UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
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PROVECTUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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 | 7327 Oak Ridge Highway, Suite A Knoxville, TN 37931 phone 865/769-4011 fax 865/769-4013 |
Notice of 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on June 22, 2006
To Our Stockholders:
We will hold the 2006 annual meeting of the stockholders of Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on Thursday, June 22, 2006, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time, at the offices of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz located at Riverview Tower, Suite 2200, 900 South Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. The annual meeting is being held for the following purposes:
| 1. | To elect four directors to serve on our Board of Directors for a one-year term; |
| 2. | To approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000; and |
| 3. | To transact any other business that properly comes before the annual meeting. |
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 24, 2006 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the accompanying postage-paid envelope.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Peter R. Culpepper
Peter R. Culpepper
Secretary
April 28, 2006
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. NO ADDITIONAL POSTAGE IS NECESSARY IF THE PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED AT THE MEETING.
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| 7327 Oak Ridge Highway, Suite A Knoxville, TN 37931 phone 865/769-4011 fax 865/769-4013 |
PROXY STATEMENT FOR
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 22, 2006
We are delivering these proxy materials to solicit proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Thursday, June 22, 2006, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time, at Riverview Tower, Suite 2200, 900 South Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee.
We are mailing this proxy statement, together with a form of proxy and our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, beginning on May 1, 2006.
About the Annual Meeting
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At the annual meeting, stockholders will act upon the following matters:
| · | The election of four directors to serve on our Board of Directors for a one-year term. |
| · | The approval of an increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under our 2002 Stock Plan from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000. |
Who is entitled to vote?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 24, 2006, the record date for the annual meeting, are entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote the shares of common stock that they held on that date at the annual meeting. Each outstanding share of common stock entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter to be voted on at the annual meeting.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the annual meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of the common stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum. As of the record date, there were 36,772,838 outstanding shares of common stock. Shares held by stockholders present at the annual meeting who elect to abstain from voting nonetheless will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered present at the annual meeting.
How do I vote?
If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it to us, the proxy holders named on the proxy card will vote your shares as you direct. If you are a registered stockholder and attend the annual meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card or vote in person at the meeting. If you hold your shares in a brokerage account or in “street name” and you wish to vote at the annual meeting, you will need to obtain a proxy from the broker or other nominee who holds your shares.
Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy card, you may change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with the Secretary either a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date. If you are a “street name” stockholder, you must contact your broker or other nominee and follow its instructions if you wish to change your vote. The powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if you attend the annual meeting in person and so request, although your attendance at the annual meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
What are the Board’s recommendations?
Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxies on the proxy card will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board recommends a vote FOR election of each of the four candidates nominated to serve on our Board of Directors for a one-year term and FOR approval of the proposed amendment to our Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000.
If any other business is properly brought before the annual meeting, the proxies will vote your shares as the Board of Directors recommends. If the Board does not give a recommendation, the proxies will vote your shares as they may determine in their own discretion.
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What vote is required to approve each item?
Election of Directors
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required for the election of directors. If you are present at the meeting and you abstain from voting for one or more directors, your shares will not be counted in the vote for any nominee, although they will be counted for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum present. A properly executed proxy card marked “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated and will be treated as an abstention with respect to voting on the director or directors.
Approval of the Amendment to the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and Other Items
For approval of the amendment to the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and any other item of business that properly comes before the annual meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote will be required for approval. The shares of any stockholder present at the meeting who abstains from voting on the proposal or on any other item will not be counted in the vote, although they will be counted for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum at the annual meeting. An abstention, therefore, will have the effect of a negative vote. A properly executed proxy card marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to any such matter will not be voted and will be treated as an abstention with respect to that matter.
In general, if you hold shares of common stock in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, and if your broker or other nominee is not instructed or otherwise empowered to vote your shares at a meeting with respect to a particular matter, then your shares will constitute “broker non-votes” as to the matter. In the election of directors, brokers generally have discretion to vote your shares even in the absence of express instructions from you. As to all matters, a broker non-vote will have the same effect as an abstention.
Stock Ownership
Directors, Executive Officers and Other Stockholders
The table below shows the amount of our common stock beneficially owned as of April 24, 2006 by each of our directors and officers, all executive officers and directors as a group, and each person whom we believe beneficially owns more than 5% of our outstanding voting stock.
Name and Address (1) | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (2) | Percentage of Class (3) | |
Directors and Executive Officers: | |||
| H. Craig Dees | 1,947,859 | (4) | 5.2% |
| Timothy C. Scott | 1,905,966 | (5) | 5.1% |
| Eric A. Wachter | 2,555,685 | (6) | 6.8% |
| Peter R. Culpepper | 375,000 | (7) | 1.0% |
| Stuart Fuchs | 876,418 | (8) | 2.4% |
All directors and executive officers as a group (5 persons) | 7,660,928 | (9) | 19.6% |
Other Stockholders: | |||
Dr. Donald E. Adams 370 Crestmont Drive San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | 6,616,250 | (10) | 17.0% |
Gryffindor Capital Partners I, L.L.C. 150 North Wacker Drive, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606 | 5,552,918 | (11) | 13.7% |
| (1) | If no address is given, the named individual is an executive officer or director of Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., whose business address is 7327 Oak Ridge Highway, Suite A, Knoxville, TN 37931. |
| (2) | Shares of common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 24, 2006 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person having the right to acquire such shares, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated by a note, each stockholder listed in the table has sole voting and investment power as to the shares owned by that person. |
| (3) | As of April 24, 2006, there were 36,772,838 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. |
| (4) | Dr. Dees’ beneficial ownership includes 536 shares held by Dees Family Foundation, an entity established for the benefit of Dr. Dees’ family, and 550,000 shares subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days. |
| (5) | Dr. Scott’s beneficial ownership includes 55,996 shares held by Scott Family Investment Limited Partnership, a limited partnership established for the benefit of Dr. Scott’s family, and 550,000 shares subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days. |
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| (6) | Dr. Wachter’s beneficial ownership includes 4,867 shares held by the Eric A. Wachter 1998 Charitable Remainder Unitrust and 445,920 shares subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days. Dr. Wachter’s beneficial ownership also includes 330,881 shares of Common Stock underlying Warrants. |
| (7) | Mr. Culpepper’s beneficial ownership includes 337,585 shares subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days. |
| (8) | Mr. Fuchs’ beneficial ownership includes 226,459 shares held by SFF Limited Partnership, a limited partnership of which Mr. Fuchs is the general partner; 348,499 shares in an IRA of Mr. Fuchs; 75,000 shares subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days and 226,460 shares held by Gryffindor Capital Partners I, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company of which Mr. Fuchs is the managing principal (“Gryffindor”). |
| (9) | Includes 1,958,505 shares subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days. |
| (10) | Dr. Adams’ beneficial ownership includes 4,447,593 shares directly held. Dr. Adams’ beneficial ownership also includes 518,657 shares of Common Stock underlying a ConvertibleDebenture, and 1,650,000 shares of Common Stock underlying Warrants. |
| (11) | Gryffindor's beneficial ownership includes 1,559,793 share directly held and 226,569shares held by SFF Limited Partnership, a limited partnership of which Stuart Fuchs, one of our directors, is the general partner. Gryffindor disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by SFF Limited Partnership. Gryffindor's beneficial ownership also includes 3,766,666 shares of Common Stock underlying Warrants. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
The federal securities laws require our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our securities. Based solely on our review of the copies of these forms received by us or representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that SEC beneficial ownership reporting requirements for 2005 were met.
Proposal 1:
Election of Directors
The persons listed below have been nominated by the Board of Directors to serve as directors for a one-year term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders occurring in 2007. Each nominee has consented to serve on the Board of Directors. If any nominee were to become unavailable to serve as a director, the Board of Directors may designate a substitute nominee. In that case, the persons named as proxies on the accompanying proxy card will vote for the substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors.
H. Craig Dees, Ph.D., 54, has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors since we acquired Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held Tennessee Corporation, on April 23, 2002. Before joining us, from 1997 to 2002 he served as senior member of the management team of Photogen Technologies, Inc., including serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Photogen from 1997 to 2000. Prior to joining Photogen, Dr. Dees served as a Group Leader at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and as a senior member of the management teams of LipoGen Inc., a medical diagnostic company which used genetic engineering technologies to manufacture and distribute diagnostic assay kits for auto-immune diseases, and TechAmerica Group Inc., now a part of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., the U.S. animal health subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelhem GmbH, an international chemical and pharmaceutical company headquartered in Germany. He earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1984.
Timothy C. Scott, Ph.D., 48, has served as our President and as a member of our Board of Directors since we acquired PPI on April 23, 2002. Prior to joining us, Dr. Scott was as a senior member of the Photogen management team from 1997 to 2002, including serving as Photogen’s Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2002, as a director of Photogen from 1997 to 2000, and as interim CEO for a period in 2000. Before joining Photogen, he served as senior management of Genase LLC, a developer of enzymes for fabric treatment, and held senior research and management positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Scott earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1985.
Eric A. Wachter, Ph.D., 43, has served as our Vice President - Pharmaceuticals and as a member of our Board of Directors since we acquired PPI on April 23, 2002. Prior to joining us, from 1997 to 2002 he was a senior member of the management team of Photogen, including serving as Secretary and a director of Photogen since 1997 and as Vice President and Secretary and a director of Photogen since 1999. Prior to joining Photogen, Dr. Wachter served as a senior research staff member with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1988.
Stuart Fuchs, 59, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since January 23, 2003. He is the co-founder and managing principal of Gryffindor since January 2000, a Chicago-based venture capital firm. Before joining Gryffindor, he was a founding stockholder of several biotech companies, including Angiogen LLC (since 1998), which develops combinations of drugs to stimulate in vivo production of factors that inhibit the growth of blood vessels in tumors, and Nace Pharma LLC (since 1996), which develops drugs that employ novel drug delivery technologies. Through Nace Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation providing strategic and financial advice to companies in the technology sector, Mr. Fuchs has formed or participated in groups of investors on behalf of several companies, including Miicro Inc., Celsion Corp. and Photogen. Before founding Nace Resources Inc., he served for 19 years as an investment banker with Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he co-managed the firm’s public finance activities for the Midwest region. Before joining Goldman, Sachs & Co., Mr. Fuchs was a lawyer in private practice with Barrett Smith Schapiro & Simon in New York. Mr. Fuchs holds an A.B. degree from Harvard College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School and is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.
The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote FOR each of the nominees for election to the Board of Directors named above.
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Proposal 2:
Amendment to the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan
The Board of Directors has approved an amendment to our Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan, subject to stockholder approval to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan from 5,000,000 shares to 10,000,000. The Plan was approved by the stockholders at the annual meeting in 2003 and was amended at the annual meetings in both 2004 and 2005. The Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, rights to purchase restricted stock and long-term performance awards. Our employees, consultants and directors who are not employees whose present and potential contributions are important to our continued success are eligible to receive awards. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors which has the power to authorize awards and determine their terms and conditions. The Plan will remain in effect until all awards under the Plan have been issued, expired or otherwise terminated or the Plan is terminated by the Board of Directors. However, no award may be granted more than ten years after the date of the Plan’s approval (2013). Generally, a participant’s awards issued under the Plan are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Our Board has determined that an increase in the reserve of shares is necessary, especially in light of the fact that as of April 24, 2006, no shares remain in the reserve. The Board believes that we must offer a competitive equity compensation program if we are to continue to successfully attract and retain the most qualified candidates as employees, directors and consultants. The Board expects that the Plan, as amended, will be an important factor in attracting and retaining the personnel essential to our success and in motivating these individuals to strive to enhance our growth and profitability. The opportunity to acquire an equity interest will align the economic interest of these individuals with those of other stockholders, thereby benefiting all of our stockholders. The Plan remains unchanged in all other respects.
The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the adoption of this proposal.
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Information about the Board of Directors
How often did the Board of Directors meet in 2005?
The Board of Directors met once and took action by unanimous written consent 19 times during 2005. Each Board member attended more than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and its committees on which he served. Members of the Board of Directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting. All members of our Board attended the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders either in person or via telephone conference.
How does the Board of Directors operate?
Because the Board of Directors consists of only four members and our operations remain amenable to oversight by a limited number of directors, the Board has not delegated any of its functions to committees. None of the members of our Board of Directors is considered independent. The Board has not adopted either a nominating or audit committee charter.
The entire Board of Directors acts as our audit committee as permitted under Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as our nominating committee. The Board views its duties as an audit committee as follows:
| · | Review recommendations of independent registered public accountants concerning our accounting principles, internal controls and accounting procedures and practices; |
| · | Review the scope of the annual audit; |
| · | Approve or disapprove each professional service or type of service other than standard auditing services to be provided by the registered public accountants; and |
| · | Review and discuss with the independent registered public accountants the audited financial statements. |
The entire Board of Directors acts as our nominating committee. The Board has no set procedures or policy on the selection of nominees or evaluation of stockholder recommendations and will consider these issues on a case-by-case basis. The Board will consider stockholder recommendations for director nominees that are properly received in accordance with our bylaws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board screens all potential candidates in the same manner. The Board's review will typically be based on all information provided with respect to the potential candidate. The Board has not established specific minimum qualifications that must be met by a nominee for a position on the Board or specific qualities and skills for a director. For more information, please see the section entitled “Stockholder Proposals for 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders” below. Stockholders who wish to contact the members of the Board of Directors may do so by sending an e-mail addressed to them at info@pvct.com.
How are directors compensated?
Three of our four directors, Drs. Dees, Scott and Wachter, are also full-time employees. As discussed below under the heading “EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION,” they are compensated for their service in those roles. Other than the options described below, they are not separately compensated for their service as directors.
Mr. Fuchs does not receive cash compensation for his service as a member of the Board of Directors, although he is reimbursed for expenses incurred in fulfilling his duties as a director, including attending meetings.
On the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, each member of the Board receives options exercisable for shares of our common stock. This was 25,000 options in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and is 50,000 options in 2006.
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Executive Officer Compensation
The table below shows the compensation for services in all capacities we paid during the year ended December 31, 2005 to our Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2005 who received more than $100,000:
Summary Compensation Table
Annual Compensation | Long Term Compensation | All Other Compensation(1) | |||
Name and Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus($) ) | Securities Underlying Options/SARs(#) | |
H. Craig Dees. Chief Executive Officer | 2005 2004 2003 | 229,166 175,000 131,250 | 113,462 -- -- | 825,000 325,000 100,000 | $21,634 $91,666 -- |
Timothy C. Scott President | 2005 2004 2003 | 208,333 175,000 131,250 | 113,462 -- -- | 825,000 325,000 100,000 | $36,217 $77,083 -- |
Eric A. Wachter Vice President—Pharmaceuticals | 2005 2004 2003 | 183,333 175,000 131,250 | 68,462 -- -- | 825,000 325,000 100,000 | $21,634 $70,833 -- |
Peter R. Culpepper Chief Financial Officer | 2005 2004 2003 | 208,333 118,750 -- | 83,462 -- -- | 775,000 400,000 -- | $44,552 -- -- |
(1) Drs. Dees, Scott and Wachter served without salary from April 23, 2002 until November 16, 2002. During 2004 we paid them a portion of their accrued compensation relating to the period April 23, 2002 until November 16, 2002. During 2005 we paid Dr. Scott the remaining portion of his accrued compensation. During 2005 we paid Mr. Culpepper his accrued compensation from 2004. And during 2005, we paid Drs. Dees, Scott, Wachter and Mr. Culpepper accrued compensation for unused vacation time.
Other Executive Officer
Peter R. Culpepper, 46, was appointed to serve as our Chief Financial Officer in February 2004. Previously, Mr. Culpepper served as Chief Financial Officer for Felix Culpepper International, Inc. from 2001 to 2004; was a Registered Representative with AXA Advisors, LLC from 2002 to 2003; has served as Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller for Neptec, Inc. from 2000 to 2001; has served in various Senior Director positions with Metromedia Affiliated Companies from 1998 to 2000; has served in various Senior Director and other financial positions with Paging Network, Inc. from 1993 to 1998; and has served in a variety of financial roles in public accounting and industry from 1982 to 1993. He earned a Masters in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Maryland - College Park in 1992 and an undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary - Williamsburg, Virginia in 1982. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in both Tennessee and Maryland.
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Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
Name | Number of shares underlying options | % of total options granted to employees in fiscal year | Exercise price ($/sh) | Expiration Date |
| H. Craig Dees | 300,000 300,000 25,000 200,000 | 9.2 9.2 0.8 6.2 | 0.64 0.75 0.62 0.94 | 2015 2015 2015 2015 |
| Timothy C. Scott | 300,000 300,000 25,000 200,000 | 9.2 9.2 0.8 6.2 | 0.64 0.75 0.62 0.94 | 2015 2015 2015 2015 |
| Eric A. Wachter | 300,000 300,000 25,000 200,000 | 9.2 9.2 0.8 6.2 | 0.64 0.75 0.62 0.94 | 2015 2015 2015 2015 |
| Peter R. Culpepper | 300,000 300,000 175,000 | 9.2 9.2 5.4 | 0.64 0.75 0.94 | 2015 2015 2015 |
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year And Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Values
The following table discloses information regarding stock options held at the end of or exercised in the year 2005 for each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table above.
Name | Shares acquired on exercise (1) | Value realized (1) | Securities underlying Unexercised options at December 31, 2005 | Value of unexercised in-the-money options at December 31, 2005 (2) | ||
Exercisable | Unexercisable | Exercisable | Unexercisable | |||
| H. Craig Dees. | -- | -- | 281,250 | 968,750 | $150,875 | $560,875 |
| Timothy C. Scott | -- | -- | 281,250 | 968,750 | $150,875 | $560,875 |
| Eric A. Wachter | -- | -- | 281,250 | 968,750 | $150,875 | $560,875 |
| Peter R. Culpepper | 26,516 | -- | 98,484 | 1,050,000 | $ 20,076 | $557,500 |
_________________
| (1) | As of December 31, 2005, 26,516 options had been exercised by one executive officer under the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Option Plan. The options were exercised at a price higher than the market price on the date of exercise. Therefore, no value was realized. |
| (2) | Based on the closing price of the OTC Bulletin Board of $1.38 per share as of April 24, 2006. |
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Employment Agreements
On January 4, 2005, we entered into executive employment agreements with each of H. Craig Dees. Ph.D., Timothy C. Scott, Ph.D., Eric A. Wachter, Ph.D., and Peter R. Culpepper, CPA, to serve as our Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. Each agreement provides that such executive will be employed for a one-year term with automatic one-year renewals unless previously terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement or either party gives notice that the term will not be extended. Each executive’s initial base salary is $200,000 per year and is subject to adjustment by our Board of Directors. Executives are also entitled to participate in any incentive compensation plan or bonus plan adopted by us without diminution of any compensation or payment under the agreement. Executives are further entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during his performance of services under the agreement.
Each agreement generally provides that if the executive’s employment is terminated prior to a change in control (as defined in the agreement) (1) due to expiration or non-extension of the term by us; or (2) by us for any reason other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), then such executive shall be entitled to receive payments under the agreement as if the agreement was still in effect through the end of the period in effect as of the date of such termination. If the executive’s employment (1) is terminated by the company at any time for cause, (2) is terminated by executive prior to, and not coincident with, a change in control or (3) is terminated by executive’s death, disability or retirement prior to a change in control, the executive (or his estate, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive payments under the agreement through the last date of the month of such termination, a pro rata portion of any incentive or bonus payment earned prior to such termination, any benefits to which he is entitled under the terms and conditions of the pertinent plans in effect at termination and any reasonable expenses incurred during the performance of services under the agreement.
In the event that coincident with or following a change in control, the executive’s employment is terminated or the agreement is not extended (1) by action of the executive including his death, disability or retirement or (2) by action of the company not for cause, the executive (or his estate, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive payments under the agreement through the last date of the month of such termination, a pro rata portion of any incentive or bonus payment earned prior to such termination, any benefits to which he is entitled under the terms and conditions of the pertinent plans in effect at termination and any reasonable expenses incurred during the performance of services under the agreement. In addition, the company shall pay to the executive (or his estate, as the case may be), within 30 days following the date of termination or on the effective date of the change in control (whichever occurs later), a lump sum payment in cash in an amount equal to 2.90 times the base salary paid in the preceding calendar year, or scheduled to be paid to such executive during the year of such termination, whichever is greater, plus an additional amount sufficient to pay United States income tax on the lump sum amount paid.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The table below sets forth certain information regarding shares available as of December 31, 2005 for issuance under our equity compensation plans:
Category | (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (b) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | ||||
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders | 5,000,000 | $ | 0.82 | 0 | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders | 0 | $ | -- | 0 | |||
Total | 5,000,000 | $ | 0.82 | 0 | |||
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Report of the Board of Directors Acting as the audit committee
The Board of Directors serves as our audit committee. None of the members of the Board are independent. The Board acting as audit committee reviews our financial reporting process. In this context, the Board:
| · | has reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005. |
| · | has discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP, our independent registered public accountants, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as modified or supplemented. |
| · | has received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO Seidman, LLP, required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (“Independence Discussions with Audit Committees”), as modified or supplemented, and has discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP, the independent accountant’s independence. |
Based on this review and the discussions referred to above, the Board determined that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board also appointed BDO Seidman, LLP, as our independent registered public accountants for 2006.
This report is submitted on behalf of the members of the Board of Directors acting as the Audit Committee:
| H. Craig Dees | Timothy C. Scott |
| Eric A. Wachter | Stuart Fuchs |
The Report of the Board acting as the Audit Committee set out above shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall it be incorporated by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under these Acts.
We do not currently have an "audit committee financial expert," as defined under the rules of the SEC. Because the Board consists of only four members and operations remain amenable to oversight by a limited number of directors, the Board has not delegated any of its functions to committees. The entire Board acts as our audit committee as permitted under Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We believe that all members of our Board are qualified to serve as the committee and have the experience and knowledge to perform the duties required of the committee. We do not have any independent directors who would qualify as an audit committee financial expert, as defined. We believe that it has been, and may continue to be, impractical to recruit such a director unless and until we are significantly larger.
Audit Fees
The firm of BDO Seidman, LLP, served as our independent registered public accountants and audited our financial statements for 2005. We expect that representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP, will be present at the annual meeting. They will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. The table below sets out the fees we paid to BDO Seidman, LLP, our independent registered public accountants for 2004 and 2005.
2004 | 2005 | |
| Audit fees | $98,300 | $104,900 |
| Audit-related fees | -- | -- |
| Tax fees | -- | -- |
| All other fees | -- | -- |
Total | $98,300 | $104,900 |
It is the policy of the Board of Directors to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the Company's independent registered public accountants. The Board of Directors has considered whether the provision by BDO Seidman, LLP, of services of the varieties described above is compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO Seidman, LLP. In view of the fact that BDO Seidman, LLP, provides no services to us other than audit services, the Board of Directors believes that such services do not jeopardize the independence of BDO Seidman, LLP.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Investment by Gryffindor
On November 26, 2002, Gryffindor purchased our $1 million Convertible Secured Promissory Note dated November 26, 2002. This Note bears interest at 8% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, and is due and payable in full on November 26, 2004. Subject to certain exceptions, the Note is convertible into shares of our common stock on or after November 26, 2003, at which time the principal amount of the Note is convertible into common stock at the rate of one share for each $0.737 of principal so converted and any accrued but unpaid interest on the Note is convertible at the rate of one share for each $0.55 of accrued but unpaid interest so converted. Our obligations under the Note are secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets, including the capital stock of our wholly owned subsidiary Xantech. In addition, our obligations to Gryffindor are guaranteed by Xantech, and Xantech’s guarantee is secured by a first priority security interest in all of Xantech’s assets. Pursuant to our agreement with Gryffindor, we also issued to Gryffindor and to Stuart Fuchs, the managing principal of Gryffindor, Common Stock Purchase Warrants dated November 26, 2002, entitling Gryffindor and Mr. Fuchs to purchase, in the aggregate, up to 452,919 shares of common stock at a price of $0.001 per share. Simultaneously with the completion of the these transactions, Gryffindor and Mr. Fuchs exercised the warrants in their entirety, and we issued 226,460 shares of our common stock to Gryffindor and 226,459 shares to Mr. Fuchs. On January 23, 2003, as required by our agreement with Gryffindor, Mr. Fuchs became one of our directors. We believe that the terms of these transactions were obtained by arms-length bargaining prior to the time Mr. Fuchs became one of our directors.
Pursuant to an agreement dated November 26, 2004 between us and Gryffindor, we issued Gryffindor a Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Convertible Note dated November 26, 2004 in the amended principal amount of $1,185,959 which included the original note principal plus accrued interest. The second amended note bears interest at 8% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, is due and payable in full on November 26, 2005, and amends and restates the amended note in its entirety. Subject to certain exceptions, the Note is convertible into shares of our common stock on or after November 26, 2004, at which time the principal amount of the Note is convertible into common stock at the rate of one share for each $0.737 of principal so converted and any accrued but unpaid interest on the Note is convertible at the rate of one share for each $0.55 of accrued but unpaid interest so converted. We issued warrants to Gryffindor to purchase up to 525,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share in satisfaction of issuing Gryffindor the Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Convertible Note dated November 26, 2004. We issued 175,000 warrants each month from March 2005 to November 2005 resulting in total warrants of 1,575,000 to Gryffindor pursuant to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Note dated November 26, 2004. On November 26, 2005 We entered into a redemption agreement with Gryffindor to pay $1,185,959 of the Gryffindor convertible debt and accrued interest of $94,877.
Loan from Stockholder
During 2002, Eric A. Wachter, Ph.D., who is also an employee and member of our board of directors loaned us $109,000. During 2003, Dr. Wachter loaned us an additional $40,000. During 2005, Dr. Wachter loaned us an additional $25,000. Interest on the loan is 5%, compounded monthly. Principal is due on December 31, 2009 and interest is payable quarterly in arrears beginning on June 30, 2003. Accrued interest was $-0- and $15,434 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Interest expense was $16,525 and $8,003 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In December 2005, we approved a request from Dr. Wachter to exchange the total loan amount of $174,000 plus accrued interest of $24,529 for 264,705 shares of common stock at $0.75 per share which are committed to be issued at December 31, 2005 and were issued on January 3, 2006. In connection with this transaction, which was based on the same terms as the private placement conducted at the same time, we also issued warrants to Dr. Wachter to purchase up to 330,881 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.935 per share.
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Other Matters
As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no other business that will be presented for consideration at the annual meeting other than the items referred to above. If any other matter properly is brought before the annual meeting for action by the stockholders, the persons named in the proxies will vote the shares of common stock represented by proxies as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if the Board gives no recommendation, as they may determine in their own discretion.
Additional Information
Solicitation of Proxies and Cost
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies for the annual meeting. In addition to solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, our employees, without extra remuneration, may solicit proxies personally or by telecommunications. We will reimburse brokerage firms, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners and seeking instruction with respect thereto.
Stockholder Proposals for 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Stockholders interested in presenting a proposal for consideration at our annual meeting of stockholders in 2007 may do so by following the procedures prescribed in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and our bylaws. To be eligible for inclusion, stockholder proposals must be received by our Secretary no later than December 31, 2006.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Peter R. Culpepper
Peter R. Culpepper
Secretary
Knoxville, Tennessee
April 28, 2006
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2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 22, 2006
This Proxy Is Solicited On Behalf Of The Board Of Directors
The 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), will be held at the offices of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, the Company’s counsel, located at Riverview Tower, Suite 2200, 900 South Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902, on Thursday, June 22, 2006, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the combined Notice of 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated April 28, 2006, accompanying this proxy, to which reference is hereby made for further information regarding the meeting and the matters to be considered and voted on by the stockholders at the meeting.
The undersigned hereby appoints Peter R. Culpepper and Linda M. Crouch-McCreadie, and each of them, attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution, to vote as proxy all shares of common stock of the Company owned of record by the undersigned as of the record date and otherwise to act on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting and any postponement or adjournment thereof, in accordance with the instructions set forth herein and with discretionary authority with respect to any other business, not known or determined at the time of the solicitation of this proxy, that properly comes before such meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy heretofore given and directs said attorneys and agents to vote or act as indicated on the reverse side hereof. If no instruction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1 and 2.
(continued on reverse side)
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| 7327 Oak Ridge Highway, Suite A Knoxville, TN 37931 phone 865/769-4011 fax 865/769-4013 |
April 28, 2006
Dear Stockholder:
It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to provide you with our 2005 Annual Report and the Proxy Statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Report discusses our performance in fiscal 2005 as well as our business strategy for the future. The Proxy Statement provides you with information relating to the business to be conducted at our annual meeting on June 22, 2006.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
You can vote by completing, signing, dating, and returning your proxy card in the accompanying envelope.
Thank you for your continued interest in, and ownership of, Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sincerely,
/s/ H.Craig Dees, Ph.D.
H. Craig Dees, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company and will be voted in accordance with the undersigned’s instructions set forth herein. If no instructions are provided, this proxy will be voted FOR each of the proposals described below. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSALS.
As to the election to the Board of Directors of the nominees named in the proxy statement delivered in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each for a one-year term expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
p FOR all nominees listed below:
H. Craig Dees, Ph.D. Timothy C. Scott, Ph.D.
Stuart Fuchs Eric A. Wachter, Ph.D.
p WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for all nominees
Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any director nominee, mark this box and draw a line through the name of the nominee in the list above.
As to the approval of the amendment to the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved under the Plan from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000:
p FOR p AGAINST p ABSTAIN
With respect to any other item of business that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders are authorized to vote the undersigned’s shares in accordance with their best judgment.
x Please mark your votes as indicated in this example. | Date: , 2006 |
Signature of stockholder | |
Signature of stockholder, if held jointly Please sign your name as it appears on this proxy. Joint owners each should sign. When signing as trustee, administrator, executor, attorney, etc., please indicate your full title as such. Corporations should sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. Partnerships should sign in full partnership name by authorized partner. |
▲ FOLD AND DETACH HERE ▲
Vote by Mail
Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
THANK YOU FOR VOTING.