 2014, Ms. Edmonds was responsible for Ikaria’s Clinical Operations and Contracts & Outsourcing departments from October 2012 to February 2014 and held several positions of increasing responsibility at Celgene from November 2002 through October 2012. During her time at Celgene, Ms. Edmonds served as Global Clinical Operations Lead for the Americas for multiple therapeutic programs, the Head of North America Monitoring, and the Head of Clinical Operations Training. Ms. Edmonds has also worked in Clinical Operations and Training for Pfizer, Knoll Pharmaceuticals and ICON Clinical Research. Ms. Edmonds holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond.
Parag Shah, Ph.D. has served as our Vice President of Business Operations since April 2016 with responsibilities for Project Management, Supply Distribution, Pre-Clinical and Business Development activities. Prior to joining Bellerophon, Dr. Shah was Principal Scientist at Pfizer from 2004 through 2010 where he was responsible for leading multiple parenteral and liquid formulation development teams. In addition, Dr. Shah was a member of multiple Limited Duration Teams including serving as Pfizer’s Team Lead for the Nanoparticle Network responsible for internal and external evaluation of nanoparticle technologies. Dr. Shah joined Ikaria as Parenteral Development Lead in 2010 and assumed additional responsibilities in 2012 as Director, Pharmaceutical Science, covering both Pharmaceutical Development and Clinical Supply Management. Dr. Shah received his Bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.
19
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
This section describes the material elements of compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of our named executive officers. Our compensation committee will review and approve the compensation of our executive officers and oversee our executive compensation programs and initiatives.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid or accrued during the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 to Fabian Tenenbaum, our Chief Executive Officer and our two next most highly compensated executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and who were serving as executive officers as of such date.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Option | | All Other | | |
Name and | | | | | | | | Awards | | Compensation | | |
Principal Position | | Year | | Salary ($) | | Bonus ($) | | ($)(1) | | ($)(2) | | Total ($) |
Fabian Tenenbaum | | 2020 | | 508,627 | | 300,000 | | — | | 17,100 | | 825,727 |
Chief Executive Officer | | 2019 | | 425,492 | | 372,000 | | 585,704 | | 16,800 | | 1,399,996 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Peter Fernandes | | 2020 | | 331,254 | | 128,000 | | — | | 17,100 | | 476,354 |
Chief Regulatory and Safety Officer | | 2019 | | 323,844 | | 128,000 | | 65,333 | | 16,800 | | 533,977 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Assaf Korner | | 2020 | | 279,729 | | 110,000 | | — | | 16,750 | | 406,479 |
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | | 2019 | | 270,480 | | 136,400 | | 65,333 | | 16,200 | | 488,413 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
our |
Narrative
· | our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than the portions thereof that are furnished and not filed) as filed with the SEC on January 5, 2023, January 18, 2023, February 9, 2023, March 3, 2023, March 6, 2023, April 25, 2023, May 5, 2023, May 11, 2023, May 11, 2023, June 5, 2023, June 9, 2023, June 29, 2023, July 14, 2023, July 20, 2023, July 24, 2023, August 7, 2023, October 13, 2023, and October 13, 2023. |
Upon request, either orally or in writing, we will provide, without charge, to Summary Compensation Table
Base Salary. In 2020,each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this proxy statement is delivered, a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement but not delivered with the proxy statement. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we paid salaries of $508,627 to Mr. Tenenbaum, $331,254 to Mr. Fernandez and $279,729 to Mr. Korner. In 2019, we paid salaries of $425,492 to Mr. Tenenbaum, $323,844 to Mr. Fernandes and $270,480 to Mr. Korner. Base salaries are used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all of our employees, including our executive officers. Our compensation committee will review the salaries of our executives annuallyhave specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this proxy statement, at no cost by writing us at the beginningfollowing address: Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., c/o 124 Washington Street, Suite 101, Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035, (508) 543-1720.
PLAN OF LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION
OF
BELLEROPHON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
This Plan of each calendar yearLiquidation and recommendDissolution (the “Plan”) is intended to ouraccomplish the complete liquidation and dissolution of BELLEROPHON THERAPEUTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation (such corporation or a successor entity, the “Company”), in accordance with Section 281(b) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).
1. Approval of Plan. The Board changes in salaries based primarilyof Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has adopted this Plan and presented the Plan to the Company’s stockholders to take action on changes in job responsibilities, experience, individual performance and comparative market data.the Plan. If the Plan is adopted by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders, the Plan shall constitute the adopted Plan of the Company.
Bonus Compensation. Our named executive officers are expected
2. Certificate of Dissolution. Subject to be eligible to receive an annual bonus awardSection 14 hereof, after the stockholders of the Company approve the dissolution of the Company, the Company shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of dissolution (the “Certificate of Dissolution”) in accordance with the management incentive program thenDGCL at such time as determined by the Board in effectits sole discretion (the time of such filing, or such later time as stated therein, the “Effective Time”).
3. Cessation of Business Activities. After the Effective Time, the Company shall not engage in any business activities except to the extent necessary to preserve the value of its assets, wind up its business affairs and distribute its assets in accordance with respectthis Plan.
4. Continuing Employees and Consultants. For the purpose of effecting the dissolution of the Company, the Company may hire or retain such employees, consultants and advisors as the Company deems necessary or desirable to supervise or facilitate the dissolution and winding up of the Company.
5. ��� Dissolution Process.
From and after the Effective Time, the Company (or any successor entity of the Company) shall complete the following corporate actions:
(i) The Company (a) shall pay or make reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured contractual claims known to the Company, (b) shall make such executive officer and based on an annualized target of base salary,provision as specified in their respective employment agreements, if applicable. Our named executive officers are also expectedwill be reasonably likely to be eligiblesufficient to provide compensation for performance-based annual bonus awards based on metrics to be determined by our Board, in consultation withany claim against the executive officer, and our Board will determineCompany which is the extentsubject of a pending action, suit or proceeding to which the metricsCompany is a party, and (c) shall make such provision as will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for claims that have not been satisfied andmade known to the amount of the annual bonus, if any. The performance-based bonuses are designed to motivate our employees to achieve annual goalsCompany or that have not arisen but that, based on our strategic, financialfacts known to the Company, are likely to arise or to become known to the Company within 10 years after the date of dissolution. All such claims shall be paid in full and operating performance objectives.any such provision for payment made shall be made in full if there are sufficient assets. If there are insufficient assets, such claims and obligations shall be paid or provided for according to their priority and, among claims of equal priority, ratably to the extent of assets legally available therefor.
With respect
(ii) After the payments are made pursuant to 2020 performance,clause (i) above, if there are any assets remaining, the compensation committee approved total bonus compensation, with a value of $300,000Company shall distribute to Mr. Tenenbaum, $128,000 to Mr. Fernandes, and $110,000 to Mr. Korner.
With respect to 2019 performance, the compensation committee awarded total bonus compensation, with a value of $372,000 to Mr. Tenenbaum, $128,000 to Mr. Fernandes, and $136,400 to Mr. Korner.
20
Long-Term Equity Based Incentive Awards. We believe that equity grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our executives and our stockholders. In addition, we believe that equity grants with a time-based vesting feature promote executive retention because this feature incentivizes our named executive officers to remain in our employment during the vesting period. Accordingly, our compensation committee and Board periodically review the equity incentive compensation of our named executive officers and from time to time may grant additional equity incentive awards to them in the form of stock options or restricted share awards.
Grants of Plan Based Awards
There were no grants of equity awards made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 to each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2020 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding stock options held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2020:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Option Awards | ||||||
| | Number of Securities | | Number of Securities | | | | |
| | Underlying | | Underlying | | | | |
| | Unexercised | | Unexercised | | Option | | Option |
Name and | | Options | | Options | | Exercise | | Expiration |
Principal Position |
| Exercisable (#) |
| Unexercisable (#) | | Price ($) |
| Date |
Fabian Tenenbaum |
| 8,666 |
| — | | 34.50 |
| 03/01/2026 |
Chief Executive Officer |
| 31,075 |
| — | | 14.70 |
| 11/11/2026 |
|
| 69,503 |
| — | | 7.35 |
| 12/06/2026 |
|
| 25,209 |
| 11,456 | (1) | 30.45 |
| 01/12/2028 |
|
| 49,584 |
| 49,581 | (2) | 13.65 |
| 11/20/2028 |
|
| 365 |
| 468 | (3) | 13.20 |
| 01/02/2029 |
|
| 36,500 |
| 80,299 | (4) | 7.50 |
| 09/26/2029 |
Peter Fernandes |
| 318 |
| — | | 124.05 |
| 02/25/2023 |
Chief Regulatory and Safety Officer |
| 666 |
| — | | 123.00 |
| 05/17/2025 |
|
| 2,000 |
| — | | 7.35 |
| 12/06/2026 |
|
| 4,586 |
| 2,080 | (1) | 30.45 |
| 01/12/2028 |
|
| 4,583 |
| 4,582 | (2) | 13.65 |
| 11/20/2028 |
|
| 364 |
| 468 | (3) | 13.20 |
| 01/02/2029 |
|
| 3,659 |
| 8,040 | (4) | 7.50 |
| 09/26/2029 |
Assaf Korner |
| 4,586 |
| 2,080 | (1) | 30.45 |
| 01/12/2028 |
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
| 4,584 |
| 4,582 | (2) | 13.65 |
| 11/20/2028 |
|
| 364 |
| 468 | (3) | 13.20 |
| 01/02/2029 |
|
| 3,659 |
| 8,040 | (4) | 7.50 |
| 09/26/2029 |
21
Employment Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers
Agreement with Mr. Tenenbaum
On November 11, 2016, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Tenenbaum in connection with his continuing employment as our Chief Executive Officer. The agreement provides that Mr. Tenenbaum is employed at will, and either we or Mr. Tenenbaum may terminate the employment relationship for any reason, at any time. Mr. Tenenbaum is required to give us at least 30 days’ prior notice if he elects to terminate his employment other than for Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement). Mr. Tenenbaum was entitled to a base salary of $375,000, which was increased to $400,000 effective January 1, 2018 and to $500,000 in October 1, 2019, subject to annual review by the Board or Compensation Committee. Following the end of each calendar year, Mr. Tenenbaum is eligible to receive an annual bonus for such calendar yearits stockholders, in accordance with the termsCompany’s certificate of our management incentive program, calculatedincorporation, as amended and/or restated through the Effective Time, all remaining assets, including all available cash, including the cash proceeds of any sale, exchange or disposition, except such cash, property or assets as are required for paying or making reasonable provision for the claims and obligations of the Company. Such distribution may occur all at once or in a percentageseries of his annual base salary. Asdistributions and shall be in cash or assets, in such amounts, and at such time or times, as the Board in its absolute discretion, may determine. If and to the extent deemed necessary, appropriate or desirable by the Board, in its absolute discretion, the Company may establish and set aside a reasonable amount of cash and/or property to satisfy claims against the Company, including, without limitation, tax obligations, all expenses related to the sale of the Company’s property and assets, all expenses related to the collection and defense of the Company’s property and assets, and the liquidation and dissolution provided for in this Plan.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company, at the discretion of the Board, may opt to dissolve and wind-up the Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 280 and 281(a) of the DGCL.
6. Cancellation of Stock. The distributions to the Company’s stockholders pursuant to Section 5 hereof shall be deemed to be in complete cancellation of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company as of the date that the continuation of this proxy statement, Mr. Tenenbaum’s target bonus percentagethe Company’s legal existence terminates in accordance with Section 278 of 60% was approvedthe DGCL. From and after the Effective Time, and subject to applicable law, the holder of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company shall cease to have any rights in respect thereof, except the right to receive distributions, if any, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 5 hereof. As a condition to receipt of any distribution to the Company’s stockholders, the Company may require the Company’s stockholders to (i) surrender their certificates evidencing its shares of capital stock to the Company, or (ii) furnish the Company with evidence satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft or destruction of such certificates, together with such surety bond or other security or indemnity as may be required by and satisfactory to the compensation committee,Company. The Company will close its stock transfer books and discontinue recording transfers of shares of capital stock of the Company at the Effective Time, and thereafter any certificate representing shares of capital stock of the Company will not be assignable or transferable on the books of the Company except by will, intestate succession, operation of law or upon the dissolution of the stockholders or their successors.
7. Conduct of the Company Following Approval of the Plan. Under Delaware law, dissolution is effective upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution with a valuethe Secretary of $300,000 to Mr. Tenenbaum. The employment agreement provides 100% accelerated vestingState of Mr. Tenenbaum’s stock option grant made in connection with his employment agreement,the State of Delaware or upon such future effective date as may be set forth in the eventcertificate of a Change in Control (as defined in the employment agreement) or in the event that the Company terminates Mr. Tenenbaum’s employment without Cause (as defined in the employment agreement) following the vestingdissolution. Section 278 of the first installment.
If we terminate Mr. Tenenbaum’s employment without Cause (as definedDGCL provides that a dissolved corporation shall be continued for the term of 3 years from such dissolution or for such longer period as the Court of Chancery shall in its discretion direct, bodies corporate for the employment agreement)purpose of prosecuting and defending suits, whether civil, criminal or if Mr. Tenenbaum terminates his employment with usadministrative, by or against it, and of enabling it gradually to settle and close its business, to dispose of and convey its property, to discharge its liabilities and to distribute to its stockholders any remaining assets, but not for Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement)purpose of continuing the business for which the corporation was organized. With respect to any action, suit or proceeding begun by or against the corporation either prior to or within twelve months following a change in control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Tenenbaum is entitled to receive, subject to his continued compliance with the restrictive covenants of the agreement and his execution and nonrevocation of a general release of claims against us: (1) for a period of twelve months following his termination of employment monthly severance pay in an amount equal to his base salary rate; (2) an annual bonus at the target level in cash or equity or any combination thereof; and (3) continued coverage, under our medical, dental and vision benefit plans at active employee rates for twelve months following3 years after the date of termination.its dissolution, the action shall not abate by reason of the dissolution of the corporation; the corporation shall, solely for the purpose of such action, suit or proceeding, be continued as a body corporate beyond the 3-year period and until any judgments, orders or decrees therein shall be fully executed, without the necessity for any special direction to that effect by the Court of Chancery. The powers of the officers and directors of the corporation shall continue during this time period in order to allow them to take the necessary steps to wind up the affairs of the corporation.
Mr. Tenenbaum is subject
8. Absence of Appraisal Rights. Under Delaware law, the Company’s stockholders are not entitled to confidentiality, work product assignment, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations pursuant toappraisal rights for shares of capital stock of the terms of his employment agreement.
Agreements with Other Named Executive Officers
In April 2015, we entered into an offer letter with Mr. FernandesCompany in connection with the commencementtransactions contemplated by the Plan.
9. Abandoned Property. If any distribution to the stockholders of his employment with us. The letter provides that Mr. Fernandes is employed at will, and either wethe Company cannot be made, whether because such stockholder cannot be located, has not surrendered its certificate evidencing the capital stock as required hereunder or Mr. Fernandes may terminate the employment relationship for any other reason, at any time. The letter provides that Mr. Fernandesthe distribution to which such stockholder is entitled to a $320,000 base salary, subject to annual reviewshall be transferred, at such time as the final liquidating distribution is made by the Company. FollowingCompany, to the endofficial of each calendar year, Mr. Fernandes is eligiblesuch state or other jurisdiction authorized by applicable law to receive an annual bonusthe proceeds of such distribution. The proceeds of such distribution shall thereafter be held solely for the benefit of and for ultimate distribution to such calendar yearstockholders as the sole equitable owner thereof and shall be treated as abandoned property and escheat to the applicable state or other jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law. In no event shall the termsproceeds of our management incentive program, calculated as a percentage of his annual base salary. Asany such distribution revert to or become the property of the dateCompany.
10. Stockholder Consent to Sale of Assets. Adoption of this proxy statement, Mr. Fernandes’ target bonus percentage is 40%. With respectPlan by the stockholders of the Company shall constitute the approval of such stockholders of the sale, exchange or other disposition in liquidation of all of the property and assets of the Company, whether such sale, exchange or other disposition occurs in one transaction or a series of transactions, and shall constitute ratification of all contracts for sale, exchange or other disposition that are conditioned on adoption of this Plan.
11. Expenses of Dissolution. In connection with and for the purposes of implementing and assuring completion of this Plan, the Company may pay any brokerage, agency, professional and other fees and expenses of persons rendering services to 2020 performance, the compensation committee approved total bonus compensation, with a value of $128,000 to Mr. Fernandes.
In January 2018, we entered into an offer letter with Mr. KornerCompany in connection with the commencement of his employment with us. The letter provides that Mr. Korner is employed at will, and either wecollection, sale, exchange or Mr. Korner may terminate the employment relationship for any reason, at any time. The letter provides that Mr. Korner is entitled to a $265,000 base salary, which was increased to $275,000 effective July 1, 2019, subject to annual review by the Company. Following the end of each calendar year, Mr. Korner is eligible to receive an annual bonus for such calendar year in accordance with the terms of our management incentive program, calculated as a percentage of her annual base salary. Asother disposition of the dateCompany’s property and assets and the implementation of this proxy statement, Mr. Korner’s target bonus percentage is 40%. With respectPlan.
12. Compensation. In connection with and for the purpose of implementing and assuring the completion of this Plan, the Company may pay the Company’s officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, or any of them, compensation or additional compensation above their regular compensation, including pursuant to 2020 performance, the compensation committee approved total bonus compensation, with a value of $110,000 to Mr. Korner. If we terminate Mr. Korner’s employment without Cause (as definedseverance and retention agreements, in the employment agreement), Mr. Korner is entitled to receive, subject to his continued compliance with the restrictive covenantsmoney or other property, in recognition of the agreement and his execution and nonrevocationextraordinary efforts they, or any of a general release of claims against us: (1) for a period of six months following his termination of employment monthly severance pay in an amount equal to his base salary rate; and (2) continued coverage, under our medical, dental and vision benefit
22
plans at active employee rates for six months following the date of termination. If we terminate Mr. Korner’s employment within 60 days following a change in control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Korner is entitled to receive, subject to his continued compliance with the restrictive covenants of the agreement and his execution and nonrevocation of a general release of claims against us: (1) for a period of twelve months following his termination of employment monthly severance pay in an amount equal to his base salary rate; and (2) continued coverage, under our medical, dental and vision benefit plans at active employee rates for twelve months following the date of termination.
Stock Option and Other Compensation Plans
The four equity incentive plans described in this section are (i) the assumed 2007 Ikaria stock option plan, which we refer to as the 2007 Ikaria plan, (ii) the assumed Ikaria 2010 long term incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2010 Ikaria plan, (iii) our 2014 equity incentive plan and (iv) our 2015 equity incentive plan. Following the effectiveness of the registration statement for our Initial Public Offering (“IPO”), we have been granting awards to eligible participants only under the 2015 equity incentive plan.
Assumed 2007 Ikaria Plan
The 2007 Ikaria plan was adopted by Ikaria in March 2007, and we assumed the terms of the 2007 Ikaria plan in connection with our spin-out from Ikaria, Inc., or Ikaria (the “Spin-Out”). Stock options granted under the 2007 Ikaria plan have a contractual life of ten years. Pursuant to the terms of the 2007 Ikaria plan, in the event of a liquidation or dissolution of our company, each outstanding option under the 2007 Ikaria plan will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the action, unless the administrator determines otherwise. In the event of a merger or other reorganization event, each outstanding optionthem, will be assumedrequired to undertake, or an equivalent option or right will be substituted by the successor entity, unless such successor entity does not agree to assume the award or to substitute an equivalent option or right in which case such option will terminate upon the consummation of the merger or reorganization event.
Assumed 2010 Ikaria Plan
The 2010 Ikaria plan was adopted by Ikaria in February 2010 and amended and restated in May 2010, and we assumed the terms of the 2010 Ikaria planactually undertake, in connection with the Spin-Out. Pursuant toimplementation of this Plan. Adoption of this Plan by the termsrequisite vote of the 2010 Ikaria plan, upon our liquidation, dissolution, merger or consolidation, except as otherwise provided in an applicable option or award agreement, each option or award will be (i) treated as provided in the agreement related to the transaction, or (ii) if not so provided in such agreement, each holder of an option or award will be entitled to receive, in respect of each share subject to outstanding options or awards, the same number of stock, securities, cash, property or other consideration that he or she would have received had he or she exercised such options or awards prior to the transaction. The stock, securities, cash, property or other consideration shall remain subject to all of the conditions, restrictions and performance criteria which were applicable to the options and awards prior to any such transaction. If the consideration paid or distributed is not entirely shares of commoncapital stock of the acquiring or resulting corporation,Company shall constitute the treatment of outstanding options and stock appreciation rights may include the cancellation of outstanding options and stock appreciation rights upon consummationapproval of the transactionCompany’s stockholders of the payment of any such compensation.
13. Indemnification. The Company shall continue to indemnify its officers, directors, employees, agents and trustee in accordance with its Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and contractual arrangements as therein or elsewhere provided, the Company’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy and applicable law, and such indemnification shall apply to acts or omissions of such persons in connection with the implementation of this Plan and the winding up of the affairs of the Company. The Company is authorized to obtain and maintain insurance as may be necessary to cover the Company’s indemnification obligations.
14. Modification or Abandonment of the Plan. Notwithstanding adoption of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company, the Board may modify, amend or abandon this Plan and the transactions contemplated hereby without further action by such stockholders to the extent permitted by the DGCL.
15. Authorization. The Board is hereby authorized, without further action by the stockholders of the Company, to do and perform or cause the officers of the Company to do and perform, any and all acts, and to make, execute, deliver or adopt any and all agreements, resolutions, conveyances, certificates and other documents of every kind that are deemed necessary, appropriate or desirable, to implement this Plan and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limiting the foregoing, all filings or acts required by any state or federal law or regulation to wind up the affairs of the Company.
Sections 275 through 283 of the DGCL
§ 275. Dissolution generally; procedure.
(a) | If it should be deemed advisable in the judgment of the board of directors of any corporation that it should be dissolved, the board, after the adoption of a resolution to that effect by a majority of the whole board at any meeting called for that purpose, shall cause notice of the adoption of the resolution and of a meeting of stockholders to take action upon the resolution to be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereon as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. |
(b) | At the meeting a vote shall be taken upon the proposed dissolution. If a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon shall vote for the proposed dissolution, a certification of dissolution shall be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. |
(c) | Dissolution of a corporation may also be authorized without action of the directors if all the stockholders entitled to vote thereon shall consent in writing and a certificate of dissolution shall be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. |
(d) | If dissolution is authorized in accordance with this section, a certificate of dissolution shall be executed, acknowledged and filed, and shall become effective, in accordance with § 103 of this title. Such certificate of dissolution shall set forth: |
(1) | The name of the corporation; |
(2) | The date dissolution was authorized; |
(3) | That the dissolution has been authorized by the board of directors and stockholders of the corporation, in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or that the dissolution has been authorized by all of the stockholders of the corporation entitled to vote on a dissolution, in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; |
(4) | The names and addresses of the directors and officers of the corporation; and |
(5) | The date of filing of the corporation’s original certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State. |
(e) | The resolution authorizing a proposed dissolution may provide that notwithstanding authorization or consent to the proposed dissolution by the stockholders, or the members of a nonstock corporation pursuant to § 276 of this title, the board of directors or governing body may abandon such proposed dissolution without further action by the stockholders or members. |
(f) | If a corporation has included in its certificate of incorporation a provision limiting the duration of its existence to a specified date in accordance with § 102(b)(5) of this title, a certificate of dissolution shall be executed, acknowledged and filed in accordance with § 103 of this title within 90 days before such specified date and shall become effective on such specified date. Such certificate of dissolution shall set forth: |
(1) | The name of the corporation; |
(2) | The date specified in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation limiting the duration of its existence; |
(3) | The names and addresses of the directors and officers of the corporation; and |
(4) | The date of filing of the corporation’s original certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State. |
The failure to timely file a certificate of dissolution pursuant to this subsection with respect to any corporation shall not affect the expiration of such corporation’s existence on the date specified in its certificate of incorporation pursuant to § 102(b)(5) of this title and shall not eliminate the requirement to file a certificate of dissolution as contemplated by this subsection. If a certificate of good standing is issued by the Secretary of State after the date specified in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation pursuant to § 102(b)(5) of this title, such certificate of good standing shall be of no force or effect.
(g) | A corporation shall be dissolved upon the earlier of: |
(1) | The date specified in such corporation’s certificate of incorporation pursuant to § 102(b)(5) of this title; or |
(2) | The effectiveness in accordance with § 103 of this title of a certificate of dissolution filed in accordance with this section. |
§ 276. Dissolution of nonstock corporation; procedure.
(a) | Whenever it shall be desired to dissolve any nonstock corporation, the governing body shall perform all the acts necessary for dissolution which are required by § 275 of this title to be performed by the board of directors of a corporation having capital stock. If any members of a nonstock corporation are entitled to vote for the election of members of its governing body or are entitled to vote for dissolution under the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of such corporation, such members shall perform all the acts necessary for dissolution which are contemplated by § 275 of this title to be performed by the stockholders of a corporation having capital stock, including dissolution without action of the members of the governing body if all the members of the corporation entitled to vote thereon shall consent in writing and a certificate of dissolution shall be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to § 275(d) of this title. If there is no member entitled to vote thereon, the dissolution of the corporation shall be authorized at a meeting of the governing body, upon the adoption of a resolution to dissolve by the vote of a majority of members of its governing body then in office. In all other respects, the method and proceedings for the dissolution of a nonstock corporation shall conform as nearly as may be to the proceedings prescribed by § 275 of this title for the dissolution of corporations having capital stock. |
(b) | If a nonstock corporation has not commenced the business for which the corporation was organized, a majority of the governing body or, if none, a majority of the incorporators may surrender all of the corporation rights and franchises by filing in the office of the Secretary of State a certificate, executed and acknowledged by a majority of the incorporators or governing body, conforming as nearly as may be to the certificate prescribed by § 274 of this title. |
(c) | If a nonstock corporation has included in its certificate of incorporation a provision limiting the duration of its existence to a specified date in accordance with § 102(b)(5) of this title, a certificate of dissolution shall be executed, acknowledged and filed in accordance with § 103 of this title within 90 days before such specified date and shall become effective on such specified date. Such certificate of dissolution shall include the information required by § 275(f) of this title. The failure to timely file a certificate of dissolution pursuant to this subsection with respect to any nonstock corporation shall not affect the expiration of such corporation’s existence on the date specified in its certificate of incorporation pursuant to § 102(b)(5) of this title and shall not eliminate the requirement to file a certificate of dissolution as contemplated by this subsection. If a certificate of good standing is issued by the Secretary of State after the date specified in a nonstock corporation’s certificate of incorporation pursuant to § 102(b)(5) of this title, such certificate of good standing shall be of no force or effect. |
§ 277. Payment of franchise taxes before dissolution, merger, transfer or conversion.
No corporation shall be dissolved, merged, transferred (without continuing its existence as a corporation of this State) or converted under this chapter until:
(1) | All franchise taxes due to or assessable by the State including all franchise taxes due or which would be due or assessable for the entire calendar month during which such dissolution, merger, transfer or conversion becomes effective have been paid by the corporation; and |
(2) | All annual franchise tax reports including a final annual franchise tax report for the year in which such dissolution, merger, transfer or conversion becomes effective have been filed by the corporation; notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Secretary of State certifies that an instrument to effect a dissolution, merger, transfer or conversion has been filed in the Secretary of State’s office, such corporation shall be dissolved, merged, transferred or converted at the effective time of such instrument. |
§ 278. Continuation of corporation after dissolution for purposes of suit and winding up affairs.
All corporations, whether they expire by their own limitation or are otherwise dissolved, shall nevertheless be continued, for the term of 3 years from such expiration or dissolution or for such longer period as the Court of Chancery shall in its discretion direct, bodies corporate for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits, whether civil, criminal or administrative, by or against them, and of enabling them gradually to settle and close their business, to dispose of and convey their property, to discharge their liabilities and to distribute to their stockholders any remaining assets, but not for the purpose of continuing the business for which the corporation was organized. With respect to any action, suit or proceeding begun by or against the corporation either prior to or within 3 years after the date of its expiration or dissolution, the action shall not abate by reason of the dissolution of the corporation; the corporation shall, solely for the purpose of such action, suit or proceeding, be continued as a body corporate beyond the 3-year period and until any judgments, orders or decrees therein shall be fully executed, without the necessity for any special direction to that effect by the Court of Chancery.
Sections 279 through 282 of this title shall apply to any corporation that has expired by its own limitation, and when so applied, all references in those sections to a dissolved corporation or dissolution shall include a corporation that has expired by its own limitation and to such expiration, respectively.
§ 279. Trustees or receivers for dissolved corporations; appointment; powers; duties.
When any corporation organized under this chapter shall be dissolved in any manner whatever, the Court of Chancery, on application of any creditor, stockholder or director of the corporation, or any other person who shows good cause therefor, at any time, may either appoint 1 or more of the directors of the corporation to be trustees, or appoint 1 or more persons to be receivers, of and for the corporation, to take charge of the corporation’s property, and to collect the debts and property due and belonging to the corporation, with power to prosecute and defend, in the name of the corporation, or otherwise, all such suits as may be necessary or proper for the purposes aforesaid, and to appoint an agent or agents under them, and to do all other acts which might be done by the corporation, if in being, that may be necessary for the final settlement of the unfinished business of the corporation. The powers of the trustees or receivers may be continued as long as the holdersCourt of affected options and stock appreciation rights, atChancery shall think necessary for the electionpurposes aforesaid.
§ 280. Notice to claimants; filing of the compensation committee, either:claims.
a. | That all such claims must be presented in writing and must contain sufficient information reasonably to inform the corporation or successor entity of |
b. | The mailing address to which such a claim must be sent; |
c. | The date by which such a claim must be received by the corporation or successor entity, which date shall be no earlier than 60 days from the date thereof; and |
d. | That such claim will be barred if not received by the date referred to in paragraph (a)(1)c. of this section; and |
e. | That the corporation or a successor entity may make distributions to other claimants and the corporation’s stockholders or persons interested as having been such without further notice to the claimant; and |
f. | The aggregate amount, on an annual basis, of all distributions made by the corporation to its stockholders for each of the 3 years prior to the date |
23
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
In June 2014, our Board adopted, and our stockholders approved, the 2014 equity incentive plan. The 2014 equity incentive plan is administered by our Board or by a committee appointed by our Board. The 2014 equity incentive plan provided for the grant of options. Following the effectiveness of our registration statement filed in connection with our IPO, no options may be granted under the 2014 Plan.
Our employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors were eligible to receive awards under the 2014 equity incentive plan.
Awards under the 2014 equity incentive plan are subject to adjustmentgeneral circulation in the eventcounty in which the office of the corporation’s last registered agent in this State is located and in the corporation’s principal place of business and, in the case of a split, reverse split, dividend, recapitalization, combination or reclassification of our common stock, spin-off or other similar change in our capitalization or event or any dividend or distribution to holders of our common stock other than an ordinary cash dividend.
Upon a merger or other reorganization event (as defined in the 2014 equity incentive plan), our Board may, in its sole discretion, take any onecorporation having $10,000,000 or more in total assets at the time of its dissolution, at least once in all editions of a daily newspaper with a national circulation. On or before the date of the following actions pursuantfirst publication of such notice, the corporation or successor entity shall mail a copy of such notice by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to each known claimant of the 2014 equity incentive plan, ascorporation including persons with claims asserted against the corporation in a pending action, suit or proceeding to some or all outstanding options:which the corporation is a party.
(3) | A corporation or successor |
claimant within 90 days after receipt of such claim and, in all events, at least 150 days before the expiration of the period described in § 278 of this title; provided however, that in the |
At any time, our Board may, in its sole discretion, provide that any award under the 2014 equity incentive plan will become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part.
Our Board may amend, suspend or terminate the 2014 equity incentive plan at any time, except that stockholder approval will be required to comply with applicable law or stock market requirements.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
In January 2015, our Board adopted, and in February 2015, our stockholders approved, the 2015 equity incentive plan (as subsequently amended and restated, the “2015 Plan”), which became effective immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement for our IPO. The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, share appreciation rights, restricted share awards, restricted share unit awards and other share-based awards. Upon the effectiveness of the 2015 Plan, the number of shares of our common stock that were reserved for
24
issuance under the 2015 Plan was equal to the sum of (1) 29,972 plus (2) the number of shares (up to 37,356 shares) equal to the sum of the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2014 equity incentive plan immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement for our IPO and the number of shares of our common stock subject to outstanding awards under the 2014 equity incentive plan that expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, canceled, forfeited or repurchased by us at their original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right plus (3) an annual increase, to be added on the first day of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and continuing until, and including, the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, equal to the least of (i) 53,223 shares of our common stock, (ii) a number equal to the difference between 5% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding on the first day of the fiscal year (treating all shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options and upon the conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock, warrants or other securities convertible into shares of our common stock as outstanding for this purpose) and the number of shares of our common stock available for grant under the 2015 Plan on the first day of the fiscal year and (iii) an amount determined by our Board.
Our employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors are eligible to receive awards under the 2015 Plan. However, incentive stock options may only be granted to our employees.
Pursuant to the terms of the 2015 Plan, our Board (or a committee delegated by our Board) administers the plan and, subject to any limitations in the plan, selects the recipients of awards and determines:
If our Board delegates authority to an officer to grant awards under the 2015 Plan, the officer will have the power to make awards to all of our officers, except executive officers. Our Board will fix the terms of the awards to be granted by such officer, including the exercise price of such awards (which may include a formula by which the exercise will be determined), and the maximum number of shares subject to awards that such officer may make.
Upon a merger or other reorganization event, our Board may, except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an award or other agreement between us and the plan participant, take any one or more of the following actions pursuant to the 2015 Plan as to some or all outstanding awards other than restricted shares:
25
Our Board does not need to take the same action with respect to all awards, all awards held by a participant or all awards of the same type.
In the case of certain restricted share units, no assumption or substitution is permitted, and the restricted share units will instead be settled in accordance with the terms of the applicable restricted share unit agreement.
Upon the occurrence of a reorganization event other than a liquidation or dissolution, the repurchase and other rights with respect to outstanding restricted share awards will continue for the benefit of the successor company and will, unless the Board may otherwise determine, apply to the cash, securities or other property into which shares of our common stock are converted or exchanged pursuant to the reorganization event, provided that our Board may provide for the termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the applicable award agreement or any other agreement between the participant and us. Upon the occurrence of a reorganization event involving a liquidation or dissolution, all restrictions and conditions on each outstanding restricted share award will automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied, unless otherwise provided in the agreement evidencing the restricted share award or in any other agreement between the participant and us.
At any time, our Board may, in its sole discretion, provide that any award under the 2015 Plan will become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part.
No award may be granted under the 2015 Plan on or after February 12, 2025. Our Board may amend, suspend or terminate the 2015 Plan at any time, except that stockholder approval may be required to comply with applicable law or stock market requirements.
On March 10, 2017, the Board approved our Amended and Restated 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, which became effective upon approval by our stockholders at the 2017 annual meeting, to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance of awards under the 2015 Plan to 333,333 shares of common stock and increase the maximum number of shares available under the annual increase from 53,223 shares to 200,000 shares. On May 14, 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved an additional amendment to the 2015 Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2015 plan from 333,333 to 833,333.
401(k) Retirement Plan
We maintain a 401(k) retirement plan that is intended to be a tax-qualified defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, all of our employees are eligible to participate, beginning on the first day of the month following commencement of their employment. The 401(k) plan includes a salary deferral
26
arrangement pursuant to which participants may elect to reduce their current compensation by up to the statutorily prescribed limit, equal to $19,500 in 2020 plus an additional $6,500 for employees 50 years of age or older as of December 31, 2020 and eligible for catch-up contributions, and have the amount of the reduction contributed to the 401(k) plan.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification
Our certificate of incorporation limits the personal liability of directors for breach of fiduciary duty to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and provides that no director will have personal liability to us or to our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty or other duty as a director. However, these provisions do not eliminate or limit the liability of any of our directors:
Any amendment to or repeal of these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim that occurred or arose prior to such amendment or repeal. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to provide for further limitations on the personal liability of directors of corporations, then the personal liability of our directors will be further limited to the greatest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that we must indemnify our directors and officers and we must advance expenses, including attorneys’ fees, to our directors and officers in connection with legal proceedings, subject to very limited exceptions.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. These indemnification agreements may require us, among other things, to indemnify each such director or officer for some expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by him or her in any action or proceeding arising out of his or her service as one of our directors or officers.
We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of our directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.
Certain of our non-employee directors may, through their relationships with their employers, be insured and/or indemnified against certain liabilities incurred in their capacity as members of our Board.
Rule 10b5-1 Sales Plans
Our directors and executive officers may adopt written plans, known as Rule 10b5-1 plans, in which they will contract with a broker to buy or sell shares of our common stock on a periodic basis. Under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, a broker executes trades pursuant to parameters established by the director or officer when entering into the plan, without further direction from the director or officer. The director or officer may adopt, amend or terminate a plan when not in possession of material, non-public information. In addition, our directors and executive officers may also buy or sell additional shares outside of a Rule 10b5-1 plan when they are not in possession of material, nonpublic information.
27
Director Compensation
Since December 7, 2016, our director compensation policy consisted of the following:
Jonathan Peacock, one of our directors who previously served as our Chief Executive Officer, did not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director while he was employed by the Company. Fabian Tenenbaum, one of our directors who also serves as our Chief Executive Officer, does not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director. The compensation that we pay to Mr. Tenenbaum for his service as our Chief Executive Officer is discussed in the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement.
The New Mountain Entities have advised us that, in connection with the affiliation of Messrs. Moura and Bennett with the New Mountain Entities, all equity based compensation, including grants of stock options in respect of shares of our common stock, received or receivable by Messrs. Moura and Bennett in consideration for their services rendered to us will be held by such director for the benefit of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., an affiliate of the New Mountain Entities. In addition, the New Mountain Entities have advised us that any cash compensation received by such directors in consideration for their services rendered to us will be paid to New Mountain Capital, L.L.C.
On December 7, 2016, the Board approved a change in director compensation under which payment of fees for each non-employee director will be provided in the form of cash or restricted shares of common stock.
28
The following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 to each of our non-employee directors. Directors who are employed by us are not compensated for their service on our Board:
| | | | | | | | |
|
| Cash |
| Stock Awards |
| Option Awards |
| Total |
Name |
| Payment |
| ($)(1) |
| ($)(1) |
| ($) |
Jonathan M. Peacock |
| — |
| 100,000 | (2) | — |
| 100,000 |
Naseem Amin |
| 50,000 |
| — |
| 60,000 |
| 110,000 |
Scott P. Bruder |
| 40,000 |
| — |
| 60,000 |
| 100,000 |
Mary Ann Cloyd |
| 55,000 |
| — |
| 60,000 |
| 115,000 |
Andre V. Moura |
| 45,000 |
| — |
| 60,000 |
| 105,000 |
Matthew M. Bennett |
| 40,000 |
| — |
| 60,000 |
| 100,000 |
Ted Wang |
| 37,363 |
| — |
| 60,000 |
| 97,363 |
Crispin Teufel |
| 47,500 |
| — |
| 60,000 |
| 107,500 |
(2) | The |
29
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table contains information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2020.
| | | | | | | | |
|
| |
| | |
| |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Number of securities | |
| | | | Weighted-average | | remaining available for | | |
| | Number of securities | | exercise price of | | future issuance under | | |
| | to be issued upon exercise | | outstanding | | equity compensation plans | | |
| | of outstanding options, | | options, warrants | | (excluding securities | | |
Plan category |
| warrants and rights |
| and rights |
| reflected in column(a)) | | |
|
| (a) |
| | (b) |
| (c) |
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
| 742,765 | (1) | $ | 23.03 |
| 392,778 | (2) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| 742,765 |
| $ | 23.03 |
| 392,778 |
|
30
The Audit Committee of the Board, which consists entirely of directors who meet the independence and experience requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market, has furnished the following report:
The Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial reporting process, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the quality of internal and external audit processes. This committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in our charter adopted by the Board, which is available on our website at www.bellerophon.com. This committee reviews and reassesses our charter annually and recommends any changes to the Board for approval. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing our overall financial reporting process, and for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the work of KPMG LLP. In fulfilling its responsibilities for the financial statements for fiscal year 2020, the Audit Committee took the following actions:
(3) | A corporation or successor entity which has given notice in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall petition the Court of Chancery to determine the amount and form of security which will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for claims that have not been made known to the corporation or that have not arisen but that, based on facts known to the corporation or successor entity, are likely to arise or to become known to the corporation or successor entity within 5 years after the date of dissolution or such longer period of time as |
(d) | The giving of any notice or making of any offer pursuant to this section shall not revive any claim then barred or constitute acknowledgment by the corporation or successor entity that any person to whom such notice is sent is a proper claimant and shall not operate as a waiver of any defense or counterclaim in respect of any claim asserted by any person to whom such notice is sent. |
(e) | As used in this section, the term “successor entity” shall include any trust, receivership or other legal entity governed by the laws of this State to which the remaining assets and liabilities of a dissolved corporation are transferred and which exists solely for the purposes of prosecuting and defending suits, by or against the dissolved corporation, enabling the dissolved corporation to settle and close the business of the dissolved corporation, to dispose of and convey the property of the dissolved corporation, to discharge the liabilities of the dissolved corporation and to distribute to the dissolved corporation’s stockholders any remaining assets, but not for the purpose of continuing the business for which the dissolved corporation was organized. |
(f) | The time periods and notice requirements of this section shall, in the |
(g) | In the case of a nonstock corporation, any notice referred to in the last sentence of paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall include a copy of § 114 of this title. In the case of a nonprofit nonstock corporation, provisions of this section regarding |
§ 281. Payment and distribution to claimants and stockholders.
(a) | A dissolved corporation or successor entity which has followed the procedures described in § 280 of this title: |
(1) | Shall pay the claims made and |
(2) | Shall post the security offered and not rejected pursuant to § 280(b)(2) of this title, |
(3) | Shall post any security ordered by the Court of Chancery in any proceeding under § 280(c) of this title, and |
(4) | Shall pay or make provision for all other claims that are mature, known and uncontested or that have been finally determined to be owing by the |
Based on the Audit Committee’s review
Such claims or obligations shall be paid in full and any such provision for payment shall be made in full if there are sufficient assets. If there are insufficient assets, such claims and obligations shall be paid or provided for according to their priority, and, among claims of the audited financial statements and discussions with management and KPMG LLP, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 for filing with the SEC.
|
|
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Our records reflect that all reports which were required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, were filed on a timely basis.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Our Audit Committee reviews and approves in advance all related-party transactions.
The following is a description of our related person transactions since January 1, 2019 to which we have been a party. We believe that all of the transactions described below were made on terms no less favorable to us than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Stockholders Agreement
New Mountain Stockholders Agreement
In February 2015, in connection with our IPO, we entered into a stockholders agreement with the New Mountain Entities, which provides that the New Mountain Entities are entitled to designate one director for nomination to our Board, to designate one director to the Board (or equivalent governing body) of each of our subsidiaries and to appoint the lead
31
director of our Board, in each case, for so long as the New Mountain Entities or certain of their respective assignees beneficially own (i) 50% or more of the sum of (a) the number of shares of our common stock that they owned immediately prior to the closing of our IPO and (b) the number of shares of common stock, if any, acquired following the closing of our IPO (subject to in each case adjustment in the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification or other similar change in our capitalization) and (ii) 15% or more of our common stock outstanding (as set forth on the cover of our then most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q). Subject to the same ownership thresholds, the director nominated by the New Mountain Entities is entitled to serve on each committee of our Board and of the Board (or equivalent governing body) of each of our subsidiaries and the consent of the New Mountain Entities is required to establish any new committee of our Board or the Board (or equivalent governing body) of any of our subsidiaries, in each case exceptequal priority, ratably to the extent prohibited by applicable law or applicable listing exchange rules. As of April 6, 2021, the New Mountain Entities beneficially owned approximately 6.4% of our outstanding common stock and are no longer entitled to designate directors to our Board.
The New Mountain Entities may assign their rights to designate one director for nomination to our Board, to designate a directorassets legally available therefor. Any remaining assets shall be distributed to the Board (or equivalent governing body)stockholders of eachthe dissolved corporation; provided, however, that such distribution shall not be made before the expiration of our subsidiaries and to appoint150 days from the lead directordate of our Board to a person who acquires, in a transaction other than a registered public offering or a salethe last notice of rejections given pursuant to Rule 144 under§ 280(a)(3) of this title. In the Securities Act, at least 50%absence of actual fraud, the judgment of the aggregate number of shares of our common stock owned, directly or indirectly, by the New Mountain Entities as of immediately prior to such transaction.
In addition, the stockholders agreement provides that, we are required to obtain the prior written approvaldirectors of the New Mountain Entitiesdissolved corporation or the governing persons of such successor entity as to take certain actions, including, among other things, actions to:the provision made for the payment of all obligations under paragraph (a)(4) of this section shall be conclusive.
(c) | Directors of a dissolved corporation or governing persons of a successor entity which has complied with subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall not be personally liable to the claimants of the dissolved corporation. |
(d) | As used in this section, the term “successor entity” has the meaning set forth in § 280(e) of this title. |
(e) | The term “priority,” as used in this section, does not refer either to the order of payments set forth in paragraph (a)(1)-(4) of this section or to the relative times at which any claims mature or are reduced to judgment. |
(f) | In the case of a nonprofit nonstock corporation, provisions of this section regarding distributions to members shall not apply to the extent that those provisions conflict with any other |
§ 282. Liability of stockholders of dissolved corporations.
§ 283. Jurisdiction.
The Court of Chancery shall have jurisdiction of any application prescribed in this subchapter and of all questions arising in the proceedings thereon, and may make such orders and decrees and issue injunctions therein as justice and equity shall require.
These
1 U P X Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. 0 3 W C D A + + Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. B q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q 2023 Special Meeting Proxy Card 1234 5678 9012 345 Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1 and 2. A 1. The approval rights of the New Mountain Entities terminated whenliquidation and dissolution of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and the New Mountain Entities or certainPlan of their respective assignees beneficially owned less than 15%Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan of our common stock outstanding (as set forth onDissolution”), which, if approved, will authorize the coverCompany’s Board of our then most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q).
Management Rights Letters
We have entered into management rights lettersDirectors to liquidate and dissolve the Company in accordance with entities affiliated with certainthe Plan of our principal stockholders, pursuant to which such entities are entitled to routinely consult withDissolution (the “Dissolution Proposal”); and advise management regarding our operations and have the right to inspect our books and records. We will also be required to deliver financial statements to such entities within 45 days after the end2. The approval of eachan adjournment of the first three quartersSpecial Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of each fiscal yearthe Special Meeting to approve the Dissolution Proposal (the “Adjournment Proposal”). For Against Abstain For Against Abstain MMMMMMMM M 5 9 2 1 6 4 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND C 1234567890 J N T MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMM If no electronic voting, delete QR code and 120 days aftercontrol # Δ ≈ 000001 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext Online Go to www.envisionreports.com/BLPH or scan the endQR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1 - 800 - 652 - VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/BLPH Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of each fiscal yearmailing this card. Votes submitted electronically must be received by 1:00am, Eastern Time, on December 11 , 2023.
Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/BLPH Notice of 2023 Special Meeting of Shareholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Special Meeting — December 11, 2023 Peter Fernandes and Fred Hanuschek, or any other periodic reports as soon as they become available. Our management rights letterof them, each with the New Mountain Entities also provides that at any time during whichpower of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the New Mountain Entities do not have the direct contractual right to designate a representative to serve on our Board, the New Mountain Entities will have the right to designate one observer to our Board. Such observer shall be entitled to attend all meetings of our Board and to receive copies of all
32
materials provided to the directors, subject to customary exceptions specified in the management rights letter. Each management rights letter will terminate on the date the entity party thereto (or principal stockholder with which such entity is affiliated) no longer holds any of our securities.
Indemnification Agreements
Our certificate of incorporation provides that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. See “Executive Officer and Director Compensation-Limitations on Liability and Indemnification” for additional information regarding these agreements.
Participation in Registered Direct Offering
On May 18, 2020, we entered into a subscription agreement with an institutional investor affiliated with Theodore Wang, a member of our board of directors, relating to the purchase of 1,153,846 shares of our common stock.
Participation in Public Offering
In our public offering in January 2019, certain of our directors, executive officers and 5% stockholders and their affiliates purchased shares of our common stock. Each of those purchases was made through the underwriters at the offering price of $10.50 per share. The following table sets forth the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that these directors, executive officers and 5% stockholders and their affiliates purchased in our Public Offering:
| | | | |
|
| Shares of |
| Total |
Purchaser(1) |
| common stock |
| purchase price |
Jonathan M. Peacock |
| 47,619 |
| 500,000 |
Naseem Amin |
| 38,095 |
| 400,000 |
Theodore Wang |
| 30,000 |
| 315,000 |
Participation in Private Placement
In a private placement conducted in September 2017, certain of our directors, executive officers and 5% stockholders and their affiliates purchased shares of our common stock. The private placement involved the sale of units, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock, at a purchase price per unit of $18.075. The following table sets forth the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that these directors, executive officers and 5% stockholders and their affiliates purchased in our September 2017 private placement:
| | | | |
|
| Shares of |
| Total |
Purchaser(1) |
| common stock |
| purchase price |
New Mountain Entities | | 304,287 | | 5,500,000 |
Puissance Capital Management |
| 553,250 |
| 10,000,000 |
Naseem Amin |
| 30,428 |
| 550,000 |
Jonathan M. Peacock |
| 16,597 |
| 300,000 |
Jens Luehring |
| 666 |
| 12,050 |
33
Agreement for a Line of Credit Facility
On December 16, 2019, the Company entered into a Binding Term Sheet and Agreement for a Line of Credit Facility (the “Term Sheet”) with New Mountain Partners II AIV-A LP, New Mountain Partners II AIV-B LP, Allegheny New Mountain Partners LP, New Mountain Affiliated Investors II LP, Puissance Capital Management LP, Jonathan M. Peacock, Naseem Amin and Ted Wang (each a Lender and collectively, the “Lenders”). Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the Lenders will make available to the Company, on a pro rata basis, a $10,000,000 line of credit facility pursuant to which the Company will have the right to draw down $5,000,000 after March 31, 2020, provided that the Company has randomized the first patient in its iNO-PF Phase 3 clinical trial by such date, and another $5,000,000 after June 30, 2020, provided that no drawdowns shall be made later than December 31, 2020, and such drawdowns shall be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, immediately priorundersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc . to a change of control pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Term Sheet (the “Credit Line”). It shall be a condition to each drawdown that there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business or operation of the Company since the date of the Term Sheet. The Company shall pay the Lenders a fee in cash equal to $300,000 in the aggregate upon the earliest of (i) the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) the first drawdown or (iii) the completion by the Company of a single capital raise with gross proceeds of at least $10,000,000. The Company has no obligation to draw down on the Credit Line and anticipates that it would only do so if alternative financing was not available on more favorable terms. The Credit Line maturesheld on December 16, 2021 and bears interest at 8.0% per annum, which is payable in kind. The Lenders have the right to require the repayment of the loan11 , 2023 or at any time after the Company completes a single capital raise with gross proceeds of at least $15,000,000. Events of default under the Credit Line include a Change of Control, bankruptcy and insolvency. Immediately prior to the consummation of a Change of Control, each Lender will have a right to convert outstanding drawdown loan amounts into shares of common stock of the Company at a conversion price per share equal to $6.207 (subject to adjustment for stock splits and similar transactions); provided that the aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company to be issued upon conversion of the drawdown loan amounts under the Credit Line to a Lender other than New Mountain Capital (or its affiliates), in addition to shares of Company common stock owned bypostponement or otherwise issued to such Lender, shall not exceed 19.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock in the aggregate pursuant to the Company’s obligations under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) (or any successor or similar rule or interpretation thereof) unless stockholder approval is obtained.
Agreement for Consulting Fees
On May 22, 2020, the Company completed the sale of 3,365,384 shares of our common stock in a public offering and concurrent registered direct offering including a full exercise of an option to purchase additional shares at a price of $13.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $40.6 million, after deducting agent fees of $2.9 million and offering costs of $0.3 million. The agent fees included a financial advisory fee of $0.9 million to Angel Pond Capital LLC, a registered broker-dealer (“Angel Pond”) and a company affiliated with Theodore Wang, a member of our board of directors.
Advisory Agreement for the Chinese Market
In July 2020, the Company entered into an advisory agreement with Angel Pond, pursuant to which Angel Pond will provide the Company with advisory and other support services in China through the date that is six months from the effective date of the Angel Pond Agreement, on the payment terms described in the Angel Pond Agreement. To date, the Company did not make any payments to Angel Pond with connection of this advisory agreement.
34
(PROPOSAL NO. 1)
On March 31, 2021, our Board nominated Fabian Tenenbaum for election at the annual meeting. Our Board currently consists of seven members, classified into three classes as follows: (1) Fabian Tenenbaum and Jonathan Peacock constitute a class with a term ending at the 2021 annual meeting; (2) Mary Ann Cloyd and Crispin Teufel constitute a class with a term ending at the 2022 annual meeting and (3) Scott Bruder, Naseem Amin and Ted Wang constitute a class with a term ending at the 2023 annual meeting. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for a full term of three years to succeed those directors whose terms are expiring. On March 25, 2021, Jonathan Peacock notified us that he will not stand for re-election to the Board at the 2021 annual meeting.
On March 31, 2021, our Board accepted the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and voted to nominate Fabian Tenenbaum for election at the annual meeting for a term of three years to serve until the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, and until his respective successors has been elected and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removaladjournment thereof .
Unless authority to vote for this nominee is withheld, the shares Shares represented by the enclosedthis proxy will be voted FOR the election as director of Fabian Tenenbaum. In the event that such nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve, the shares represented by the enclosed proxyshareholder . If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR items 1 and 2 . In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting . (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Change of Address — Please print your new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. Non - Voting Items C + + Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the election of such other person as the Board may recommend in that nominee’s place. We have no reason to believe that the nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director.
A plurality of the shares voted for the nominee at the annual meeting is required to elect the nominee as a director.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THE ELECTION OF FABIAN TENENBAUM AS DIRECTOR, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
35
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(PROPOSAL NO. 2)
The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. The Board proposes that the stockholders ratify this appointment. KPMG LLP audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. We expect that representatives of KPMG LLP will be present at the annual meeting, will be able to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
In deciding to appoint KPMG LLP, the Audit Committee reviewed auditor independence issues and existing commercial relationships with KPMG LLP, and concluded that KPMG LLP has no relationship with the Company that would impair its independence for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
The following table summarizes the fees of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services rendered for the audit of our fiscal 2020 and 2019 consolidated financial statements and the fees billed to us for other services for each of the last two fiscal years.
| | | | | | |
Fee Category |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | ||
Audit Fees (1) | | $ | 500,000 | | $ | 419,786 |
Audit-Related Fees | |
| — | |
| — |
All Other Fees | |
| — | |
| — |
Total Fees | | $ | 500,000 | | $ | 419,786 |
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-audit Services of Independent Public Accountant
Consistent with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm.
Prior to engagement of an independent registered public accounting firm for the next year’s audit, management will submit an aggregate of services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of services to the Audit Committee for approval.
36
Prior to engagement, the Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires our independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically throughout the year by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage our independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging our independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
In the event the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee will reconsider its appointment.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast affirmatively or negatively at the annual meeting is required to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH RATIFICATION UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER INDICATES OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
37
ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT
(PROPOSAL NO. 3)
We are seeking your advisory vote as required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, the compensation tables and related material contained in this proxy statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on our Compensation committee or our Board of Directors. However, the Compensation Committee and our Board will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation. We have determined to hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers annually, and the next such advisory vote will occur at the 2022 AnnualSpecial Meeting of Stockholders.
Our compensation philosophyShareholders. The material is designed to align each executive’s compensation with our short-term and long-term performance and to provide the compensation and incentives needed to attract, motivate and retain key executives who are crucial to our long-term success. Consistent with this philosophy, a significant portion of the total compensation opportunity for each of our executives is directly related to performance factors that measure our progress against the goals of our strategic and operating plans, as well as our performance against that of our peer companies.
Stockholders are urged to read the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement for additional details about our executive compensation, including information about the fiscal year 2020 compensation of our named executive officers.
In accordance with the rules of the SEC, the following resolution, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” vote, is being submitted for a stockholder vote at the 2021 annual meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the named executive officersavailable at: www.envisionreports.com/BLPH 2023 Special Meeting Admission Ticket 2023 Special Meeting of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules Shareholders Monday, December 11, 2023 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time Offices of the SecuritiesMintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Exchange Commission, including the compensation tablesPopeo, P.C. 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 Upon arrival, please present this admission ticket and the related material disclosed in this proxy statement, is hereby APPROVED.”
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast affirmatively or negatively for this proposal is required to approve, on an advisory basis, this resolution.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH APPROVAL UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER INDICATES OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
38
ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF THE FREQUENCY OF HOLDING AN ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
(PROPOSAL NO. 4)
We are seeking your input with regard to the frequency of holding future stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers. In particular, we are asking whether the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal No. 3) should occur every year, every two years or every three years. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on our Compensation committee or our Board of Directors. However, the Compensation committee and our Board of Directors will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding how frequently it should present the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers to our stockholders.
The Board of Directors believes an annual frequency (i.e., every year) is the optimal frequency for the say-on-pay vote. An advisory vote each year will permit our stockholders to provide annual feedback to us on our compensation policies, practices and compensation awards for our named executive officers. This is consistent with our policy of giving stockholders the opportunity to voice concerns with management or our Board of Directors. An annual advisory vote will give the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee and management more timely feedback from the stockholders to allow us to evaluate and adjust, when we consider appropriate, the compensation of our named executive officers.
The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options (holding the vote every one, two or three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove our Board of Directors’ recommendation. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted for this proposal — every year, every two years or every three years — will be the frequency approved, on an advisory basis, by our stockholders. However, because the vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers is not binding, if none of the frequency options receives a majority vote, the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the frequency preferred by our stockholders.
Our board of directors Recommends A Vote To Approve, on an advisory basis, the Frequency of Holding a Vote on the Compensation of our named executive officers Every Year, And Proxies Solicited By Our board of directors Will Be Voted In Favor Of Such Frequency Unless A Stockholder Indicates Otherwise On The Proxy Card.
39
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our chief executive officer and chief financial and accounting officers. The text of the code of business conduct and ethics is posted on our website at www.bellerophon.com. Disclosure regarding any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of the code of business conduct and ethics that apply to our directors, principal executive and financial officers will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver, unless website posting or the issuance of a press release of such amendments or waivers is then permitted by the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Board knows of no other business which will be presented to the annual meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the annual meeting, proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons named therein.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR
To be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to our 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, we must receive stockholder proposals not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the 2021 annual meeting.
Proposals that are not received in a timely manner will not be voted onphoto identification at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. If a proposal is received on time, the proxies that management solicits for the annual meeting may still exercise discretionary voting authority on the proposal under circumstances consistent with the proxy rules of the SEC. All stockholder proposals should be marked for the attention of Secretary, Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., 184 Liberty Corner Road, Suite 302, Warren, NJ, 07059.registration desk.
Warren, NJ
April 13, 2021
40